Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school
After School
Ashley Ruiz | Toddler 1s Lead Teacher, After School
About Ashley: This is Ashley’s seventh 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 1s class, as well as help out at the front desk after school.
Alex Zapien | Toddler 1s Assistant Teacher, After School
Alondra Almodova | Preschool 3s 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. She she had experience working at a tutoring center with kids of all ages. She is in her third year of working at Awakening Seed. She will be working in the Preschool 3s 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 is 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.
Lilian Treacy | Preschool 4s Assistant Teacher, After School
About Lilian: Lilian was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Arizona when she was four. She began kindergarten at the Seed and stayed here until 3rd grade. She is still friends with many of her Seed friends and is very excited to be back as an assistant teacher in the Preschool 4s class.
Education: Lilian graduated from Corona del Sol High School in 2016. In 2021 she completed her bachelors degree in Creative Writing at Arizona State University.
Free Time: Lilian loves to write, and can always be found reading a book. She also likes to hike, paint, and spend time with her dogs, Naya and Millie.
Bryce Gerrich | PreK Assistant Teacher, PE, After School
Julian Jacobs | PreK and Kindergarten Assistant Teacher, After School
About Julian: Julian recently moved from upstate New York to Phoenix, braced for the desert heat. For five years, he worked as a summer lifeguard, supervising children of various ages. This is Julian’s first year as an assistant teacher and he is excited to get to know the students as he begins his new journey in the southwest.
Education: Julian is a recent graduate from Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Music in Jazz Drums Performance.
Free Time: Julian enjoys running, skiing, and traveling and will be on a quest for the best coffee shop in Phoenix.
Cylie Krenkel | After School Coordinator, Classroom Support
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 seventh year at the Seed, serving as the assistant in Kindergarten, Preschool 4s, 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 supporting all of the teachers, 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, and daughter, Kelsea. She looks forward to her daughter starting in the Toddler 1s class in October.
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 Northern Arizona University.
Free time: Hannah likes to spend time with friends, making art, and cooking.