Leslie Davis - Director
Originally from Arcadia, California, Sarah moved to Breckenridge in 2012. Sarah is currently completing her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education through the University of Arizona Global Campus. Sarah began working at Timberline Learning Center in 2014 where she served the youngest population of learners as the Sprouts Mentor Teacher. After six years in a classroom, Sarah accepted the position of Operations Director in 2020. Even though she is not directly in a classroom, Sarah gains a sense of fulfillment from creating beautiful partnerships with all families.
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Sarah Young - Operations Director
Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Maria moved to Breckenridge in 2015 after completing a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Wilkes University. Maria had been working in the ECE field for 8 years before starting at Timberline as the Acorn mentor teacher then moved classrooms and became the Pinecone mentor teacher. After six years in the classroom, Maria became Timberline's Education Director. As she continues to utilize the beautiful nature she feels lucky enough to be surrounded by, Maria can often be found snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing or camping with her husband, Ben and her dog Bert.
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Maria Niedenfuer - Education Director
Originally from the cornfields outside of Chicago in Northern Illinois, Ms. Alyse moved to Breckenridge with then boyfriend, now husband, Joey in January of 2013, after he was offered a position with Summit County in the I.S. department. An adventure that was supposed to be a year has turned into a life and building a family in this beautiful community. In August of 2013, after a few months in retail, Ms. Alyse decided to get back to her passion of working with children and joined the TLC team. Shortly after learning about the philosophy at TLC, she knew she wanted to raise a family here. Starting in the Acorn classroom as a Co-Teacher then a brief stint as Co-Mentor, she then moved up to the Pinecones. After a couple years in the toddler wing, she moved up to the Little Grove and eventually took over the Mentor position. Ms. Alyse was a mentor in the Little Grove for four and a half years before moving up with her class after the pandemic to the Big Grove. After her first child, Emilia (Emi), a year mentoring in the Big Grove and then her second child, Eli, she moved once more to a brand-new role, Resource Specialist. This new role allows her to be in all the classrooms and work with all the teachers, children, and families. She loves it!
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Alyse Moulis - Resource Specialist
In August 2021, Ms. Kass joined the TLC family. Kass lives in Twin Lakes, where she spends all of her free time exploring the mountains she calls home. She attended Colorado State University and received her Colorado Teacher’s License and Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. While at TLC, Kass has been with the Sprouts and Seedlings. Kass is thankful to spend her days deepening her relationships with the Sprouts, pursuing moments of peace and joy alongside them, and playing in the sunshine (or snow) as much as possible!
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Kass Whitman - Sprouts Mentor Teacher
Ms. Alysse has been in the early childhood field for over ten years. She has worn many hats including managing the ski area guest childcare for Copper Mountain Resort to being a lead teacher, for many years, at a local preschool in Frisco. She holds and associates degree from Colorado Mountain College, has a Level 6 credential and is large center director qualified. Ms. Alysse enjoys exploring life with her two sons- Kai who is 15 years old and Shaye who is 8 years old, and her life partner Ronnie. Some of their favorite adventures include camping, road tripping, being immersed in nature, and traveling out of the country to experience different people, places food and cultures. Ms. Alysse's goal for the Sprouts room is to nurture and support every child in being and becoming their true selves. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of each child's growth.
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Alysse Valli - Sprouts Co-Teacher
Ms. Jessie became a part of the TLC team in June 2021. Originally from Southern California, Summit County has been home for nearly 20 years. Jessie began working with young children as a swim instructor as a teenager and later studied Spanish education at the University of Northern Colorado. She worked at the Family Intercultural Resource Center as an Early Childhood Educator for 4 years. Jessie currently volunteers for the children's programs at her church. For the past year, Jessie enjoyed working in the two toddler classrooms and is now working in both infant classes. Ms. Jessie is very happy for the chance to love and nurture our tiniest students in this coming school year.
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Jessica Hall - Infant Co-Teacher
Taylor Adcock, a Kansas City native, comes to Timberline Learning Center with over six years of teaching experience. Starting as a preschool teacher, she found a strong passion for teaching infants over time. She has now has over 3 years of experience working with young and older infants. Taylor’s favorite part of teaching infants is watching them grow in their abilities and figure out this big world around them. |
Taylor Adcock - Seedlings Mentor Teacher
After serving several families as a full time nanny, Ms. Emily joins TLC with excitement for her newest journey. Coming from Vermont in August 2021, Emily is no stranger to Summit County. In her free time, she can be found snowboarding at any and all of the surrounding mountains, or exploring with her golden retriever, Daisy. She has worked with children of all ages and is thrilled to be joining the infant wing at TLC in December 2022.
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Emily Collins - Seedlings Co-Teacher
Ms. Melissa joined TLC in November of 2017. She is a Colorado native growing up in the Denver suburbs and frequenting the Summit County area. She has a bachelor's degree in Art History from the University of Colorado Boulder. Before teaching at TLC she taught 3-6 year olds skiing at Keystone for 10 years. This is her 5th school year in Acorns and holds a level 3 teaching credential. In her free time she loves to be outdoors whether its skiing, hiking, biking, tending her garden or walking her cat.
