Our Staff

Ms. Andrea, Director
Kindergarten Lead Teacher (September 1994)

Ms. Andrea has worked for Hearts In Hand for over 20 years. She has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She is Director Qualified through the State of Colorado and has worked with children for over 25 years. She has three boys who grew up at Hearts in Hand.

Birthday: January 8th
Favorite Drink: Pepsi, Starbucks Iced Tea
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee drink: Starbucks Iced Tea (Black Unsweet)
Favorite Restaurants: Young's Cafe, Outback
Favorite Candy/Chocolate: Dove Milk Chocolate, Kit Kats
Favorite Stores: Amazon
Favorite Scent: Vanilla
Favorite Cake: Chocolate
Other things I love: Colorado Avalanche, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Denver Broncos

Ms. Brittney, Wobbler Teacher (May 2019)

Ms. Brittany started at Hearts in Hand in 2019 in the Pre-K room. Recently she has been taking early childhood classes through Front Range (FRCC) while working full-time in the Wobbler room. She enjoys spending her free time with family and being out in nature.

Ms. Rhiannon, Wobbler Teacher
(September 2017)

Ms. Rhiannon has lived in Colorado since 2004. She moved here from California when she was in first grade. She has always loved kids and babies, but became interested in childcare when she was placed in a child development class in high school to fill an empty spot in her schedule, and has loved learning about and working with children ever since! She completed her ECE training with Front Range Community College and is delighted to be working in the Wobbler room.

Birthday: June 12th
Favorite drink: Coffee, Dr. Pepper, tea
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee drink: Frappuccino, Caramel cold brew
Favorite restaurants: Tokyo Joes
Favorite candy/chocolate: Chocolate, Sour gummy worms
Favorite stores: Target, 2nd&Charles, Dutch Bro's
Favorite cake: chocolate
Other things I love: plants, animals

Ms. April Pre-K Teacher (April 2016)

Ms. April recently moved to Colorado to be close to family after growing up and living a majority of her life in Las Vegas. She worked for five years at a childcare center in Las Vegas and is excited to be continuing in this field here. She has an Associates in Early Childhood Education. She is excited for all the new exciting adventures this new chapter has in store with her Husband and daughter as they grow roots in Norther Colorado.

Birthday: January 16
Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee Drink: Iced/Blended White Mocha
Favorite Restaurants: Olive Garden, Cafe Rio
Favorite Candy/Chocolate: Dark Chocolate, Sour Gummies
Favorite Stores: Dollar Tree, Walmart, Joann's
Favorite Scent: Woodsy smells
Favorite Cake: Confetti, White, Vanilla Bean
Other things I love: Flip flops (size 10), purses and crystal balls.
Favorite colors: teal, green and purple

Ms. Wendy, Wobbler Teacher (June 2019)
Ms. Wendy moved to Fort Collins from Michigan to be with, and help out her daughter and son in law while she attends CSU vet school and he starts classes at community college. She also has a son back in Michigan who she misses dearly. She has an associates degree in early childhood development and has worked in childcare for almost thirty years only taking time off to be home with her two children when they were little. Now she is excited about her new adventure here in Colorado and the chance to get to know all the kids and families here at Hearts in Hand.

Birthday:November 4
Favorite drink: Coffee or Ginger Ale (Vernors from Mi.)
Favorite restaurant :Just got here, still exploring places.
Favorite coffee shop: The Alleycat
Favorite candy: White Ferreros
Favorite store: any store with crystals and oils
Favorite scent: woodsy and musky oils

Ms. Irina, Assistant Director (September 2016)

Ms. Irina has worked at Hearts in Hand for over 3 years. She has her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, Early Childhood Teacher Certificate and Early Childhood Director Certificate. She has over 10 years of experience working with children of different ages. Irina's hobbies are traveling, cooking, and being outdoors.

Birthday: May 18th
Favorite drink: Cream Soda
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee Drink: White Chocolate Mocha
Favorite restaurant: Cafe Mexicali, Panda Express
Favorite candy/chocolate: White Chocolate, Twix, Kit Kat
Favorite store: TJ MAXX, H&M, Amazon, Hobby Lobby
Favorite scent: Lavender
Other things I love: House Plants, Macrame, Being outdoors, Travelling

Ms. Melissa, Toddler Teacher (June 2021)

Ms. Melissa is a mom of two teenage boys and some pets. She loves being outside doing those Colorado things. She also likes to bake and decorate cakes as a way to wind down. She has been an Early Childhood Educator for around 8 years and has multiple certificates in ECE. She enjoys coming to work every day to see all the little minds learn and grow, accomplishing things we adults take for granted daily.

