Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school

After School

Alex Zapien

Toddler 2s Assistant Teacher, After School

About

Alex Zapien | Toddler 2s Assistant Teacher, After School

About Alex: Alex is an Arizona native. This will be her second year assisting at the Seed. She’s been around the Seed’s community for years and values the philosophy. Alex is excited to be behind the scenes now in the Toddler 2 room and cannot wait to grow alongside the toddlers. Alex will also be leading the toddler after school group. She has always loved taking care of children, and began babysitting/nannying for families, including Seed alumni, at a young age.

Education: Alex graduated from Marcos De Niza and went straight to cosmetology school. She plans on going back to school to further her education.

Free time: Alex has a daughter of her own and loves to spend every second of her free time with her family. She has a passion for all things music. From singing to songwriting, she loves it all!

Bryce Gerrich

Early 3s Assistant Teacher, After School

About

Bryce Gerrich | Early 3s Assistant Teacher, After School

About: Bryce is a native Arizonan and proud Seed alum, lucky to have been taught by Mary when he was in 2nd grade. Now he is blown away by the opportunity to work in the world’s most caring and forward-thinking school! His daughter, Ella, started in Toddler 1s the summer of 2017, and both Bryce and Ella have enjoyed every minute. In 2009 Bryce married his dream girl, Katie Gerrich, who has taught choir at McClintock High School in Tempe since 2005. They live in Chandler with their lovable rescue dog, Ice.

Education: Bryce always thought he would be a teacher. However, in school he was drawn to the allure of the business world and completed his bachelors in business management at the University of Phoenix before pursuing a sales career. Now Bryce is thrilled to return to his true passion and he plans to devote his full-time efforts to helping kids.

Free Time: Bryce loves doing anything that interests Ella, and that changes often! On weekends Bryce loves playing and watching soccer. He is a life-long Sun Devils football fan and since 2007 has worked as “spotter” to his broadcaster father-in-law, Tim Healey. Bryce also lives close enough for Sunday dinners and Waffle Wednesdays with his parents, Pat and Stuart, so he gets to thank them often for introducing the whole family to the Seed!

Ashley Ruiz

Toddler 1s Lead Teacher, After School

About

Ashley Ruiz | Toddler 1s Lead Teacher, After School

About Ashley: This is Ashley’s fifth 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.

Education: In 2020 Ashley completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for early childhood education.

Free time: When Ashley is not busy, she loves playing and spending time with her daughter and son, playing the violin, and playing softball.

Cylie Krenkel

After School Coordinator, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

About

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 fifth 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 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 will eventually pursue 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.

Hannah Laugharn

1st/2nd Grade Assistant Teacher, After School

About

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 attending South Mountain Community College working towards a psychology degree.

Free time: Hannah likes to spend time with friends, making art, and cooking.

Emily Richeal

Classroom Assistant Teacher

About

Emily Richeal | Classroom Assistant Teacher

About Emily: Emily 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 is currently a student at Mesa Community College, studying graphic design.

Free Time: In her free time Emily likes to be with friends, go on hikes, and eat food.