Meet The Staff
Sarah Mikkelson
Director, Child Care
I am from: Delafield, Wisconsin
Fun Fact About Me: I opened a child care center for Steamboat in November 2001 and 20 years after, I began the process again.
Industry Experience: I have been working with young children for 30 years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master's of Art in Education. I have been working with families in the Yampa Valley since 1999 as a kindergarten teacher, PreK teacher, infant caregiver, and Child Care Director. rich-text, responsive-table
Director, Child Care
I am from: Delafield, Wisconsin
Fun Fact About Me: I opened a child care center for Steamboat in November 2001 and 20 years after, I began the process again.
Industry Experience: I have been working with young children for 30 years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master's of Art in Education. I have been working with families in the Yampa Valley since 1999 as a kindergarten teacher, PreK teacher, infant caregiver, and Child Care Director. rich-text, responsive-table
Alicia Penrose
Assistant Director
Classroom: Toddlers
I am from: Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Fun Fact About Me: I like to crochet!
Industry Experience: I have worked with children most of my life. I have been an early childhood educator for 10 years. rich-text, responsive-table
Assistant Director
Classroom: Toddlers
I am from: Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Fun Fact About Me: I like to crochet!
Industry Experience: I have worked with children most of my life. I have been an early childhood educator for 10 years. rich-text, responsive-table
Lennae jenkins
Early Childhood Coach
I am from: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Industry Experience: I have been in ECE since high school, over 20 years now. I have worked in summer camps, Montessori, expeditionary learning, special education, nature-based and traditional preschool programs in Colorado, Oregon, Switzerland, Australia, and Zambia. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Coach
I am from: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Industry Experience: I have been in ECE since high school, over 20 years now. I have worked in summer camps, Montessori, expeditionary learning, special education, nature-based and traditional preschool programs in Colorado, Oregon, Switzerland, Australia, and Zambia. rich-text, responsive-table
Vinnie Turner
Lead Preschool Teacher
I am From: Bellingham, WA
Classroom: Preschool
Fun Fact About Me: I spent a summer working with a team to divert up to 40% of waste from Willard Fire Camps.
Industry Experience: I began working with children through outdoor education in 2019. Since then, I have earned my bachelor's degree in ECE as of Sprint 2024. I work to foster a love for learning and the great outdoors though my teaching practices.
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Lead Preschool Teacher
I am From: Bellingham, WA
Classroom: Preschool
Fun Fact About Me: I spent a summer working with a team to divert up to 40% of waste from Willard Fire Camps.
Industry Experience: I began working with children through outdoor education in 2019. Since then, I have earned my bachelor's degree in ECE as of Sprint 2024. I work to foster a love for learning and the great outdoors though my teaching practices.
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Sarah Farmer
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: PreK
I am from: Naperville, Illinois
Fun Fact About Me: In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, skiing, and exploring Colorado with my husband!
Industry Experience: I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at Colorado University-Boulder and completed my Master's at Western Michigan University in School Counseling. I started off working in childcare and ski school at Steamboat Ski Resort in 2013. I have also been a substitute teacher and paraprofessional with the Steamboat Springs School District. I enjoy helping children build their self-confidence and guiding them as they explore and discover the world around them. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: PreK
I am from: Naperville, Illinois
Fun Fact About Me: In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, skiing, and exploring Colorado with my husband!
Industry Experience: I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at Colorado University-Boulder and completed my Master's at Western Michigan University in School Counseling. I started off working in childcare and ski school at Steamboat Ski Resort in 2013. I have also been a substitute teacher and paraprofessional with the Steamboat Springs School District. I enjoy helping children build their self-confidence and guiding them as they explore and discover the world around them. rich-text, responsive-table
Engla Kolb
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Preschool and PreK
I am from: Linkoping, Sweden
Fun Fact About Me: I have 4 boys that we say they range from diapers to driving. Ages 2 - 17 years old.
