Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school
After School
Alex Zapien | Toddler 1s Assistant Teacher, After School
Alondra Almodova | Toddler 2s Assistant Teacher, After School
About Alondra: Alondra was born in California and lived there for a couple of years until her family moved to Arizona. This past year she had experience working at a tutoring center with kids of all ages. She is in her second year of working at Awakening Seed. She will be working in the Toddler 2s class and is the proud mama of a beautiful baby daughter, Skarlett.
Education: Alondra graduated from Verrado High School in Buckeye and now lives in Chandler. She received her Associate degree from Estrella Mountain Community College in the spring of 2020. She will be continuing her education at Arizona State University majoring in Psychology.
Free time: Alondra likes to go on jogs and also enjoys hiking in the early mornings.
Ashley Ruiz | Toddler 2s Lead Teacher, After School
About Ashley: This is Ashley’s sixth year working at the Seed. She has always found joy and laughter when it comes to engaging with children. She was very young when she learned how to take care of children and their needs in education. Since then, she’s come to learn that there is no greater feeling than to see the impact you have on the kids with whom you have grow close. Ashley is very excited to be the lead teacher in the Toddler 2s class, as well as help out at the front desk after school.
Cylie Krenkel | After School Coordinator, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
About Cylie: Cylie is the second oldest of nine kids, six boys and three girls. Cylie has worked with children as a daycare assistant, a nanny, and as a teacher’s assistant in a special needs classroom. This is Cylie’s sixth year at the Seed as the kindergarten assistant and after school staff member. Cylie served as the interim after school director during summers 2017 and 2018, and has been the after school coordinator since the 2017-2018 school year. She is looking forward to spending time laughing and learning with the students, and leading the after school program. She is a hands-on learner who is always willing to take on anything new. She enjoys teaching children as well as learning from them.
Education: Cylie is currently pursuing her Child Development Associate credential, as she wants to become a teacher one day herself.
Free Time: In her free time Cylie enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, and spending time with family and her husband, Josh. She looks forward to the arrival of her daughter Kelsea in late September.
Hannah Laugharn | 1st/2nd Grade Assistant Teacher, After School
About Hannah: Hannah graduated from Horizon Honors High School in 2017. She attended the Seed from the age of two through fifth grade, and interned in the Preschool 4s class for many years after she left. Hannah worked in the after school program at Horizon for a year and a half, and started subbing and working in the Seed’s after school program in 2017. The Awakening Seed taught her to be kind and compassionate. She is still friends with many of her Seed classmates.
Education: Hannah is working on a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health services at South Mountain Community College.
Free time: Hannah likes to spend time with friends, making art, and cooking.
