Meet Our Staff
Chris
Owner & Director
I have owned and operated a Step Ahead Preschool and Childcare since it began in 1998. I hold a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Ed., from Central Washington University. As a mother and former Kindergarten Teacher, my goal is to provide children with a quality environment where learning is fun. I am so proud to have a great staff that has helped me build this program. We have touched the lives of many Treasure Valley children. My husband and I are very fortunate to have two wonderful daughters. We are a busy family who enjoy travel, skiing, boating and endless hours of watching softball and volleyball.
Preschool Registration Open Feb. 27th for 2017/2018.
Space for our preschool classes fills up very quickly! Please call us today for more information and to schedule a tour of our facilities.
Tawna
Preschool Program Manager
After graduating from NNU in 1997 with an Elementary Ed. Degree and an endorsement in Early Childhood, I started teaching at a middle school in Marshing, Idaho. Two short years later, I left the middle school life to begin teaching at a Step Ahead. I’ve never looked back.
Being a preschool teacher is my dream job. I enjoy seeing young students grow in a multitude of ways including academically, socially and artistically.
When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family. With three out of four daughters married and grandkids starting to grow our family even bigger, I have a full schedule. I spend my days camping, fishing, movie going, picnicking, reading, exploring and volunteering at my church.
I look forward to meeting you when you come to tour our building!
Cristi
Childcare Program Coordinator
I am A Step Ahead’s Childcare coordinator. I’ve been with A Step Ahead Preschool since 2010. I assist in both the preschool and childcare. I started working in a Pre K classroom in 2003 in California. I also spent 3 years working for the Meridian School District as a Special Ed Assistant. I am happily married to my best friend, Chris. We have 2 amazing kids. And proving that you are never too old to go to college…I am currently wrapping up my AA in Early Childhood Education. In my free time I enjoy the change of the seasons and the different sports each season has to offer. My children play year round sports that keep my family extremely busy. I love spending quality time with both my family and friends. I’m a huge fan of Pilates and I love meeting new people. I look forward to all of the fun adventures in academics this school year will bring.
Kathy
Teacher
My husband and I live in Meridian and have two wonderful children. In our spare time we enjoy being outdoors. We love kayaking, golfing, biking and walking along the Boise greenbelt or hiking in the foothills.
I look forward to working with your children. I am always amazed at just how much they learn. I know this is going to be a great year!
Amanda
Teacher
I started working for A Step Ahead Preschool in 2010 as a Teachers Assistant. I am thrilled to be assisting in classrooms as well as working in the childcare side at A Step Ahead. We moved to Meridian in the summer of 2009 from Washington State and I absolutely love it here! My husband and I have three terrific children, two sons and a daughter. My daughter attended A Step Ahead Preschool is a well adjusted and very smart student! The curriculum and teachers at A Step Ahead truly prepare your child for ‘the next step’. I am excited to get to know your child this year and I look forward to the many learning adventures we’ll have!
Gillian
Teacher
I graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Elementary Education. After I graduated from BSU, I worked at a Montessori School for 2 years. I have been at A Step Ahead Preschool since January 2005 and I love it! I live in Boise with my husband, Ben, and our two beautiful children. I am a native of Idaho and I enjoy all outdoor activities like hiking, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, jet skiing, and snow skiing. I also enjoy reading books, scrapbooking, and playing with my kids.
Jena
Teacher
I graduated from the University of Idaho in 2005 with a degree in Elementary Education. After college I started with A Step Ahead, and have really enjoyed teaching for Chris. I took a few years off from teaching to start a family. I now have three small children who have also loved being at A Step Ahead Preschool. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and friends, cooking, painting and spending time outdoors.
Lisa
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Dani
Teacher
I have been a Teacher’s Aide at A Step Ahead Preschool since 2009. I have had the opportunity to work with most of the teachers here and have learned so much from each one of them.
Between my husband and I, we have 4 kids! With one kiddo still at home, sons & daughters-in-law, several grandkids, we stay very busy! We all love to go camping, go to hockey games together, celebrate holidays together and our most favorite is to just hang out at the house! God has blessed us in so many ways! My family is my joy!
I wanted to say that I love working with these kids. Especially watching them learn and grow every day! I cannot imagine my life without their smiling faces every day!
Ariel
Teacher
What a privilege it is to teach at A Step Ahead Preschool. After teaching second grade for two years, I joined our ASAP team in 2014. I am married to an amazing soldier and we have two equally remarkable daughters…who keep us on our toes! We love to spend time together camping, watching movies, reading books, and making projects. Cheers to another great year at A Step Ahead!
Candice
Teacher
I have been with a Step Ahead Preschool and Childcare since 2012. I worked in the 2’s room on the childcare side for several years and absolutely loved it! in 2015, after the birth of my daughter, I switched positions and became a Teacher’s Aide on the Preschool side. I couldn’t be happier with my current position! I love that I have the opportunity to work with children every day and witness them grow physically, academically and socially.
I live in Kuna with my amazing husband and our wonderful daughter. We enjoy spending time together and hanging out with our extended family. We love watching movies, going fishing, camping and hunting, and going on road trips to explore new places.
Samantha
Teacher
I have been with A Step Ahead Preschool and Childcare since 2010, and I am looking forward to starting this new school year and to meet all my students! I graduated from Boise State University in 2010, with a degree in Elementary Education. My amazing husband, Curt, and I are huge fans of Boise State Football and love nothing more than to go to all our teams home games!
Rose
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Jessica
Teacher
I began at A Step Ahead Preschool and Childcare in August of 2010. I am so lucky to be able to work with the youngest ones on the Childcare side of A Step Ahead. The children are so much fun and I can’t help but love them. It is such a joy to watch them blossom before me. My husband and I are also busy with four of our own children. Bringing up three brilliant little girls and one amazing little boy keeps us hopping! We spend as much time as a family as is possible. Together we all enjoy many outdoor activities and sporting events. We also love to cheer on the Boise State Football team together! Go Broncos!
McKenzie
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Miss Kaitlyn
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Amanda
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Laura
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Sydney
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!
Joan
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!