Toddlers Staff
Aaliyah Grimaldo – Otters
Aaliyah Grimaldo joined TLC in January 2020 and has since been committed to providing a warm, loving, and engaging environment for the children in her care. With a deep-rooted passion for working with young children, Aaliyah focuses on fostering their social and emotional development while supporting their language skills.
Her dedication to early childhood education is inspired by her grandmother, Ms. Tavita Grimaldo, who was a beloved part of TLC for over 20 years. Aaliyah’s family has a rich history with the center, and she is proud to continue the legacy of making a positive impact on the community and the children they serve. For Aaliyah, the most rewarding part of her role is seeing children reach key milestones and knowing she played a role in their development.
When she’s not teaching, Aaliyah loves spending quality time with her daughter and cherishing moments with her loved ones.
Libby Knott – Otters
Brenda Collison – Owls
Brenda Collison is a Toddler Teacher, where she has been nurturing and guiding young learners at TLC since July 2020. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from CSU and a Master’s in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction from CU Denver, Brenda blends a strong scientific foundation with a deep passion for education.
Although Brenda has taught students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, it’s working with young children that truly ignites her passion. She is deeply committed to fostering toddlers’ social and emotional growth, while supporting their language development in a warm and engaging environment. Her enthusiasm for early childhood education shines through in her approach, creating a safe and enriching space for little ones to explore and grow.
Outside of the classroom, Brenda enjoys gardening in the summer and indulging in sewing and crafts during the winter months. As a second-generation native Coloradan, she enjoys all that her home state has to offer. Brenda also has some fascinating past experiences, including working with the Colorado Wildlife Federation to release Peregrine Falcons in downtown Denver and educating students across the Front Range with Rosie the tarantula for the Butterfly Pavilion!
Layla Johnsen – Owls
Layla Johnsen has been a teacher at TLC since March 2020. They hold an Early Childhood Teaching License from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Education and a Level 3 Early Childhood Credential through PDIS. Layla’s passion for working with children began shortly after high school when they started volunteering at their old elementary school. It was in the kindergarten classroom that they discovered their true calling, and they have been dedicated to early childhood education ever since.
Layla is especially passionate about teaching social-emotional skills and early literacy. They also love incorporating their passion for music and art into the curriculum, using these creative outlets to enrich their students’ learning experiences. They believe that fostering emotional growth and creativity are essential to helping children develop into well-rounded individuals.
Outside of teaching, Layla enjoys sewing, crafting, and designing costumes in their free time. They are also an avid singer and play the ukulele. Additionally, Layla has a love for languages and continues to learn Swedish, Japanese, and American Sign Language, with the goal of connecting more deeply with their grandmother and broadening their linguistic skills.
Daniela Orona – Support Teacher
Anahi Corchado – Support Teacher
Anahi Corchado joined TLC Learning Center as a Teacher Assistant in July 2024. Currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education, Anahi combines her hands-on classroom experience with ongoing professional studies to provide nurturing support for our young learners.
Anahi finds joy in supporting children in their developmental journey. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as she balances her professional role with her academic studies.
When not in the classroom or studying, Anahi treasures time with her toddler, especially taking walks together where they share moments of discovery and wonder. Her dual role as both an educator and parent enriches her approach to early childhood education.
Sondee Van Matre – Chickadees
Sondee Van Matre joined TLC in August 2022 and, driven by her passion for working with young children, is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. While she initially dreamed of becoming a history teacher, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that she discovered the impact of early childhood education, especially in the formative years of birth to age 5. Sondee believes that providing children with patient, consistent, and loving guidance can help steer them away from the school-to-prison pipeline, and she finds great fulfillment in working on social and emotional regulation with toddlers-skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Sondee’s professional passion centers around social and emotional regulation, understanding its importance in setting the foundation for a child’s growth and future. In her free time, Sondee enjoys being a homebody, indulging in her love for reading, embroidery, and videography. She also loves spending time with her two cats, going on walks, and finding unique treasures while thrifting.
Lesly Soto – Chickadees
Lesly Soto joined TLC as a Toddler Teacher in September 2024. She holds a PDIS 3.0 Level 2 certification and is passionate about fostering the growth and development of young children. Lesly’s love for working with children started in her family’s gatherings, where she was always surrounded by babies. She quickly discovered how much she enjoyed spending time with them, which led her to pursue a career in early childhood education. Lesly is deeply committed to helping raise strong individuals by supporting their development at such a crucial stage in their lives. Lesly believes that the early years lay the foundation for a child’s future success.
Outside of her role at TLC, Lesly enjoys spending quality time with her family, especially her sisters, trying new restaurants, and connecting with friends.
As a bilingual speaker, Lesly is proud to offer support to those who may not speak Spanish, making her even more passionate about being a bridge for communication.
Denisse Garcia – Pikas
Denisse García is a dedicated Toddler 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.
Carolina Mosqueda – Pikas
Carolina Mosqueda joined TLC Learning Center as a Toddler Teacher in August 2024. Holding a Pyramid Plus certification and currently pursuing her Associate of Applied Arts in Elementary Education, Carolina brings both professional expertise and continuing education to her role in early childhood development.
Carolina’s path to teaching started organically in her middle school years, as she discovered her gift for connecting with children while caring for younger family members. This early experience led her to pursue work in childcare during high school, where she developed her passion for supporting children’s growth and development. She has a particular passion for early literacy, incorporating reading and language development into her engaging classroom activities.
Beyond the classroom, Carolina enjoys quality time with family and friends, shopping, and taking refreshing walks. Her balanced approach to life and genuine enthusiasm for early childhood education make her an inspiring presence in our TLC community.
Kayla Schaefer – Support Teacher
