Meet our staff
We believe in providing not only exceptional education for your child, but exceptional leadership. We are blessed with an incredible team of educators, assistants, and other professionals to provide your child with countless opportunities to grow, love, and show grace.
Daisy Chell
Director
Hello! I am delighted to be serving at Sonshine Patch Preschool. I earned a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2007 and have enjoyed such a rewarding career in early learning over the years. Some of my roles have been preschool teacher, Sunday School teacher, Infant/Toddler Supervisor, and administrator.
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I was blessed with an opportunity to work as a missionary in the Philippines for 10 years. While overseas, I served in an orphanage, school, and pregnancy clinic.
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I absolutely love my work with the children, their families and teachers in this community.
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When I'm not at work, I enjoy time with family and friends, watching movies, eating good food, and traveling to new places.
Teacher
Hi everyone! Being a teacher has always been a dream of mine. I have been working with children since I was 12.
I received my BA at Azusa Pacific University in California where I met and married my husband, Dan. We now have two wonderful grown children and four grandchildren.
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I've taught kindergarten at a Christian school in Sedona, Arizona, worked as a Children's Ministry Coordinator, substituted, took classes at the University of Phoenix, and worked as a swim instructor. Teaching JK here at the Sonshine Patch is a complete joy to me, incorporating my many years of teaching experience with fresh new ideas is such a fun challenge!
Nancy Lamar
Shelia Ballard
Teacher
Hi! I just love children and always wanted to be a teacher since I was little. It’s such a blessing to be able to teach the love of Jesus at SPP. I’ve been working at Sonshine Patch Preschool for 14 years!
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I am married and we have three children; on son and two daughters. My oldest daughter attended here in 2002! I have 2 grandsons ages 3 ½ and 2. I graduated with a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education from Mesa State in Grand Junction, Colorado.
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I have also taught Sunday School and substituted at a preschool in Delta, Colorado. I absolutely love to teach and work with young children. It is exciting to watch them developmentally grow throughout the school year!
Daisy Chell
Director
Ginny Archer
Teacher
Hi! I'm Miss Ginny. I love working with children. Over the past 40 years I have worked with children from infancy to age 5. My experiences include teaching Sundy School, working in daycare, and teaching preschool. Watching children explore and learn brings joy to my heart. I’m excited to be working with your little ones this year.
Hello! I have been working in the Early Childhood Education field for over 7 years. Prior to preschool teaching I was the Kids Club Manager at Golds Gym Montrose and spent three years as a substitute teacher in the Montrose County School District. This is my 4th year with Sonshine Patch Preschool and I love it here!​
I learned about my love for working with children while volunteering in the classrooms of my own two children. I love developing relationships with children and their families. Each child has their own unique and special qualities. I can’t wait to work with your child and see them
blossom!
When I am not working with preschoolers I’m spending time with my family hiking, camping, traveling, attending church, and skiing. I also enjoy walking my sweet dog, gardening, watching movies and reading.
Kim Lanford
Teacher
Karla Fulton
Teacher
Hi everyone, I’m Karla. I am incredibly excited to be working with your preschooler!
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I'm a retired elementary teacher with over 25 years of experience which includes kindergarten through fourth grade.
I was a first-grade teacher for 18 years and went on to be certified as a Reading Specialist. Prior to teaching elementary, I worked as a lead teacher in the daycare and preschool at my local YWCA.
​When I'm not working, you'll find in the great Colorado outdoors enjoying the sunshine.
Hannah Wieder
Teacher
Hi! I am thrilled to be the lead for Apple Class! This is my 4th year at SPP, and the community here between staff and families is so incredible. I’m so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with little ones, and have a passion for guiding them as they grow.
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I play the violin, and in the local symphony. I love music and the arts, including painting
and crocheting. I absolutely love living near the mountains, as I love to hike, paddleboard, and
spend time in creation. Reading is also a big passion of mine, and I love to share my love of the
written word with kiddos!
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This job is so fulfilling, and I’m looking forward to serving and working with these
wonderful families and community.
