Alene Bell, Center Director

Bio:

Alene started as the Center Director at Desert Ridge KinderCare in December of 2009 after 18 years in the private school sector here in Phoenix. This is a second career for Alene. After her children were born, she started volunteering in their preschool classrooms. She felt it was time for her to go back to school for early education. She says her love for children and education made it a perfect fit. When the opportunity came available to work at KinderCare, she jumped on it and was excited to be able to be with such an awesome organization. Alene loves to garden, read, and entertain in her spare time. She and her husband have been married 36 years and have two grown children.

Previous Experience:

Prior to joining KinderCare, Alene taught preschool and prekindergarten for a number of years. She also worked on the administration side of early childhood education.

Quote:

“There is nothing like the joy of watching a child learn”

Ms. Julie, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Julie joined KinderCare in 2007. During the school years Ms. Julie attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies and Human Development. In Tucson she worked at the 1st Street KinderCare, where she helped out in the preschool classroom. After graduating, she moved back to Phoenix where she has worked in our infant room full time ever since. She enjoys going to sporting events, reading and spending time with her family.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Julie has over 10 years of experience babysitting as well as three years working at the Kid's Club in LA Fitness.

Quote:

I love to watch babies grow, develop and learn new things each day.

Ms. Stephanie, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Stephanie teaches in our infant classroom. She originally started at a KinderCare in Tempe in 2005, and then transferred to the Desert Ridge location in 2006 as the prekindergarten teacher. After leaving for a couple years, she returned to KinderCare in 2010 as an infant teacher. Ms. Stephanie has four children of her own, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Stephanie has taught all ages and also was an Assistant Director for a year at another preschool.

Quote:

I enjoy seeing the smiles on the babies faces and watching them explore the world around them. This inspires me each day to help them learn and grow.

Ms. Hillary, Toddler Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Hillary is a teacher in the toddler classroom and has been with KinderCare since the summer of 2008. Originally from New York, Ms. Hillary moved to Arizona with her mother in 2005 to get away from the cold weather. In her spare time she enjoys going to the movies, sporting events, concerts and traveling. Ms. Hillary plans on attending Paradise Valley Community College in the fall as she will be working towards her degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Hillary has taught all ages from infants to school age, but has spent most of her time teaching one and two year-olds.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Hillary spent five years providing in-home care for an infant prior to starting with KinderCare.

Quote:

I enjoy knowing that everyday I am teaching a child something new.

Ms. Bethany, Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Bethany started with us in the summer of 2011 and teaches our preschool program. She graduated from NAU with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. While at NAU, she was on the golf team and currently still enjoys playing. In her spare time, she also enjoys working out, reading and being with friends and family. Ms. Bethany enjoys teaching preschool because “the look they get in their eyes when they get an answer right”. She also loves knowing that she is making a difference in each of these child’s lives and preparing them for what is outside their imagination!

Ms. Shannon, Multi Age Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Shannon transferred to the Desert Ridge KinderCare in March of 2012. She previously worked at the Paradise Valley KinderCare in 2006 for a year then returned November of 2011. After graduating from ASU with a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education and Elementary Education in 2006, Ms. Shannon taught first grade for two years at Edison Elementary School. Ms. Shannon left after she had her daughter premature, who is now four years old and doing great. Ms. Shannon enjoys being around and working with children because they have such a different perspective on life than we do as adults. “It’s nice to be able to try and think and act like a kid again!”

Previous Experience:

Ms. Shannon has over 17 years of babysitting experience. Prior to joining KinderCare, she spent six years teaching preschool and two years teaching first grade.

Quote:

“Because I have my own child, I realize what it is like to leave them in someone's care all day and I strive to treat every child in my care as I would want my own child to be treated”.