Team Member of the Month!

Help us congratulate Ms. Blair as October’s Team Member of the Month!

For over 8 years Ms. Blair has put in an indescribable amount of effort into her classroom and her kids! Ms. Blair is currently a lead teacher in our Preschool A classroom which focuses on kids ages 2.5 to 3.

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see Ms. Blair in action, you’ll see her bouncing around, potty training and singing! Her class is always busy but it’s one of the most fun ones in the entire building. Blair takes the time to connect with her families (even in a pandemic!)

Here’s a little bit about Ms. Blair!

She is the mother of twins! They’ve been with the Young Scholars Academy family since they were 20 months old!

Blair is married to her high school sweetheart and has one of the sweetest hearts you’ll ever meet! It’s been great to watch her kids grow up with us and watch Blair’s teaching style grow as well!

Thank you Blair for your commitment to the our families and our Preschool Program!

Ready to congratulate Ms. Melissa? She was unanimously voted November’s Team Member of the Month!

Melissa has been with the Young Scholars Academy family for a short time but we can already tell she going to be a “lifer” as we call them! “Someone told me it was AMAZING and she was right!!” is what she responded when we asked her why she chose to apply with us!

Melissa would rather be around kids all day rather than adults. She is one of our Lead Toddler A teachers and works with 12-18 month old toddlers.

Melissa has a husband and 3 kids and enjoys spending time with them. She loves inspirational music and Reggae vibes. “Every disappointment is a blessing. Everything happens for a reason.” is her absolute favorite quote!

Melissa has a fantastic attitude and teaching approach to her classroom. She understands that every child is different and learn at his or her own pace. “I teach them the skills they need to be successful in life!” We really feel like we had a great snag- happy to have you here!

Whoop! Whoop! Ms. Sarah is October’s Team Member of the Month here at Young Scholars Academy! CONGRATULATIONS!

Sarah is not just the mother of two great kids who attend here, she is also the Lead Teacher in our Infant A Program- one of the best we have ever seen!

“I love the relationships I am able to make with the families during my time in ECE. Over the years I have learned from my mentor to speak with the children and not AT them. Genuinely listen to each child because to them, that could be the most important thing ever.”

Sarah has a get-in-there attitude and always is able to make sure that each baby is content, safe and happy, which is a feat to do when you have 10 in your class! Not a lot of people can say that they are Infant teachers, Sarah definitely can!

When she isn’t running around the the Energizer bunny she loves shopping at the Outlet Mall in Castle Rock, sipping on a good Mountain Dew, enjoying Reese’s and just relaxing and taking the most out of each day! If you ever have the chance to meet her, we’re excited for you! Thank you so much Sarah for your consistency and dedication to this team and your class it means SO much!

CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Amanda who is our September Team Member of the Month!

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”- Jim Rohn This is her favorite quote and we all can say that this describes her well!

Amanda has been with the YSA family for 8 going on 9 years- WOW! She truly is someone that cannot be replaced and are very blessed to have her (and her attitude) here with us each day! “I chose YSA because I felt like it was a home the second I walked through the door almost 9 years ago.”

While Ms. Amanda has been our Assistant Director for many years now, she was originally our Lead Infant Program teacher. “I believe the classroom is a living and thriving community with it’s own culture. Everyone, from the administration to the children & parents have to work to contribute to and maintain a positive atmosphere. Learning is a lifelong process and I want to instill that passion in children!” When Amanda isn’t running the floor, helping other parents, or directing the team, she loves to go camping, shooting and hiking with her HUGE family!

Thank you Amanda for the consistency and impact you make each and everyday; it does not go unnoticed!

This month we would like to CONGRATULATE Ms. Tenesha for being voted August’s Team Member of the Month!

For over 2 years Ms. Tenesha has put in tremendous amounts of hard work in her classroom and kids. Ms. Tenesha is our secret 2-year old whisperer always dancing, singing in class.

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to have your child in Tenesha’s class you’ll see the amazing bonds the kids have with her. Here’s a little bit more background about Ms. Tenesha!

