Mrs. Sommer
Owner
Mrs. Sommer has worked with children since 2011. She has worked mainly administratively, or behind the scenes. When the opportunity was available for her to own her own business, she jumped and Leap & Learn Preschool was the result. Truthfully, it was a win-win for everyone. It allowed our parents to continue to have a fun, safe, and caring environment for their kids to go to, while not skipping a beat. Although Sommer is the owner you will find her very active in the business. She handles all things administrative, as well as stepping into classrooms from time to time as needed. Quality and safety are among her top priorities. But if you know Sommer then you know FUN is equally important. You can often find her snooping around classrooms acting silly and goofy with the kids. Sommer is excited about her new position and the time she gets to spend with children. If you ask her she will tell you "Hanging out with kids keeps you young!"
FUN FACT: Sommer talks to all animals like they can understand what she is saying, and would talk back to her!
Mrs. Jen
Director
Mrs. Jen has worked in childcare and coached gymnastics for over 20 years, specializing in toddler and preschool-aged children, she has worked in the capacity of Preschool and Gymnastics Director for nearly 24 years. Jen, her husband, and 3 kids moved to Arizona in 2014. Jen’s dream of starting a preschool started small and grew into helping to bring a much-needed service to Prescott Valley. Jen has worked hard to keep this dream alive and as a team, Sommer and Jen have worked side by side through many challenges to see it thrive. Jen especially loves to watch how the kids grow through the preschool years when there is never a dull moment and they learn so much in a short time. Leap & Learn Preschool is more proof that they are committed to the children, families, and the community.
FUN FACT: Jen was a college cheerleader and can STILL do a backhandspring!
Mrs. Emily was overworked and tired at her job working in an alcohol and drug abuse center as a behavioral health technician. She was looking for something new, and creative, with normal working hours that would allow her to be closer to her kids. So of course that means she should be working in a preschool right? She has since worked with kids of all ages but has found her niche as a 3-year-old teacher. She has a very creative mind, a fun spirit, a witty personality, and a potty-training genius! She has her own side business and can be found most weekends at local craft shows selling her adorable creations. Emily also played a role in creating the new logo for Leap & Learn Preschool and has obtained her Director's Designee title.
FUN FACT! Emily is a HUGE fan of the show Friends and is obsessed with anything Disney (including her tattoos). She also has 47 Starbucks cups!
Miss Maggie and her family relocated to Prescott Valley in 2019. She played volleyball at Bradshaw Mountain High School while finishing High School. When it was time for Maggie to get a job, she needed something that would allow her the flexibility to play club volleyball (no nights or weekends). Enter Sommer! Maggie was quickly hired and started her journey as a teacher's assistant, which quickly grew into a toddler teacher, eventually establishing her place as a 3-year-old preschool teacher! Her patience and love for her kiddos is evident. You will always find Maggie's class doing fun and creative things. She has a very artistic mind and allows the kids to explore their creative side every day. We feel very lucky to have Maggie and to see what her future holds with Leap & Learn Preschool.
FUN FACT! Maggie can also be found being used as the designated grabber of all things too high for others to reach!
Mrs. Veronica, kind of stumbled her way into preschool life. After moving to Prescott from California, she was a full-time nanny for her niece who already attended a local preschool. We instantly loved her fun outgoing personality! Her love of kids is evident in the effort she puts into making every child feel empowered. It has been a joy watching Veronica transform and grow into a full-fledged preschool teacher as well as a Director's Designee! She works well with kids of all ages but has fallen in love with teaching toddlers. Veronica has a very infectious spirit, laugh, and smile. She comes to work every day with a smile on her face and a positive vibe that easily rubs off on her team members. She has been nothing short of supportive and excited for her journey with Leap and Learn Preschool, and with Veronica on the team it will be nothing short of fun!
FUN FACT: Veronica’s goal in life is to be sponsored by Dutch Bros., so she can get all the free drinks her heart desires!
Miss Kristen, came to the preschool world in 2021 at a time in her life when she was a bit unsure what her next steps should be. Today she may still feel the same way, however, she has certainly found her place when it comes to working with the littles. Kristen provides a very loving and caring environment for the children in her care. Although things may seem a bit crazy in her room, there is never a lack of entertainment, toddler conversation, or love in her classroom. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face and has one of the kindest hearts you will ever know. Kristen is excited to continue the adventure with our team as Leap & Learn Preschools 1's & 2-year-old teacher.
