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About Miss Holly (Director/Owner)
Miss Holly has been a passionate preschool teacher since September 2006. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2005. After teaching 4th grade for a year, she also student-taught in both 1st and 3rd grades, and assisted in teaching Kindergarten and preschool in a private school setting. Miss Holly taught preschool in her home for 11 years and she has now been the owner/director of Discovery Kids Preschool for 18 years.
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A proud mother of four children aged 14 to 21, Miss Holly enjoys spending quality time with her family through activities like board and card games, sports, biking, camping, hiking, and traveling. In her personal time, she has a love for motorcycles, reading, and indulging in dark chocolate.
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Teaching is Miss Holly’s true passion, and she believes there's no better role than being both a mom and a preschool teacher, shaping young minds with care and enthusiasm.
About Miss Shalamar (Front Desk & Penguin Teacher)
Miss Shalamar loves teaching preschool at Discovery Kids Preschool. She has been shaping young minds for nearly seven years. With experience across various areas of education and age groups, she has found her true passion in working with preschoolers. She adores their sweet and funny remarks and cherishes the excitement they show when learning something new.
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Beyond the classroom, Miss Shalamar has been happily married to her best friend for 22 years. She and her husband have two wonderful daughters—Annabelle, 20, who is in college, and Izzabelle, 17, who is in high school. (Fun fact: Teenagers are almost as fabulous as preschoolers!)
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Her family also includes two lovable Labradors, Boog and Barr. When not teaching, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts and plays, hunting, fishing, restoring classic vehicles with her husband, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Miss Shalamar is thrilled to be part of Discovery Kids this year and looks forward to working with you and your sweet children!
About Miss Natalie (Horse & Whale Teacher)
Miss Natalie loves being a part of the Discovery Kids Preschool team! She graduated from the University of Utah in 2004 with a degree in Elementary Education and began her career teaching kindergarten for two years. She then spent two years working in her community with an organization that provided court-ordered parenting classes to families, where she had the privilege of teaching preschool-age children.
Miss Natalie has been married to her high school sweetheart for 21 years, and together they have two wonderful daughters and a handsome son. She cherishes spending time with her family, especially exploring new places together. In her free time, you can find her playing games with her family, reading a great book, or enjoying the outdoors.
Miss Natalie is passionate about early childhood education and she loves teaching at Discovery Kids Preschool, where she helps create a fun and nurturing learning environment for young learners.
About Miss Julie (Substitute Teacher)
Miss Julie graduated from Brigham Young University in 1996 with a degree in Elementary Education and spent several years teaching in Orange, California. She has a deep love for the learning process and finds joy in sharing the excitement that comes with discovering new things!
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She has been married to her husband, Andy, for 25 years, and together they have six wonderful children ranging in age from 7 to 22. For the past 19 years, Miss Julie has been fortunate to stay home with her children while tutoring, participating in preschool swaps, and dedicating countless hours to classroom activities.
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Miss Julie loves spending time outdoors with her family, whether hiking or enjoying the lake. Above all, her greatest passion is people—both big and small! She is thrilled to bring her love for learning and enthusiasm for teaching to Discovery Kids Preschool.
About Miss Ambree (Giraffe & Leopard Teacher)
Miss Ambree has had a passion for teaching since she was young, dreaming of becoming a preschool teacher from an early age. After graduating from Taylorsville High School, she dedicated seven years to working in a special education preschool before taking a break to stay home with her children. Now, she is thrilled to return to the classroom and continue making a difference in young lives.
She currently resides in Daybreak with her husband and their three wonderful children—Gavin (12), Maycee (10), and Ivy (5). In her free time, Ambree loves spending time with her family, teaching dance, traveling, and cheering on her daughters in dance and her son in basketball.
Miss Ambree is excited to join the incredible team at Discovery Kids Preschool and get back to doing what she loves. She believes in creating a nurturing environment where every child feels special and enjoys every moment of engaging with her students.
Meet Miss Lisa Anne (Owl Teacher)
Miss Lisa Anne is a passionate preschool teacher with a wealth of experience in education. Before transitioning to teaching preschoolers, she worked in elementary schools where she taught emotional and social skills programs, reading, and also served as a school librarian and teacher assistant. Her deep love for working with young children shines through in her teaching, where she cherishes the sweet nature and enthusiasm that preschoolers bring to learning each day.
