Meet the Teachers

Shannon Powell - Director
 

Hello, my name is Shannon Powell and I grew up in Mesa, Arizona. I received an Associate Degree in General Studies in 2003 and a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education in 2008. I am currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Business Administration. I hold a current teaching license in the State of Arizona and I have taught every grade from preschool to sixth as a substitute teacher.

I am passionate and enthusiastic about teaching children and I have gained a lot of teaching experience outside of the classroom as well, teaching my four children. I created TotSpot Preschool after researching many local preschools and programs for my own daughter. It is important to me that a preschool not only meet my high standards as an educator, but also meet my expectations as a mother....for an affordable price. (Founded TotSpot Preschool in 2008)

Sarah Milner - Assistant Director/Curriculum Director

My name is Sarah Milner. I grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I received an Associate degree from Ricks College in General Education in 1993. I then graduated from BYU in 1996 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

My husband and I moved to Arizona in 1998 when our oldest child was small and have been here ever since. I have four children and my youngest will be starting Kindergarten in 2010.

I am enjoying being able to use my education in a more formal setting. Working with young children is an exciting adventure. You never know what is going to happen on any given day. They are so ready to learn about anything and everything. I have been with TotSpot Preschool since August 2009 and love working with the kids and the amazing teachers! (Joined TotSpot Preschool August, 2009)

 Jeannie Guthrie - Administrator
 

I am so excited to be a part of TotSpot Preschool! My name is Jeannie. I grew up in Logan Utah and still enjoy spending my summers there. Arizona has been my home for the past 16 years and I absolutely love this area. My husband and I have 3 beautiful children. I have been a stay at home mom for most of my “mom” life….. Prior to the “mom” life, I attended Utah State University and studied psychology and social work. I lived in Taiwan and worked as an English as a Second Language teacher for preschools, elementary, high schools and private schools. I also spent a year in the Philippines serving the underdeveloped areas, refugee camps and underprivileged schools. Foreign travel is a hobby that I hope to enjoy again someday.

I absolutely love working with children and have so much fun watching the students come through the doors every day with their big smiles. I couldn’t ask for a better environment to spend my working day. (Joined TotSpot Preschool July, 2010)

 

Jasey Rogers - Teacher (Pre-K)

Hi! My name is Jasey Rogers and I am really, really excited to be a teacher at TotSpot Preschool this upcoming year. I graduated from ASU in Early Childhood Education in 2000 and taught 2nd grade for 2 years in the Chandler School District before having my first child. I then stayed home with my 3 children and now my youngest is going into kindergarten. I am looking forward to working again in my desired field.

I hold a current AZ teaching license and have enjoyed being back in the classroom. I have always wanted to each preschool because I love to watch the children light up when they have learned something new and are excited about life. I have a passion for kids and I love to build on their imagination and lead it into learning. (Joined TotSpot Preschool July, 2010)
 

 Katie Myers - Teacher (Pre-K)
 

  Hi! My name is Katie Myers. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. It was there in 2001, at Lock Haven University, that I received my   Bachelor degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after receiving my degree, I moved to Jerusalem, Israel for 8 years. During my time there, I had the opportunity to volunteer on various occasions with programs for children. I also had the opportunity to experience an entirely different culture and way of life. In 2009 we moved back to America, and because of my husband's job, we found ourselves in Chandler, AZ. After being a stay-at-home mother of 2 kids, I decided it was time to get back into the classroom. I most recently worked at a small private elementary school in Mesa. It was fun but I needed something different, so here I am at TotSpot!
 

Gretchen Petersen - Teacher (3's)
 

Hi my name is Gretchen Peterson. I grew up here in Tempe, Arizona. I earned my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from UVSC. I have also studied French and recently went back to school to study British and European History. For the past several years I have loved being home with my three children.