FUN FACT! Kristen has a degree in animal science, loves learning about history, loves anything Marvel, and enjoys reading and crocheting.
Miss Kristin, is a Prescott native and has been involved in early childhood development in our community since 2013. She is a quiet but very loving and funny addition to our team. Her love for children is evident in the way she manages her class. She sees each child as an individual and does her best to connect with each one on their level. Her students love her, and having her as part of the Leap & Learn family is a blessing. Kristin faces new challenges with an anxious but quick-witted attitude and has yet to disappoint! Her hard work is evident and we are excited to see what the future holds for Kristin. We look forward to having her with us for years to come.
Fun fact: Kristin runs and eats tofu every day. She was also a newspaper editor and is ambidextrous.
Miss Jayda, is studying Psychology at BYU. She was a competitive gymnast for 12 years, which makes her a great fit to teach our gym classes. Jayda has been working in a preschool setting since 2020. Her love of kids is evident in the creative ways she leads her classes. She is always creating fun new ways to get the wiggles out, in a well-managed class environment. Jayda can often be heard singing her way through class time, encouraging the kiddos to do the same. When Jayda is not teaching gym classes she is often found filling in various classrooms, working as our Directors Designee. Jayda can always be counted on to keep the kids entertained which is why she is a great fit for Leap & Learn!
FUN FACT: Jayda is an actress and singer at heart and can be seen in some of our local town productions. She also sang back up at a One Republic concert in 2023.
Miss Savanna, began her journey with children as a gymnastics coach in 2020. She competed on her local gymnastics team for several years. All this experience makes her an obvious choice to coach our gymnastics classes! Savanna has since grown into becoming our Lions teacher. She has excelled in teaching our 3/4 year old kids in preparing them for Pre-K. Her youth, playfulness, and bright smile add a great balance in classrooms. Savanna has a hardworking spirit and always gives you 100%. She is an obvious choice to have as a member of our Leap & Learn family. We are excited to watch her journey as she continues to grow with us and to see where her path leads her.
FUN FACT: Savanna used to have hair down to her bottom, and her ponytails were usually about 2-2 ½ inches thick!
Miss Kelly, changed career paths from CNA in an adult care center so she could come hang out with kiddos! She has taken on our Monkeys class and has done a great job. Her easy going and roll with the flow personality is a great fit when working with unpredictable 2-3 year olds. She has a warm smile and gentle tone in her voice that easily calms her classes. She is funny, quirky and has a great sense of humor that melds well with our program!
FUN FACT! Kelly loves cats so much and has told us the she may end up being what is commonly referred to as a "Crazy Cat Lady".
Miss Abbie, came to us in between paths. She always loved being with kids, had ton of experience babysitting and being around kids of all ages. So when her career in Dog Grooming didn't play out as she had hoped she started to look into new fields. She send an email, stayed persistent and landed herself a job on our team! Abbie is super with all the kids, but her patience and the kind manor in which she communicates with kids is unparalleled. She always keeps a calm head and is willing to jump in to the chaos when needed. She is a great addition to our team and we are lucky she stumbled upon our school.
FUN FACT: Abbie is a lover of all animals but her chickens seem to hold a very special place in her heart!
Miss Addi, has been a part of this team off and on for several years. She is a young free spirit who enjoys adventure and spontaneity! She recently came back to us after taking a few months to work in a lodge in Alaska! She is wonderful with kids of all ages and has a special way of communicating with them on their level. She is extremely creative and likes to spend her free time listening to music, reading, exploring, and crafting. She has so many creative ideas in her head at all times, and often times you will find her class doing something completely different from everyone else.
FUN FACT: Addi has a unique flair of blending new and old to create her own style. She loves thrifting, and and has a real knack of finding those diamonds in the rough!
Miss Grace, has always known she wanted to be a teacher. She was on the path of obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Education, but with the cost of college being a bit out reach, she decided to try her hand at Early Childhood Education, and we couldn't be happier she did! Grace walked into our Pre-K classroom and took on the class like she was always supposed to be there. She gains so much joy by watching the kids learn. She works hard to keep the kids busy all day, with educational but fun activities that will make the transition to kindergarten as seamless as possible. She even sends homework home with them to work on, so that the skills they learn in the classroom can be worked on at home as well!
