Brenda Lord – Aspen
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!
Taygan Brown – Aspen
Taygan began her journey as a substitute at TLC in March 2024 and transitioned to a Preschool 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.
Lupe Morales – Cedar
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 – Cedar
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!
Kaytlin Mitchell – Willow
Kaytlin joined TLC in August 2024. 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.
Jessica Rodriguez – Willow
Kathryn Drake – Juniper
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!
Denisse Garcia – Support Teacher
Denisse García is a dedicated Support Teacher at TLC, having joined the team in August 2024. With an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Denisse is passionate about fostering social-emotional learning in young children, which she views as a crucial aspect of their development.
She finds joy in witnessing the unique ways children meet their goals each day, relishing the dynamic and ever-changing environment that early childhood education offers.
Outside of her professional life, Denisse enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends, cherishing the moments of connection and exploration.