Meet the faculty & staff at awakening seed school
Who Will Teach My Child?
Awakening Seed teachers are experienced, highly trained education professionals who care about the well-being of future generations. They’re compassionate educators striving in a spirit of cooperation to perfect their craft and bring excellence to all learning experiences.
University professors select Awakening Seed as an observation site because of the school’s unique teaching and learning approach. Awakening Seed is the choice of many Arizona State University, Rio Salado College, and South Mountain Community College students for internships or their student teaching experience.
Administration
Danielle Dueppen | Executive Director
About Danielle: This is Danielle’s fourth year in administration at the Seed and her first as executive director. Prior to being part of administration, she was an assistant in the Toddler 1s and PreK, the lead teacher in the Preschool 2.5/3s, and the lead in the 3rd/4th grade class. She is thrilled to be part of a school where children learn rich academic content as well as how to be compassionate citizens of the world.
Education: Originally from Pittsburgh, Danielle graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in psychology and elementary education. Danielle finished her master’s degree in educational leadership through Northern Arizona State University in May 2013. She is a certified principal and holds a K-8 teaching certificate with an endorsement in early childhood education.
Free time: Danielle’s husband, Eric, is a school district administrator, and they have two children, Madeleine and Connor. Outside of school, Danielle enjoys marathoning and staying active with her family.
Mary Glover | Founding Director/Co-founder
About Mary: Mary is the founding director of Awakening Seed School. She and Anne Sager established the school in 1977 when Mary’s two daughters Sarah and Astraea were young, and she has been teaching and directing the school ever since. Mary has taught preschool through 5th grade, and is now the founding director.
Education: Mary has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood education, and a master’s degree in elementary education from ASU. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Mary has published numerous articles and books, including Making School by Hand, A Garden of Poets, and Surprising Destinations.
Free time: Outside of school, Mary enjoys spending time with her family (especially her husband Bill), gardening, writing poetry, creating art, and practicing yoga. Keep up to date on Mary’s thoughts by reading her blog posts.
Bill Glover | Business and Facility Manager
About Bill: Bill is the business and facility manager. He has a strong background in business and management, and has operated his own business for over 40 years. Among his many positions, Bill was the Arizona logistics coordinator for Hands Across America. Prior to becoming the business and facilities manager at the Seed, Bill was in the construction business and took the position at the Seed “for a couple of weeks until we found someone” in 1986. He’s been handling the finances and maintenance ever since. Bill has played a significant part in the Seed’s growth and expansion, and daily continues to see that the Seed is a safe and inviting place for the children and staff. He enjoys helping out with projects that make learning fun and exciting for the students and teachers.
Free time: Bill loves spending time with his four granddaughters and grandson, as well as his two daughters and wife Mary.
Debbie Moody | Office Manager
Sarah Balluff | Accounts Receivable
About Sarah: Sarah has been a part of Awakening Seed since the start. She attended the Seed through 5th grade. Sarah inspired Awakening Seed to open up enrollment to toddlers and helped shape the program it is today. Four years ago, Sarah “retired” from teaching to further her education. She works part-time as the accounts receivable manager while continuing with her other life goals. Sarah is familiar with many aspects of the day-to-day events of Awakening Seed and is always happy and willing to answer questions or make you feel at home.
Free time: Sarah lives in Ahwatukee with her husband and two daughters, ages 19 and 17.
Priscilla Bendorovicz | After School Director
About Priscilla: Priscilla is a native Arizonan. She is an artist, specializing in portrait painting as well as still-life. Priscilla loves creating art with the kids. It brings her joy to watch them play and share her art expertise with them through projects. Priscilla has worked in the after-school program, assisted in numerous classes, served as a lead teacher in the Seed’s summer art camp, and this year begins her second year as the after school director.
Education: Priscilla has an associate’s degree in fine arts from Mesa Community College and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Arizona State University.
Free time: In her free time she likes to bake, garden, go to movies and travel. Her future plans are to teach secondary art and/or teach privately.
