The ark Valley Preschool Team

Admin & Program Leadership

Carmel Burton

(she/her)
Executive Director + Breath & Belonging Guide
Carmel brings a background in Education and Visual Arts from Regis University, along with years of leadership and creative experience in education. She has taught art in Denver, coordinated enrichment programs, led middle school homerooms, and served as Assistant Director of a youth camp in Chicago, developing a passion for program design and joyful, community-centered learning spaces. Her work is guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, with specialized training in Nurturing Parenting, Level One Reiki, and ongoing certification as a Breathwork Facilitator. At AVP, Carmel designs spaces that nurture independence, emotional growth, collaboration, and curiosity. She lives in Chaffee County with her husband, Dan, and their energetic three-year-old, Luigi Bear, enjoying rafting, hiking, and exploring the outdoors together.
Rayna Stem

(she/her)
Assistant Director + Rhythm & Music Guide
Rayna has nearly 15 years of experience in childcare and education, working with children from toddlers to teens in settings ranging from preschools to youth homes. She holds degrees in psychology and studio arts from Western State, blending an understanding of child development with the creativity and freedom of art and music. At AVP, Rayna leads our Rhythm & Music program, supports staff in her role as Assistant Director, and helps create a joyful, well-run school environment. This is her third year with AVP, having served as both a teacher’s aide and operations coordinator. Outside of school, she is an apprentice at a local tattoo shop, enjoys drawing, and spends time with her partner, Zach, their two dogs, and a cat. They are excited to welcome their first baby in December.
Janet Chambliss

(she/her)
Community Engagement Coordinator + Literacy Guide
Janet brings over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, with a special love for language, stories, and the connections they create. In our classrooms, she leads small-group language and literacy work, greets families each morning, and helps plan community events that knit our school and town together. Janet’s approach is warm, steady, and practical—meeting each child where they are and celebrating every small step. She’s married to Mark and the proud mom of two grown children, which shapes the empathy and care she brings to families at AVP. When she’s not at school, you’ll find her reading, hiking, or cruising town on her e-bike. She can’t wait to get to know your child and cheer them on this year.

Lead Teachers & Wonder Guides

Melisa Townsend

(she/her)
Bear Buddies Lead, Forest Friends Crew
Melisa has been part of Ark Valley Preschool since its beginning, bringing a Master’s in Educational Psychology and a B.A. in Psychology to her work with young children. Before joining AVP, she taught kindergarten in Denver, where she discovered her passion for creating calm, intentional spaces that help children thrive. In the Bear Buddies classroom, Melisa offers a grounded presence that helps toddlers feel safe, supported, and eager to explore. She believes in fostering a love of learning through nature, books, music, and discovery. Melisa and her husband, Alex, live in Poncha Springs with their two boys, Owen and William. They enjoy hiking, playing at the river, and spending time at the lake. She looks forward to getting to know each family this year.
Aubrey Palermo

(she/her)
Bear Buddies Lead, Puddle Jumpers Crew
Aubrey is a longtime local who has always dreamed of being a teacher, creating safe, supportive spaces where children can explore and express themselves. She began working with children at Monarch, organizing the ski program, leading activities, and eventually becoming a Level One Ski Instructor. Aubrey taught in the Caterpillar Program and led adult beginner lessons, sharing her love for winter sports and the outdoors. She later became a certified Montessori assistant at Salida Montessori Charter School, where she spent two years supporting the Sunflower class and building lasting connections with students and families. In summer, Aubrey works as a nanny and babysitter for many local families. She’s passionate about helping kids grow confident, adventurous, and resilient in our beautiful Colorado community.
Maren Miller

(she/her)
Moose Crew Lead, Sun Seekers Crew
Maren brings over 15 years of experience at the intersections of creativity, education, and healing. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from St. Olaf College, a Master’s in Education from Augsburg University, and licensure in K–12 Visual Arts with a Reading Endorsement. Her career began as a classroom art teacher in the U.S. and Norway, later expanding into leadership development, racial equity, and organizational culture change. An ICF-trained coach and energy healer, Maren also founded Heartful Alignment Coaching & Healing. Since moving to Salida, she has supported Salida Montessori Preschool and now co-leads at AVP, blending curiosity, creativity, and inclusion in her teaching. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, art-making, and collecting heart-shaped rocks with her partner, Chales.
Dan Krasnow

