Our Staff

Junior jets staff

Meet our amazing staff! Our directors and teachers are all CPR and first aid certified, and have completed trainings in Teaching Strategies GOLD, The Creative Curriculum, and Standard Precautions. All of our staff either have a degree in an early childhood related field, or are working towards their degree in early childhood education. They all share a genuine passion for educating young children, and creating a warm, welcoming environment for each child and their family.

ms. ashleigh, director

Ms. Ashleigh has been at Junior Jets since 2004. In her role as Director, she puts on several different hats to keep everything running smoothly all while supporting the staff. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from CU Boulder, as well as an Early Childhood Education Director’s Certificate from Front Range Community College. She holds Child Health Liaison and Breastfeeding Friendly certifications and has completed ECE-CARES and medication administration training. Outside of work, Ms. Ashleigh enjoys spending time with her husband, Garry, son, Emmett, and dog, Arya. She also likes camping and hiking, and being a true Canadian, she plays ice hockey and disc golf.

ms. rebecca, assistant director

Ms. Rebecca first started working at Junior Jets in 2009. She loves the friendly staff and adores watching the children grow and discover new things every day. She has completed her Associates of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She has also completed her Infant Nursery Supervisor certification, Lactation Consulting, Breastfeeding Friendly, ECE-CARES, Positive Solutions, and medication administration training. When she’s not working, Ms. Rebecca enjoys time with her family, husband, Kyle, kids, Henry and Avery, camping, watching sporting events, and serving as an event coordinator.

Ms. Shakira, infant teacher

Ms. Shakira joined the Junior Jets team in January 2021. She is new to the childcare field, but has completed several early childhood classes and is working towards her associate’s in Early Childhood Education at Front Range Community College. She loves working at Junior Jets and being able to spend time with children to help them learn and grow. When Ms. Shakira is not working, she loves traveling, watching movies, spending time with her family and friends, as well as her dog.

current opening, infant teacher

MS. Arianna, INFANT TEACHER

Ms. Arianna joined the Junior Jets team in March 2023. She I currently working towards her degree in Elementary Education at CU Boulder. She loves building connections with the kids and helping them learn and grow. When she is not working, Ms. Arianna enjoys spending time with her family, including her 3 sisters, and pug, Canelo, and spending time with friends.

ms. megan, toddler 1 teacher

Ms. Megan joined Junior Jets in February 2015 and has spent time teaching in both of the Toddler classrooms. She has been working with children for nearly 8 years and has loved every second of it! She has completed her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, along with her Infant Nursery Supervisor certification and medication administration training. Ms. Megan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, including her two sisters, brother, grandmother, and parents. In her free time, she loves to run, bike, hike, and watch Netflix.

Current Opening, toddler 1 teacher

ms. donna, toddler 1 teacher

Ms. Donna is originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, but moved to Colorado in 2004. After spending some time as a stay-at-home mom to her son, she joined the Junior Jets team in 2012. She enjoys being with the little ones in her Toddler 1 class. Prior to Junior Jets, she worked as a nanny overseas and as an assistant teacher in an infant room. She earned a National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) Diploma in Nursery Nursing in 1989 from Huddersfield Technical College. This program was a two year, full time course in childcare and development, and is similar to an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition, she has successfully completed multiple early childhood education courses, ECE-CARES training, Infant Nursery Supervisor certification, and medication administration training. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and doing anything involving crafts or art, like painting, sewing, and jewelry making. She also became a U.S. citizen on August 13th, 2015!

Ms. Rachel T, toddler 2 teacher

Ms. Rachel T. joined the Junior Jets team in February 2024. She has taken some ECE classes at Front Range as well as being a certified Early Childhood Teacher. After years of experience with babysitting for family, being a nanny and being involved with school agers, she is excited to teach younger minds! She loves how rewarding it is to work with children through the fun and hard times. When she is not working, Ms. Rachel enjoys spending time with her partner, Brett, her pup, Boone, and her family, including her nephew. She also loves to paint, do art, swim, paddle board, go camping and anything outside in the sun.

Ms. Shelby, TODDLER 2 TEACHER

Ms. Shelby joined the Junior Jets team in September 2024. She is new to the early childhood field but is excited to continue to learn and grow as a teacher. She enjoys being around the children and her co-workers and the joy they bring each day. When she is not working, Ms. Shelby enjoys spending time with her parents, brother, two dogs, Bo and Lorrie and cat, Merlyn, as well as dirt biking and snowboarding.

