Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool
Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool Team
Caring & Dedicated
Gina Vitry
Co-Director/ Teacher/Owner
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Gina is an early childhood educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Gina has taught in both public and private schools and across all grades and ages ranging from 3 to 18 years old. She is most passionate about the early years and believes students begin to develop a love of learning during their preschool years. Gina holds a Master's Degree in Education with a cross categorical Master's Degree in Special Education, has her Colorado Professional Teaching License, Large Center Director License, and Early Childhood Teaching certification.
Gina enjoys playing board games and card games with her husband and children. All three of her children play soccer and she enjoys cheering them on at their games. She also loves gardening, reading and exploring the outdoors with her family.
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Nicole Furney
Co-Director/Teacher/Owner
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Nicole has worked in business management for the last 16 years. While volunteering in her daughter's preschool class, she found a new love in working with children. She has spent the last 5 years as a stay at home mom with her two children.
Nicole has a degree in Business Management from Colorado State University Global Campus. She completed her director certification for a large preschool center in May of 2024. She enjoys spending time outside with her family and loves to getaway to the mountains. Conversations in the warmth of the sunshine are her favorite way to spend her days.
Ms. Katie
Teacher Assistant
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Ms. Katie has been working in early education for one year, assisting in a kindergarten class in Jefferson County. Katie is looking forward to completing her degree in Special Education.
Katie's hobbies include playing volleyball, reading and watching her favorite shows.
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Ms. Connie
Lead Teacher
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Ms. Connie has been in education for over 20 years. She taught elementary school for over 10 years, acquiring her masters in education during this time. She transitioned into early childhood education and hasn't looked back since. She is a certified Lead Teacher and holds a Director's certificate.
She spends her time hanging out with friends, reading, watching silly reality TV, playing with her cat and shuttling her teen to all her activities and social events.
Ms. Abby
Lead Teacher
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Ms. Abby is currently in school, double majoring in literature and philosophy. She hopes to be a teacher in the near future! She also nannies and babysits, has several siblings, and enjoys traveling, hiking and classic literature.
Ms. Anna
Lead Teacher
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Anna has been working in early education for 8 years. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood. Anna enjoys spending time with family and friends, putting together puzzles, and reading!
Ms. Leanne
Substitute Teacher
Leanne has worked with children in many different capacities: as a middle school camp counselor, at a private elementary's after school program, taking teens around the city to volunteer and most recently spent three years substituting at the Golden Recreation Center's preschool. She freelances at home and substitutes at Stepping Stones for fun!
Originally from Kansas, she now lives in Lakewood with her husband, a band teacher in the JeffCo public schools, and their 13 year-old Chihuahua, Sandy. Leanne enjoys hiking, reading, and playing video games.
Ms. Kristy
Lead Teacher
Kristy has worked in early education for several years and holds a MA in Early Education, a MA in Applied Communications, and a BA in communications. Kristy enjoys trail running, biking, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Tatiana
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Tatiana has been working in early education for a year. Prior to that she was an admin assistant in an early education and pediatric therapy center before completing training to be a teacher.
Tatiana holds a degree in Fine Arts (Game Art and Design) and enjoys working with her hands. Some of her other hobbies include baking, taking walks with her husband and dog, as well as tending to houseplants.
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Teacher Assistant
Melina was born and raised in Denver Colorado. She holds an associate's degree in Early Childhood education and is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree. She has 3 years of experience working with children and is excited to continue working in Early Childhood Education. She loves seeing a child’s curiosity for life and being able to guide them through experiences and emotions. Some things she enjoys are being outdoors, reading and planting.
Ms. Melina
Ms. Kim
Teacher Assistant
Kim Previously worked in accounting but recently retired and has found a love of teaching. She enjoys spending time with her family, bowling, and taking her dog, Harley, for walks around the neighborhood.
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Ms. Sara
Lead Teacher
Sara is going on her 22nd year teaching! She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Social Work from the University of Colorado, and her Early Childhood Education degree as well as Director Certificate from Red Rocks Community College. Sara is also a certified Nature Educator, and loves teaching outdoors as well as bringing nature inside. Sara is most passionate about instilling a love of learning and play with preschoolers. She lives in Arvada with her husband and 3 children (15, 13, 10). Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, cooking and of course weekends at soccer games and dance competitions! Sara’s favorite dinosaur is the T-Rex!
Lead Teacher
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Ms. Li has been working in early education for 6 years. She moved out to Colorado almost 20 years ago from NY and started a family with her High School sweetheart. They have two little girls together and love taking them to see live music, hike mountains, go camping and take advantage of all Colorado has to offer.
Ms. Li enjoys being with friends, playing games, dancing to music, cooking and exercising with her little dog, Gilbert.
Ms. Li
Ms. Heather
Teacher Assistant
Heather has been an early childhood educator for over 6 years. Prior to finding her love for teaching preschool, she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for 13 years in schools, clinics, and hospitals. As an OT she has worked with a variety of ages but mainly school-aged children. Over the years working with children, she has discovered that preschool is her favorite age range to work with. She finds that their innocence, joy, curiosity, ability to learn through play and their senses makes it such a wonderful age to be able to spend her time teaching. She loves to make school fun at this age so that they can develop and foster a love for school at an early age. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She also has her Early Childhood Professional Credential. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 children, and dog. As a family they enjoy skiing, traveling, and participating in a variety of outdoor activities. In addition, Heather spends time cheering on her children at lacrosse games, flag football games, and dance recitals. When she has a little “me” time she enjoys reading, going to dance classes, and spending time with friends.
Ms. Hanja
Teacher Assistant
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Hanja has had a passion for young children and their education for many years. She worked in an international preschool in Prague, the Czech Republic. She taught ages as young as one year old way to the six years of age. She loved watching the young children develop and grow. Aside from being a teacher’s aid at Stepping Stones, she does functional tissue work, which is a form of bodywork also known as a manual osteopathy in Boulder. Her main job, however, is to be a mom of a six-year-old and a three-year-old, A former and a current Stepping Stones students. If there’s any spare time, she loves doing personal growth and move preferably outdoors in our gorgeous state.
Remi
Therapy Dog in Training
Remi is our gentle and playful therapy dog in training who will be spending her time with us in preschool. Remi has a calm and loving nature, making her the perfect companion for our young learners. She enjoys interacting with children, offering comfort and joy through her gentle demeanor and playful spirit. As she continues her training, Remi is learning to be an even better friend for everyone she meets, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere. We are excited for your little ones to share in the positive and calm presence that Remi brings!