Lead Teachers
Lyndsy Almeida | Early 3s Lead Teacher
About Lyndsy: The Seed has been Lyndsy’s home away from home since 2007 when she began her career here as an aide to a 4th grade student. She went on to assist in the Toddler 1s and Toddler 2s and has taught the Early 3s since the 2012-2013 school year, except for a year when she and her husband lived in central Mexico. She has worked with children of all ages and abilities in various settings for thirteen years and couldn’t imagine spending her days any other way. She’s found her home in the Early 3s class and couldn’t be happier to return to this magical age group! Her favorite thing about the Seed is the focus on educating children’s hearts as well as their minds.
Education: Lyndsy graduated from ASU with a bachelor’s degree in family and human development in May 2011.
Mindy Bender-Webster | PreK Lead Teacher
About Mindy: Mindy, a native Arizonan, has always had a passion for working with children. At fifteen, she was an assistant teacher at her family’s dance studio and by eighteen was teaching and choreographing for her own dance classes. In 2003, as a senior at Mountain Pointe High School, she volunteered her afternoons working in classrooms at an elementary school. Over the next few years Mindy continued her hands-on training as a classroom assistant at The Chrysalis Academy, a private school for children with autism. In 2009, she became a certified yoga instructor and in 2010 started her journey at the Seed teaching physical education. She has since been the toddler after school lead, assistant in the Toddler 2s, Preschool 2.5/3s lead and is now the PreK lead teacher.
Education: Mindy holds a Child Development Associate credential through the Care Courses program.
Free Time: In her free time Mindy likes to spend time with her husband Alex and new baby son, Easton.
Lesley Chamberlain | 3rd/4th Grade Lead Teacher
About Lesley: This is Lesley’s fifth year on staff at the Seed and her fourth year teaching the 3rd/4th grade class. She previously taught fourth grade for eight years in the Alhambra Elementary School District in Phoenix.
Education: Lesley received her M.A. in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. She also holds an Arizona teaching certificate with an ESL endorsement.
Free Time: Lesley and her husband, Paul, are Seed parents as well. Their daughter, Berkeley, and son, Reese, are each former Seeds and currently attend school in their Ahwatukee neighborhood. In their spare time, Lesley and her family enjoy traveling, reading, swimming, and spending time together with their two mischievous mutts, Stella and Roo.
Krina Gobster | Toddler 1s Lead Teacher
About Krina: This is Krina’s fourth year as a lead teacher. It it her second year in the Toddler 1s after two years in the Preschool 3s. Prior to teaching, she worked eight years as a lifeguard, five of which she spent teaching swimming lessons during the summers. She spent two years studying at the Seed as an intern and student teacher in both the Preschool 3s and Kindergarten classes. After being hired as an additional part-time assistant and personal assistant in the Kindergarten class, she became the assistant in the 1st/2nd grade class for one year.
Education: Krina graduated with her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from ASU in December of 2011. She is an Arizona certified teacher.
Free time: When she’s not neck-deep in art projects with your children, Krina likes to be making a fun mess at home with her two kids. Both of her children attend the Seed. Her daughter, Georgia, is in 2nd grade and her son, Jaxen, is in the PreK room. Krina and her fiancé, Chester, take the family to Missouri each summer to enjoy some country living before returning back to this amazing school and community.
Deb Hopkins | Preschool 4s Lead Teacher
This is Deb’s 11th year as lead teacher in the Preschool 4s class. Her career at the Seed began the winter of 2004 when she was persuaded to assist in Mary Glover’s 4th/5th grade class. Her life at the Seed began when her children were young. Her son Hayden (age 15) and daughter Hannah (age 17), both proud Seed graduates, first attended the toddler class at age two, have worked at the Seed as summer interns and, recently, her daughter Hannah was hired as a Seed sub. In her former life, Deb worked as curator for many years at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art where she planned, organized and curated exhibitions and wrote about art and contemporary artists such as James Turrell, Wolfgang Laib and others. Deb’s art background influences her multi-disciplinary approach to teaching, at times turning the classroom into an immersive experience. Over the years, the preschoolers have delved into an array of subjects including the Middle Ages, food and culture of the world, the Ice Age, the Amazon rainforest, space and, most recently, dinosaurs. The Seed is her family’s second home.
