Meet the Team

Our School selects staff members on the basis of interest in and knowledge of how children grow and learn, as well as comprehensive state mandates for preschool teacher qualifications. They are continuously engaged in a staff development program that enhances their skills and abilities. Staff is required to receive 15 hours of inservice and ongoing training in the area of child development each year, and all teachers are required to be Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified to ensure safety if emergency care is needed. Staff members are also required to have on file a health exam and proof of a negative TB test, as well as fingerprints and CBI background check. Each teacher on staff has a short biography posted in the entryway of the school, so that you can learn more about their experiences and interests.

We are currently hiring. If you are interested in joining our team, please send your cover letter and resume to: ourschoolgws@gmail.com.

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” image=”id^1054|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/kelsey-clapper.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^kelsey-clapper|description^null” name=”Kelsey Clapper” pos_in_org=”Director” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]Kelsey Clapper is a Roaring Fork Valley native, born and raised. She has been in Early Childhood since 2012 and is a mother of two beautiful children, Jj and Brianna who are beginning Middle School and 3rd grade this year in Carbondale.

She fell in love with following the child, getting down to their level, and playing alongside them and based her Early Childhood Education following the Montessori Method. In 2015, she received her credential in Montessori Infant and Toddler in Boulder and her Director’s Certificate through CMC.

Kelsey has a passion for mental health, psychology, and has recently gone back to school to receive her Bachelor’s in Psychology. She hopes to hop right on in and learn from you all! With her EC Education and Psychology knowledge, Kelsey aspires to aid and lead the teachers, staff, parents, and community of “Our School.”

Outside school, you will often find her getting outside, riding her mountain bike, skiing downhill, and paddle boarding throughout the year! She also loves sitting down with a cup of coffee and a good book, finding a project at home, or letting her wild side go with a bit of salsa dancing.

The biggest reason that she has enjoyed working in EC Education all this years is as she quotes, “We all have challenging lives at times, and yet when I step through these doors, life is a bit more mellow, seeing the children’s smiles as they manipulate and work through the environment provides me with a feeling larger than myself or the issues that are troubling me; we are there for them and providing consistency and love to all the students brings me true joy. While being in the office and all over may be different, I am coming in ready to learn from those before and bring new insights and a fresh light. I hope to bring what I have and more to my classroom and Mt. Sopris Montessori community to the entire community of Our School. My door will be open as is my mindset. I look forward to meeting you and our new journey together”[/ult_team]

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” title_text_typography=”” image=”id^1091|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/anali.jpg|caption^null|alt^Anali Garcia|title^Anali Garcia|description^null” name=”Anali Garcia” pos_in_org=”Preschool Teacher” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]Hello, my name is Anali Garcia and I also a native to the Roaring Fork valley and was born in Aspen, Colorado. Raised in Carbondale and with my parents originally from Mexico, our culture was all about “familia.” This provided me hundreds of opportunities where I was always been surrounded by kids, my little brother, cousins, etc. My culture allowed me to have my first glimpse into caregiving and being a positive role model.

As a high school student, I thought I would follow my dad and pursue the culinary arts and become a chef. I loved cooking and began after school classes to expand my cooking techniques. School always challenged me and at one point I really considered dropping out! Thanks to my teachers throughout high school, I was able to stay strong and graduate.

I think this is where teaching began inspiring me as a profession and where I realized that I wanted to work with kids so I could be their support and help them achieve their dreams!

I am thankful for my husband and enjoy spending time with him, our friends, reading, going to the occasional concert, and practicing yoga.[/ult_team]

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” title_text_typography=”” image=”id^1090|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/karely.jpg|caption^null|alt^Karely Ruiz|title^Karely Ruiz|description^null” name=”Karely Ruiz” pos_in_org=”Preschool Teacher” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]My name is Karely Ruiz, and I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. From infancy, I was raised in Eagle County and view myself as a Colorado Native. I recently moved to Garfield County and am enjoying getting to know this side of the Glenwood Canyon.

In my free time I love road trips, baking, and trying new adventurous activities! I recently tried zip lining for the first time, and it was not as scary as I thought it would be! I love spending time with my family and friends whenever I’m able to, we are often finding a new adventure.

