A Culture of Caring For Each Other
As adults who are responsible for the care, well-being and education of young children, we believe that we first have to take responsibility for ourselves and our impact on the world. If we want to have a culture of love and forgiveness (we often call this compassion) among the children at our school, we must first create such a culture among the adults. So, to this end, we have a culture of caring among the staff at our school. We model how we care about each other, how we have disagreements, how we can listen to and learn from our differences, and most importantly that teacher well-being is a top priority.
Life before Patchwork doesn’t make sense anymore. I have never felt so held and rallied around.
Patchwork teacher, 2019
Heather Craig – Executive/ Logistics Director
I am a Colorado native, originally from Glenwood Springs. I moved to Boulder in 1999 and have been here ever since. I have been part of the Patchwork community as a parent since 2011 and I am thrilled to have been part of the staff for the last 9 years! I have an associates of arts degree and have worked in different office environments office environments. After staying home with my kids for 6 years I couldn’t imagine entering back into the working world anywhere but at Patchwork, a community that has supported my family in every way. Even though my kids have out grown Patchwork they still love coming back to this special place and see it as a second home. Working at Patchwork has fostered a love and devotion of early childhood education that I never knew I had. I value the environment we create for children and their families and am thrilled everyday that I get to spend with the amazing families we serve. I am looking forward to continuing to learn and grow along with our students as they teach me something everyday!
I am grateful to be able to be part of this organization and have enjoyed watching the growth and magic of every child and family that has been a part of our community.
Michele Beach – Founder & Social Emotional Director
As one of the founders of The Patchwork School, I continue to be excited each year about all that I learn from this incredible community. Teaching in this environment with an emergent curriculum that is continuously evolving allows me to see the world through the children’s eyes, reminding me to stop and notice the wonder all around us. The other day, with the support of the Kinder students, I even got up the courage to hold a cockroach in my hands… I never know exactly what will arise each day! I also love that every person at Patchwork is valued in their wholeness, with whatever feelings and needs arise, as we continue to emphasize the importance of social/emotional wellness for students, staff and also parents.
Besides my 15+ years of experience working with children, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver (2007), as well as my Early Childhood Teaching License and my Director Qualification from the Colorado Department of Human Services. I also have a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University and work as a Parent and Family Therapist at Louisville Family Center when I’m not at Patchwork. I am so grateful to be able to grow and shift in my own positions in the community, as we each find our own unique niche, while also modeling life-long learning!
Dear Families,
Thank you for considering our school — as a parent myself I understand how challenging it is to choose other people to care for, nurture and educate your child. I helped found Patchwork first and foremost as a parent myself, wanting something for my children that I could not at first even describe. I knew what I did not want — I did not want them to dread going to school or to spend their days looking out windows dreaming of something else. I am now clear about what I do want — I want them to have the chance to learn through living life, obstacles and all. Patchwork has come so far since we began with just ten children in my basement. We have multiple programs, many staff members, and have worked with hundreds of families. However the goal is still the same — to never stop learning. If you are excited about supporting children as social and emotional beings, and thinking about learning in a whole new way, I urge you to come find out more, and share your ideas, as well!
Michele Beach, Co-Founder
Kristen Mylander – Studio & Mentor Teacher
It has been a joy to be curious, question and create with children for over 30 years. A highlight of these experiences includes many years as a Special Education Paraprofessional working in inclusive classrooms for Denver Public Schools. In this role I specialized in facilitating social interactions and developing communication strategies for students with significant support needs who did not use spoken language. It has also been a pleasure to teach ceramics, multimedia and puppet workshops for various ages and abilities.
Exploring nature, hiking the gorgeous trails of Colorado, sewing and sculpting are among my favorite activities. I live in North Boulder with my partner Tres and cat Oscar. I’m very happy to be continuing my journey with the The Patchwork School community. Every year brings new opportunities to grow, learn and enrich relationships alongside wonderful colleagues, students and families.
“Many people think of schools as places where children are “taught”, but at Patchwork I have continued to discover the joy of learning and relearning alongside the children. That has been one of the most magical parts of my Patchwork journey… Thank you for creating a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring for children and adults alike.” – TS, former Patchwork teacher
TS Former Patchwork Teacher 2026
Haile Manzanares-Salhany – Mentor Teacher & Admin Support
Hi!! I am a Colorado native and my husband, Matt, and I live in Commerce City with our two cats. I love to travel, spend time with family, and relax with a cup of coffee in hand!
I have had a passion for teaching ever since I was a little girl and find so much joy in spending my days seeing the world through children’s eyes. Their curiosity, sense of freedom, and joy make each day so bright and different from the next.
I started my teaching career at CSU and earned my Bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in ECE. I was inspired by the Reggio Emilia Philosophy and went on to teach and lead as an interim director at a few different schools in Denver. I then pursued my Masters degree through the Boulder Journey School and CU Denver. This program rekindled my passion for teaching and seeing children for all that they are, whole and capable, and the complexity of their learning through exploration, environment, and social emotional wellbeing. I then traveled to Denmark for my husband’s job, where we lived for 9 months and I taught at an international school there. It was the most meaningful experience of my teaching career and aligned seamlessly with my personal teaching philosophy as well as the core values of the Patchwork school. I spent the last school year in France where I was humbled, learned so many new things culturally, and reignited my excitement for working with children and the PW community!