What drives your passion for ECE?
I remember growing up always playing with my baby dolls and delevoping a soft spot for little kids. Seeing them 100% happy was my goal and so I took steps to make sure I had all my qualifications these kids needed.
Why did you choose to grow with Young Scholars Academy?
I could see that they wanted to get involved with the kiddos just like I liked to. I looked and saw how they had been voted the best and after talking with parents that went here, was where I wanted to be.
What kind of impact are you looking to make by being an Early Childhood Education teacher?
I believe that kids learn by example and watching those around them. So that’s what I strive to be, a GREAT example. I want to show kids how to have fun, and create memories that can stay with them forever. Do what’s right, take opportunities and learn!

Hobbies: Sing, color, & listen to music
Flower: Lilies or Tulips
Music: Rap, R & B, and my personal favorite Kenny Rogers
Quotes: “Don’t say you can’t, without even trying.”

We are more than blessed to have Ms. Tenesha on our team, she brings so much spunk and personality. She has the ability to make anyone laugh and really love her passion in the classroom. Very lucky to have her!

CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Charisma! She was voted Team Member of the Month for July 2017!

Ms. Charisma is one of the Lead Teachers in our Toddler B classroom, she works with our 18-24 month babies!

When we asked Ms. Charisma what she would consider her teaching philosophy, “I believe children learn through play as play opens the doors to a world of development and assimilation!” She one of the most active and interactive Toddler teachers that have walked through the YSA doors!

Charisma has been with the YSA family for close to a year, we consider ourselves truly lucky to have her be apart of the team! She decided to come join the team after checking out our website, and seeing that this was a great place for fostering children’s learning.

When she came in for her interview after moving here, she felt this was so much more than a school but a family! “I have such a passion for ECE because I absolutely love seeing the positive outcomes of teaching young minds. It’s quite rewarding and I enjoy so much being an impact for these kids and families. ECE is such an important piece of life especially because of how much brain development occurs!”

We appreciate the curriculum that comes out of her classroom, how she advocates for her children and can ALWAYS be seen with a smile in the hallways! Lots of love your way Ms. Charisma!

CONGRATULATIONS MS. WHITNEY! She was voted Team Member of the Month for June 2017!

Ms. Whitney just celebrated her first year anniversary with Young Scholars Academy, but it’s going to be many more, believe us! Talent like hers doesn’t just walk through the door everyday!

We sat down with Ms. Whitney so you all can she why she is so amazing!

“My philosophy when I go into a classroom is to guide and support the children to be able to navigate and make their own choices. Not only just the action, but in a positive and kind matter! I am passionate about Early Childhood Education simply because of the kids! Our kids at YSA are truly amazing and I want to each day work to be the best teacher that I can. It matters that much to me, and I know it matters to their parents!

When it’s all said and done, and I have decided to pack away the crayons, I want to leave children inspired to be kind. I want them to be independent learners, who are proud of their accomplishments. Each day I just aim for these children to WANT to make a difference in their little worlds!”

When asked why she chose to teach here at Young Scholars Academy specifically,
“I chose YSA because it’s the BEST! I felt like this was the best choice for my entire family. From day one, I have felt so supported by the team, which includes my co-teachers and admin! Even after being here for so long, I feel like the ladies that I work with have all become in a way my mentor! I look to them all for guidance and advice when needed; there are so many wonderful ladies here, the support is just amazing. I guess that’s why I’m here!”

Whitney is so deserving of all the perks this month, we are so lucky to have such a strong leader among us, grateful for her, and all the kids she impacts!

A very big CONGRATULATIONS to MS. ISABEL who was voted our Team Member of the Month for April!

She is such a spunky soul and brings that to each class that she goes to, this type of energy and is hard to find! Isabel has been at Young Scholars Academy for about 2 years and chose to come join us after meeting all the teachers and seeing its family atmosphere “it’s my home away from home!”

Ms. Isabel is a floater here at the school and literally has a knack for each age group (a rarity!) “The connections I make with the kids and families are literally what drive me through Early Childhood Education, I love being able to create them and the watch them grow! I want these kids to remember me and the impact I make on their learning years when they’ve left the program!”.