Since early in my childhood, I have been passionate about working with children. Before graduating High school in 2018, I did some volunteer work at an Early Childhood center in Eagle County. Their environment was beautiful like what we have with OUR School. Now, having worked in the Early Childhood field for three years and I believe it is essential to provide children with a safe environment and learning opportunities for them to be successful. As an ECE educator I believe we must continue to learn more about the field for us to provide the best education and care to the children individually and the families that we serve. I am extremely happy and excited to embark on this new adventure at Our School![/ult_team]

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” title_text_typography=”” image=”id^1093|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/bri.jpg|caption^null|alt^Bri Kirkpatrick|title^Bri Kirkpatrick|description^null” name=”Bri Kirkpatrick” pos_in_org=”Toddler Teacher” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]I’m Bri Kirkpatrick! I have been working with children since 2015 when I began with a “before and after school care program” called BASE in Castle Rock, Colorado, (over on the Eastern Slope.) This was where I first enjoyed observing children engages in their natural play and offering a nurturing heart for those early and often later hours.

I moved to Glenwood Springs with my fiancé in 2018 when I began working at the Blue Lake Preschool, an early learning center between Carbondale and El Jebel/ Willits. In my two years at Blue Lake, I enjoyed my time learning from the teachers, establishing a routine, and giving lots of littles snuggles. Looking for something closer to home, lead me to applying as a full-time sub and within a couple of short weeks, I was a classroom lead teacher!  I look forward to assisting children with their natural play, learning, development, and growth in my time here at OUR School, all the while, learning from them each day.

Outside of taking care of all your awesome kiddos, I love to read Poetry and Manga, set up a personal library at home for just me to read, run, workout, cook Vegetarian and Vegan dishes, and spend lots of time with my fiancé, Justin. See you around school![/ult_team]

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” title_text_typography=”” image=”id^1092|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ashley.jpg|caption^null|alt^Ashley Ventura|title^Ashley Ventura|description^null” name=”Ashley Ventura” pos_in_org=”Toddler Teacher” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]My name is Ashley Ventura, I am 28 years old, am a Roaring Fork Valley native, born in Aspen, and raised throughout the valley. I graduated in 2012 from Basalt High School and am currently living in Carbondale with my husband Alec and our two girls, Evalina 8 years (pictured left) and Jazlyn 1 (pictured left above and below photos.)

When I’m not working with children I enjoy being out in nature with my family and our 4 dogs, whether we are camping, hiking, fishing or just going on walks, we’re always outside as a family and value this time together.

While growing up I cared for my two younger sisters and cousins while our parents were working. This was a huge responsibility and I gladly accepted. My junior year of high school, my love for caregiving was given a more challenging opportunity. I had been volunteering after school and on holiday breaks at a Growing Years Preschool and Daycare in Basalt. This is where I fell in love with young children and made the choice to pursue my education in Early Childhood and continue working with young children.

Aside from being a fellow parent, I have worked at several schools throughout the valley from Rifle to Aspen as well as babysitting/ nanny needs when my daughters were very young. I love being able to teach these young children the practical life and basic personal care needs that life is all about.  My favorite thing about coming to the classroom is seeing them grow and learn new things to become tiny independent humans! I feel so blessed to start this new adventure and be able to work with all the families at Our School Preschool![/ult_team]

[ult_team img_hover_eft=”” title_text_typography=”” image=”id^1094|url^https://www.ourschoolglenwood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/fatima.jpg|caption^null|alt^Fatima Rosa|title^Fatima Rosa|description^null” name=”Fatima Rosa” pos_in_org=”Teacher’s Aide” title_box_padding=”padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;” team_member_name_font_size=”desktop:50px;” team_member_position_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]My name is Fatima Rosa, and I am native to the Roaring Fork Valley and was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. I am into my second year as a full-time student at Colorado Mountain College in hopes of working in the Social Work industry and becoming a social worker.

On top of school, I work almost full-time here at OUR School too! One of my passions is volunteering and for a long time, I helped at the Early Learning Center at Valley View Hospital. Spending time with kids and young adults was my most favorite part of helping! Seeing the stress relief that the teachers would shrug down was enough for me. I am hoping to do the same here at Our School and be able to grow as an individual and a young professional.

In my free time, you will find me reading, spending time with family, and traveling whenever possible. I also enjoy singing, dancing, and acting!

I am looking forward to getting to know you all, your children, and enjoy the teachers also.[/ult_team]