Brenda Lord – Marmots
Brenda Lord has been a Preschool Teacher at TLC since January 2017, where she supports and inspires young learners. She holds a BS in Biology with a minor in Education from Butler University and an MS in Education from Regis University, along with a Licensed Early Education certification. Brenda is passionate about helping students enter kindergarten feeling confident and capable, ready to see themselves as successful learners.
Her professional interests lie in promoting literacy, problem-solving, and a growth mindset. She believes that by nurturing these skills early on, children are equipped with the tools they need to thrive throughout their education and beyond.
Outside of the classroom, Brenda is an avid adventurer. She enjoys cross-country skiing, photography, and glassblowing, as well as the challenge of white-water canoeing. One of her proudest accomplishments is canoeing the Grand Canyon—a testament to her love for the outdoors. Brenda also has a unique talent: she can play basketball while riding a unicycle!
Jasmine Sanchez – Marmots
Jasmine joined TLC in August 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Childhood Development Associate certification. Jasmine’s passion for working with children began in high school, where she discovered her love for teaching. She found great joy in nurturing young minds and supporting their growth. Her journey into education continued with a role as a Teaching Assistant after high school and later an internship as a Registered Behavioral Therapist.
Jasmine is most passionate about hands-on learning, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional development. She believes that engaging children in activities that promote these areas helps them grow into well-rounded individuals.
Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring the beautiful state of Colorado with her puppy, Boone. She’s fallen in love with the area and is excited for the future that lies ahead. A fun fact about Jasmine: she grew up in Miami, where she enjoyed playing darts, billiards, and rollerblading around the city.
Lupe Morales – Hummingbirds
Lupe Morales has been a dedicated member of the TLC team since July 2005, serving as a Preschool Teacher. With an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Lupe brings years of experience and a deep commitment to nurturing young learners. Her passion for teaching comes from her own experience as a mother of three daughters and a grandmother to 13 grandchildren, which has provided her with a wealth of personal insight into child development and education.
Lupe is particularly passionate about incorporating art into the classroom, as she believes it plays a crucial role in fostering creativity and self-expression in children.
Outside of her professional life, Maria enjoys spending quality time with her family, engaging in various family activities. Lupe’s wealth of experience, passion for art, and dedication to family make her an invaluable part of the TLC community.
Sam Mentas – Hummingbirds
Sam joined the TLC team in September 2024 as a Preschool Teacher. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and has a passion for childhood literacy, believing that a strong foundation in reading helps children explore every area of life. As a certified Johnny (St. John’s College, Annapolis), Sam deeply values the power of literacy in shaping the whole individual.
Sam’s journey in education began early, with his first job at the recreation department in his hometown of Plymouth, Massachusetts. He spent his youth running birthday parties, refereeing flag football, and working as a camp counselor, where he learned to connect with children and create engaging experiences.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys discussing philosophy with friends and exploring the Rocky Mountains with his 4-year-old mini dachshund, Boris. A fun fact about Sam: four out of five people in his family are left-handed!
Mikayla Roeber – Bobcats
Mikayla joined TLC in September 2024. With a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Mikayla has worked with children of all ages, but she has always felt a special connection to the little ones. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see young children learn new skills that will stay with them for life.
Her passion in early childhood education is rooted in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Mikayla believes that helping children navigate their big feelings is crucial during these formative years, and she strives to create a loving, comfortable classroom environment where every child can thrive to their fullest potential.
Originally from Austin, Texas, Mikayla and her husband took an adventurous leap by converting a school bus into a mobile home. They spent a year and a half traveling across the country, immersing themselves in the beauty of national parks and embracing life on the road before settling in Colorado in 2021. Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys gardening, pottery, cooking, and spending quality time with her husband and son.
Avery Prewitt – Bobcats
Avery joined TLC in October 2025 as a Preschool Teacher, bringing a rich and diverse educational background and a deep passion for early childhood education. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from UNC—one in Communications with a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language, and another in Political Science. She also earned a Master of Arts in Law from Tsinghua University.
