Meet The Staff
Sarah Mikkelson
Director of 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 of 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
Mary Kendig
Assistant Director, Infant/Toddler Supervisor
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
Assistant Director, Infant/Toddler Supervisor
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
Alicia Penrose
Assistant Director, Administration and Operations
Infant and Toddler Program Supervisor
I am from: Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Fun Fact About Me: I have 3 grown-up children, and two grandchildren.
Industry Experience: I have held an Early Childhood Education Teaching License since 2012, when I first began working as an assistant teacher in the toddler, preschool and PreK classrooms. I have experience working with children aged 2 months -13 years old in a group setting. I have successfully helped open Kids Garden and the Steamboat Child Care Center. I was the first primary caregiver to complete the SCCC’s continuity of care model and took my primary group of children from the infant classroom through to the preschool classroom, getting to spend 2.5 years with them. I have been director qualified by the State of Colorado since 2020, and I am currently moving into a full time administration role. rich-text, responsive-table
Assistant Director, Administration and Operations
Infant and Toddler Program Supervisor
I am from: Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Fun Fact About Me: I have 3 grown-up children, and two grandchildren.
Industry Experience: I have held an Early Childhood Education Teaching License since 2012, when I first began working as an assistant teacher in the toddler, preschool and PreK classrooms. I have experience working with children aged 2 months -13 years old in a group setting. I have successfully helped open Kids Garden and the Steamboat Child Care Center. I was the first primary caregiver to complete the SCCC’s continuity of care model and took my primary group of children from the infant classroom through to the preschool classroom, getting to spend 2.5 years with them. I have been director qualified by the State of Colorado since 2020, and I am currently moving into a full time administration role. rich-text, responsive-table
Lennae jenkins
ECE 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
ECE 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
Ann Yager
Lead PreK Teacher
I am from: Steamboat Springs, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I love hiking with my dog and solitude.
Industry Experience: I have experience floating, assisting, and leading nearly every age group. I have training in pyramid, conscious discipline, and dinosaur school. I enjoy co-creating conscious classrooms. rich-text, responsive-table
Lead PreK Teacher
I am from: Steamboat Springs, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I love hiking with my dog and solitude.
Industry Experience: I have experience floating, assisting, and leading nearly every age group. I have training in pyramid, conscious discipline, and dinosaur school. I enjoy co-creating conscious classrooms. rich-text, responsive-table
Kylee Ainge
PreK Teacher
I am from: Rock Springs, WY
Fun Fact About Me: I am a private advocate for children with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities.
Industry Experience: I previously worked for a private care center in Wyoming as a chef and enjoyed teaching after meals and being involved in after school activities. I love being a teacher/ caregiver and have been providing care since 2018.
I am currently studying Early childhood education and continue to learn through Mentorship. In my free time I am an online advocate for children with physical disabilities and take outdoor adventures with my dog Marcy whenever possible! rich-text, responsive-table
PreK Teacher
I am from: Rock Springs, WY
Fun Fact About Me: I am a private advocate for children with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities.
Industry Experience: I previously worked for a private care center in Wyoming as a chef and enjoyed teaching after meals and being involved in after school activities. I love being a teacher/ caregiver and have been providing care since 2018.
I am currently studying Early childhood education and continue to learn through Mentorship. In my free time I am an online advocate for children with physical disabilities and take outdoor adventures with my dog Marcy whenever possible! rich-text, responsive-table
Tara Peckham
Lead Preschool Teacher
I am from: Oak Creek Colorado.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to create art, it's therapeutic! Everything from watercolor to large pheasant feather mandalas.
Industry Experience: Aside from 6 years as a dental Lab Technician in my 20's, I have always worked in the early childhood field. I Have roughly 16 years' experience working with children ages 6 months to 6 years old.
My favorite part about working with young children is nurturing their natural desire to learn, helping to provide a solid foundation to build on for years to come. Also, their giggles. rich-text, responsive-table
Lead Preschool Teacher
I am from: Oak Creek Colorado.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to create art, it's therapeutic! Everything from watercolor to large pheasant feather mandalas.
Industry Experience: Aside from 6 years as a dental Lab Technician in my 20's, I have always worked in the early childhood field. I Have roughly 16 years' experience working with children ages 6 months to 6 years old.
My favorite part about working with young children is nurturing their natural desire to learn, helping to provide a solid foundation to build on for years to come. Also, their giggles. rich-text, responsive-table
Vinnie Turner
Lead Preschool Teacher
I am from: Bellingham, WA
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
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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Brenda Ehrlich
Preschool Teacher
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
Preschool Teacher
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
Lead Toddler Teacher
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
Lead Toddler Teacher
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
Toddler Teacher
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
Toddler Teacher
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
Aleah McCurdy
Toddler Teacher
I am from: Meeker, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I can't wait to learn to ski this winter.
