Staff Testimonials

  • I have been working at The Village Child Development Center since 2007. I was so grateful that I got hired--even though I did not have a lot of experience working with children--besides being the oldest of 6 brothers and sisters and loving children. My goal in life was to get my degree in Education. I got the opportunity to work here and oversee other great teachers. I got my degree in 2009 in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Human Development. I become a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in 2009 and really flourished and loved every second of teaching because of The Village. In 2012 I was given the opportunity to be the New Private Kindergarten teacher. I really wanted to make the program better and make a difference. Danielle Neppl, Sarah Houston, and Karen Christensen really have been so wonderful in supporting me as a teacher and have accommodated all the requests I have needed to be the best Kindergarten Teacher I can be. One of the best things about this company is the many opportunities that they provide for us to further our education. The classes we are offered help us to grow and flourish as educators. I also have a child that has been at Orchard Valley and The Village and my child loves being here and he really loves all the teachers. Charisse Dalrymple The Village Child Development Center Private Kindergarten Teacher
  • I have been with Orchard Valley Learning Center since February of 2000. I have always enjoyed working for this company. I started out as a floater and then very happily took a Pre-Kindergarten room. A little over a year of being at Orchard Valley I started being the Office Assistant which now looking back I didn’t realize it at the time but I feel like I was made for this job. Jamie Kimbrough came to Orchard Valley as the Director in 2005, it changed Orchard Valley in a way that I could not explain at the time. Jamie has made The Valley feel like a family, a second home. I don’t know if my words can express what Jamie does for this place but I will try. Like I said I have always enjoyed working here but when Jamie got settled in to her new home here she has done so much for us. She cares for the children’s safety and happiness and that is very important to me. She is very helpful to all of the staff and is a very understanding person when it comes down to simple human error. She expects a lot of the teacher’s because they are great teacher’s and the more they now it the more appreciated and motivated they feel. If ever there is a concern from a teacher or a parent Jamie is very understanding and is willing to offer her help to make any situation better. Her words of wisdom have always been appreciated by me. I know that the reason I and others have been with Orchard Valley for as long as we have is due to Jamie’s awesomeness! I also have a great appreciation for our owner Jason Bennett. He visits his schools and checks up on how things look, that shows me he cares how his centers are run. Jamie knows she can call Jason and ask his opinion and he will be supportive. Part of my job is going into rooms and making sure they are up to par and have the right information present. I send him my reports and he gives me feed back on them and he is very encouraging to me. His support for us has shown me that we are appreciated and that he cares that his company thrives. Coming to work at Orchard Valley Learning Center everyday has been a blast and not a lot of people can say that. I enjoy the people I work with and the children always make me laugh. To anyone looking for a great atmosphere to work where you can teach children and learn some new things from other amazing teachers this is the place for you! Jannie Wudarczyk Orchard Valley Learning Center Office Manager
  • I’ve been working with The Village Child Development Center since 2014 with the Jr. Preschoolers and I have loved every moment of it! I have been working in Early Childhood Education since 2009 and this center is hands down the best center I have worked at. My son is enrolled here at The Village, and he is always happy! Nothing warms my heart more than to know, and see, the love and care that he receives every day. The staff here is always welcoming and very helpful to everyone that steps through the doors and the families are all so warm and caring, and it is truly wonderful to know that we have their trust and caring with teaching their children every day! Kayla Dyer The Village Child Development Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been working at Orchard Learning Center since 2013. I started working here my senior year of high school. I never imagined that a job I had acquired as a teenager would turn into something I felt so passionate about. Working in a center that is filled with professionals while I was still just a student seemed like it would be a little intimidating, but that was never the case. They took me in and shared all of their knowledge willingly. I always felt like I had a voice and everyone from the front desk to our director was open to listening to my opinions. The environment at Orchard Valley something that I have never seen anywhere else. It’s the most amazing feeling to find a job that doesn’t even feel like work. I am so grateful to be a part of this loving family and I would never want to work anywhere else! Maree Elmore Orchard Valley Learning Center Support Teacher
  • I have been working at The Village Child Development Center as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher since November 1999. My experience at this center has been very rewarding, satisfying and wonderful. The curriculum has room for individual teacher recommendations and opportunities to create plans on our own. Staff members are encouraged to bounce ideas off one another in order to keep our day exciting and the children engaged. We enjoy providing feedback to one another. The office staff is readily available for advice and help when needed. I absolutely love it here and will continue to teach and care for children for many more years to come. Allison Gross The Village Child Development Center Early Childhood Teacher and Mentor
