Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool
Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool Team
Caring & Dedicated
Gina Vitry
Co-Director/ Teacher/Owner
Gina is an early childhood educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Gina has taught in both public and private schools and across all grades and ages ranging from 3 to 18 years old. She is most passionate about the early years and believes students begin to develop a love of learning during their preschool years. Gina holds a Master's Degree in Education with a cross categorical Master's Degree in Special Education, has her Colorado Professional Teaching License, Large Center Director License, and Early Childhood Teaching certification.
Gina enjoys playing board games and card games with her husband and children. All three of her children play soccer and she enjoys cheering them on at their games. She also loves gardening, reading and exploring the outdoors with her family.
Nicole Furney
Co-Director/Teacher/Owner
Nicole has worked in business management for the last 20 years. While volunteering in her daughter's preschool class, she found a new love in working with children.
Nicole has a degree in Business Management from Colorado State University Global Campus. She completed her director certification for a large preschool center in May of 2024. She enjoys spending time outside with her family and loves to getaway to the mountains. Conversations in the warmth of the sunshine are her favorite way to spend her days.
Ms. Katie
Lead Teacher
Ms. Katie has been working in early education for one year, assisting in a kindergarten class in Jefferson County. Katie has worked at Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool for the last 4 years.
Katie's hobbies include playing volleyball, reading and watching her favorite shows.
Ms. Connie
Lead Teacher
Ms. Connie has been in education for over 20 years. She taught elementary school for over 10 years, acquiring her masters in education during this time. She transitioned into early childhood education and hasn't looked back since. She is a certified Lead Teacher and holds a Director's certificate.
She spends her time hanging out with friends, reading, watching silly reality TV, playing with her cat and shuttling her teen to all her activities and social events.
Ms. Elaine
Teacher Assistant
I’ve worked in early childhood education for over 11 years as a preschool teacher, kindergarten para & SAE assistant director. I’m extremely passionate about education having grown up in a household daycare with kids of all ages and families of all sizes. I met my husband while studying early childhood education & we bonded over our passion for teaching & coaching. We have 3 wonderful kids 16, 14 & 11 and a silver lab! I love doing any and everything with my family… being outside is my favorite! Live music, coffee, reading, crafts & nature keep me my happiest!
Ms. Abby
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Abby is currently in school, double majoring in literature and philosophy. She hopes to be a teacher in the near future! She also nannies and babysits, has several siblings, and enjoys traveling, hiking and classic literature.
Ms. Li
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Li has been working in early education for 8 years. She moved out to Colorado almost 20 years ago from NY and started a family with her High School sweetheart. They have two little girls together and love taking them to see live music, hike mountains, go camping and take advantage of all Colorado has to offer.
Ms. Li enjoys being with friends, playing games, dancing to music, cooking and exercising with her little dog, Gilbert.
Remi
Certified Therapy Dog
Remi is a calm, gentle, and affectionate therapy dog trained to bring comfort, joy, and emotional support to people of all ages, but her favorite people are children. Sorry parents, she knows who she's supposed to work with and is usually more excited to see your child. Whether it's cuddles in a classroom or soccer on the playground, she loves making new friends and lifting spirits—one paw at a time.
Remi is part of a registered therapy dog program and loves pets, scratches under her chin, and making humans smile.
Ms. Sarah
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Sarah spent two years of mission as a teacher assistant in New Jersey. While working at Stepping Stones she is continuing her school career in English and Art History. She aspires to be a middle school or elementary school teacher. She enjoys traveling, hiking, baking and cooking, crocheting and reading, as well as spending time with her many siblings.
_edited.jpg)
Ms. Suzie
Lead Teacher
Ms. Suzie has been teaching preschool for 20 years. She worked at Jeffco Public Schools for a number of years before moving to private preschools. She loves being part of the first school experience for children and providing them with the tools they need to be lifelong learners. She is excited to teach the children new concepts and watch them grow.
Outside of teaching, I am married to my husband, Chad and we have a daughter, Abigail. We have a chocolate lab named Marley and a cat named Cooper. We have lived in the Green Mountain area for over 20 years. My family and I love taking beach vacations so we can snorkel and swim in the ocean. I also enjoy walking my dog, stand up paddle boarding and spending time with friends and family.
Ms. Heather
Teacher Assistant
Heather has been an early childhood educator for over 8 years. Prior to finding her love for teaching preschool, she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for 13 years in schools, clinics, and hospitals. As an OT she has worked with a variety of ages but mainly school-aged children. Over the years working with children, she has discovered that preschool is her favorite age range to work with. She finds that their innocence, joy, curiosity, ability to learn through play and their senses makes it such a wonderful age to be able to spend her time teaching. She loves to make school fun at this age so that they can develop and foster a love for school at an early age. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She also has her Early Childhood Professional Credential. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 children, and dog. As a family they enjoy skiing, traveling, and participating in a variety of outdoor activities. In addition, Heather spends time cheering on her children at lacrosse games, flag football games, and dance recitals. When she has a little “me” time she enjoys reading, going to dance classes, and spending time with friends.
.jpg)
Ms. Sara
Lead Teacher
Sara is going on her 25th year teaching! She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Social Work from the University of Colorado, and her Early Childhood Education degree as well as Director Certificate from Red Rocks Community College. Sara is also a certified Nature Educator, and loves teaching outdoors as well as bringing nature inside. Sara is most passionate about instilling a love of learning and play with preschoolers. She lives in Arvada with her husband and 3 children. Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, cooking and of course weekends at soccer games and dance competitions! Sara’s favorite dinosaur is the T-Rex!
Teacher Assistant
Hi! I am Miss Hannah! I have worked at Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool for 4
years. I love working with children but also attend school to earn my Bachelor’s degree
in history. I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family!
Ms Elizabeth
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Elizabeth is entering her second year as a teacher assistant at Stepping Stones. Ms. Elizabeth states, " I am excited for this time at Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool. I have always loved working with children, being the oldest of 11. I especially enjoy the younger ages when children are growing and
learning so much. I am currently in the process of obtaining my Certified Professional Midwifery license where I hope to start my own practice and helping with bringing new
life into this world. In my free time I love to hike in the mountains, read a good book or find new coffee shops with my sisters who are my best friends. I am excited for this time and all the joy this experience will bring!
Ms. Hannah
Teacher Assistant
Hi! I am Miss Hannah! I have worked at Stepping Stones Adventure Preschool for 4 years. I love working with children! I recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in history and linguistics. I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family!
Ms. Rachel
Teacher Assistant
Ms. Rachel has loved working with children for over 15 years. She holds a Masters degree in Social Work and most recently worked as a school social worker at Shelton Elementary school. She has 2 children in elementary school. In our free time, our family loves to hike, camp and enjoy the outdoors.
Ms. Leanne
Substitute Teacher
Leanne has worked with children in many different capacities. As a camp counselor for middle school, liaison for youth volunteers, before/after school programs, and in preschools. She is rejoining Stepping Stones after realizing that no other job is as fun as hanging out with your kids. In her spare time, she reads, plays PokemonGo and travels with her husband.