Our Educators

At the heart of our preschool is a team of dedicated, passionate educators who bring learning to life for our youngest minds. We believe that early childhood education sets the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and compassion—and our teachers make that possible every single day. Carefully chosen for their expertise, creativity, and deep commitment to children’s development, our educators are truly the best and the brightest. Together, they create a nurturing, inspiring environment where each child is seen, supported, and encouraged to thrive.

Melinda Mass - Executive Director

Melinda Maas has been the Executive Director of the program since February 2020. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked in various other childcare programs in Routt County since 2005. Melinda is also Co-Chair of First Impressions of Routt County. Melinda enjoys spending her free time with her husband at the lake paddleboarding and traveling!

Jody Kline - Assistant Director

Jody Kline has been with the program since 2010! She started as an assistant teacher, moved up to lead teacher shortly after and became the Assistant Director in 2021. Her degree is in Business Administration and has taken many Early Childhood Education classes and holds her Directors Certificate. She enjoys her free time with family and friends and all things outdoors.

Stephanie Williams - Curriculum Director

Stephanie is grateful to join the Ski Town Early Learning Center’s team, she brought over seven years of dedicated experience in ECE when she started at the program February 2025. Stephanie has played many rolls in ECE from being an assistant, to a lead to now the Curriculum Director. Stephanie is actively pursuing her directors certificate and expects to complete her program in early 2026. Stephanie enjoys embracing the outdoors, particularly engaging in mountain activities such as snowmobiling, dirt biking, hiking, and boating.

Matt Clark - Family Support Director

Matt Clark joined the program in the summer of 2025 as Family Support Director. He holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and has many years experience teaching in Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms. Outside of work, Matt enjoys ice hockey, skiing, hiking, and camping. Matt lives with his fiancé and their adorable daughter.

Brenna Futch - Infant Supervisor

Brenna Futch has been with the program since May 2025, in the toddler room. She is the centers Infant Supervisor and is currently working on her Early Childhood Education Degree. Brenna Futch was the recipient of the First Impressions, Distinguished Teacher Award in 2024. She is also working on her Postpartum Doula certification to better serve parents and infants of our center. Brenna has worked with children since spring of 2020 and 

On her down time she goes paddle boarding with her partner and 2 dogs (Iris and Otter). She enjoys yoga, meditation and painting.

Cecilia Arredondo- Infant Early Childhood Teacher

Cecilia has been with the program since June of 2022. Cecilia grew up in Mexico and moved to Colorado with her family when she was a teenager.  She enjoys working with our youngest learners and has taken a few Early Childhood Education classes. Cecilia loves to spend her free time with her family.

Grace Kunshier - Infant Assistant Early Childhood Teacher

Grace Kunshier grew up in Minnesota and moved to Colorado with her family in 2015 to enjoy the mountain lifestyle. She started in the field of Early Childhood Education in late 2024 and quickly found her passion working with young children. Grace is currently taking ECE classes and working towards her associate’s degree. When she is not in the classroom, she loves spending time with her family and pets, getting outside, and enjoying everything Colorado has to offer.

Kydalin Wagner

Hedgehog & Bunny Assistant Early Childhood Teacher

Born and raised in Colorado, Kydalin has always had special place in her heart for children. She began working in ECE in 2022 while attending college in another field. She found her way back to ECE in Summer 2025 when she started at our program. She enrolled in a Intro to Early Childhood Education college course. She loves building connections each day with the children, watching their personalities, creativity, and confidence grow. In her free time she enjoys painting and coloring. She also enjoys time spent in the mountains.

Susana Arzaga - Infant Assistant Early Childhood Teacher

Susana Arzaga has been with the program since February 2023 as an assistant teacher with the toddlers. Susana has been living in Steamboat since 2005. She loves working with kids and helping them grow. Her kids and family are the most important!

HIRING - Infant Aide

Email Melinda with resume to apply! melinda@skitownearlylearning.com

Katina Rodgers - Hedgehog Lead Early Childhood Teacher (Toddlers 1-2yrs)

Katina has been with the program since July of 2023. She has been working with children since she was a teenage and is working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has a passion for helping children grow and learn and enjoys giving them the skills to be confident, courageous and eager young learners. Katina and her family have been in the Yampa valley for many years and have recently moved to Craig. When not at work she enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with her family. 

Arely Valdez - Hedgehog Assistant Early Childhood Teacher (Toddlers 1-2yrs)

Arely Valdez has been with the program since February 2023 mostly working with our Toddler students. Arely brings warmth, patience and a strong commitment to nurturing young minds. She loves to watch children grow and gain confidence each day. She has completed a few Early Childhood Education courses. Outside of the classroom she loves to bake and spend time outdoors!

Bettina Meyer - Otter Co-Lead Early Childhood Teacher (Toddlers 2-3 yrs)

Bettina Meyer was born and raised in a small village in Northern Germany.  She was educated in both Europe and America.  Bettina found her way into Early Childhood Education a few years ago.  She is continuing her work towards the Director’s Certification and is expected to graduate in March, 2026. We welcomed Bettina into our Program in March, 2025. She enjoys her daughter Annika, her Family and Friends, exploring Nature on foot, with the help of Skis, snowshoes and a canoe. Bettina loves traveling, learning and Deep Sea Fishing.

Abigail Chan - Otter Co-Lead Early Childhood Teacher (Toddlers 2-3yrs)

Coming Soon!

Abbey Amemiya - Float

Coming soon. . . 

Nikki Anderson - Otter Aide (Toddler 2-3yrs)

Nikki Anderson has been with the program since May of 2025. Nikki did volunteer work when she was in High School at All Aboard Children's Center in Arvada, Colorado. She is working on getting her BA in Art Education k-12 and furthering her education in Early Childhood Education. Nikki is married to a local Sheriffs Deputy. They have 3 daughters and a son. Nikki enjoys painting and pending her free time cuddling her babies. 

Michelle Harris - Red Fox Lead Early Childhood Teacher

Michelle Harris has been with the program since March 2024. She has over 15 years of Early Childhood experience. Currently holds her A.A. in Early Childhood Care and Education, and hopes to obtain her bachelor's in Early Childhood Education in the future. Michelle enjoys music, writing, and creating cosplays. 

Cas Johnson (Jess) - Red Fox Assistant Early Childhood Teacher

Cas Johnson has been working with the program since August of 2024. Cas has been working with children since 2016 in various settings, including high school and elementary school level special education. She is currently working on her Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. In her free time, Cas loves playing both video games and tabletop games with her partner and friends. 

Ellie Zwak - Float/Aide

Ellie Zwak started working for the program in the spring of 2021. Before working with the program, Ellie spent many years visiting the preschool and volunteering her time to be around the children. When Ellie is not working she enjoys spending her time with her family and friends, skiing, horseback riding, and finding new things to laugh about!

Shaylee Briggs - Black Bear Lead Early Childhood Teacher

Shaylee Briggs joined the program in the fall of 2023 and has ben dedicated to Early Childhood Education ever since. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Shaylee is originally from Wyoming. She finds joy in the simple things like spending time with her dog and reading books. 

Aaron Fuentes - Black Bear Early Childhood Teacher

Aaron Fuentes joined our program in 2023, in hopes to open another career path for his future. This is Aaron’s first time working in childcare and he decided to join us right after he had graduated High School in 2023! Aaron spends his spare time drawing and hanging out with his friends.

Ski Town Early Learning Center

Board Members

  • Board President

  • Community Member

  • HPP Tresurer/Bookkeeper

  • Secretary

  • Parent

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