Ms. Donna, Pre-K Teacher (August 2021)

Ms. Donna was born and raised in Denver, CO. She moved to Fort Collins in 2016 to be closer to her sister and two nieces. She has been a teacher for around 20 years and strongly identifies with the role of being an educator. In her spare time Donna loves spending time with her family in addition to her roommate and her puppy.

Ms. Sarah, Toddler Teacher (August 2021)

Ms. Sarah was born and raised in California, but moved to Windsor, Colorado a few years ago. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family. She attained her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education through Front Range Community College in 2020. She has been working with kids aged 2 months to 13 years old since the age of 13 as a nanny/babysitter and has spent the last couple years in a childcare setting. She was inspired to teach by her preschool and kindergarten teachers as they made learning for her so fun and enjoyable.

Mr. Brendan, Substitute Teacher (August 2021)

Mr. Brendan grew up and has spent a majority of his life in Fort Collins, even attending Hearts in Hand when he was little. He recently graduated with a BS in Economics from Oregon State University and moved back to Fort Collins while his partner attends CSU seeking a masters degree in Biomedical Sciences. He has worked in childcare for the majority of the past six years, first starting at Hearts in Hand in 2015. While attending college he worked at an after school program serving school-aged children in the town of Philomath, Oregon. When not at work, Brendan enjoys hanging with both his family and long-time parter as well as their cat Gibbs and can usually be found watching Denver Nuggets basketball and/or eating Mexican food.

Ms. Sara, Assistant Director & Infant Lead Teacher (February 2001)

Ms. Sara has worked at Hearts In Hand since February of 2001. She has a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. In her spare time she enjoys going to the mountains and seeing movies with her family. Her son Dylan is in the army and her son Tyler attends Rocky Mountain High School. She enjoys spending time with the kids and families at Hearts in Hand. She loves snuggling with all the babies and watching them learn and grow.

Birthday: February 13th
Favorite restaurant: Chili's, Bad Daddy's, Café Mexicali
Favorite store: Target, Kohls, Bath & Body Works
Favorite Drink: Coke Zero
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee drink: Caramel Frap (not really a coffee drinker)
Favorite Candy/chocolate: Hot Tamales and Chocolate
Favorite Stores: Kohls, Target, Bath & Body Works
Favorite Scent: Nothing too Fruity, Fall and Holiday Scents are the best
Favorite Cake: Lemon or Chocolate
Other things I love: The Huskers and Rams - college football, Broncos, Going to movies and Spending time in the mountains with my family

Ms. Kyla, Lead Toddler Teacher
(February 2014)

Ms. Kyla was born and raised in Montrose, Colorado. She has also lived in Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina. She enjoys traveling around and seeing different places. She received her Early Childhood teaching certificate from Front Range Community College in the spring of 2016. She has been working and teaching in the child care center setting for over ten years. She has been working at Hearts in Hand since early 2014 and has worked with Wobblers, Toddlers, and Infants in that time. She is a loving mother to her two children: Maddie and Carson. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Birthday: August 5th
Favorite Drink: Iced tea or Coffee
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee drink: White Chocolate Mocha, Pumpkin Spice
Favorite Restaurants: Chick-fil-A
Favorite Stores: Target
Favorite Scents: Leather or Beachy
Favorite Cake: White Chocolate Raspberry
Other things I love or collect: Sunflowers, The Beach

Ms. Michelle, Infant Teacher
(August 2016)

Ms. Michelle is happily married and is the mother to four great children and five granddaughters who she loves to pieces! Previously, she had run her own daycare for 5 1/2 years but decided it was time to get out and work away from home. She loves working with kids and hopes to do it for many years to come.

