Our Team

Our teachers bring warm hearts, curious minds, and vibrant personalities. Together they create a caring, creative community that grows confident learners, celebrates small wins, and helps every child feel seen, safe, and ready to explore.

Leadership & Program Oversight

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Aymee Narvaez

Owner, Program Director (0-3)

Aymee is an Owner and the 0-3 Program Director at Kindred. She has worked professionally in early childhood education for five years and has long been involved in caregiving, education, and community support through a variety of settings.

Aymee is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments where all children and families—especially those with special needs—feel confident, valued, and connected. Her work is grounded in relationship-based and trauma-informed care, shaped by both professional experience and personal perspective.

Building strong partnerships with families is central to Aymee’s approach. She believes meaningful learning and growth begin with trust, collaboration, and understanding, and she finds the greatest joy in the “a-ha” moments—when connection clicks, understanding grows, and children and families begin to thrive.

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Audrey Proux

Owner, Program Director (3-5, school-age)

Audrey is an Owner and Program Director at Kindred. She oversees the preschool and school-age programs, supporting curriculum implementation, daily operations, and strong partnerships with families. She has worked in early childhood education for over 15 years, serving in a variety of roles and settings.

Audrey’s guiding philosophy is rooted in the belief that children are valuable individuals who deserve to be supported in the ways that best help them grow into confident, capable people. She believes meaningful learning happens through relationships built on trust, mutual respect, and consistency, and that every interaction with a child is an opportunity to model respect and care.

Audrey is deeply committed to Kindred’s vision of building a community of learners grounded in trusting relationships, inclusivity, and intentional support for every child’s unique path of growth.

Sprouts Program Staff

Sarah Miller

Infant Teacher

Sarah is the Lead Infant Teacher at Kindred, working with children ages six weeks to eighteen months. She has over sixteen years of experience in early childhood education with a strong focus on infant and toddler care.

Sarah loves working with infants because they are constantly growing, learning, and bringing joy to each day. Building trusting relationships is central to her approach, and she is committed to helping each child feel safe, secure, and supported.

She closely observes each child’s developmental milestones and designs engaging activities that encourage growth and exploration. Sarah enjoys being part of a community of educators who share a commitment to providing high-quality, individualized care for every child.

Thalia Favela

Aide

Thalia is an Aide II and Floater at Kindred, supporting all classrooms and working with children across age groups. She has seven years of experience in early childhood education and enjoys being part of children’s growth and development.

Building trust is central to Thalia’s approach, and she is committed to helping children feel safe, secure, and supported. She creates a structured and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable exploring and learning throughout the day.

Thalia enjoys building new relationships with both children and staff and values being part of a collaborative and supportive team.

Bloomers Program Staff

Melissa Bernik

Toddler Teacher

Melissa is the Lead Toddler Teacher at Kindred, working with children in the toddler classroom. She brings over 26 years of experience in early childhood education and has always enjoyed supporting children as they learn and grow. She values the opportunity to contribute to each child’s development and sees it as a true privilege.

Melissa is committed to helping children feel safe, heard, and engaged through meaningful, imaginative play. She supports learning by providing a nurturing, structured environment with consistent routines and healthy habits.

Melissa finds the greatest fulfillment in making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

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Aide

Gwindy Foote

Gwindy is an Aide at Kindred. She brings five years of experience in early childhood education and a strong, hands-on perspective shaped by her experiences as a parent and grandparent.

Gwindy entered the field through an unexpected career transition and quickly found that working with children was where she felt most at home. She believes that building relationships begins by getting down to a child’s level—showing respect, helping children feel important, and ensuring they feel cared for and valued.

In her daily work, Gwindy supports children by meeting them where they are developmentally, offering encouragement and guidance tailored to each child’s needs. She especially values being part of the Kindred community, where educators bring different strengths, learn from one another, and grow together through shared knowledge, collaboration, and a genuine sense of connection.

Starlings Program Staff

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Audrey Proux

Preschool Teacher

Preschool curriculum and instructional planning are overseen by Kindred’s Program Director in collaboration with the preschool teaching team.

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Alesha Forsythe

Preschool Assistant Teacher

Alesha is the Starlings Assistant Teacher at Kindred. She has worked in early childhood education for about eight years across a variety of programs and environments. What originally drew her to the field was her love for working with children.

What is most important to Alesha when building relationships with children is creating a sense of support and connection. She supports children’s learning by focusing on the whole child and meeting each child where they are developmentally.

What Alesha enjoys most about the Kindred community is the way family values are honored for both children and staff. She especially appreciates the flexibility Kindred provides in supporting her own family and their needs.

Lizbeth Lara Corona

 Aide

Lizbeth is an Aide II and Floater at Kindred, working primarily with preschool and school-age children. She has long been interested in early childhood education and gained experience through volunteering in both high school and college. The connections she builds with children and the milestones they reach continue to motivate her in her work.

Lizbeth believes it is important for children to feel comfortable, seen, and supported. She focuses on showing up consistently and creating space for children to be themselves as a foundation for strong relationships.

She supports children’s learning by fostering a growth mindset, encouraging effort, and helping children build confidence as they develop new skills. Lizbeth values Kindred’s commitment to supporting families and putting children first.

Wayfinders Program Staff

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Gabrielle Simpson

School-Age Teacher

The school-age program is guided by an educator who supports academic engagement, enrichment, and continuity of care beyond the school day. This role emphasizes relationship-building, flexibility, and meaningful learning experiences for school-age children.

Support Staff

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Tempi

Floater/Substitute

Supports classrooms as needed throughout the program.