Education: Deb earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in photography from the University of Arizona and has taught paper-making, book binding and photography to children and adults.
Free time: Deb has a passion for cooking, gardening, art, photography and yoga. She’s slowly learning how to play the guitar!
Jenny Limburg | Toddler 2s Co-Lead Teacher
About Jenny: Jenny grew up in Southern California and moved to Arizona in 2009 when a job opportunity brought her family to Phoenix. Jenny and her husband, Daniel, have three children: Megan, Connor, and Mallory (who is a recent Seed alum.) This will be Jenny’s twelfth year teaching preschool and her fourth year teaching in the Toddler 2 classroom. She loves the nurturing environment and creative atmosphere of the Seed.
Education: Jenny graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in child development and family studies.
Brenda Montgomery | 1st/2nd Grade Lead Teacher
About Brenda: This is Brenda’s second year as the lead in the 1st/2nd grade class. After six years of teaching at the Seed, she decided to try corporate life. She came back to the Seed three years ago as a parent when she enrolled her son in the Toddler 2s class. Brenda is happy to be a part of the Seed family as both staff and parent.
Education: Brenda has her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arizona State University and is an Arizona certified teacher.
Free time: Growing up in the Colorado mountains fostered Brenda’s love for the outdoors. She frequently hikes all around Arizona. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, riding her horses and spending time with friends and family.
Stephanie Peyton | Resource Coordinator
About Stephanie: Stephanie has worked at the Seed for sixteen years and has been the resource coordinator for eight years. She also has a wide range of experience teaching almost all of our grade levels. Stephanie has done extensive work with special needs children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and visual impairment. She has presented her classroom model at several conferences sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education and works with the Seed teachers to support classroom management and work modifications for students with special needs. She has taught special education classes at ASU for pre-service teachers. She also serves on the board for the Foundation for Blind Children.
Education: Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education focusing on curriculum and instruction. She is an Arizona certified teacher.
Free time: Stephanie and her husband, Justin, have three daughters. Sarah Beth, their oldest, is in the third grade at Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center in the Life Skills Program and Hillary is in the PreK classroom at the Seed. Their youngest, Catherine, is also at the Seed in the Toddler 1s class.
Kerri Tornow | K-1 Lead Teacher
About Kerri: Kerri, who grew up in Michigan, is the K-1 teacher. She has been part of the Seed staff since 1984. Kerri has many years of experience working with preschoolers through 2nd graders at the Seed. She also teaches art at the Seed summer art camp. Kerri enjoys children’s art and literature. Her focus is on providing a safe, happy classroom environment in which young children can explore their world and influence their own learning with rich oral expression, creative opportunities, purposeful experiences and strong social connections to their peers and teachers.
Education: Kerri graduated from ASU with a degree in art education and has an Arizona elementary certification with an early childhood endorsement.
Free time: Kerri is married to Roger. They have two sons, Andrew and Aaron. Andrew works in the field of graphic design. Aaron studied kinesiology and now works as a physical therapy technician. Both boys started their educations as Seed preschoolers and graduated from ASU. Kerri loves to draw and create crafts, as well as camp, canoe, hike and travel with her boys and their dogs.
Tatiana Vanegas | Toddler 2s Co-Lead Teacher
About Tatiana: Tatiana grew up in Mexico and moved to Phoenix fifteen years ago. Tatiana and her husband Victor have three kids: Nicolas, a 6th grader and Seed alum, Sofia, a 4rd grader, and Isabel, a kindergartener attending the Seed. This will be her seventh year on staff and her fourth year as co-lead teacher in the Toddler 2s class. She first heard of the Seed through friends and was attracted to the Seed’s nurturing and inclusive environment. Tatiana hopes to contribute to the Seed’s rich multicultural environment through her diverse background and experiences as a mother striving to raise positive bicultural and bilingual Seedlings.
Education: Tatiana has a degree in marketing from the Monterrey Institute of Technology.
Free time: Tatiana enjoys running, cooking and spending time with her family.