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Miss Lisa Anne holds a Bachelor's degree in Family Health from Brigham Young University. She and her husband are proud parents to three wonderful children, who have recently embarked on their own adventures as they’ve left the nest.
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Outside of the classroom, Lisa is an avid gardener, a fan of learning about functional health, and enjoys baking and playing games with her family. She also loves hiking, playing pickleball, and spending precious moments with her new grandson. Whether in the classroom or at home, Lisa brings warmth, joy, and a genuine love for life to everything she does.
Meet Miss Kaylee (Shark Teacher)
Miss Kaylee graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master's Degree in Social Work in 2010. Following her graduation, she worked as a child and family therapist before deciding to stay at home with her children. She cherishes the time spent with her husband and their four kids. For the past two years, Miss Kaylee has taught preschool, where she finds great joy in being with children and guiding them as they explore and learn new things. Witnessing their excitement when they achieve new milestones is especially rewarding for her.
An outdoor enthusiast, Miss Kaylee loves hiking, camping, swimming, and visiting National Parks with her family. She also enjoys playing sports, particularly pickleball and tennis. In her spare time, she indulges in playing games, digital scrapbooking, baking, and reading.
Meet Miss Erin (Substitute Teacher)
Miss Erin is passionate about sharing her love of learning with young children. She grew up in Seattle, Washington (yes, she loves the rain!) and studied Early Childhood Education and Special Education at BYU-Idaho. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she moved to Utah and spent four years teaching in Granite School District. She is also a proud mom to two beautiful girls and one adorable boy, who will be in the Seal class this year!
In her free time, Miss Erin enjoys hiking, bike riding, camping, shopping, decorating, organizing, and—of course—cleaning her house. She also has a sweet tooth for chocolate! She loves planning parties and fun activities for her kids and their friends, always looking for new ways to make memories.
Miss Erin is thrilled to be part of Discovery Kids and can’t wait for an exciting year of learning and fun!
Meet Miss Callie (Seal Teacher)
Discovery Kids warmly welcomes Miss Callie to our teaching team. As a dedicated parent within our community, Miss Callie brings a unique blend of personal experience and academic expertise. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Consumer Studies from the University of Utah, fulfilling her long-held aspiration to educate young learners.
While prioritizing the care of her three children, ages six to three, Miss Callie continued to cultivate her passion for teaching by leading guided art classes for senior citizens. In her leisure time, she enjoys engaging in outdoor activities with her family, including fishing and hiking, as well as creative pursuits such as painting and beekeeping. Miss Callie eagerly anticipates connecting with each child at Discovery Kids, fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment.
About Miss Chiyomi Polar Bear Teacher)
Miss Chiyomi was born and raised in Utah and is a proud graduate of Weber State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Throughout her teaching career, Miss Chiyomi has taught a variety of elementary school grades and spent several years teaching in Japan.
Her passion for working with children led her to transition into preschool education, where she truly thrives. She absolutely loves working with young learners and is excited to continue learning from them while helping them grow!
Miss Heidi (Substitute Teacher)
Miss Heidi has been teaching at Discovery Kids Preschool for seven years. She graduated from Dixie State College in 2002 with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. With over 30 years of experience working with children, she has also served as a tumbling teacher. Additionally, she was trained in the “I Can Read” program and had the opportunity to work with various kids from diverse backgrounds during her reign as Miss Riverton in 2000.
She and her husband have been married for 24 years and have four children aged 13 to 18. Miss Heidi enjoys playing games with her family and friends, boating, and visiting family in St. George. She has a special place in her heart for young children and cherishes the love they have to offer.
About Miss Kathleen B. (Arctic Fox Teacher)
Miss Kathleen was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California. While attending Moorpark College, she met her husband, Spencer. In 1993, she completed her degree, got married, and moved to Utah to start a family. Kathy and Spencer, who have been married for 31 years, have three children aged 30, 26, and 17, as well as two twin grandchildren.
During her time raising her own kids, Kathy discovered her passion for teaching through volunteering, assistant teaching in a private school, and eventually teaching preschool classes for several years. She realized that being an active participant in the educational and physical development of students is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences. There’s nothing that brings Kathy more joy than connecting with children and witnessing the positive impact she can make on their lives.