(he/him)
Moose Crew Lead, Mountain Movers Crew
Dan is a co-lead teacher with the Moose Crew and a proud dad to two children. He has over seven years of experience teaching in toddler and Children’s House Montessori classrooms and has also worked as a ski instructor and soccer coach. Dan believes that hands-on exploration and time in nature are among the best teachers, and he brings that sense of adventure into every learning experience. Whether rafting, hiking, or coaching, he creates moments that spark wonder, build confidence, and foster connection. In the classroom, Dan’s goal is to help every child feel safe, brave, and free to be themselves. Outside of school, he’s often on the river—sometimes in creative, hand-built crafts—and enjoying the outdoors with his family.
Jessica Hernadez

(she/her)
Moose Crew Lead, River Runners Crew
Jessica brings a calm, nurturing energy to the Moose Crew, shaped by years of hands-on experience in early childhood education. Before joining AVP, she worked for the YMCA in California, leading early childhood programs, supporting teachers and families, and ensuring classrooms met licensing and quality standards. Jessica holds a Child Development Associate credential and is fluent in both Spanish and English, helping her connect deeply with children and families from diverse backgrounds. Her teaching style is quiet and observant, focusing on building trust, confidence, and connection through gentle guidance. She is passionate about emotional development and creating safe, enriching spaces for children to thrive. Inspired daily by her joyful daughter, Jessica is excited for the growth, learning, and connection ahead.
Dani Cook

(she/her)
Earth & Wonder Guide
Dani has called the Arkansas River Valley home since 2011, after moving from Florida, where she studied early adolescent education with a focus on special needs at the University of Central Florida. Her career shifted toward natural resource management, and she spent over a decade with the U.S. Forest Service as a recreation management specialist. At AVP, Dani combines her background in education and conservation to lead composting, gardening, and nature-based learning, helping children build a connection to the natural world rooted in respect, curiosity, and stewardship. She is passionate about creating meaningful, inclusive outdoor experiences that inspire care for the earth. Outside of school, Dani enjoys camping, hiking, biking, and gardening—especially when her dog can join the adventure.

Consultants & Specialists

Taryn Barrette

(she/her)
Child Care Health Consultant
Taryn is Ark Valley’s Child Care Health Consultant and a proud mom to two girls—Lucy, an AVP graduate, and Augie, a current Moose Crew student. As a licensed Health Consultant, she supports the school with medication management, safety protocols, and sanitation practices. Taryn has been connected to AVP for years and loves contributing both behind the scenes and in the classroom, whether reviewing policies or reading with kids at drop-off. She believes strongly in community, kindness, and doing whatever it takes to support children and families. Outside of school, Taryn enjoys mountain biking, adventuring with her family, and curling up with a good book. Her care, expertise, and dedication help keep AVP a safe and nurturing place for every child.
Ashley Sigmund

(she/her)
Intuitive Eating Coach
Ashley is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with training in intuitive eating and a special interest in helping families create peaceful mealtimes without power struggles, pressure, or guilt. She believes toddlers are naturally intuitive eaters and works with parents and caregivers to support their innate ability to eat with trust, curiosity, and self-regulation. As both a dietitian and a mom, Ashley understands the challenges of feeding young children—from picky eating to mealtime chaos and conflicting advice—and offers compassionate, evidence-based guidance rooted in the Division of Responsibility (Ellyn Satter), intuitive eating principles, and a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach. She supports the AVP community through newsletters and workshops, helping families build positive relationships with food for both children and adults.
Marie Covington

(she/her/hers they/them/theirs)
Social-Emotional Wellness Consultant
Marie has over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, working as an assistant, lead teacher, special educator, and now as a Social-Emotional Wellness Consultant with Solvista Health. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and is trained in Circle of Security Parenting, Parenting for Success, and other approaches that support caregivers. Marie’s goal is to help with any questions about children’s behavior, feelings, or development—no question is too big or small. She is passionate about helping adults feel confident, connected, and supported. When she’s not working, Marie enjoys hiking with her partner and their dogs, painting, and playing music. She’s excited to be a resource, teammate, and cheerleader for AVP’s children and families this year.
Contact:
sarah.covington@solvistahealth.org
719-285-0193 (call or text)
Marly Stasi

(she/her)
Toilet Learning & Sleep Consultant
Marly is the founder of Gentle Start Studio and a Montessori-trained educator, pediatric sleep consultant, and toilet learning specialist. For over a decade, she has worked with infants, toddlers, and their families through classroom teaching, one-on-one coaching, and designing Montessori-inspired spaces that foster independence and connection. Today, Marly focuses on supporting families through sleep and toilet learning transitions in ways that align with their values, fit their daily routines, and respect each child’s developmental stage. She has a special love for the toddler years, seeing them as both a joyful and transformative time in early childhood. Marly is passionate about helping caregivers feel confident and supported, and she is always available as a resource to AVP families. Learn more at gentlestartstudio.com.