“There is no quality indicator as powerful as the staff’s education, training and competence.  After all, it’s the [staff] who turns junk into art or picks a leaf up from the ground and spins stories about the seasons.”   

-Dr. Karen Hill Scott  www.karenhillscott.com

Dana Mudd: Owner, Director, Teacher, Mother

Dana has a BA in Elementary Education (ASU), is a certified ESL teacher, and a licensed Bradley Method® Childbirth Instructor.  Dana has been working with infants through 6th graders for the past 12 years in Arizona and California with a special concentration on whole child development and cultural diversity education.  Dana has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America, is an avid gardener focusing on sustainable organic gardening and, whenever possible, bakes delicious cakes.

"I love being able to work from home, with my family, while teaching children and their families tools that enrich their lives and lessen their impact on the Earth."
- Dana



 

Mike Kahlich: Co-Owner, Teacher, Builder, Father

Mike Kahlich has a BA in Elementary Education (ASU), is a CA State Certified Middle School Teacher, and was the first teacher in Arizona to achieve the National Board Certified Teacher for Young Adolescents, Generalist.  Mike has taught K-12th grades for the past 10 years with a focus on middle-schoolers.  Mike is also an active mountain biker, snowboarder and, whenever possible, constructs useful things.

"After 10 years teaching middle schoolers I now see that Preschool is the most important grade.  The fact that I get to be part of a child's academic and emotional foundation is truly an honor." - Mike




 

Kaitlin Klaussen: Infant/Toddler Teacher, Mother
Kaitlin has a B.S. in Design from UC Davis, has worked for the past 12 years as a ski instructor for 4-6 year olds, and has a 6 year old daughter who loved Papoose Preschool. Kaitlin joined Papoose four years ago and she loves watching the emerging language skills in toddlers and encouraging each individual personality to emerge.

"Working at Papoose is a positive, creative environment where true expression is encouraged and respect for others is fostered." - Kaitlin









Angelica Stone: Spanish Teacher, Mother

Angelica is originally from Santiago, Chile. She loves working with youngsters as well as adults and has been teaching Spanish and ski instruction for six years. She also works as an interpreter for Alta California and Washoe County School District. Angelica actively pursues continuing her child development education.

Silvia Miller:  Spanish Teacher, Outdoor Education
Silvia has a translation degree from Ricardo Palma University in Lima-Peru (English,German and Italian), has volunteered coordinating children's theater for the poor in Lima, Peru and she has traveled extensively throughout  Europe and South America.  Silvia's specialty is creating fun, hands-on projects for the children to immerse themselves in the Spanish language.  Silvia also accompanies the Preschoolers on their daily forest hike while she continues to talk to the children only in Spanish.  Silvia also teaches adult Spanish classes at Lengua Viva.

"What I like the most about working with kids is that they are all nice, funny, and cute little children and that makes my day happy.  I also love that I am helping them learn another language!  That is going to be a big plus for their future."
- Silvia