June 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 June National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Kelsi from Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Claremont.

The leadership team at Claremont had such kind words to share about Ms. Kelsi, saying: “We are elated to celebrate Ms. Kelsi as our Teacher of the Month! Kelsi is a long-standing, dedicated teacher who makes every day magical! She goes above and beyond to create incredible curriculum for her kiddos that allows them to explore, create, and learn through play! Her families adore and trust in her, and her children cannot wait to enter her classroom in the morning. Kelsi has created an incredible stepping stone to Kindergarten and prepares our Pre-K kiddos for the years ahead. We are so lucky to have an amazing teacher like Ms. Kelsi who truly dedicates her time and heart to her students!”

Some of her coworkers wanted to share kind words as well:

• “Ms. Kelsi has absolutely AMAZING curriculum that embodies Reggio Emilia and is such a great example for our team! She creates magic within her lessons and it is such a joy to watch!”
• “Ms. Kelsi is always willing to help and lead wherever she is needed!”
• “Neverland is always a joy to be in and her kiddos truly love being in her class and having her as a teacher.”

What age group do you teach? 

Pre-K

What is the name of your classroom?

Neverland

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

I absolutely love experiencing the creativity and imagination my students bring each day. Every day feels like a new adventure— whether we’re opening a play restaurant, building loose part rocket ships, bringing dinosaurs back to life, or dancing like nobody’s watching. I also cherish the genuine conversations we share. They’re always eager to tell their stories and are just as excited to hear mine. It’s a joy to watch them grow into happy, confident individuals, and I feel lucky to be part of that journey.

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

“Dig Into Paleontology” stands out as one of my favorite curriculum units. During this theme, I transformed our classroom into a mini dinosaur history museum. The students loved using magnifying glasses to examine replica fossils up close, and I even created dinosaur skeletons out of cardboard tubes for them to explore. It was such a fun, hands-on experience, and the excitement on their faces was priceless. Watching them fully immerse themselves in the role of little paleontologists made the whole unit unforgettable.

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

My favorite part of working at LSP is the lifelong bonds and meaningful relationships it fosters. During my time here, I’ve had the privilege of forming lasting friendships with my co-teachers and building strong connections with many families. It means so much to me that these families not only trust me with their children each day, but also truly care about me and go out of their way to offer support. That sense of community is something truly special, and it’s what makes LSP feel like home.

What made you want to become an early childhood educator?

What I love most about teaching is the joy and purpose it brings to each day. I get to care for and guide young minds, helping them grow not only academically but emotionally and socially too. Even the smallest moments, a high five, a curious question, or a proud smile, feel incredibly meaningful. I also love that I’m always learning right alongside them. Kids have a way of reminding us to see the world with wonder, and their excitement over the simplest things is absolutely contagious.

Who and/or what inspires you and why?

I am inspired by my leadership team. They are some of the most compassionate and dedicated people I know. Their love for the children shines through every day—whether it’s in the small, meaningful conversations they have or in the joy on the children’s faces when they stop by the classroom to say hello. Beyond their care for the kids, they consistently uplift and support me, offering encouragement and guidance that make a real difference. Their presence and positivity are a constant source of motivation.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

In my downtime, you’ll usually find me reading, working out, lounging by the pool, or deep into a board game.

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

Sports were a huge part of my childhood. I was constantly trying something new and ended up playing eight different ones over the years.

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!

Nevaeh M. – Arvada

Mercaydes J. – Briargate

Ayana H. – Broomfield

Sammi L. – Cardinal

Rylie F. – Chestnut

Kelsi M. – Claremont

Jessica E. – Colorado Springs

Maya M. – Creve Coeur

Deepa D.S. – Cumming

Shelby C. – Dominion

Jaiden B. – Elkhorn North

Luby Q.A. – Elkhorn South

Levonne – Erie

Delilah F. – Four Points

Campbell B. – Franklin

Cruz E. – Gilbert Higley

Savannah O. – Gilbert Val Vista

Caitlynn M. – Granite Bay

Alisa M. – Hendersonville

Ella I. – Lake St. Louis

Katie M. – Lakeway

Paige V. – Leawood

Ryleigh M. – Littleton

Jasmine – Mt. Juliet

Christina N. – O’Fallon

Erin S. – Overland Park

Alyssa T. – Ozark

River G. – Parker

Jamie W. – Rogers

Sarah T. – Roswell

Twinkle R. – Schaumburg

Yasmine S. – Scottsdale

Brittany G. – Southlake

Stephanie S. – Stone Oak

Kimberly – The Woodlands

Mia R. – University City

Lorena M. – Willowbrook