Kaylee Becher | Preschool 3s Co-Lead Teacher
About Kaylee: Kaylee first came to Awakening Seed in 2008. She enjoyed four years as the assistant teacher in the 3rd/4th/5th grade class before going on to teach the Preschool 3s. She and her family feel as though they’ve found their village within the school’s diverse community and have grown to love the Seed as their home away from home.
Deana Hernandez | Preschool 3s Co-Teacher, After School Toddler Lead
About Deana: Deana is a former Seed. This is her sixth year working at the Seed. She has previously assisted the PreK, Early 3s, and Preschool 3s, as well as leading the toddler after school program. Deana is excited to co-teach with Kaylee in the 3s classroom this year. She’s extremely happy to be a part of the Seed’s unique community!
Education: Deana is in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education through NAU.
Free time: When she’s not at work, Deana enjoys playing with her two boys, hiking, practicing yoga, and reading.
Assistant Teachers
Emily Richeal | After School, Substitute Teacher
About Emily: Emily is finishing her final semester of high school. 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. 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: After completing high school, Emily plans to go to college to become a teacher.
Free Time: In her free time Emily likes to be with friends, go on hikes, and eat food.
Gabbi Horst | 1st/2nd Grade Assistant Teacher
About Gabbi: Gabbi was born and raised in the Valley of the Sun. She knew that teaching was her calling from a young age. She has worked as a nanny and has spent several years in different classrooms as a volunteer and for practicum experiences. She believes that her diverse experiences have helped her grow as an educator immensely. She finds joy in working with children, watching them learn and grow. She is inspired by their honest and open minds that are full of infinite creativity and possibility. She feels fortunate to have found a school that provides such rich learning opportunities and loves being a part of the Seed community. She looks forward to continuing work and play alongside children throughout their learning experiences.
Education: Gabbi earned her Associates in Arts from Mesa Community College in 2014 along with an Arizona General Education Certificate. She will be graduating from Northern Arizona University in December of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an early childhood endorsement.
Free Time: Gabbi enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She loves coffee, U of A baseball, making art, listening to music, and roadtrips. Over long weekends and breaks, you can usually find her relaxing at the beach or exploring in the forests up north.
Ashley Ruiz | Pre K Assistant Teacher, After School
About Ashley: This is Ashley’s first 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 a part of the after school program and lending her assistance with subbing.
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 first year at the Seed and first year being in the Toddler 1’s room. She is looking forward to spending time laughing and learning with the toddlers. 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.
Hanna Beels-Barfoot | Early 3s Assistant Teacher, After School
About Hanna: Hanna grew up in Tempe and discovered the joy of working with kids at a young age. While in school, she experienced the excitement of the Seed summer art camp working as an assistant. While living in Flagstaff she worked at a Montessori school where she fell in love with elementary school learning. Last year she returned back to the Seed and was pleased to fill a position as the second assistant in the Toddler 1 classroom. This year she moved up with many kids from the toddler room to Lyndsy’s Early 3s class. She is excited to play, garden and explore.
Education: Hanna graduated from NAU in May 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences. In the spring of 2017 she will be graduating with a second bachelor’s degree in elementary education, as well as completing her Arizona teaching certification.
Free time: Hanna loves finding hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, cooking and gardening. When she’s not working or doing homework, she enjoys running and camping with her husband and their two dogs.
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 Brenda’s first grade class, and her daughter, Gwenyth, is in the Preschool 3s. Lisa enjoys working with children and has worked on and off with them since she began babysitting in junior high school.
Missy Green | PreK Assistant Teacher, After School
About her: Missy was born in Killeen, Texas, and moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, with her family when she was seven. Most of her family still resides in Texas but she does have some family in Arkansas, which is where she gets her love for the Arkansas Razorbacks. This is Missy’s second year at the Seed and in the PreK classroom. Before finding the Seed, Missy taught at Rockhouse Preschool in Flagstaff. She also worked for Universal Cheerleaders Association teaching summer cheerleading camps all over the west coast for eight years. During that time she coached cheer at Flagstaff High School. While being here at the Seed her love for teaching and education has grown and she is thankful for the opportunity to work here and with such great teachers.