When she’s not running around wiping boogers, singing songs, or running academic centers, Isabel loves shopping, literally everywhere, enjoying a meal at the Cheese Cake Factory, and hanging out with those who matter most to her (she has such a large and awesome family!)

If you see her we encourage you all to stop and say some words of encouragement, and maybe bring her a Snickers (wink!)

CONGRATULATIONS MS. CHRYSTIN! Very excited she was voted our Team Member of the Month for August!

Ms. Chrys as the kids call her has been with the YSA family and is truly a part of it! She is one of the lead teachers in our Explorers program (2 to 2.5 years.) When asked why she loves that age group, she stated how she literally loves how they are non-stop. Anyone with a toddler knows first-hand how they literally go and go until nap time!

We love that fact that her classroom is always on the go and can walk by and see them either dancing around to a song or whole bodies in an art project! It takes a very special person to work with this age group and we think she has the right formula!

When not chasing kids, and kissing boo boos Ms. Chrys loves to hang out with her own daughter (who we have to mention is a big part of our family too) and friends and family! Ms. Chrys has been through her EQIT and Pryamid Plus training courses and plans on furthering her education in months to come!

Thank you Chrys for being one of the hardest working members of the team and always continuing to make sure your classroom, lesson plans and environment is improving for our families!

CONGRATULATIONS MS. MICHAELA! We are so excited she was voted to be June’s Team Member of the Month!

She has been with the YSA family for over 2 years and has consistently been such an asset to the team! Along with being one of our Pre-Kindergarten teachers, she is the Curriculum Coordinator meaning she helps all the classrooms make sure their curriculum for the week is top notch! Michaela told me that what she loves about being able to be the C.C. was helping the teachers take hold of their curriculum and helping to create solid Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

When Michaela is not making messing on the playground or doing science experiments on the roof she has her hands full with her toddler! It is so awesome to watch her family grow as it has and be able to be that support for them both! It’s so funny that all her kids in her class know her baby and ask about him consistently! I guess that’s why she first applied since she said it was such a welcoming environment and at her interview could really tell the way the teachers really cared for the kids!

This is a very well-deserved Team Member of the Month and are proud that Ms. Michaela is representing our school! Be sure to say congrats if you see her!

CONGRATULATIONS MS. HANNAH! She was voted Team Member of the Month for April 2016!

Her calming nature and organized teaching style is something we are so lucky in our busy Pre-Kindergarten classroom. This month she was voted to be the Team Member of the Month from her coworkers for her easy-going demeanor always lending a hand with other classrooms, offering support where needed and running a great curriculum for their kids!

When asked why she wanted to become a teacher Ms. Hannah told us that originally it wasn’t what she thought she wanted to do- she needed a job and found a school and then just fell in love with working with young children she then went to further her education and here we are today! Hannah enjoys her Pre-Kindergarten aged class due to the fact that this group is a sensitive age where the kids are wanting to learn new things and loves being able to help mold and grow with the kids she comes in contact with!

We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated educator such as Ms. Hannah and are glad to be able to provide the needs of her family! When she’s not here getting goofy dancing or putting together a lesson Ms. Hannah enjoys a good read, sewing and of course spending as much time as she can being outdoors and exploring! So awesome to have her here with us- if you see her in the classroom be sure to just take a moment and say congratulations once again!

CONGRATULATIONS MS. DOTTY! She was voted Team Member of the Month for March 2016!

Ms. Dotty has been with Young Scholars Academy for 5 YEARS now and we are beyond blessed to have her be a part of our team! She is currently our Private Kindergarten teacher and was made for this class! Everyday when anyone walks back by the room the kids are immersed in their hands-on activity or reading each other books are practicing their handwriting – the Private Kindergarten program is simply amazing and we truly believe a large portion of it is due to Ms. Dotty!