  • I have been working for Three Bears for 3 ½ years. I love working here! I love to work with the kids and I love my coworkers. The office staff are very helpful and nice. I am very happy here. Nadira Besirevic Three Bears Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I began working at The Village in 2005. I have worked in other child care schools and none compared to The Village. It is a wonderful place to work at. I have learned so much from the opportunities that were given to me, to better myself and to be a better teacher. I come to work every morning with a smile on my face because I enjoy looking forward to what the day has to offer for me. Alia Barath The Village Child Development Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been working here at The Village Child Development Center for over 25 years now. I began as a Preschool teacher and have since then worked in every room in every age group at one time or another. I advanced to Office Manager and am currently an Assistant Director. One of the reasons I have remained here is the feeling of respect that is generated from the fact that the school is family owned. Individual teachers are allowed to experiment with the curriculum and interject their own delightful personalities into the classroom. Finally, as a parent, it was a great employee benefit to be able to bring my two boys with me from the time they were toddlers until they left for “big school”. Karen Christensen The Village Child Development Center Assistant Director
  • I have had the pleasure of working at Orchard Valley for just about 10 years now. I started working here when I was 16 and sometimes I feel like I grew up here. This place isn’t just a building that I come to everyday; full of people that I work with. It is more of a family and I know that the rest of the staff would agree with me. There is a sense of community that is unparalleled to any other place that I have ever been employed. When one of us celebrates something, we all celebrate and if one of us grieves, we grieve with them. We all come from different backgrounds and we are all at various ages and times in our lives, but as soon as you walk in the front doors, all of that ceases to matter. The work ethic here is also something that I have not seen anywhere else. Each of us comes here each day for one reason, the love of the job. It’s not for the money or the acknowledgment but because we love the children here and we love their families. It takes a village to raise a child and even though I do not have children of my own yet, I would be honored to have my children raised in this village of men and women. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to come here each day and to be part of such an amazing community! Courtney Roberts Orchard Valley Learning Center Cook
  • I have been at Orchard Valley Learning Center since 2002. I began working in the infant room and I have made it my home! I love and enjoy working here very much. My two children grew up here at Orchard Valley and I would not have had them anywhere else. I am very lucky that I get to work in such an amazing place! The staff and administration have so much respect for each other and share so much love throughout the center. We have a great director who keeps the children her number one priority above everything else. It’s very refreshing to work for a company with such values. I’m so grateful to be a part of Orchard valley. Come join our family! Wafaa Bakhabbaj Orchard Valley Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher and Nursery Supervisor
  • Considering Orchard Valley Learning Center? Consider this, OVLC can and will be a life changing experience. I have truly been blessed to have had the opportunity to work here for the past 25 years. This is an open, upbeat and positive place to spend a work day! With wonderful children, helpful parents, great co-workers and an incredible management team – this place feels like family. Support from our home office in paramount in helping us keep up our cutting edge teaching styles, which is crucial for us when striving to be the best! Darla Gordon Orchard Valley Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been at Orchard Valley since 2008 and basically grew up here! From floater, to assistant teacher, to preschool & toddler teacher to then administrator and now Assistant Director…it’s been a beautiful journey! I never knew my first job would turn into my career. The experience I have had here has shaped who I am. I have met so many wonderful teachers who have supported me and taught me that teaching is more than “supervising” the children, it’s fostering the children’s environment in the new world they are exploring and supporting them as they learn about themselves! Moving into an administration position has been a positive change that has made me feel part of a team! Jamie, the director, supports each and every staff member and creates a friendly environment that is so unique, it makes the teachers and families feel they are a part of something special. Orchard Valley is my family and my home. I recommend Orchard Valley to anyone I meet because I believe in the care and support we provide for families and in supporting young minds and hearts! Charity Combs Orchard Valley Learning Center Assistant Director
