Editor’s note: Beth Pinyerd writes Kids Corner, a volunteer column that appears in the Daphne Bulletin and Spanish Fort Sun. When Beth Pinyerd is not busy serving as the director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship Church in Spanish Fort, she enjoys spending time with her family.

SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Pinyerd, an Opelika, Ala., native, has lived in Daphne for 20 years, but has worked in the Spanish Fort community for 17 years. She oversees the Sunday school department and works with babies 6 weeks old up to kindergarten at the church.

“They’re precious,” she said of the children. “We’ve got a wonderful preschool program.”

Pinyerd enjoys coming up with fun, unique ways to entertain the children. Her themes take  children to the jungle, outer space and into a teddy bear-themed pajama party.

We dance and do it all,” Pinyerd said. “We want to lay down a good foundation for these children from the beginning.”

Pinyerd also oversees MOPS: Mothers of Preschoolers, where she helps “equip mothers to be good mothers and encourage each other through lessons we have through these meetings.” She also does work with Awana, a Bible learning and activity program for children that begins Sept. 3.

Pinyerd got her love for helping children early on from her mother, Marie, who was also a teacher and prinicipal.

She is a graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in family and child development and a master’s degree in early childhood education. While at Auburn she met her husband, Carl, in church. They have been married for 28 years and have a son, Gus, who is a senior at the University of South Alabama, majoring mechanical engineering.

Pinyerd has been in early childhood education for more than 30 years. She taught in the Opelika City School System for six years, other private and Christian schools in Opelika and Jacksonville, Fla., for five years, Spanish Fort and Daphne for three years and at Chi Alpha Academy in Spanish Fort for 16 years. 

The family enjoys spending good quality time together and picnicking in Fairhope.

“Family time — you grab it when you can,” she said. “We really believe in the home even though there are just three of us.”

“I love to read anything I can get my hands on,” she said.

“Walking, reading, cooking – that’s me.”

Do you know someone the Spanish Fort Sun should profile?

You can e-mail Jenny Wilkins, jwilkins@gulfcoastnewspapers.com, and send your tip.