Education: Missy is in the process of finishing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education at Northern Arizona University through the distant learning program.
Free Time: In her free time you can find Missy at the gym, out exploring, or at the movies.
Helen Mendizabal | Toddler 1s Assistant Teacher
About Helen: Helen was born in Guatemala, but she’s lived in Arizona since she was seven years old. Throughout her life, Helen has worked with children in many ways, as a nanny, in infant care, and working with kids with special needs.
Education: Helen is working on her associate’s degree in early childhood education and eventually plans to pursue a B.A. in early education.
Free time: Helen enjoys reading, playing video games and spending time with her husband, Estevan, and her 16-year-old dog, Mimi.
Saki Nabeshima | Preschool 4s Assistant Teacher
About Saki: Saki unexpectedly fell in love with the world of early childhood education during a 12-month internship at a transitional housing program, offering preschool music and movement classes. Her passion for sensibly nurturing young minds and souls has developed through teaching in early childhood classrooms since 2006. This is Saki’s fifth year at the Seed.
Education: Saki received her master’s degree in theology from Valparaiso University in 2005 and her bachelor’s degree in music from Hastings College in 2002. She has received extensive training in early childhood music education from Musikgarten, 95-hour children’s yoga teacher training, and 200-hr yoga teacher training from Desert Song.
Free time: Saki finds balance in life through yoga, essential oils, and spending quality time with her husband David.
Kristen Ruiz | P. E., Classroom Substitute
About Kristen: Kristen started at The Seed as our office manager in January 2010. To accommodate her busy life as a mom and student, she made the change to being our in-house classroom substitute. She is excited to start another great year at the Seed. She and her husband have two children: Izak, who is in the 1st/2nd grade class, and Brynlee, who is in the Toddler 2s. Prior to working at the Seed, Kristen was a licensed massage therapist and took one year off to stay home with Izak. She has experience in business management, as well as extensive organizational skills and a passion for disinfecting.
Education: Kristen received her Certificate of Completion in Massage Therapy from Chandler Gilbert Community College in 2008. She is currently working on her undergrad in applied biological sciences and plans to apply to a physician assistant program in the future.
Free time: Kristen loves reading, hiking, camping, and most of all spending as much time with her family as possible.
Yolanda Ruiz | Toddler 1s Assistant Teacher
About Yolanda: Yolanda was born and raised in Valencia, Spain and has lived in Phoenix since 2001. She speaks five languages, as many Europeans do, and loves the adventure of traveling. Yolanda has been to many places around the world, including Peru, Paris, Central America, Europe, Indonesia, Morocco, and China. This is her fifth year as a staff member and she is the parent of a Seed alum. She heard of the Seed through friends and the first things she noticed were the close relation with the staff and students, the gardening, recycling, compost, and the respect and love of the caring teachers. Yolanda hopes to contribute to the school environment through her rich multicultural experiences.
Education: Yolanda graduated in industrial design in Valencia and has a bachelor’s degree in hotel management from University of Nevada Las Vegas. She is currently working on her Child Development Associate credential.
Free time: Yolanda enjoys cooking, skiing, organizing trips, painting, restaurants, been in the board of directors of the Giant Schnauzer Rescue, and spending time with family, friends and pets.
Specials Teachers
Kristen Ruiz | P. E., Classroom Substitute
About Kristen: Kristen started at The Seed as our office manager in January 2010. To accommodate her busy life as a mom and student, she made the change to being our in-house classroom substitute. She is excited to start another great year at the Seed. She and her husband have two children: Izak, who is in the 1st/2nd grade class, and Brynlee, who is in the Toddler 2s. Prior to working at the Seed, Kristen was a licensed massage therapist and took one year off to stay home with Izak. She has experience in business management, as well as extensive organizational skills and a passion for disinfecting.
Education: Kristen received her Certificate of Completion in Massage Therapy from Chandler Gilbert Community College in 2008. She is currently working on her undergrad in applied biological sciences and plans to apply to a physician assistant program in the future.