  • While I have only been working for Orchard Valley Learning Center for a short time, I have found this is the most supportive and loving place to work! After working at several other centers, I have found Orchard Valley Learning Center to be the best! The administrators and your fellow teammates go out of their way to make you feel welcome and apart of the Orchard Valley Learning Center family, as well as helping you with any issues and questions you may have. The director, Jaime, recognizes each person’s strengths and encourages you every step of the way. I absolutely love working here, and my only regret is I didn’t work at Orchard Valley Learning Center sooner! Cathryn Schmidt Orchard Valley Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been with Orchard Valley for over 16 years…you can say that I grew up here! I started at Orchard Valley when I was young, just out of school and ready to change the world! 🙂 I was greeted with a staff that made children their passion every day, and it was reflected as soon as you walked in the door. Now I can honestly say the first room that I trained in with two amazing passionate teachers inspired me to be the teacher who I am today. OVLC is like a family, when I walk through the door every day I know I will be supported, have fun and learn something new! Carrie Castillo Orchard Valley Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been working at Highlands Ranch Learning Center since September 2000. I taught Preschool and Pre-K combined for 10 years. In 2010, I was promoted to Office Manager. During my career at HRLC, I have loved working with the people I work with, the families and their children. Every day is different, which I enjoy. The highlights of my day are the encounters with the children through conversations with them as well as their hugs and smiles. Cynthia Dougherty Highlands Ranch Learning Center Office Manager
  • I am the office manager at Three Bears Learning Center. My job is very busy, but very rewarding. I have the best of both worlds working at the Center. I have an Associates Degree in secretarial and enjoy being a part of a team to keep the Center running efficiently. My first love has always been children. Children have been a huge part of my entire life. By being the office manager with Three Bears, I am able to enjoy meeting the parents of the children and have made some very nice acquaintances and get lots of hugs from the children as well as some of the parents. The Three Bears’ children, families, and coworkers are my family away from home each and every day. Kathleen Stebbins Three Bears Learning Center Office Manager
  • I have been working for Bradford Early Education for 9 years. It is a wonderful company to work for! The staff at Three Bears Learning Center is like a family, and they really care about the children’s well-being and development. It is the best childcare center that I have ever worked at. Melody Peters Three Bears Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher
  • I have been a teacher at HRLC for thirteen years and have taught the Junior Kindergarten program for eight. I have stayed at HRLC for all of these years because it feels like a “family” away from home. It is a company that is family owned and run and treats its employees like part of one. I am originally from Hawaii and having such a close knit group has helped with my family being so far away. I have noticed that there is little turnover of teachers because of this supportive environment. Teachers have been with HRLC for several years and those that have left seem to find their way back. I also know that if anything comes up professionally or personally, Teresa and my fellow employees will support me. Something I see at HRLC is a definite emphasis on academics and learning no matter what age group…from infants to Kindergarten the children are ALWAYS learning. I believe this carries on to both the Company and Office treating and considering us professionals. I have valued the time and energy that I have invested in at HRLC and with the Bradford family. Megan Moroney Highlands Ranch Learning Center Early Childhood Junior Kindergarten Teacher
  • I’ve been working at Three Bears Learning Center for almost two months and I’ve noticed that everyone works as a team, and as a family. It amazes me how much care goes around not only for the kids, but also for the teachers. The methods and dynamics used for the children encourage more active participation, which facilitates the intellectual development of each child. I can honestly recommend anyone, whose passion is to educate children, to work at Three Bears Learning Center for a great experience in teaching. Veronica Mejia Three Bears Learning Center Assistant Teacher
  • I have been working at HRLC since 2000 and I am the kitchen manager. I provide fresh, healthy meals daily to the children. I love working at HRLC because of the children, their parents, and my colleagues. My heart and face smile when I arrive to each classroom daily with meals because the children scream “Cece” with excitement and shower me with hugs and smiles. Cece Rodriguez Highlands Ranch Learning Center Cook
  • I had the pleasure of finding Orchard Valley in April of 2005. I was a stay-at-home mom, and decided I wanted to find a good place for my 18 month old son to start school. When we found Orchard Valley, I saw that they were hiring teachers. It seemed like a good fit for both my son and me, so I enrolled Dave and applied for myself. I thought I was applying for a temporary job, and would move on once my son finished kindergarten. Instead of just a job, I found a home. My co-workers are some of the most amazing people and teachers that I've ever met, and I consider myself privileged to work for the amazing administration team at OVLC. I've grown as a mom, a teacher, and a person since coming to work here, and count these last ten years as some of the most amazing in my professional life. Here's to ten--maybe twenty--more! Traci Tolbert Orchard Valley Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher and Mentor
  • I have been an Early Childhood Teacher at HRLC for 11 years. I love being a part of the community of parents, teachers and administrators that are focused on providing topnotch care for children. I love that our school provides developmentally appropriate opportunities for children to grow cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Most importantly, the kids feel safe and loved. I look forward to many more years being a part of the lives of the wonderful families that come to Highlands Ranch Learning Center. Trina Klassen Highlands Ranch Learning Center Early Childhood Teacher and Mentor