Her interest in working with young children was inspired by her own upbringing—growing up in an early childhood education setting where her mother worked as a cook and later a teacher. This personal connection fuels her dedication to supporting young learners and building meaningful connections with families.
She is especially passionate about literacy for all children and believes in creating inclusive, language-rich environments where every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading and hiking with her two pugs, Porkchop and Dodo. A fun fact: she recently returned from living abroad in China for two years, adding a global perspective to her teaching and storytelling.
Kathryn Drake – Swallowtails
Kat Drake joined TLC in March 2022. She has her teacher certification and a degree in General Studies in Art and Psychology. Kat’s passion for working with children comes from her natural ability to connect with them-she has always felt like a kid at heart and truly enjoys learning about how children think and grow.
Kat is particularly passionate about Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and emotional regulation, focusing on helping children manage their feelings and develop strong interpersonal skills.
Outside of teaching, Kat enjoys hiking with her dog, Luna, and spending time with her family in Texas. A fun fact about Kat is that her grandmother, a preschool teacher herself, always said Kat would make an excellent preschool teacher too-though it took over 20 years for Kat to finally follow in her footsteps!
Lolita Angelcheva – Swallowtails
Lolita joined TLC in May 2025 as a Preschool Teacher. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a Minor in Political Science.
Growing up as the oldest sister in an immigrant family, Lolita has always been a caregiver, looking after her siblings, friends, and extended family. This experience fostered a deep passion for working with children and nurturing their growth.
She is particularly passionate about literacy, history, and supporting the cognitive development of neurodivergent children. Lolita is driven by the opportunity to help all children, especially those with unique learning needs, reach their full potential.
Outside of work, Lolita enjoys watching movies, reading, singing, and creating short films. A fun fact about her: Lolita was born in Reni, Ukraine, and immigrated to the USA at the age of 5!
Kaytlin Mitchell – Support Teacher
Kaytlin joined TLC in August 2024 as a Support Teacher. She holds the EQIT Pyramid Plus certification and is passionate about supporting children’s development.
With a natural connection to kids, Kaytlin always knew she wanted to work with children, especially after having her own. She sought a role that would allow her to balance her professional life with spending more time with her family.
Outside of work, Kaytlin loves to spend time on outdoor adventures with her kids, including paddleboarding. She enjoys building things, watching movies, and cooking and baking. Always up for exploring new places and activities, Kaytlin is driven by a love for discovering new adventures.
Hannah Davis – Support Teacher
Hannah is a Preschool Support Teacher at TLC, having joined the team in August 2025. She holds a Colorado Shines Level 3 certification.
For Hannah, the joy of working with children in early childhood education stems from witnessing the incredible growth of even the youngest learners. She is fascinated by how children discover their own development, learn to regulate emotions, and begin forming friendships. Emotional development is a particular area of passion for Hannah, as she believe it’s the foundation for a child’s future success.
Outside of the classroom, Hannah enjoys exploring the world through their photography, hiking through the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. When she’s not out adventuring, you can find her relaxing at home with her dog. A fun fact about Hannah: she was born and raised in Longmont, and has a deep love for Hawaii, having visited the island three times!
Taygan Brown – Support Teacher
Taygan began her journey as a substitute at TLC in March 2024 and transitioned to a part-time Preschool Support Teacher in August 2025. She is currently pursuing her degree in Elementary Education. One of her greatest joys is creating hands-on activities that ignite children’s curiosity and encourage them to explore new ideas.
With a strong focus on child development, Taygan is dedicated to fostering a love of learning in every child she works with. Outside of her teaching role, she enjoys crocheting, playing video games, and spending time with her partner and their dogs.
A fun fact about Taygan is that she is hard of hearing, which has enriched her teaching approach and strengthened her ability to connect with all learners.