When Ms Dotty is not with us here she is most likely READING! She immerses herself in so many stories and books it’s really crazy how fast she can go through them all! She also loves going on bike rides with her husband and being outside and enjoying Colorado! After serving in the United States Air Force Ms. Dotty then pursued her degree in Early Childhood Education – love that our teachers have such drive!

Cannot express how much she means to our little YSA family but cannot picture us moving forward without her! Here’s to many more “Naughty Dotty!”

Congratulations to MS. MARY  for being voted Team Member of the Month for February 2016!

CONGRATULATIONS MS. MARY! She is one of our best and oldest team members here at the school! Mary will be with us 8 years this year and there is not a day that goes by that we aren’t thankful for her constant loyalty, professionalism and love she brings to every classroom she steps into.

Ms. Mary is currently our Infant B teacher but has done everything from floating, taking care of toddlers and even summer camp- she’s a jack of all trades!

When Mary isn’t singing to her babies or doing science experiments with the school-agers, she loves doing any and everything from cooking meals for her big family, collecting elephants, selling Scentsy, and cleaning! Mary is originally from California and says she sure does miss the beach but her family here makes it worth it!

I asked Mary why she applied 8 years ago and here was her story– she said “You know where I was working when I first moved here was fun while it lasted but knew I had to do something else, so I went and flipped through the yellow pages and searched for Preschool and well YSA was the first one to pop up. I applied and yep I guess it was fate!”

With that I asked Ms. Mary what was her reason for staying for so many years? Teary-eyed she talked about how she feels important and that she actually matters, “the whole place is different and I have a support system and am constantly encouraged and know that there are people there for me”. Well if it’s any consolation, Ms. Mary we LOVE you! Can’t picture this place without you- here’s to many more!!

Congratulations to…..

OUR JANUARY 2016 TEAM MEMBER OF THE MONTH…..IS OUR ENTIRE TEAM!

With the month of January comes New Years resolutions and times when everyone is wanting to improve! Instead of spotlighting just one of the many amazing teachers we have.. we wanted to spotlight ALL OF THEM!

Our teachers get up every day, change every diaper, wipe all the noses, put together great curriculum, and just are simply amazing. We love the fact that we are able to be a part of not only their professional growth but their personal as well.

It’s great to work with each other on an everyday basis and grow respect for each others talents and just what they have to bring to our school and Early Childhood Education as a whole. From our Infant teachers to School-Agers we would just like to say THANK YOU!

Congratulations to MS. CHERYL for being voted Team Member of the Month for December 2015!

Congrats to Ms. Cheryl on being UNANIMOUSLY voted by her peers as this month’s Team Member of the Month! Ms. Cheryl is our Toddler A teacher, which are babies ages 12-18 months old, here at the school!

When doing this interview I asked Ms. Cheryl I asked why she loved teaching toddler, she admitted that she was a bit hesitant at first because these guys are literally learning new things each day, a daunting task! However she said that now she absolutely LOVES IT! She says it’s just great to be there and watch each and everyone’s new milestones!

Ms. Cheryl has been teaching on and off for about 8 years and choose to apply with our school because after reading everything about Young Scholars Academy online she thought this would be a great place where she could teach the way that was best for the kids as well as know that the center was going to be run just as it should be!

If you have ever talked with Ms. Cheryl you will know that she is very busy, on top of giving her all to the toddlers she is also working towards her Early Childhood Education degree! It is so awesome to see the teachers moving forward with themselves both personally and professionally!

Congratulations to MS. SAMMIE for being voted Team Member of the Month for November 2015!

Wahoo! Ms. Sammie was voted to be November’s Team Member of the Month! Sammie is one of our newest and best editions to the YSA team. Ms. Sammie is our Jr. Kindergarten teacher and works hard to make sure all her kids will be prepped and primed when they go to Kindergarten next year!

When Ms. Sammie is not working with the kids on math skills or being straight up goofy with the kids she really loves being outside! She would love to always be moving and shaking rather than inside which the kids really enjoy! As a little joke and fun fact for all of our readers, Ms. Sammie REALLY enjoys laminating! I guess she was just born to be a teacher!