Industry Experience: I worked as a nanny during college, then taught Swedish in a school for a year in Texas. I stated Early Childhood Education in Steamboat in 2023. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Preschool and PreK
I am from: Linkoping, Sweden
Fun Fact About Me: I have 4 boys that we say they range from diapers to driving. Ages 2 - 17 years old.
Industry Experience: I worked as a nanny during college, then taught Swedish in a school for a year in Texas. I stated Early Childhood Education in Steamboat in 2023. rich-text, responsive-table
Renee hoffman
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: Haines, Alaska
Fun fact about me: I lived in Alaska for 23 years adventuring and raising a family.
Industry Experience: Past industry experience includes summer camps, preschool manager, and at-risk youth adventure program. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: Haines, Alaska
Fun fact about me: I lived in Alaska for 23 years adventuring and raising a family.
Industry Experience: Past industry experience includes summer camps, preschool manager, and at-risk youth adventure program. rich-text, responsive-table
Tara Peckham
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: Born in Denver, raised in Oak Creek, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I worked as a dental lab technician for 6 years. There is a lot of art involved in fabricating dentures!
Industry Experience: I have been in the early childhood industry for roughly 12 years. My favorite part about it is helping children develop a passion for learning. We help build the foundation for children to learn and grown, which will follow them for years to come. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: Born in Denver, raised in Oak Creek, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I worked as a dental lab technician for 6 years. There is a lot of art involved in fabricating dentures!
Industry Experience: I have been in the early childhood industry for roughly 12 years. My favorite part about it is helping children develop a passion for learning. We help build the foundation for children to learn and grown, which will follow them for years to come. rich-text, responsive-table
Brenda Ehrlich
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: West Virginia
Fun Fact About Me: I love to play pickle ball!
Industry Experience: I am a former preschool/elementary volunteer. I also taught fourth grade and was an elementary substitute teacher. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
I am from: West Virginia
Fun Fact About Me: I love to play pickle ball!
Industry Experience: I am a former preschool/elementary volunteer. I also taught fourth grade and was an elementary substitute teacher. rich-text, responsive-table
Alaina Willie
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
Industry Experience: I have been babysitting since I was 15. I started working at a licensed child care center at 17 and have been in ECE since. I have worked with all age groups, I have primarily worked with toddlers. I have been an assistant, and for the past 1.5 years, I was a lead toddler teacher. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
Industry Experience: I have been babysitting since I was 15. I started working at a licensed child care center at 17 and have been in ECE since. I have worked with all age groups, I have primarily worked with toddlers. I have been an assistant, and for the past 1.5 years, I was a lead toddler teacher. rich-text, responsive-table
April Cox
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant and Toddler
I am from: Portland, Oregon
Fun Fact About Me: I am a professional Face Painter and Paint & Sip instructor! I can also do fun cartoon voices.
Industry Experience: I started working in childcare in 2016 with my one-year-old daughter in tow. I have spent over six years working with infants and 1.5 years working with toddlers. Before becoming a mom, I taught ski lessons, art classes, and was a camp counselor for school age kids. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant and Toddler
I am from: Portland, Oregon
Fun Fact About Me: I am a professional Face Painter and Paint & Sip instructor! I can also do fun cartoon voices.
Industry Experience: I started working in childcare in 2016 with my one-year-old daughter in tow. I have spent over six years working with infants and 1.5 years working with toddlers. Before becoming a mom, I taught ski lessons, art classes, and was a camp counselor for school age kids. rich-text, responsive-table
Hailey Parker
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
I am from: New Orleans, LA
Fun Fact About Me: I have two dobermans.
Industry Experience: I've worked within a child care center for the last year and a half, and back in Louisiana I did summer camps as a counselor for about 5 years.
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Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
I am from: New Orleans, LA
Fun Fact About Me: I have two dobermans.
Industry Experience: I've worked within a child care center for the last year and a half, and back in Louisiana I did summer camps as a counselor for about 5 years.
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Tristan Trompeau
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
I am from: Denver, Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I grew up in France!
Industry Experience: I have been teaching for two years. Before coming to the SCCC, the age group I worked with was 3-5 year olds. I have been in the infant classroom since the summer of 2023. I love teaching young minds and being able to see them grow. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
I am from: Denver, Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I grew up in France!