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Rebeca (Esme) Ortiz
Teacher
Hello families! This is my first year at SPP. I look forward to helping your children grow at such an important stage in their life, in both their education and faith. I worked with children for the first time at a 2023 summer program, and quickly realized how much love I had for helping children on their learning and growing journey.
I was born in Montrose and moved to Gunnison for 7 years, returned to Montrose in 2016 and have lived here since. I have three older sisters and an older brother. I love music, the outdoors, volleyball, exercise, anything to do with beauty, and absolutely love traveling. I have a big family and am very family oriented so we always find different reasons to hang around each other.
I look forward to spending the year with your amazing kiddos!!
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Hi my name is SaDee Burruel. I have worked in the medical field for close to eight years. Working as a CNA, Medical Assistant and Supervisor. These last five years I have been a stay-at-home mom taking care of my two children, which I can happily say attended Sonshine Patch. Last winter in 2024 I had the opportunity to help the wonderful staff at Sonshine Patch and substitute when needed. That’s when I fell in love with early childhood education. I was blessed with the opportunity to take a full time position this year to help start building a foundation of learning, so the children can take their lessons wherever they go in life.
My hobbies include volunteering to coach my children’s sports, paddle boarding, playing in the lake, hiking, hunting with the family, reading, working out and just relaxing at home. I enjoy eating any kind of Mexican food, coffee, hot tea and of course turtles candy!
SaDee Burruel
Teacher
Emma d'Ablaing
Teacher
Hi, my name is Emma d’Ablaing and I am delighted to start my 2nd year at Sonshine Patch! Last year I started off as the afterschool teacher and halfway through the year got blessed with the opportunity to work in the Aspen class full time.
Outside of the classroom I love to spend time with my family and friends, swimming, playing at the park with my kiddos and fishing. Back in May of this year, right before the school year ended, my husband and I welcomed baby boy #2 and we couldn’t be happier to be a family of 4!
This year I have been lucky enough to continue this position in Aspen and my love and passion for teaching will continue to grow. I am so excited to meet all of you and get this year started!
School Nurse
Sarah Morales RN
Hey everyone!
I'm Sarah, and I'm your school nurse at Sonshine Patch Preschool. My other job is working as an RN in the Cardiology Clinic here in Montrose. I also have experience as an ER nurse and as an elementary music school teacher! I continue my love of music by volunteering with the Valley Symphony Association chorus and occasionally singing or playing piano for church functions. Both of my kids attended Sonshine Patch, and as a matter of fact, I did too - in the inaugural class 30-odd years ago! This is a super place for your kids to learn and grow, and we're thrilled to have you here!
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Tatum Burhenne
Teacher
Hi everyone, I’m Tatum. I’m so excited to have been given the opportunity to teach here at Sonshine Patch Preschool!
I was born and raised back in Iowa, and then moved to the Montrose area almost 4 years ago and just fell in love.
I love working with children and watching them learn and grow as tiny humans!
If I’m not working, you will catch me coaching soccer & cheer or spending time with my husband and 2 lovely dogs!
I cannot wait to see what this year brings us, and spend time getting to know each one of your kiddos!
Karie Stanly
Bookkeeper
Hi, everyone. My name is Karie
I am the Bookkeeper. I love my job at
Sonshine Patch Preschool. You don’t see me
much, I am in and out picking up paperwork.
I love being a bookkeeper and have been one for over 20years.
In my free time I enjoy cooking, camping and walking with my little doggies.
Volunteer
Kara Brown
Hello! I have been working at Sonshine Patch Preschool for over 30 years. I started as a junior in high school in 1992.
I enjoy tie-dye, kids, being with family, taking care of my puppy, going shopping, flying on an airplane, making cards, and playing card games.
I also enjoy the Rockies. I like making blankets - fleece tied. I like learning about gems and texting my family. I learned how to work my tablet. I like working in my flower garden. I like Flo painting. I like doing activities. I really enjoy working at the preschool and coloring.
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I live with my mom and dad. I have one brother and one sister. I love spending time with my sister but she lives 6 hours away. We have 6 grandkids and one great grand kid on the way!