Kathy enjoys spending time with her family and close friends and loves outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and playing sports. Her favorite pastimes include music, dancing, fitness, reading, and relaxing with a great movie. One of Kathy’s favorite quotes about teaching is: “Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”
About Miss Jessica (Dolphin Teacher & Front Office Manager)
Miss Jessica has been working at Discovery Kids Preschool since 2017 as the office manager. During the summer camp sessions, she also teaches and has been instructing preschool classes since 2019. With experience working with children in various capacities, preschoolers are her specialty. Before working at the preschool, she was a stay-at-home mom, raising her children from 2004 to 2017. Additionally, she has experience in customer service and working with special needs children.
Outside of work, Miss Jessica stays busy with her three children, who range in age from 11 to 20 years old. She enjoys spending time outdoors, whether that means walking her dog around Oquirrh Lake at Daybreak or hiking trails in the mountains. In her free time, she also loves reading, crocheting, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
About Miss Lisa R. (Lead Teacher, Panther, Tiger, Snake, & Parrot Teacher)
Miss Lisa has been teaching at Discovery Kids Preschool since 2019 and has loved every moment, especially the time spent with the children. She moved to Utah in 2019 from Corning, New York, with her husband of 30 years to be closer to their son, daughter, and four wonderful grandchildren.
With 36 years of experience working with children from birth to 18 years old, Miss Lisa has found that her favorite age group is 3–5 years old. She loves their curiosity about the world and the hilarious conversations that come with it. Seeing the excitement on their faces when they grasp a new concept is one of her greatest joys.
Miss Lisa began her college journey at Corning Community College in 2002, where she earned an associate degree. She then continued her education at Kaplan University, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in early childhood education.
Meet Karla (Lion & Sea Otter Teacher)
Miss Karla is a dedicated preschool teacher with a passion for fostering a love of learning in young children. A Southern California native, she recently moved to Utah with her husband and two children. With experience as a certificated substitute teacher in various Riverside County school districts, she has taught PreK-12th grade in both special education and traditional settings. She also served as a board member for a cooperative preschool while her children attended.
Miss Karla holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from California State University, L.A., and is currently in the process of obtaining her Utah Educator Licensure. She has training in ABA therapy for autistic and special needs children, providing support to both children and their caregivers by equipping them with tools for a more fulfilling and independent life. She finds joy in working with young children, appreciating their pure love and energy. She loves incorporating songs and creativity into her teaching to make learning a fun and engaging experience for her students.
In her free time, Miss Karla enjoys spending time with her family, diy projects, shopping, and visiting California whenever possible.
Meet Miss Kathy D. (Brown Bear Teacher)
Miss Kathy earned her B.A. in Art History from San Jose State University in California. She has always loved kids and has worked with them in numerous contexts, here at Discovery Kids, teaching computers at an elementary in South Jordan, and leading both children and teenagers in church classes and groups.
A true foodie, Miss Kathy is an expert at multiple cuisines, including Korean, Italian, and baked goods. She sells decorated sugar cookies.
Miss Kathy loves reading, skiing, and traveling, especially with her family, and has been to nearly two dozen countries and three dozen U.S. states. Although she grew up in Utah County, she has lived in six states and two countries and visited four continents.
The mother of three (ages 13 to 23!), Miss Kathy is married to her high school sweetheart and is the “grandma” to the family's dog, cat, and her daughter's lizard. She ran the Marine Corps Marathon and has vowed never to run another.
Meet Miss Heather (Substitute Teacher)
Miss Heather graduated from Brigham Young University in 2010 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught 1st and 2nd grade before taking time off to raise her family. A proud mom of four children, ages 4 to 11,
Miss Heather has stayed closely involved in education through volunteering in her kids’ classrooms and coaching their t-ball teams.
She recently returned to her home state of Utah after spending the last 10 years in California.
Miss Heather loves spending time outdoors, going on hikes, and soaking up beach days whenever she gets the chance.
She’s thrilled to be working with preschoolers and finds so much joy in watching them learn, grow, and solve problems in their own creative ways!
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Hello Preschool Families,
At Discovery Kids Preschool our first goal as preschool teachers is to make each day exciting! We want the children to love learning and to love coming to preschool. This is their first experience in a classroom setting and we want them to enjoy it, to feel comfortable, and to feel confident.
Our second goal is for each preschooler to succeed academically. We want them to stretch themselves, to realize their own learning potential and to seek out information by asking questions and applying new concepts.
Our last goal is for our students to be confident in a classroom setting by knowing when to share ideas and when to listen. I want my preschoolers to make new friends and strengthen those relationships using life skills and good communication.
Sincerely,
Discovery Kids Preschool Staff