Industry Experience: I have been teaching for two years. Before coming to the SCCC, the age group I worked with was 3-5 year olds. I have been in the infant classroom since the summer of 2023. I love teaching young minds and being able to see them grow. rich-text, responsive-table
Emily Kroh
Assistant Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Preschool and PreK
I am from: Kansas City, MO
Fun Fact About Me: I was a dancer from ages 3-18.
Industry Experience: I worked at a K-12 in Kansas City in both their after school program and their camps. I am currently getting a degree in outdoor education. rich-text, responsive-table
Assistant Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Preschool and PreK
I am from: Kansas City, MO
Fun Fact About Me: I was a dancer from ages 3-18.
Industry Experience: I worked at a K-12 in Kansas City in both their after school program and their camps. I am currently getting a degree in outdoor education. rich-text, responsive-table
Lucas Potter
Assistant Early Childhood Teacher and Floater
I am from: Tuscon, AZ
Fun Fact About Me: I hope to develop a therapeutic board game to facilitate play therapy.
Industry Experience: I have spent the last three years working in behavioral health hospitals caring for the needs of all ages, predominantly adulescents, with varying levels of care. Before that, I spent time working in summer programs for younger kids with visual impairments. When I am not working I enjoy taking my dog on nature walks or catching the latest sci-fi films. rich-text, responsive-table
Assistant Early Childhood Teacher and Floater
I am from: Tuscon, AZ
Fun Fact About Me: I hope to develop a therapeutic board game to facilitate play therapy.
Industry Experience: I have spent the last three years working in behavioral health hospitals caring for the needs of all ages, predominantly adulescents, with varying levels of care. Before that, I spent time working in summer programs for younger kids with visual impairments. When I am not working I enjoy taking my dog on nature walks or catching the latest sci-fi films. rich-text, responsive-table
Kaurene Salts
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Born in Nebraska and spent 34 years in Stamford, CT
Fun Fact About Me: Concerts are my life!
Industry Experience: I have been teaching preschool for over 24 years and raised my own three children who are now in their 20s.
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Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Born in Nebraska and spent 34 years in Stamford, CT
Fun Fact About Me: Concerts are my life!
Industry Experience: I have been teaching preschool for over 24 years and raised my own three children who are now in their 20s.
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Guergana Smith (Gery)
Early Childhood Substitute
Classroom: Preschool
I am from: Sofia, Bulgaria
Fun Fact About Me: I like camping and panning for gold.
Industry Experience: I have been working in early childhood settings for the last 10 years. I started as a severe need paraprofessional at Strawberry Park Elementgary and then transferred to the Steamboat Springs Preschool. I have been at the preschool for the last 5 years. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Substitute
Classroom: Preschool
I am from: Sofia, Bulgaria
Fun Fact About Me: I like camping and panning for gold.
Industry Experience: I have been working in early childhood settings for the last 10 years. I started as a severe need paraprofessional at Strawberry Park Elementgary and then transferred to the Steamboat Springs Preschool. I have been at the preschool for the last 5 years. rich-text, responsive-table
Mary Kendig
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Rochester, NY
Fun Fact About Me: When I am not working I can usually be found cheering on my 12 year old son who is a competitive snowboarder.
Industry Experience:I received my masters degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Colorado and taught at Boulder Journey School for 18 years. I am currently a birth and postpartum doula as well. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Rochester, NY
Fun Fact About Me: When I am not working I can usually be found cheering on my 12 year old son who is a competitive snowboarder.
Industry Experience:I received my masters degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Colorado and taught at Boulder Journey School for 18 years. I am currently a birth and postpartum doula as well. rich-text, responsive-table
Lily Butler
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I am pregnant with a little boy.
Industry Experience: I have always babysat little kids. I have been a TA for 2nd grade and babysat for the highschool teachers. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I am pregnant with a little boy.
Industry Experience: I have always babysat little kids. I have been a TA for 2nd grade and babysat for the highschool teachers. rich-text, responsive-table