Casey Hanway- Daycare Director
Welcome! My name is Casey Hanway, and I have been blessed to serve in Christian early childhood education for more than 15 years. As the Director of Zion Lutheran Daycare, I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment where every child feels loved and encouraged to grow. Before entering childcare, I worked in children's dentistry, where I developed a deep passion for caring for children and supporting families. I have been married to my husband for 22 years, and together we have three wonderful children. Being both a parent and an educator has given me a deep appreciation for the trust families place in us each day. I believe strong partnerships between parents and caregivers help children thrive. My goal is to create a welcoming place where children learn through play, build confidence, form lasting friendships, and grow in their faith. It is an honor to be part of each child's journey, and I look forward to partnering with your family as your child learns, grows, and reaches their God-given potential.
Laurel Tilzey- Infant/Toddler Room
Hello! My name is Laurel Tilzey and I have worked at Zion Lutheran Daycare for 22 years! My family and I are also long time members or Zion Lutheran Church. My husband, Vanni and I have been married for 31 years and we have three wonderful children, including Rachel, who also works here at the daycare. My sons names are Kaden and Cameron. Working here at Zion Lutheran Daycare is important to me because it’s a ministry of our church. Caring for your children has truly been a blessing.
Linda “Grandma” Martin- Infant/Toddler Room
Hi! My name is Linda, but most of the children know me as "Grandma." I have been blessed to be part of the Zion Lutheran Daycare family since 1993. Throughout the years, I have spent most of my time caring for our nursery children, and watching them grow, learn, and reach new milestones has always been my greatest joy. It is a blessing to be part of their earliest years and to see God's love shine through each child. I have also been fortunate to build lasting relationships with so many wonderful families over the years. I thank God every day for allowing me to do what I love for so long. When I'm not at work, I enjoy spending time with my granddaughter.
Benet Landon-Whitehead- Preschool Age
Hello, my name is Benet. I have had the absolute pleasure of being part of the Zion Lutheran Daycare team for the last 3 years. While I may have only worked at Zion Lutheran for the last 3 years, I have 11 years of childcare experience under my belt and hold my degree in Early Childhood Development and earned my preschool teaching credential in 2017. I have three sons- Westley, Elliott, and Colt- all of whom attend Zion Lutheran Daycare. I’ve been blessed with my incredible husband Grant and have been married to him for over 6 years. God was so good to our family to bring us to this special safe haven where my children have been loved so purely. Two of my sons have autism and the staff here continues to love them, guard them, and learn alongside them.
When I am not pouring into your littles, you can find me playing guitar, behind my camera lens, or running my fragrance business.
I can’t wait to get to know you and your littles so very soon!
Brooklynn Hanway- Preschool Age
Hi everyone! My name is Brooklynn, although most of the kid’s know me as “Teacher Bubba” or “the fun teacher”, and I love both titles. I teach our 3-5-year-old classroom and create the preschool lesson plans while also working as an independent hairstylist, a calling I believe God has given me alongside teaching His little ones. I am 21 years old, born and raised in Nampa, and recently moved to Caldwell with my boyfriend and our two beloved dogs. When I am not teaching or in the salon, I enjoy fishing, camping, hiking and spending time outdoos. My favorite Bible verse in Pslam 46:5: “God is within her, she will not fall,” because it reminds me that God’s timing and faithfulness are always perfect. Zion has been of my family’s story for generations, beginning with my grandmother, Kathy, who founded the daycare when my mom, Director Casey, was in Kindergarten. I attended Zion Lutheran Daycare as a child, later started working here as a summer job in high-school, and have been blessed to continue serving here ever since. Watching children learn, grow and discover how much Jesus loves them is one of the greatest joys that God has ever given me. Thank you for trusting me with your greatest blessings, and I’ll always be happy to answer to “Teacher Bubba!”
Rachel Tilzey- Two’s Teacher
Hello my name is Rachel Tilzey and I have worked at Zion Lutheran Daycare for about 8 years. Working at Zion Lutheran means so much to me, because I get to pour love into your children every day- and they give that love right back. Seeing their joy, growth, and happy hearts fills mine as well. Things I like to do for fun include kayaking and hiking with my family, hanging out with a few friends from my church group, and snuggling with my dogs while I was movies! My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”
Bre Hanway-Teacher Assistant
Hi! My name is Breanna Hanway, but I prefer to be called “Bre”. I’m 17 years old and am a senior in high school. I have been working in childcare for the past four years. Caring for children has become something I truly love, and I enjoy getting to be part of their learning, growth, and everyday adventures. I have a special place in my heart for children with special needs. My goal is to make sure every child feels safe, loved, included, and confident to be themselves. I believe every child deserves a place where they can learn, grow, and know they are valued. Outside of childcare, I spent eight years as a competitive cheerleader, which taught me dedication, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of encouraging others. I love bringing that same positive energy into the classroom each day and helping create a fun, caring environment where every child can thrive. I feel incredibly grateful to do something I’m passionate about and look forward to making a positive difference in the lives of the children and families I have the privilege of serving.