When asked why she applied with Young Scholars Academy, Ms. Sammie said, without hesitation, she loved that we were nationally-accredited! (Check out more about NAEYC) She wanted a place where her degree would mean something while still enjoying the people she worked with and the environment as a whole!

Sammie has her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Sciences focusing on Early Childhood Education and chose to become a teacher because “I really wanted to help these kids become the people they were meant to be!” We are lucky to have a teacher with this kind of passion!
If you see Ms. Sammie be sure to stop by and say congrats and thank her for being awesome!

Thank you for reading!

Congratulations to MS. CHRISTY for being voted Team Member of the Month for August 2015!

Yahoo! Ms. Christy is August’s Team Member of the Month here at the school! If you have ever met Ms. Christy you will automatically know why, she is such a positive person and just great to be around! It’s always so silly to see her in the classroom being goofy like she’s the four year old! Ms. Christy is our JR. KINDERGARTEN teacher determined to give these kids an extra year of foundation for next year when the kids transition into Kindergarten.

When Christy is not in the classroom she loves to go for a nice run, hike, pretty much do anything outside. She recently moved here from Tennessee so she is loving this Colorado weather! When asked why she wanted to become a teacher Ms. Christy said it was her goal to inspire children because she believes that is the true and real way she can better a community and thus better the world we live in!

Ms. Christy has her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education perfect for the classroom she is in where the focus is school readiness! What makes Christy a great teacher an asset to this team is not her education alone but the fact that she is constantly finding new and inventive ways to get her kids involved!

If you get a second at drop off or pick up please stop by and say congrats to Ms. Christy, it is just so great to have her! THANK YOU MS. Christy!

Congratulations to MS. NATALIE for being voted Team Member of the Month for July 2015!

Congratulations to Ms. Natalie! Voted by the other team members she is our Team Member of the Month for July 2015! Ms. Natalie is one of those teachers who loves to snuggle up and make sure the babies have all the loves they need! Needless to say, Natalie has a great passion for Toddler classrooms.

When she is not in class Ms. Natalie has many passions for many different things! She loves interior design, fashion, being on Pinterest (who doesn’t) everything to do with hair and make up and also is not too bad of a cook! This is so awesome to see randomly implemented throughout the building with not only the kids but also the teachers!

Already at such a young age Ms. Natalie has taken Early Childhood Education classes seeking to move forwa

rd in this and many other fields! Her aspirations include everything from going to beauty school to becoming a doctor- how great is it to know that she has every opportunity to whatever she wants and has the support of the YSA team here!

If you see Ms. Natalie in a classroom or creating something in the kitchen please take a quick second and say congratulations! THANK YOU MS. NATALIE!

Congratulations to MS. DONNA for being voted Team Member of the Month for June 2015!

You can find Ms. Donna in our Toddler B Room getting paint everywhere, dancing around the room and helping the kids become more independent! She is one of the best teachers we have ever seen who can help kids self-regulate and work things out on their own.

If you see Ms. Donna outside of Young Scholars Academy she will most likely be hiking, creating some concoction in the kitchen or getting her hands muddy in her gardens! Ms. Donna is such a big advocate in our school for having the kids grow plants on their own and take care of their own food—to say she loves the greenhouse here during the summer, is an understatement!

When asked why she loves being in her toddler classroom Ms. Donna replied “They are just so fun! I love being able to teach both social and life skills which can be seen every day—even on the days when they are little stinkers! “It is evident that the kids love her just as much as she loves them since they scream her name any time they see her come into class! Ms. Donna has been with the YSA families for a combination of a couple years and this is so because, “I love the vision of YSA- it is a place where I am allowed to teach and be free!”

If you have a moment please pop your head into the Toddler B classroom and be sure to say congratulations! THANK YOU MS. DONNA!

Congratulations to MS. ANGELA for being voted May’s Team Member of the Month!

When going to talk with Ms. Angela for her interview she was outside letting the toddlers tackle her! We love sights such as these! When asked what she likes to do she said “I just really love taking care of the kids!” To her she described them as inspirational, incredible and give you just what you need when you least expect it!

