Our Wonderful Staff

Co-Director of Flagstaff Preschool

Chief Operator of Flagstaff Gymnastics

 Hi, my name is Shawna. I have been living in Flagstaff since I was three years old. This community has been my home for so long, and I feel blessed to be able to give back to it. I started gymnastics at the age of two and trained at Flagstaff Gymnastics up to level 8. I am a two-time Arizona State Champion, first winning the overall title for level 5 in all age divisions and then winning Level 6 for my own age division. During summers, I enjoyed traveling and training at various camps across the country. Besides gymnastics, I pursued my love for dance with the Royal Academy of Dance and Tempe Dance Academy. I had the opportunity to dance with the Boston Ballet, the American Ballet Theater, the Malibu Ballet, and the RAD Ballet in Long Beach, CA. I was one of three in the nation to take the RAD's prestigious Solo Seal Examination. Despite all these accomplishments and training, my love for coaching is second only to my family. In 2011, my husband and I welcomed our first child, Jason, who has been a wonderful blessing and has deepened my love for children. I am fortunate to pursue my dream of working with children. I am passionate about inspiring young minds and enjoy working with children. I began coaching in 2005 and fell in love with working with preschoolers. With seven years of experience working with children, I cherish every moment of it. God gave me a dream of starting a Christian preschool in Flagstaff that provides a foundation of Biblical Truths to shape children's lives. In 2010, I helped fulfill this dream by assisting in founding Flagstaff Christian Preschool. Since then, I have been blessed with two more beautiful boys, Troy and Ethan, further fueling my love and passion for working with children. 

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Language and Literacy  
 

 Hi, my name is Yazmin, and I'm from Flagstaff, AZ. From a young age, I've always had a dream of becoming a teacher. I started my journey by studying elementary mathematics at Coconino Community College. After getting married in 2011, I took a break from school, and in 2016, I became a mom to a wonderful little boy.  Some of my friends who worked in a preschool setting encouraged me to give it a try. I absolutely loved working with 3-5-year-olds, and it inspired me to head back to school. I'm proud to say that I graduated from Central Arizona College with honors, earning my associate degree in early childhood education.  Throughout my teaching career, I've pursued additional training and became a coach in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, focusing on creating a safe and supportive environment for children. I also hold Child Care Certifications, including Administering Medication, Crisis Management, CPR/First Aid, and Child Abuse awareness.  I'm passionate about providing a nurturing and secure learning space for children, and I'm excited to continue making a positive impact in their lives. 

Gymnastics Coach

 My name is Bria, and I grew up in Iowa and Gilbert, Arizona. I love hiking, swing dancing, playing volleyball, hanging out with my friends, and, of course, cuddling with my two dogs! 

I have always had a passion for fitness since I was young, participating in nearly every sport imaginable, including gymnastics for seven years.  I attended Northern Arizona University (NAU), where I graduated with a BS degree in Exercise Physiology, along with a minor in Nutrition and an emphasis on Physical Education. However, I didn't realize I wanted to be a teacher until my junior year of college. Since then, I have student-taught at three different elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school here in Flagstaff. Additionally, I have taught two weight training summer camps in Phoenix.

This is my second year at Flagstaff Christian Preschool, and I absolutely love it! I enjoy teaching the kids gymnastics and watching them learn something new. It makes me really happy to see their excitement! 

Art and Language: Admin Assistant 

 Hello! My name is Sarah, and I want to share a bit about myself. I have always felt a deep passion for art, music, and teaching. My childhood was spent in many places including Chile, Utah, and Nevada. I made the exciting decision to relocate to Flagstaff, a place I’ve quickly come to cherish for its natural beauty and artistic community. 

I graduated from the Las Vegas High School of the Performing Arts, where I specialized in music performance.

Now, I am pursuing a degree in business management with a minor in early childhood education, as I believe that the foundations of a good education are laid in the early years.  

Working with children, especially preschoolers, feels like my true calling. As the oldest of six siblings in a bustling household, nurturing and guiding younger ones is second nature to me. My experiences have fueled my passion for helping children flourish and discover their potential. 

 I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with your little ones and to embark on this wonderful journey of growth and learning together! 

Science 

 Hello! My name is Bethany Detwiler, and I am thrilled to be a preschool teacher at Flagstaff Christian Preschool. In the classroom, I prioritize engaging science lessons that incorporate a variety of fun activities and hands-on experiments. I believe that learning through exploration not only captivates young minds but also fosters curiosity and critical thinking skills. 

I’m from Colorado and am currently in my last year of my undergraduate at Northern Arizona University.

Currently, I am in my final year at Northern Arizona University, where I am pursuing my undergraduate degree with the goal of becoming a pediatric speech therapist. This journey has deepened my enthusiasm for working with young children and supporting their developmental needs.   I take great joy in watching children learn, grow, and discover new concepts in a nurturing and encouraging environment. It is incredibly rewarding to help children build their self-confidence and develop a love for learning. 

My commitment to providing a safe and supportive atmosphere ultimately led me to join the wonderful team at Flagstaff Christian Preschool, where I strive to make a positive impact on each child's educational experience! 

Art 

 Hi there! My name is Nije. I grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and four years ago I moved to Peoria, Arizona. I am currently a freshman at Northern Arizona University (NAU), majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with the goal of becoming a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. 

  I discovered my passion for working with kids during high school when I took a career-oriented course that involved interacting with, supervising, and teaching children aged 3 to 5. This experience was life-changing for me and motivated me to seek further opportunities in education. Along with my experiences in education, I've spent years participating in school cheerleading, and I'm really excited to continue doing what I love at Flagstaff Christian Preschool and Gymnastics! 

Gymnastics Coach

Gymnastics Coach

My name is Luke.  I grew up in Tucson and have always loved family activities, being in nature, and practicing gymnastics. My Christian faith guides my life, and I enjoy being involved in youth ministries, especially with middle schoolers. I have been coaching gymnastics or parkour for five years. 

Physical Activity and Gymnastics Coach

 
USA Gymnastics Certified Instructor

CPR and First Aid Certified

Course instruction from USA Gymnastics University and USA Gymnastics National Congress

Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction

Child Care Certificates

Communicable Disease Prevention in Child Care

Keeping Our Children Safe

Nutrition and Physical Activity

Safe Sleep

Understanding Child Abuse

Traveling with Precious Cargo