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.
​
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.
​
I absolutely love my work with the children, their families and teachers in this community.
​
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.
​
I've taught kindergarten at a Christian school in Sedona, Arizona, worked as a Children's Ministry Coordinator, substituted, taught 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'm a Texas native, raised in Gunnison, Co. I have two daughters and one son ages 7-20.
​I graduated with a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education from Mesa State in Grand Junction, Co. I've also enjoyed teaching at Sunday school, and substituted previously at a preschool in Delta, Co
I absolutely love to teach and work with young children. It is so exciting to watch them developmentally grow throughout the school year!
Daisy Chell
Director
Ginny Archer
Teacher
Hi! I'm Miss Ginny, I've taught and worked with children for our forty years.
It is such a blessing to me to watch all of the students grow and learn, I absolutely love it. We have a wonderful class, and I look forward to teaching them each day!
Hello! I am so excited for the opportunity to be a part of Sonshine Patch Preschool!
I was previously the Kids Club Manager at Golds Gym Montrose for over two years and have spent the last three years as a substitute teacher in the Montrose County School District.
​
I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife with a minor in Biology and loved working in the biological sciences field for over a decade.
​
In my second chapter of life, I have really enjoyed working with kids in different ways. I volunteered in the classrooms of my children for the past 12 years and love developing relationships with children and learning about their uniqueness and special qualities.
Kim Landford
Teacher
Karla Fulton
Teacher
Hi everyone, I’m Karla. I am incredibly excited to be working with your preschooler!
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. I worked several years 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.
Amber Brown
Teacher
Hi, My name is Amber and I have been working in Early Childhood Education for the last twenty three years.
For the past four years I have been a para at Northside in the significant support needs K-2nd grade.
I taught at Sonshine Patch Preschool from 2008-2009. In 2014-2015 I also added the roll of Small Center Director. Before I arrived in Colorado I worked in a 3's classroom for 4 years in the Bay Area.
​
Prior to preschool I worked for an after school program as a site leader. My first job was raising my girls until they were both in the school district.
Debra Desario
Teacher
Hello Sonshine Patch families! I have been married to my husband, John, for 19 years. We have three children and have lived in Montrose for five years. We moved from a small town in Texas to Montrose for ministry. My husband is the pastor at Summit Church Montrose.
I love working with children, spending time with friends, my family, serving in church, and anything outdoors! Our family enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, and playing with our pets.
I have a BA in Speech Communication and began a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling but chose to put that on hold when I became a mother. It was a joy to be a stay at home mom. I understand and value the hearts and minds of little ones.
I have worked in some form or capacity with children for nearly 15 years (full-time position programming staff at a Christian camp, youth ministry, children’s coordinator, Sunday school teacher, and babysitting from the time I was 11). I look forward to helping your child discover, learn, and begin to explore this beautiful world the Lord has made through play, letters, numbers, and my favorite- reading books aloud!
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.
​
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!
Kara Brown
Volunteer