I am so excited to work with young children again and use my education more formally. Young children are so much fun to work with! They are so loving and eager to learn. You can see the excitement in their eyes as they learn new things and make sense of this incredible world we live in. (Joined TotSpot Preschool April, 2010)
 

Monica Shumway - Teacher (3's)

Hi, I am Monica Shumway and I am an Arizona native. My husband and I are the happy parents of six daughters. I taught each of our girls preschool in our home. I have had the wonderful blessing of teaching kindergarten through sixth grade students in Art Masterpiece at several schools for the past 12 years. It was during this time that I discovered that I loved to teach, and I especially loved watching kids get excited about learning. I returned to college and graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2005.

I am thrilled to be with your little ones at TotSpot Preschool. They are at such an important stage of life and this is a wonderful opportunity to build strong foundations for their future. I have a passion to see each child as an individual with limitless possibilities. I look forward to helping them take their first steps on their journey. (Joined TotSpot Preschool July, 2010)

 

 Kristen Benson - Teacher (3's & Pre-K)
 

  Hi, my name is Kristen Benson. I am so excited to be a Teacher at TotSpot Preschool! I grew up in Orange County, California. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 1995. I worked in the accounting field for a few years before staying home to raise my 3 daughters. I have helped teach each of them in a home-based preschool and have worked with children in my church for the past 12 years. I love to read, cook, decorate and spend time with my family.

Nelay Young - Teacher (2's)

Hello, my name is Nelay Young and I look forward to teaching at TotSpot Preschool this upcoming year. I grew up in Mesa, AZ and graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2000 with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught for six years in the Mesa School District, my first two years were in 2nd grade, and in the last four years I taught all elementary grade levels as the Librarian/Media Specialist. In May of 2006 I decided to stay home with my one year old twins.

I am thrilled to get back in the classroom again and teach young children. I love the preschool age because they are full of life and ready to learn new things. I enjoy watching them grow through the year as their minds absorb what they learn.
(Joined TotSpot Preschool July, 2010)

Caitlin Shumway - Assistant Teacher (3's)
 

  Hi, I'm Caitlin and I am an assistant teacher in the three year old classroom. I have been working with special needs children for over three years. My main focus has been children with autism. I am currently working toward a degree in Nutrition and Exercise Wellness at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. I am an Arizona native and have lived in Chandler for most of my life. I am so
excited to be back for another year working with so many wonderful children. (Joined TotSpot Preschool January, 2011)
  

Joanna Quitugua - Assistant Teacher (2's)

Hello, my name is Joanna Quitugua and I was born and raised on an island called Saipan located in the Northern Marianas Islands. I came out to Arizona to pursue my college education in early childhood education. I am in the process of earning my Associates degree at Mesa Community College and then plan on transferring to University of Phoenix for my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education.

I have worked with children at various summer camps back home and enjoyed helping them learn and play, which brought me to my decision to pursue the field of education. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work at TotSpot Preschool. I am excited to work with children and gain more experience in my chosen field. Children are our future and I am glad to be a part of their learning process. I can’t wait to meet your children. It’ll be a great year! (Joined TotSpot Preschool July, 2010)

   Laurie Ray - Movement and DanceExpressions Dance Studio  

Hi my name is Laurie Ray. I am so excited to be able to share the joy of movement and dance with TotSpot Preschool this year! I grew up in Logan, Utah.

I began dancing when I was 5 and was instantly hooked. I spent my childhood dancing and eventually continued my dance education at the Tueller School of Dance where I studied ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. While dancing at the Tueller School of Dance I competed in many small and large team competitions earning top honors. I also had the opportunity to participate in The Hoctor’s Dance Caravan and competed in The Stars of Tomorrow Competition where my teams also took top honors.I have had the opportunity to work with many talented choreographers including Bonnie Story, Barry Youngblood, and Robert Alverez. I also had the opportunity to teach and choreograph classes at the Tueller School of Dance.

More recently I have been sharing my love of ballet through various ballet classes, but mostly I've been enjoying the ride as a mother of 4. I am thrilled to be able to share the art of dance through Totspot Preschool and also through the new Expressions Dance Studio.

Expressions Dance Studio
expressionsdanceaz@gmail.com
(480) 299-7378
www.expressionsdancestudio.blogspot.com