February Company-Wide Teacher of the Month

We are two months into the New Year and already having record setting numbers!  Enrollment is up and at its highest across the county and we are so fortunate to all of our families that allow us to be such a big part of their lives! Our educators are the best in the industry and we’re lucky to have them!! The following teachers were nominated by their Program Directors and Assistant Directors for this achievement:

• Stephanie Barrios, Ozark
• Andrea Baier, Springfield I
• Amber Crawford, Colorado Springs
• Chelsea Massey, Springfield III
• Crystal Klug, Rogers
• Janel Kennedy, Gilbert
• Tamara Rivera, Scottsdale
• Cristina Williams, Leawood
• Lauren Ivey, University City
• Chelsea Venable, Lakeway
• Megan Harris, Springfield II

Congratulations to all of these nominees! We are very thankful for all you do for the children in your care every day!

Our February 2016 Company-Wide Teacher of the Month is Ashley Claypool from Southlake.  Ashley is the two’s teacher as well as the school’s Spanish teacher!

Southlake management team had the following to say about Ashley,

“Ashley has been with the school since the day it opened and has stayed loyal and committed. Even amidst changes within the building, she continued to give the families the security they needed. Ashley not only works in our very busy two’s room, she is also our Spanish teacher for the entire school. In the time she has been with us she has been an extra set of hands in every single classroom because she knows all the children and has the ability to help in any room. She always has a smile on her face. She is our opening teacher she creates positive separation from parents and does a wonderful job with welcoming children on their first days of school. We are grateful for Ashley’s level of commitment and loyalty to LSP. She is a valuable teammate.”

Ashley has grown up around childcare her entire life. Her mother has had a licensed in-home day care for almost eighteen years now. Her best childhood memories consist of playing with the children, seeing their smiling faces every day and helping my mom. This is when she realized working with children was a passion of hers.

Being a part of Little Sunshine’s Playhouse has been such an honor of Ashley’s. The best part about her job is watching the incredible growth that occurs in children in the pre-school years.

“They are pure and wholesome and so excited to learn and try new things. They say the funniest things and are so proud of their accomplishments. I love the growth that that is so obvious from the beginning of the time they move to the next class physically, socially, and cognitively.”

Ashley is currently working in the two-year-old classroom. She states that this age is very fun and they always want to help! Ashley believes with consistency, her classroom runs very smoothly each day.

“Most people call this age the “terrible twos” but when I’ve come to learn is this age group truly wears their heart on their sleeve”

Ashley’s favorite curriculum project that she has done at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse is making homemade ice cream. She will never forget the smiles and laughter each child had when they shook their plastic bag and watched their liquid suddenly turn into a solid.

Outside of work, Ashley loves to dance! She enjoys Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and anything Latin. Ashley also enjoys spending time with the people who matter most to her.