Free time: Kristen loves reading, hiking, camping, and most of all spending as much time with her family as possible.
Jay Cleveland | Music Teacher
About Jay: This is Jay’s eighth year teaching music at the Seed. Jay hopes to share with students his knowledge of music, as well as his love of music and guide them in their use of music in their everyday lives.
Education: Jay graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, with degrees in music therapy and music education in 1992. Jay completed his music therapy internship at the Children’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies, a school for children with autism and other spectrum disorders.
Free time: When he isn’t working, Jay enjoys reading and spending time with his family, including his wife Christine and kids Emily and Jack. Outside of the classroom, he teaches guitar and other music lessons.
Diane Hughes | Spanish Teacher
About Diane: Diane is returning for her tenth year as the Spanish teacher at Awakening Seed. She has two children, one who is a student in the 3rd/4th grade class and one who is a recent Seed graduate!
Education: Diane has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and Spanish, a minor in Latin-American studies and a post-baccalaureate certificate in elementary education, all from ASU.
Free time: When she isn’t at school, Diane enjoys spending time with her family.
After School
Emily Richeal | After School, Substitute Teacher
About Emily: Emily is finishing her final semester of high school. 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. 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: After completing high school, Emily plans to go to college to become a teacher.
Free Time: In her free time Emily likes to be with friends, go on hikes, and eat food.
Ashley Ruiz | Pre K Assistant Teacher, After School
About Ashley: This is Ashley’s first 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 a part of the after school program and lending her assistance with subbing.
Emily Cleveland | 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 after school and subbing in the classrooms 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 first year at the Seed and first year being in the Toddler 1’s room. She is looking forward to spending time laughing and learning with the toddlers. 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.
Hanna Beels-Barfoot | Early 3s Assistant Teacher, After School
About Hanna: Hanna grew up in Tempe and discovered the joy of working with kids at a young age. While in school, she experienced the excitement of the Seed summer art camp working as an assistant. While living in Flagstaff she worked at a Montessori school where she fell in love with elementary school learning. Last year she returned back to the Seed and was pleased to fill a position as the second assistant in the Toddler 1 classroom. This year she moved up with many kids from the toddler room to Lyndsy’s Early 3s class. She is excited to play, garden and explore.
Education: Hanna graduated from NAU in May 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences. In the spring of 2017 she will be graduating with a second bachelor’s degree in elementary education, as well as completing her Arizona teaching certification.
Free time: Hanna loves finding hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, cooking and gardening. When she’s not working or doing homework, she enjoys running and camping with her husband and their two dogs.
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 Brenda’s first grade class, and her daughter, Gwenyth, is in the Preschool 3s. Lisa enjoys working with children and has worked on and off with them since she began babysitting in junior high school.
Missy Green | PreK Assistant Teacher, After School
About her: Missy was born in Killeen, Texas, and moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, with her family when she was seven. Most of her family still resides in Texas but she does have some family in Arkansas, which is where she gets her love for the Arkansas Razorbacks. This is Missy’s second year at the Seed and in the PreK classroom. Before finding the Seed, Missy taught at Rockhouse Preschool in Flagstaff. She also worked for Universal Cheerleaders Association teaching summer cheerleading camps all over the west coast for eight years. During that time she coached cheer at Flagstaff High School. While being here at the Seed her love for teaching and education has grown and she is thankful for the opportunity to work here and with such great teachers.
Education: Missy is in the process of finishing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education at Northern Arizona University through the distant learning program.
Free Time: In her free time you can find Missy at the gym, out exploring, or at the movies.
Deana Hernandez | Preschool 3s Co-Teacher, After School Toddler Lead
About Deana: Deana is a former Seed. This is her sixth year working at the Seed. She has previously assisted the PreK, Early 3s, and Preschool 3s, as well as leading the toddler after school program. Deana is excited to co-teach with Kaylee in the 3s classroom this year. She’s extremely happy to be a part of the Seed’s unique community!
Education: Deana is in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education through NAU.
Free time: When she’s not at work, Deana enjoys playing with her two boys, hiking, practicing yoga, and reading.