August 2025 National Teacher of the Month

The Teacher of the Month award is our way of celebrating educators who live out our core values—compassion, humility, integrity, loyalty, and discipline—each and every day. We’re excited to announce that our 2025 August National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Grace from Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Thornton.

The leadership team at Thornton had such kind words to share about Ms. Grace, saying: “Thank you for everything you have done with your kiddos since starting. You are thriving and it shows through your classroom. We are SO proud of you!”

What age group do you teach? 

I teach in our twos classroom.

What is the name of your classroom?

I work in the Ashdown classroom.

What do you love most about the age group you teach?

What I love most about the age group I teach is how much they grow and want to learn. They love to learn new things and have so much fun being creative. I love how I get to create fun and engaging activities for them, and they genuinely are excited to do them together as a team!

What is your favorite curriculum project you’ve ever done in your classroom?

My favorite curriculum project that I’ve done in my class is when we learned how to make homemade lemonade! The kids had SO much doing it and were so engaged the entire time! They learned to squeeze the juice out of the lemons, mix sugar and water, and combine it all together. It was a perfect lesson for practicing their fine motor skills!

What do you enjoy most about working at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse?

I absolutely LOVE this school so much. It has such a great support system and the best director I’ve ever worked for. I genuinely enjoy coming to work and look forward to it EVERY single day. I am extremely happy here and feel so loved and cared for, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else!

What made you want to become an early childhood educator?

I want to be able to help the next generation thrive and help them continue to learn every single day. It is so incredibly rewarding when you come into work every morning and the kids light up when they see you. Even on the hardest days, when they come in and give you the biggest hug with a huge smile on their face, everything else melts away.

Who and/or what inspires you and why?

My mom has always been my biggest supporter and the person who has always inspired me. She is such an incredibly strong woman and makes me want to be my best self. She works extremely hard, always stays positive, and never gives up even when it’s hard.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work I love spending time with my daughter!  She is the light of my life, and we have so much fun together. We like to go to the park, play, try new coffee shops/restaurants, and go for walks!

Tell us one special fact about yourself that no one would expect.

One special fact about me is that I actually am also an esthetician! I used to have my own business and do lashes, facials, and waxing! While I don’t currently do it anymore, I still renew my license every year!

We’d also like to extend congratulations to all of this month’s nominees listed below. Thank you for your continued passion and dedication. You are all a vital part of our Little Sunshine’s family!

Caitlynn J. – Arvada

Nichole B. – Briargate

Darlene R. – Broomfield

Kiana G. – Cardinal

Danyella W. – Castle Rock

Lauren W. – Chesterfield

Julie A. – Chestnut

Wendy F. – Cheyenne Mtn.

Madisen G. – Claremont

Kristin G. – Creve Coeur

Aparna A. – Cumming

Lilly M. L. – Dominion

Kellie T. – Elkhorn North

Theresa D. – Elkhorn South

Emilee J. – Erie

Yolima Q. – Four Points

Sam L. – Gilbert Val Vista

Reyna M. – Granite Bay

Madelynn D. – Hendersonville

Sarah D. – Lake St. Louis

Anna S. – Lakeway

Josie H. – Littleton

Jackie – Mt. Juliet

Suganya D. B. S. – O’Fallon

Katrian B. – Overland Park

Bethany B. – Ozark

Fathima J. – Parker

Kiara P. – Rogers

Izaiah F. – Roswell

SK B. – Schaumburg

Haley H. – Scottsdale

Dominique B. – Southlake

Emarii J. – Stone Oak

Michelle – The Woodlands

Grace O. – Thornton

Sabrina S. – University City

Evangeline B. – Willowbrook