Ms. Rachel K, toddler 2 teacher

Ms. Rachel K. joined the Junior Jets team in March 2024. She is currently working towards her Early Childhood Education degree through Front Range and is a certified teacher. She has previous childcare experience as well as babysitting and nannying. She loves watching children grow and learn and being a part of that experience. When she is not working, Ms. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, her boyfriend, and five dogs. She also enjoys traveling, music, paddle boarding, spending time with friends and doing art.

Ms. Stacy, Preschool 1 teacher

Ms. Stacy joined the Junior Jets team in 2013 and has worked in the field since 2003. She has completed multiple early childhood education classes through Front Range Community College, and has earned her Infant Nursery Supervisor certification. In addition she has completed ECE-CARES training and medication administration training. Ms. Stacy loves educating young minds and watching the children in her Preschool 1 classroom grow. She and her husband, Jon, who is also in the Early Childhood field, have two daughters and two cats. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, painting, and playing the ukulele.

Current Opening, preschool 1 teacher

MS. Estefania, Preschool 1 Teacher

Ms. Estefania joined the Junior Jets team in December 2024. She has minimal experience in the early childhood field but has completed her Associate in Early Childhood Education and is currently working towards her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Metropolitan State University. She is excited to help young learners grow and thrive and develop her own skills here through the supportive and engaging environment. When Ms. Estefania is not working, she enjoys spending time with her parents, younger brother, grandma, her dog, Lizzy (a schnoodle), and two chickens. She also enjoys spending time with friends, reading, doing arts and crafts, baking, traveling and watching movies.

Ms. TAylor, preschool 2 teacher

Ms. Taylor joined the Junior Jets team in June 2021. She has been working in childcare since 2014, either working in childcare centers or volunteering at the Immigrant and Refugee Center. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a minor in human services from the University of Northern Colorado. She also has her Director’s Certificate and Infant Nursery Supervisor certificate. Ms.Taylor loves working at Junior Jets because she loves being able to interact with young children and to see the world from their perspective. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her family, drawing, volunteer work and being outside with her dogs. .

Current opening, preschool 2 teacher

Ms. Julissa, Preschool 2 teacher

Ms. Julissa joined the Junior Jets team in September 2023. She is new to childcare and is excited to start her ECE degree through Front Range. She loves watching the children grow and develop and getting to be part of that experience. When she is not working, Ms. Julissa enjoys spending time with her mom, 3 siblings, 9 nieces and nephews. She also enjoys going on walks, reading books, and making crafts.

MS. Marissa, Prek teacher

Ms. Marissa joined the Junior Jets team in June 2024. She has an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education as well as a lot of literacy experience. She is excited to be a solid support for kids entering kindergarten and helping them learn as many skills as possible. When she is not working, Ms. Marissa enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Cecilia, writing, drawing, making music and reading.

Ms. Kristina, pre-k teacher

Ms. Kristina joined the Junior Jets team in January 2025. She has had lots of previous experience in the early childhood field. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from CU. She is also Infant Nursery Supervisor qualified and has experience in Wilderness First Aid. She enjoys working at Junior Jets because of the commitment to excellence and success for the children and staff in the program. When she is not working, Ms. Kristina enjoys hiking, painting, and listening/playing music and spending time with her fiancé, Tyler, their dog, Luna and two guinea pigs, Mousse and S’mores. Due to her 4 years in the Golden Buffalo Marching Band at CU, not only did Ms. Kristina meet her fiancé there, she also can play the piano, bass, guitar, ukelele, all 4 types of saxophones, clarinet and trumpet.

Current opening, Pre-K Teacher

Ms. Emma, Cook

Ms. Emma joined the Junior Jets team in February 2024. She has lots of previous kitchen experience and is even a Junior Jets Alumni! She loves getting the chance to provide healthy meals for the kids so they can grow big and strong. When she is not working, Ms. Emma enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend, 3 dogs, 4 cats, 1 lizard, 4 chickens, 29 fish, 4 snails, and 1 African Dwarf Frog. She also enjoys cosplay, knitting, sewing, and Artistic Swimming.

Ms. Marishka, FLoater

Ms. Marishka joined the Junior Jets team in September 2024. She is new to the early childhood field and is currently working towards her nursing degree at Front Range. She enjoys being apart of and able to watch the children grow and improve. When she is not working, Ms. Marishka enjoys spending time with her 3 siblings, drawing and baking.

Ms. Shannon, Floater

Ms. Shannon joined the Junior Jets team in October 2023. She has an AA in Accounting as well as many years of experience as a Para with St. Vrain Valley School District. She loves getting the chance to be a sub and support others in children’s growth and learning. When she is not working, Ms. Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and grandkids and taking care of her 86 snakes, 3 lizards,1 dog, 5 cats, 1 turtle, 1 tortoise, and 1 axolotl.