Birthday: February 9
Favorite drink: Dr. Pepper
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee drink: Iced White Chocolate Mocha
Favorite Restaurants: Olive Garden, Red Lobster
Favorite Candy/chocolate: Reese's, Kit Kat
Favorite Stores: Target, Hobby Lobby
Favorite Scents: Vanilla, Pumpkin
Favorite Cake: chocolate
Other things I love or collect: Mickey Mouse

Ms. Krys, Preschool Teacher (March 2019)
Krys moved to Fort Collins in January of 2019. She is originally from Lincoln, NE, and attended college in Iowa. She has her BA in Sociology and Communication Studies and is ECT certified. She has experience with kids of all ages, 6 weeks to 17, ranging from center care, to nannying, to trauma-informed in-patient care. She especially loves teaching through experiences with nature and art! When she is not working, she enjoys baking/cooking, working on puzzles, reading, or playing board and video games.

Birthday: July 6
Favorite drink: Diet Dr. Pepper, Tea (Happy Lucky's, especially!), Coffee, Cold Brew
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee Drink: Cappuccinos, Cold Brew
Favorite restaurant: Totally 80's Pizza, Crooked Cup,Yampa Sandwich Co.,Bawarchi Biryanis, Cafe Little Saigon, Wolverine Farm
Favorite Candy/Chocolate: Paydays, Sour Gummi Worms, ChocoLoves, Kit Kats
Favorite Stores: Safeway, Modcloth, Etsy, Old Firehouse Books, Salus Jerry's Artarama, Sierra Trading Post, Chewy.com
Favorite Scents: Amber, Cedar, Pumpkin, Nature-y Smells, Lemon
Favorite Cake: Fruity (especially lemon!)
Other things I love or collect: Plants, Bears, Breads, Yarn, Art supplies, Sun-catchers, Leopard Print, Glitter, and Tote Bags

Ms. Jessica, Infant Teacher (June 2017)

Ms. Jessie is grateful and excited to be such a big part in your little one's lives! She is a mother to her three children: Darcie, Gracie, and Graham as well as a wife to her husband Chandler. She loves being outdoors, playing tennis and pickle ball, and exploring Colorado with her kiddos and dog Obi. She greatly enjoys working in the field of Early Childhood Education and spending her days at Hearts in Hand.

Birthday: June 12, 1991
Favorite drink: Coffee, Soy Vanilla Chai, Red Wine
Favorite restaurant: Red Lobster, anything Italian
Favorite candy/chocolate: Skittles, Hot tamales, Gobstoppers
Favorite store: Target
Favorite scent: Christmas Tree or Vanilla
Favorite Cake: Carrot Cake
Other things I love or collect: Candles

Ms. Acacia, Wobbler Teacher (March 2017)

Ms. Acacia has been with Hearts in Hand since March of 2017. Prior to that, she worked at Harmony House while obtaining her degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She has previously worked with infants and wobblers and is now working full time in the Wobbler room at Hearts in Hand. She is excited to get to know our new families as well as continuing to foster relationships with established families at the center.

Birthday: August 6th
Favorite drink: Coke or Pepsi
Favorite Starbucks/Coffee Drink: Mocha
Favorite restaurant: Young's Cafe, Fuzzy's
Favorite candy/chocolate: Snickers
Favorite store: Target
Favorite scent: Lavender
Favorite Cake: Chocolate

Ms. Gretchen Preschool Teacher (May 2021)

Ms. Gretchen is a CO native, growing up in Denver. She has lived all over Colorado as well as Georgia and North Carolina. She went to the University of Colorado for her BA & MA in Political Science/ Public Policy emphasis. She has worked in government and the nonprofit sector and has experience working with children of various ages. She loves interacting with kids, laughing, and watching them learn and grow. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking with her dog, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Hayley, Substitute Teacher (May 2021)

Ms. Hayley grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and has been working in childcare for the past three years. She is currently attending school at Metropolitan State University in Denver and is looking forward to studying abroad this Spring in London, England. She is working toward a degree in English with a concentration in secondary education. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, painting, exercising, and spending time with her pug Watson.

Ms. Amiaja, Infant Teacher (August, 2021)

Ms. Amiaja recently graduated from Northeastern Junior College with an associates degree in general studies. Since then she has attained an associates in Child Development. Amiaja is hoping to some day return to school to complete a bachelor's degree. When not working she enjoys listening to music, writing, singing, and watching Grey's Anatomy.

​Ms. Andrea, Director Kindergarten Lead Teacher (September 1994)