FUN FACT: Grace is known for not being able to park her car. So if you see her out and about, park far away!
Miss Abigale, is current college student working towards her degree in Family Life and Nutrition. She has a brother who she cares for when she is not caring for our littles! Abigale is a kind, nurturing woman with a special knack for our toddlers. In her spare time she enjoys reading and being outside. Although she is exploring her options for her future, we are excited to her her as part of our team. She bring a calm happy presence to our program.
FUN FACT: Abigale was her high school's state champion for the High Jump and broke the school's record in Case Grande.
Miss Katie, is currently attending college and plays volleyball on an athletic scholarship at Ottawa University Arizona in Surprise, where she is majoring in Elementary Education. She has worked in a preschool setting since 2021. Katie has worked with every age level but finds the greatest joy in working with the 3’s, 4’s, and 5-year-olds. These age groups challenge her and allow her to put her classroom skills to work. Katie works hard to have an understanding of each child's individual needs and does a great job of creating an educational environment that engages every child. She hopes to teach kindergarten or 1st grade here in Prescott Valley after she graduates. For now, she works at Leap & Learn when her school schedule allows, as a fill in teacher and Director's Designee.
FUN FACT: Katie grew up never wanting to work with kids till she took a job at a preschool. It was then she realized she LOVES kids and watching them learn, grow and gain confidence!
Miss Hannah, began her preschool journey in 2023. Her natural ability to care for and love children stems from her large family of seven! In her spare time, Hannah can be found hanging with her family and friends. Currently, Hannah is searching for her future path, so Leap & Learn is lucky to have her while she figures this out! Her hardworking and nurturing personality makes her not only a wonderful teacher but an amazing teammate. Hannah has worked in all our class age groups but the 1’s and 2-year-old classes are her favorite, and it shows!
FUN FACT: Hannah was voted the AIA’s National Volleyball Player of the Week, and matched Bradshaw Mountain High School's High Jump record in 2023/24.
Miss Annie, is a student athlete at Bradshaw Mountain High School. While she loves caring for our kids she loves playing volleyball just as much! Annie comes from a big family and has had tons of experience with kids. She has one of the most loving personalities, is hardworking and passionate about kids. Annie brings a special vibe with her to work everyday, sharing her smile and patience with our kiddos. She is a great addition to our team, and we hope to have hew with us, until she figures out what she wants after high school.
FUN FACT! Annie is often called "Hannie" by our kiddos, because she looks so much like her sister Hannah, who also teaches here!
Mrs. Sarah, has spent most of her life here in the Tri-Cities area. She had worked in childcare some years ago, but decide to dabble in other fields, from administrative and medical work, to most recently working in a elderly care center. As life rolled on her heart felt it was time to come back to childcare. She is an amazingly calm presence among the chaos the kids can create! When she isn't working she loves to be outdoors with her family 4 wheeling, boating or just hanging out on the river. She has found her happy place working with our babies and we couldn't be happier with how she has fit right into the fold!
FUN FACT: Sarah has a magical and whimsical way of looking at world, and all it has to offer!
Miss Sara, has worked in childcare before, and after trying a new path found her way to working with kid. Her future goals will someday take her to the Police Academy! Sara is currently working with our toddlers, however has a special gift of being able to fit in with all age groups. She loves the challenge of Pre-K because they keep you on your toes and can say the craziest things! In her spare time Sara enjoys reading, listening to music, working out and being outside. She has found a way of bring her dry sense of humor to our program keeping us all smiling!
FUN FACT: Sara is a HUGE fan of all things Harry Potter! She has tattoos, lego sets, wands, books, and is always on the hunt for anything else she can find!
Miss Christina, has worked in some form of childcare for 9 years. She is currently obtaining her degree in E.C.E. at Yavapai College. Christina is a native to the Prescott area, and graduated from Bradshaw Mountain. She has a quite demeanor but is full is fun, inspiring and educational ideas. She has taken on our 2 1/2 and 3 year olds like a seasoned veteran. She loves making connections with the kids that will help them excell in the next phase of their education. In her spare time Christina loves hanging out with her animals.
FUN FACT: Christina has worked in special needs care almost her entire life!