Angela even went on to say that when she is 90 and senile she wants to look back and know that she was able to help partner and raise these kids right! What great passion this is!

When she is not being tackled by toddlers or running up and down the hallway, she loves art and creative expression, which shows in the classroom she visits. Angela getting involved and getting messy is probably why the kids in each class absolutely adore her! Angela loves visiting zoos, aquariums and being out and surrounded by nature! “Put me outside with the kids and I am in paradise!”

Angela mentioned as well that she is the one who is lucky to have been brought back to the YSA family! She said that the atmosphere and calming vibe within the building is relaxing and makes it that much more enjoyable! THANK YOU MS. ANGELA!

If you see Ms. Angela, please be sure to say congratulations!

Congratulations MS. LESLIE on being our Team Member of the Month for April 2015!

Ms. Leslie is a lead teacher in our Preschool A room as well as she is our Diversity Coordinator for the building. Ms. Leslie always takes not only her own curriculum to the next level but encourages the other classrooms to not only do the same but make sure that each child is recognized.

When Leslie is not wrestling around with 2 year-olds she loves to listen to some good music and dance! Leslie and her co-teacher Ms. Blair can always be found dancing around the room during nap time with a broom in hand ha! She loves reading a good book in a relaxing space and playing volleyball with her girls and her family.

When asked why she chose to grow with Young Scholars Academy Ms. Leslie’s response was “In past years I worked in many other centers, I heard stories about the expectation here and when I came to work here not only did I find that the level of care was 10x better, they just had so much to offer not only families but teachers as well!”

We are so thankful to have her a part of our team here; if you happen to see her around the building please be sure to take a moment and congratulate her! THANK YOU MS. LESLIE!

Congratulations to MS. BLAIR for being March’s Team Member of the Month-March 2015!

Ms. Blair is not only a lead teacher in our Preschool A classroom but is also our Early Literacy Coordinator here at Young Scholars Academy. We are so blessed to have her as part of the team–Ms. Blair brings such goofiness not only to her classroom, but to the halls of the building!

When she is not singing, dancing and moving around Ms. Blair enjoys taking some great hikes around Colorado, binging on a great show on Netflix listening to audio books and hanging out with her twins! We love not only watching Ms. Blair grow in her own professional development but watching as her kids grow with us as well!

Here’s why Ms. Blair loves being a part of this team! “I love bringing attention to literacy to the kids here at Young Scholars Academy because I believe that for future success kids should have and early introduction to print of all shapes and sizes!”

You can always catch Ms. Blair putting out great reads not only in the classrooms but also sending them home to you and your family to enjoy! One of the great things she says about being the Early Literacy Coordinator is all the things she didn’t know were out there that she can being into the classroom to connect with the kids and the families!

Be sure to congratulate Ms. Blair if you see here in the classroom! THANK YOU MS, BLAIR!

Congratulations to MS. ROSIE on being our lovely Team Member of the Month-February 2015!

Ms. Rosie is one of our lead Infant Room teachers here at Young Scholars Academy and we are so lucky to have her! Ms. Rosie has been with the YSA team since the beginning of August and she does not plan on going anywhere! Ms. Rosie’s willingness to always improve upon her curriculum and come up with new ideas for her babies, and do whatever any Team Member needs around the building is one of the reasons she was voted on by her peers!

When Ms. Rosie is not rolling around with the babies she is studying! She is back at school determined to finish her Bachelor’s Degree for Business Management- mind you she already has her CDA and an Associate’s in Administration! She told us that is one of the reasons she loved being in the Infant Room so much- is fast paced and every second she can watch the babies grow in some way whether it’s developmentally or physically! She also loves bike- riding in the Colorado mountains and walking her dogs and just hanging out with her husband!

Here’s what Ms. Rosie had to say about being February’s Team Member of the Month and being a part of the Young Scholars Academy team- “That is so awesome! I appreciate it so much- after being in the field for 9 years and being around other centers I just knew that something felt right here, everyday I just love it.”

THANK YOU MS. ROSIE!