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, Child Care
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, Child Care
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
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
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
Vinnie Turner
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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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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Tara Peckham
Preschool Teacher
Classroom: Preschool
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
Preschool Teacher
Classroom: Preschool
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
April Cox
Preschool & Infant Teacher
Classroom: Preschool
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
Preschool & Infant Teacher
Classroom: Preschool
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: Toddler
I am from: New Orleans, LA
Fun Fact About Me: I have a baby at the Steamboat Child Care Center!
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: Toddler
I am from: New Orleans, LA
Fun Fact About Me: I have a baby at the Steamboat Child Care Center!
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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Brenda Ehrlich
Preschool 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
Preschool 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
Engla Kolb
Preschool & Infant Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
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
Preschool & Infant Teacher
Classroom: Toddler
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
Alaina Willie
Toddler 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
Toddler 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
Mary Kendig
Early Childhood Teacher
Classroom: Infant
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 Teacher
Classroom: Infant
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 Aide
Classroom: Infant
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
Early Childhood Aide
Classroom: Infant
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
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 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
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
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 have 6 years of babysitting experience. I spent 1 year working as a kitchen specialist in a private daycare, but also worked as a teachers aid and loved getting involved in after school activities and babysitting for families.
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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 have 6 years of babysitting experience. I spent 1 year working as a kitchen specialist in a private daycare, but also worked as a teachers aid and loved getting involved in after school activities and babysitting for families.
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Renee hoffman
Early Childhood Substitute
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 Substitute
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
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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Erin Murphy
Early Childhood Substitute
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
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
Gery Smith
Early Childhood Substitute
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
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
Clara Sundberg
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Apple Creek, Ohio
Fun Fact: Runs cross country and track at Canisius University.
Industry Experience: Clara is currently studying childhood education at Canisius University. She brings hands-on experience working with children from infancy through 6th grade.
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Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Apple Creek, Ohio
Fun Fact: Runs cross country and track at Canisius University.
Industry Experience: Clara is currently studying childhood education at Canisius University. She brings hands-on experience working with children from infancy through 6th grade.
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Sam Nelson
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Northern Virginia
Fun Fact: 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.
Erika Torres
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Parral (Chihuahua), Mexico
Fun Fact About Me: I enjoy dancing.
Industry Experience: I have worked with children for about 4 years now. My journey began at Cantro Colorado Head Start and that's where I discovered my passion for Child Care. I'm from Mexico and my first language is Spanish. rich-text, responsive-table
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Parral (Chihuahua), Mexico
Fun Fact About Me: I enjoy dancing.
Industry Experience: I have worked with children for about 4 years now. My journey began at Cantro Colorado Head Start and that's where I discovered my passion for Child Care. I'm from Mexico and my first language is Spanish. rich-text, responsive-table
Ellen Ross
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Loves to laugh and spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Industry Experience: Ellen told her family she’d move to the mountains to teach skiing after college—and she followed through. With 15 years in the Steamboat community, she’s been involved in child-focused sports and instructor training, and she continues to love the industry.
Tom Bogh Jacobsa
Early Childhood Substitute
I am from: Tegacay, South Carolina
Fun Fact: 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.