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
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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.
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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.
Emma d'Ablaing
Teacher
My name is Emma d’Ablaing and I am delighted to start my 3rd year here at Sonshine Patch. The past two years I have been with our 3-5 year olds in Aspen Class, and this year I have the privilege to work in our Apple Class along side Ms. Zoie. Let the hallways be filled with love and life as our new year starts!
I have been working in education on and off for the past 10 years! Prior to working at Sonshine Patch, I started off in a church nursery with children ages 6 weeks to 10 years in Houston, Texas, then continued on as an infant teacher in Dallas, Texas. My love for children has never dimmed and each year it continues to grow and glow.
In my spare time you will find me swimming, shopping, and tanning in the sun with my husband and two children.
Zoie Branchcomb
Teacher
I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to teach and further my career here at Sonshine Patch Preschool. I did a bit of subbing last year, but starting my first year as a full-time teacher this year in Apple Class with Ms. Emma :)
I graduated from Montrose High School in 2018. I was involved with Young Life/Wyld Life and went to all the church summer camps while in school. I have been around and working with kids since I was 12 years old! I did bit of an internship at North Side Elementary in the special education department and a bit of an internship at another preschool.
Outside of the classroom I love to spend time with family and friends, especially my husband, our little boy, and our 2 dogs! I love being outside, hiking, swimming, fishing, going on walks, being at the park, paddle boarding, being on the boat/lake, and rocking crawling.
I can’t wait to see what this year brings us, to meet everyone and to watch the kiddos grow!
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Hello! My name is Ms. Kayla and I'm excited to be teaching preschool here. I'm blessed to be a part of this journey as we work together to prepare your child for school.
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This will be my first year teaching at Sonshine Patch. Prior to this, l worked at a center for four years, and in another school for three years. I have worked with children with all different ages.
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I was born and raised here in Montrose. I have worked with children since I graduated high school in 2018. In high school I took 3 years of college classes for early childhood. I went back to take more college classes in 2022. This year I am continuing with school and will finish with my Associates of Arts degree. I’m so excited and looking forward to this year getting to know your child and to see him or her grow. It's gonna be a great year!! I can't wait to spend the year ahead with you all.
Makayla Nieto
Teacher
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Oliva Pitt
Teacher
Hi! My name is Olivia Pitt and I am so excited to get to be a part of Sonshine Patch! At 18 years old I received a calling from God to work with kids and have been letting Him pave the way! I have taught officially for one year and am so excited to start my next! I absolutely love seeing kids grow through the school year.
My favorite time spent is time with my friends and family. Whether it's bored games, movies, or just being together, it's my favorite thing to do.
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Elena Goodall
Teacher
Hi everyone, my name is Elena and I am so excited to meet the kiddos! This is my first year here at Sonshine patch and I know it’s going to be a great one!
A little bit about myself: I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I moved to Montrose In late February of 2025. I am currently a student at CMU Tech in the welding program. Although I am not going to school to become a teacher, I am passionate about guiding the youth to be the best them they can be as well as learning a little myself along the way.
If I’m not at work or school you'll see me at the gym bettering my mind and body or in Grand Junction spending time with my boyfriend.
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!
School Nurse
Ann Crockett RN
Hello everyone!
My name is Ann, and I am the child health care consultant (school nurse) for Sonshine Patch Preschool. I was born and raised in Montrose, graduating from Montrose High School before obtaining my LPN from the Delta-Montrose Vocational-Technical College and my RN-BSN from Colorado Mesa University. Currently, in addition to my duties at Sonshine Patch, I also work for Montrose Regional Health at the Cardiology Clinic, and have spent several years working in primary care.
In my free time, I love spending time outdoors with my son, husband, and our two dogs.
I look forward to caring for the health and safety of your children!
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.