Industry Experience: I have worked with kids in a few different settings, including volunteering at a public child care center, babysitting and caring for my own two children. I like to hike and work out. rich-text, responsive-table
Toddler Teacher
I am from: Meeker, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I can't wait to learn to ski this winter.
Industry Experience: I have worked with kids in a few different settings, including volunteering at a public child care center, babysitting and caring for my own two children. I like to hike and work out. rich-text, responsive-table
Lauren Leick
Toddler and Infant Teacher
I am from: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fun Fact About Me: I used to be a competitive springboard diver for 6 years.
Industry Experience: I have had a passion for working with kids since I was a kid myself. I have a degree in Child Development and have 7 years of experience working with kids of all ages and disabilities in many different settings such as classrooms, daycares, camps, and one-on-one settings. rich-text, responsive-table
Toddler and Infant Teacher
I am from: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fun Fact About Me: I used to be a competitive springboard diver for 6 years.
Industry Experience: I have had a passion for working with kids since I was a kid myself. I have a degree in Child Development and have 7 years of experience working with kids of all ages and disabilities in many different settings such as classrooms, daycares, camps, and one-on-one settings. rich-text, responsive-table
RIVER PASQUALE
Toddler Teacher and Substitute
I am from: Holyoke, MA
Fun Fact About Me: I love plants and bees.
Industry Experience: I have been a ski instructor at the resort for the 3-6 year olds since graduating college. I have also coached gymnastics, been a camp counselor at nature camps, and babysat for many years. I'm excited to be at SCCC when not ski instructing. rich-text, responsive-table
Toddler Teacher and Substitute
I am from: Holyoke, MA
Fun Fact About Me: I love plants and bees.
Industry Experience: I have been a ski instructor at the resort for the 3-6 year olds since graduating college. I have also coached gymnastics, been a camp counselor at nature camps, and babysat for many years. I'm excited to be at SCCC when not ski instructing. rich-text, responsive-table
Amy Wilson
Lead Infant Teacher
I am from: Steamboat Springs, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I have a very sweet duck named Big Duck.
Industry Experience: My first job was Junior Summer Camp counselor when I was 12. Except for a few years when my kids were little, I have worked in just about every possible childcare position. rich-text, responsive-table
Lead Infant Teacher
I am from: Steamboat Springs, CO
Fun Fact About Me: I have a very sweet duck named Big Duck.
Industry Experience: My first job was Junior Summer Camp counselor when I was 12. Except for a few years when my kids were little, I have worked in just about every possible childcare position. rich-text, responsive-table
Lily Butler
Infant Teacher
I am from: Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I have a baby at the SCCC!
Industry Experience: I have always babysat little kids. I have been a TA for 2nd grade and babysat for the high school teachers. rich-text, responsive-table
Infant Teacher
I am from: Colorado
Fun Fact About Me: I have a baby at the SCCC!
Industry Experience: I have always babysat little kids. I have been a TA for 2nd grade and babysat for the high school teachers. rich-text, responsive-table
Ellen Ross
Infant Teacher
I am from: Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact About Me: I love to be outdoors as much as possible.
Industry Experience: I started teaching skiing for the kids program at our local hill in high school. Moved out to Steamboat after college to continue teaching skiing. 16 years teaching here and now training upcoming instructors. I've been at SCCC since 2025 as an assistant teacher in the off-seasons.
Lucas Potter
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 adolescents, 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
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 adolescents, 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 Teacher
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 Teacher
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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Erin Murphy
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: South Hadley, MA
Fun Fact About Me: I carve avocado seeds into little pendants.
Industry Experience: I have been babysitting since I was 12 years old. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine. I babysit for different families and have been working with some for a long period of time. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: South Hadley, MA
Fun Fact About Me: I carve avocado seeds into little pendants.
Industry Experience: I have been babysitting since I was 12 years old. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine. I babysit for different families and have been working with some for a long period of time. rich-text, responsive-table
Sam Nelson
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: Northern Virginia
Fun Fact About Me: Co-founder of BAR-U-EAT, his favorite energy bars!
Industry Experience: Sam spent two years as a float teacher in an early child care center in Northern Virginia, supporting classrooms from infants to Pre-K. He also coached high school baseball and basketball during that time.
RENEE HOFFMAN
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: Haines, Alaska
Fun Fact About Me: 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 Substitute Teacher
I am from: Haines, Alaska
Fun Fact About Me: 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
Tom JacobsaN
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: Tegacay, South Carolina
Fun Fact About Me: Originally from Denmark. Moved to the U.S. from Denmark at age 26.
Industry Experience: Tom has spent 6 months working in two child care centers similar to this one. He also volunteered at an after-school/daycare center and brings personal experience as a parent to a now 24-year-old daughter. He’s been actively involved in caring for children of friends and family over the years.
Tiana Gorrell
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
I am from: Santa Barbara, CA
Fun Fact About Me: Trying to learn how to snowmobile, wish me luck!
Industry Experience: I have been babysitting since I was very young and worked in a day care facility for a little. I took some early childhood education classes that I loved in college as well.