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Melissa Miersch - Acorns Mentor Teacher
Katlyn grew up in a small town right outside of Des Moines IA, she moved to Denver after high school to attended Heritage School of Interior Design. Katlyn graduated via zoom in 2020. After graduating Katlyn moved to Breckenridge mid pandemic to work on the mountain to ride her snowboard as much as possible. Growing up, Katlyn loved to babysit her younger family members and then nannied a family during the summers of high school. Working at TLC is the most rewarding opportunity to get to know the families within this amazing community.
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Katlyn Waltz - Acorns Co-teacher
Ms. Shannon has worked at Timberline since November of 2018. Spending most of her time in the Big and Little Grove classrooms as a preschool teacher, this year she has accepted ta position in the toddler classrooms. She has taken trainings and courses related to early childhood, and is currently holds a level 3 teaching credential. She grew up in Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming for two years before moving to Breckenridge in 2015. Shannon graduated with her BS in Psychology with an emphasis in clinical counseling in May of 2022 from Colorado Christian University. She is currently enrolled in the Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at CCU and is expected to graduate in 2024. Although she enjoys learning about all domains of early childhood development, she especially loves focusing on their social-emotional development. Shannon is so excited to spend another year at TLC laughing and learning from the children and can’t wait to see what amazing things the students of Timberline accomplish!
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Shannon Barrett - Toddler Co-Teacher

Originally from Naples, Maine, Ms. Jacqui moved to Breckenridge in 2014. She joined the Timberline Leaning Center family back in June of 2016. Since joining our team, she has worked in the Sprouts, Seedlings, Acorns, and Pinecones classrooms. She has been the Pinecone Mentor teacher since June of 2021. Ms. Jacqui holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Management from Colorado Mountain College. She is currently pursuing her Graduate degree at Adams State University. She holds a level 5 Early Childhood Teaching Credential and Director’s Certification through Colorado Shines PDIS. In her free time, she enjoys running, painting, rock climbing, spending time with her cat, and skiing. Ms. Jacqui is thankful for the opportunity to play a role in young children’s growth and development.
Jacqui Fields - Pinecones Mentor Teacher
Ms. Rose is originally from Ohio, but decided to settle in Colorado. Ms. Rose has experience in early childhood education, public school, and special education. She holds a level 4 teaching credential through Colorado Shines and is currently working toward finishing her associates degree in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children, exploring, and reading a good book. She is excited to work with your children, continuing to watch them bloom and explore their world.
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Rose Hargis - Pinecones Co-Teacher
Ms. Ashley started working at TLC in spring of 2014. Ashley is from Goodrich, Michigan. She studied elementary education and has a license in cosmetology as well. During her time in Colorado she has studied Early childhood education at Colorado Mountain College. She is lead teacher qualified and strives to some day be a director. She has worked as a teacher in the toddler wing for many years before moving to the preschool classroom in 2020. Ashley strongly values the relationships she makes with teachers, parents and children.
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Ashley DeGrouchy - Little Grove Mentor Teacher
Ms. Sophia joined the TLC family in May 2022. She has lived in Colorado her whole life, living in Sterling while earning her associates degree. Then moved to Gunnison to earn her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology. She has spent her time here in the preschool wing, enjoying both Big and Little Grove, but found a home in the Little Grove classroom. She is so excited to spend more time here growing and enjoying the journey with the children, hopefully for a long time!
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Sophia Privette - Little Grove Co-Teacher
Miss Sydney joined the Timberline family in April 2021. She is a Colorado Native, who grew up in Grand Junction. Sydney attended Colorado Mesa University in her hometown, where she studied Musical Theatre and Music Education. During that time, Ms. Sydney participated in the Disney College Program, acting as a ‘Fairy Godmother in Training’ as well as a Jungle Cruise Skipper. She fell in love working with families and children around the magic of Disney, and when returning to Colorado, began her studies in STEM & Early Childhood Education. Most of her time at TLC has been spent in the toddler and preschool classrooms, and she is so excited to continue to grow with these families!
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Sydney Elliott - Preschool Co-Teacher
Ms. Gretchen joined TLC as the Big Grove Mentor in August 2022. Although she moved here from Georgia, she is originally from Portland, Oregon. She graduated with her Bachelors in International and Latin American Studies from University of San Francisco. Additionally, she holds a Master of Teaching TESOL from University of Southern California. She is passionate about educating young hearts and minds to change the world.
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Gretchen Dew - Big Grove Mentor Teacher
Mr. Mark joined the TLC staff in January of 2021. Mr. Mark is from Maryland originally and moved to Summit county in November 2018. Mr. Mark has an associate’s degree from a local community college in Maryland and coursework in a Child Development Program from West Virginia University. He has been working in a preschool setting since August 2015. Mr. Mark loves being a part of the Timberline community and the role he plays for our school.
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Mark Siegert - Big Grove Co-Teacher
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About Timberline:
We are a school for young children from ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Our approach is Reggio Emilia inspired. The following principles guide our approach and curriculum: The child is an active, strong, competent collaborator in the evolution of their learning. The teacher is a guide, rather than an instructor, who observes, questions, researches, documents, reflects, and interprets. The classroom is a teacher unto itself! The relationships that develop between the children, their families, and the teachers create opportunity for growth, reflection, and support. Long-term projects are at the core of our program, using the children’s interests, and the teacher’s observations, as the guide.
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