Libby Baumgartner – Mentor Teacher & Community Advocate
Libby Baumgartner is so excited to be part of the Patchwork team! She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in 2018 from CLU, a private college in Ventura County, California, and is currently working towards her Director certificate in Early Childhood Education! Libby has worked with children of all ages for over a decade, and is coming from a school with a very similar philosophy; she loves getting to work with children in a way that fosters their independence and passion! Libby’s son Milo is also starting in the toddler classroom, and when not at school, they love to go swimming, music and dancing, and to be outside! Libby and her partner are new to the Boulder area and live with two silly Chihuahua mix dogs – Bean and Biaggio! She is so looking forward to meeting all of your children and building relationships with them and you!
Rumi Natanzi- Preschool Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Rumi Natanzi, a recent Ethnic Studies and Leadership and Community Engagement graduate from CU Boulder. Throughout my time at CU, I participated in a multitude of programs, classes, and experiences geared towards leadership, community building, facilitation, and active listening. I’m so excited to see how these very same skills and processes are woven into the early childhood experience, as well as learn from the intentional approaches Patchwork has and is cultivating. I have provided child care for numerous families across the Boulder, Longmont, and Louisville/Lafayette area, but this experience marks the first time I will be in an official school environment! I have a deep reverence for all that children do and are: their peak curiosity and imagination are inspirational and their unmitigated compassion provides foundational examples for comprehensive ways all of us can show up for ourselves, each other, and our communities at large. I am so honored to be part of the Patchwork community and be a teaching and care support in whatever ways I can.
Katie Dazey- Toddler Lead Teacher
Katie is a mother of two to Ryder and Hunter. She comes to us with her Masters in Art Education. She previously taught at Rainbow Childcare in Boulder for 8 years. Katie enjoys biking, hiking, skiing and all the benefits of living in Colorado. This will be Katie’s second year in our Toddler Program.
Kim Forrette- Kinder Lead Teacher
I am delighted to have found the Patchwork School community! My family and I (husband and two kids, aged 15 and 10) just moved to Longmont last summer from Los Angeles and are loving it here in Colorado.
I am in my tenth year of teaching preschool but have had experience in a number of human service fields, including egg donation/surrogacy and social services. I finally found my calling when my first child started attending a cooperative preschool, so I earned my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and never looked back.
I am thrilled to have found a school that shares my view of early childhood as a truly magical and significant time of life. My most meaningful learning experiences as a teacher took place during my four years at a wonderful preschool that was grounded in the respectful, compassionate approach of the RIE philosophy of caregiving. I try to be supportive, loving, creative and positive in every interaction with every child, and strive to honor their authentic experience. I truly believe this is the best way to support each child in becoming their true selves, and have seen firsthand how it encourages curiosity, self-respect, autonomy, emotional regulation and compassion.
On a more personal note, I just love animals (including bugs!) and I am addicted to reading. I am a bit of a Francophile and speak decent conversational French. In my spare time, I play a little guitar, I sketch and scribble, and I love spending time with my family playing games, taking in movies, and just being together. I love the outdoors and am excited to go free-range at Patchwork!
I look forward to getting to know you all and experiencing the freedom and beauty of this community.
Sean Siedem- Teacher
Hello my name is Sean Siedem and I am 23 years old, I was born in Longmont Colorado and moved to the Louisville area freshman year of high school. I attended Monarch high school and graduated in 2020. I played baseball all my life up until a few years back when I decided I wanted to teach. I have been working in child care for 3+ years now while I finish putting myself through school. I have an older sister and an older brother who I am very close with and see often, my mother is from outside of Chicago and my dad is from Long island. I was raised on sports so you will frequently hear me talk about the Yankees, Ny Rangers, Giants, and Knicks. I just moved back to Colorado after a year in South Carolina and I’m so happy to be back and with you all!
Parent
We love Patchwork — A beautiful environment with supportive, caring, educated teachers and administrators who have implemented a Reggio/Free School curriculum very successfully. This school is a real treasure where young children can thrive.
Hunter Ewing: Teacher
Hi there everyone! I am relatively new here to Colorado. I grew up in Idaho, where the early whisps of my work in childcare started as the oldest sibling and oldest cousin to my family. In my teenage years I started a math, english tutor, and nanny to kids of all different ages. Towards the end of 2019, I started as a site coordinator for the local YMCA after-school and summer program, During the pandemic, my primary skills focused on social, educational and emotional support to local elementary school students while that crisis was afoot. When the lockdown and online learning was in place, the only available space in the area to which we could run an all day program was from a high-end bar and restaurant that was closed down. During that time especially, I learned to recognize and support all the vast experiences and emotions we have as humans, while inviting play and creativity.
I’ve also been a ski instructor, yoga instructor and I’m currently an online student at College of Western Idaho studying psychology and cinema studies. I currently live in Niwot with my partner and our two cats. Outside of Patchwork, I’m either hiking, listening to The Grateful Dead, practicing yoga, or more often than not, watching a movie. I am excited to learn and grow with all of the other teachers and students as Patchwork continues to carve a path in early-childhood development.
It’s nice to see the same faces year after year. I also really like that the teachers move up with the students each year to help ease transitions. That makes me as a parent and our child feel excited and at ease. They are all so wonderful. I have a huge amount of admiration and respect for what they do every day and appreciate them all so much! The communication out of the office is always so helpful and friendly, even when my questions are surely beyond stupid some days 😉
Parent, 2019
Interns
In partnership with Louisville Family Center, we also have some wonderful interns that are working on their Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degrees and act as extra support staff in the classroom. You can find out more about them by clicking here.