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 2-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.
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!
Allison, A.K.A. Mrs. B. has been in the teaching profession for a little over 38 years. She has taught in every grade from preschool age up to seniors in high school. Allison chose this profession for her love of children and seeing/watching them grow, learn, and excel in all stages of their lives. Watching children learn new things brings immense joy to her heart and a smile to her face! Allison’s role as our lead Pre-K has created a diverse environment, teaching our kiddos not only the skills needed to be successful in Kindergarten but beyond! We are thankful for her and all that she has brought to the countless children in our community. We are excited she will continue on the journey with us as we make Leap & Learn Preschool a great success!
FUN FACT! Allison is a huge animal lover and camping is her ideal vacation. She also earned a full-ride scholarship for her degree in E.C.E.!
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!
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.
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! 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 favorite morning drink is the Golden Eagle Chai from her local Dutch Bros.!
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 Sharon, has had much success in her life. She ran her insurance agency for many years. But somehow her life always seemed to circle back around to children. After raising her grandchildren for some time, and ending her insurance career, she decided to leap into in-home childcare. Many of her kiddos came from very challenging circumstances, and Sharon proved to be just what they needed in their little lives. She is one of the most dedicated, funny, nurturing, firm but loving teachers, and her class just adores her, almost as much as we do! Sharon is a huge supporter of small business and has been nothing but encouraging as we begin this new adventure and we at Leap & Learn feel honored she is on this journey with us.
FUN FACT! Sharon has a pet tortoise named Seventy-Three, which was a gift from her granddaughter. She is 8 inches wide and weighs 15 lbs!
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 a helper in our 1’s and 2-year-old classrooms. 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 Morgan, is our current Monkeys teacher, however, she aspires to be in the field of graphic design, and she was a big contributor to the new Leap & Learn logo. We are blessed to have her with us while she continues her education. Morgan has a quiet but loving, mature, and nurturing demeanor. She has a soft voice but can deliver a sense of authority when needed. Her classroom is always well-managed, but also full of fun. Morgan has a talent to create a fun space, full of creativity, and imagination as well as a place to learn. She is a young person with an old soul, with a very deep connection to her faith. If you pay attention you will hear many staff members refer to her as Mother Morgan. She is amazing with the 2 and 3-year-olds and is a vital member of our team.
FUN FACT: Morgan loves the color pink, her favorite drink is sweet tea from SONIC, and she plays the drums!
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 working in our classrooms as a teacher's aide. 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 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 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, but is with us full-time during the summer months.
FUN FACT: Katie worked the 2022 Super Bowl security team for the performing celebrities and gave water to Waylon Stapleton!
Miss Orly, has been working in childcare off and on since 2003. She has experience in all age groups but has found her home working with our 1’s & 2’s. Her loving nature and attention to detail make her a great teammate and caregiver. Orly makes it a point to engage with each child individually and build on their strengths while talking to them in a soft-spoken and engaging manner.
FUN FACT: Orly performed in the 1996 Super Bowl Halftime Show with Diana Ross as an on-field dancer!