Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school
After School
Hannah Laugharn | After School Assistant Teacher
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 this past summer. The Awakening Seed taught her to be kind and compassionate. She is still friends with many of her Seed classmates.
Education: Hannah is attending South Mountain Community College in the fall working towards a teaching degree.
Free time: Hannah likes to spend time with friends, making art, and cooking.
Emily Richeal | Toddler 1s Assistant Teacher, After School Staff
About Emily: Emily is a 2017 high school graduate. She attended the Seed from time she was 18 months old through 5th grade. Emily was one of the original toddlers in the Seed’s toddler program, taught by her mom, Sarah Balluff, and Kerri Tornow. She is the first second generation alum to be on the Seed staff. The most important thing that Awakening Seed brought her is friendships and how to be respectful. Emily is still friends with some of her classmates from the Seed. She likes working at the Seed because everyone is really friendly and exciting to be around.
Education: Emily is a 2017 high school graduate. She plans to go to college in the near future to become a teacher.
Free Time: In her free time Emily likes to be with friends, go on hikes, and eat food.
Ashley Ruiz | 1st/2nd Assistant Teacher, After School Toddler Lead
About Ashley: This is Ashley’s second 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 in the toddler after school program and assisting in the 1st/2nd grade classroom.
Emily Cleveland | Early 3s Assistant Teacher, After School
About Emily: Emily has lived in Tempe her whole life. She discovered her passion for becoming a teacher by interning at the Seed summer art camp during the summers. As an intern, she could not wait until she was able to become a teacher.
Education: Emily graduated from Tempe Preparatory Academy in the spring of 2016 and is now attending Mesa Community College to receive her degree in early childhood development. She is thrilled to be working in the Early 3s and after school program this year!
Free time: In her free time Emily enjoys hanging out with her friends, spending time with family, going on bike rides, and hiking.
Cylie Krenkel | K-1 Assistant Teacher, After School
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 second year at the Seed as the K-1 assistant and after school staff member. She is looking forward to spending time laughing and learning with the students. She is a hands-on learning who is always willing to learn and take on anything new. She enjoys teaching children as well as learning from them.
Education: Cylie is pursuing a degree in education, 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.
Lisa Gatchalian | 3rd/4th Assistant Teacher, After School
About Lisa: Lisa will continue as the assistant teacher this year in the 3rd/4th grade classroom. She worked in Major League Baseball for ten years prior to staying home with her young children. Her son, Ashton, is in the 1st/2nd grade class, and her daughter, Gwenyth, is in PreK. Lisa enjoys working with children and has worked on and off with them since she began babysitting in junior high school.