Crested Butte's Preschool since 1987
Meet the Staff!!!
We at stepping stones strongly believe "Children must be taught how to think, not what to think" and our amazing staff helps us do so.
We believe our staff should never stop learning. Every staff member is required to participate in a minimum of 15 hours a year in ongoing training, along with being CPR/First Aid certified. Our staff has a combined total of over 100 Years of experience working with children.
July 2020-2021-Bluebird teacher
2021-June 2024- Lead Marmot teacher (ages 3+4)
Executive Director- June 2024-present
Years at stepping stones
Skiing, reading, yoga, playing with my dog.
favorite hobbies
Education
Best part of Stepping Stones
Bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise.
Received Lead teacher certification for ECE in September 2021.
The kids and their families. I like connecting with the families.
Miss Courtney
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August 2019-Present- Lead Infant teacher
August 2023-Present- Infant and Toddler Supervisor.
Spending time with my family doing anything that they enjoy doing, especially things that allow us to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. I also enjoy crocheting, sewing, and cross-stitching, but I rarely have time to do them these days.
favorite hobbies
Years at stepping stones
Education
I studied Elementary Education for 3 years, then took time off to raise and homeschool my children. I received my lead teaching and infant/toddler supervisor certifications in June 2021.
Miss Linnette
Best part of Stepping Stones
I love seeing the world for the first time again and again through the eyes of the babies! They make every day seem new and exciting! I am also grateful for the opportunity to help shape their hearts and minds and to ensure that they feel safe and loved.
Years at stepping stones
2013-2016- Preschool teacher
2018-2020- Bluebird teacher
2022-Present- Lead Hummingbird teacher (ages 13 months-2 years)
Education
-Masters in Education in Administration and Supervision
-BA is in Elementary Education
-I also have over 25 years working in Early Childhood Education.
favorite hobbies
Hiking and reading
Best part of Stepping Stones
The kids and our play based program
Miss Martha
Years at stepping stones
November 2023 - Present Assistant Infant Teacher
miss susan
Best part of Stepping Stones
Susan spent her professional life in adult education of sorts - as a business litigation attorney. Since retiring, she has searched for meaningful work and found Stepping Stones. She truly feels fulfilled and honored to take care of infants and babies in the ITC and can't imagine more meaningful work.
Years at stepping stones
September of 2023 - Assistant Hummingbird Teacher
Education
B.A. in Sociology, B.S. Psychology. Master of Science in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Research in Human and Family Development from Texas State University. Wrote a thesis on Child Life Services in Therapeutic Outdoor Spaces. Worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist for four years in the children’s hospital.
favorite hobbies
I love to draw, play games, hike, and play with my dog Dakota, but my absolute favorite thing to do in my free time is read!
Best part of Stepping Stones
I love working with the toddlers at stepping stones because you get to see their rapid growth and development every day! It is also so much fun to learn each of their own unique personalities.
Miss erica
Years at stepping stones
Best part of Stepping Stones
July 2023 - Present
Marmot Teacher (3-4 )
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in English with a Humanties and Diversity minor, as well as, a professional writing certificate. I have 180 hours of high school education experience and am looking to finish the full 200 hours in order to obtain my secondary licensure and teach at a high school!
favorite hobbies
- My hobbies include: Snowboarding, rock climbing, weight lifting, running, longboarding, playing video games, watching anime, drawing, reading and writing! Anything that gets my body and/or mind working, will do for me!
I love Stepping Stones for many reasons; from the staff to the students, the environment is welcoming, understanding and loving. I've worked at other preschools and haven't stayed long at those ones to say the least! Stepping Stones has given me the opportunity to grow in a positive work environment that encourages growth among staff and students. I also adore how teachers work with the students, keeping a positive language with positive reinforcement, always putting the children first, etc. With anything there's always room for change/growth and I think Stepping Stones does well with adapting our school in a progressive manner.
Teacher Cory
Years at stepping stones
May 2023-present-Lead Coyote Teacher (Pre-K)
Education
I received a degree in elementary education from the University of Colorado.
favorite hobbies
I enjoy reading, skiing, hiking, and doing yoga!
Best part of Stepping Stones
I love working at Stepping Stones because of the amazing community of students, families, and teachers. The play based curriculum really gives kids the opportunity to express themselves and explore their own interests, and I love being apart of it!
Miss Maddie
Years at stepping stones
August 2020-present-Preschool Floater
Education
Bachelors in English and a Masters in Education. .
favorite hobbies
Cross Country skiing, trail running, hiking, drawing.
Best part of Stepping Stones
Reading stories to the kids and engaging them with books.
Mr. don
Years at stepping stones
1987-present-Music and movement teacher
favorite hobbies
Singing, dancing, playing instruments and travelling.
Education
Best part of Stepping Stones
Bachelor's degree in Music Theory
Miss bobbie
The fantastic staff at Stepping Stones. I have been coming in and doing music and movement since the very beginning of Stepping Stones in the 1980's. The traditions and culture has stayed the same and the kids are just wonderful!
Years at stepping stones
September of 2023 to Present Marmot and Coyote teacher
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah, with minors in Computer Science and Ballet.
Graduate level 3-semester certificate in Early Childhood Literacy from the University of Colorado, Denver, completed in 2022.
favorite hobbies
Best part of Stepping Stones
Being trusted as a knowledgeable professional and nurtured and treated well by my leadership, enabling me to guide/teach young children in developmentally-appropriate and honoring (of the child as a full person) ways, through play and exploration, which is the way preschool aged (and beyond!) children learn and develop best, and in emotionally safe ways. Working with creative, fun, and intensely devoted, loving colleagues in our shared, deeply important work. The children have my heart, each and every one, and I love meeting the wonderful families in this sweet community, and love how they support the work that we do.
Dancing (ballet), fermenting (especially sourdough bread, and vegetables), nutritious cooking, reading (especially to keep learning more about nutrition, natural health, parenting, education, and early childhood development.) Camping, hiking, adventuring, especially near creeks and rivers and waterfalls. Connecting meaningfully with other people, and loving my family and friends.
Miss Nat
Years at stepping stones
September of 2023 -present Bluebird Teacher (2-3)
Education
​I went to a year of liberal arts college then took time off to teach! I have big plans to return in the spring of 2025.
Miss marley
favorite hobbies
In my spare time I ski, hike, and do trail work! Over the summer, I spent 3 months in back country Alaska doing conservation work. The ultimate goal is to combine my love of children and the outdoors.
Best part of Stepping Stones
I love Stepping Stones because of the children. Everyday I walk through the door, hear my kids laughing, and smile.