WE LOVE OUR WORK FAMILY
We are proud to introduce the hardest working, most fabulous team of shining stars in the East Valley. Our family of passionate educators will quickly become a second family to you and your loved ones!
Look, it’s simple, if we support, train, provide tools & resources, and truly create a wonderful workplace, then our teachers can focus on bringing their teaching talents fully into the classroom every single day.
WE LOVE OUR WORK FAMILY
We are proud to introduce the hardest working, most fabulous team of shining stars in the East Valley. Our family of passionate educators will quickly become a second family to you and your loved ones!
Look, it’s simple, if we support, train, provide tools & resources, and truly create a wonderful workplace, then our teachers can focus on bringing their teaching talents fully into the classroom every single day.
Meet the Management
Ms. Elana
Ms. Elana | Head of Operations
I was born into a family of teachers – my father is Physics professor, my mother a Math teacher, and my two sisters teach Language and Special Education. The passion for education filled our home, hence my dream to teach since I was little! By the age of 21, I founded a successful tutoring agency in Toronto Canada, which gave me exposure to teaching one-on-one early in my career. I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Social Science and Literature, and then returned after giving birth to my first daughter to pursue a second degree in Education.
I taught in both Elementary and Middle Schools in Ontario for 5 years and later advanced onto High School for another 3 years. Focusing on Special Education, Guidance and behavioral issues was my strong suit. I was happiest in the classroom, interacting with my students – forming wonderful bonds, changing lives and then sad to see them go year after year… I am proud to be both a parent at and owner of Premier Learning Academy – a second family that my sister and I have always dreamt of.
Ms. Leora
Ms. Leora | Principal
Teaching for the past two decades in both private and public school districts in Ontario, Canada has been a thrill. I learned that real education takes place when children are engaged and left to imagine the rest. My classroom is always filled with laughter, music and fun as I live for the moment when a face lights up and a pre-Kindergartener says: “I get it now!” Through my many years as an educator, I realized the significant need to build self-esteem and discard all notions of predetermined expectations. No child is left behind under our care, and therefore with patience and determination, we teach to focus on students’ strengths rather than weaknesses. A mother of 3 vivacious young boys, I learned to insist on putting our children first. Being a parent is definitely the greatest challenge and as you walk through our doors day after day, I identify with you in both wonderful and challenging times. Alongside my sister Elana, I can’t wait to change the world together one child at a time!
Ms. Stacy
Ms. Stacy | Director
Premier Learning Academy has played a huge part of my life since 2010 as I have seen our amazing preschool grow into one of the best in our State! I have been so proud to be a part of its wonderful journey as a mother and volunteer from 2010 to 2012, teacher from 2012 to 2014 and now director from 2014 to current day. I am a mother to a very spirited 10-year-old boy named George who I love hanging out with in my spare time. In addition to gaming, I am nuts about animals – my husband and I have fostered 3 rescue dogs! Though I have a degree in Art History, Early Education has been a passion of mine. Growing with our family of amazing educators at Premier Learning Academy has never been work but a second home surrounded by little ones we inspire to make the world a better place!
Ms. Amanda
Ms. Amanda | Director
I am a busy mom to two boys and two stepdaughters ranging in the ages of 5 to 11. Lucky to have found my soul mate, I have been married for 2 years. My family made a big leap and moved to Chandler in 2016 from The Netherlands. Though I am European, Arizona has become my true home!
I like to hike, travel, experiment cooking new healthy foods and love spending as much time as I can with my family.
I have over 7 years of experience of working with children in Europe. As a teacher, witnessing the growth throughout the formative years firsthand is amazing! I have been working at PLA for almost 2 years and absolutely love my second home!
Chandler
Ms. Tatum
Ms. Tatum | Toddlers
Hello, my name is Ms. Tatum, and I am a Toddler/Preschool teacher here at Premier Learning Academy. I was born and raised in Niles, Michigan—I moved here when I was 12 with my parents for change. I graduated in 2018 and worked as a server for 4 years and recently decided to change my profession.
I am the oldest of four girls, so I’ve always loved caring for those younger than me. At home, I have a Red Heeler named Gunner who is my fur baby! I love all animals, my favorite color is blue, my favorite sports to watch are football and baseball and my favorite thing to do is spend time with my family and friends!
Ms. Anastasia
Ms. Anastasia | Toddlers
Hello, my name is Anastasia. I’m so excited to be working at PLA! I recently moved to Arizona with my fiancé to be closer to family again. I grew up in California and spent a few years in Oregon. I have a passion for working with kids. My background is primarily in special education and behavioral therapy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, photography, and hiking/exploring with my dogs and fiancé!
Ms. Maddie
Ms. Maddie | Toddlers
Hi! My name is Ms. Maddie! I’m currently a student at Grand Canyon University where I am pursuing a degree in counseling! I love dogs and have two little puppies of my own—a corgi and a border collie. I grew up partly here in Arizona and partly in Northern California. I have one little sister who just started her first year at UofA. I am so excited to be a part of the PLA family!
Ms. Kaycee
Ms. Kaycee | Preschool
I was born and raised in Peoria, Arizona. I grew up with 5 siblings, me being the second youngest. Growing up, my whole life revolved around soccer starting at the age of 4. I went on to play college soccer all 4 years at Ottawa University where I also graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology. My hobbies include shopping, traveling, outdoor activities, and being a full-time dog mom to my English Bulldog, Tobee. I started working with kids a little over 3 years ago—being able to teach kids new things and watch them grow is a true blessing!
Ms. Brieanna
Ms. Brieanna | Preschool
I grew up in Utah and moved to Arizona in 2020. I’m a huge soccer fan and played for two years when I was 16-18 years old—Now you will find me watching soccer games on the weekends. I have a little shih tzu named Darby who is my baby and likes to think she’s an adult! One day, I hope to own my dream dog which is a Standard Poodle. Some of my favorite hobbies include reading and doing adult coloring books! I’ve always been around kids while growing up and started working with them after high school and have loved working with them ever since!
Ms. Esther
Ms. Esther | Pre-K
I moved to Chandler from Pennsylvania 20 years ago with my husband. I have 3 wonderful children who are my everything! I have been working in the preschool world for over 15 years and I have an Associate degree in Technology, which is my passion! My favorite thing to do is hike the great state of Arizona and watch my kids play soccer!
Ms. Michaela
Ms. Michaela | Pre-K
My name is Ms. Michaela! I was born in China but was adopted and have grown up in Arizona. Some of my favorite hobbies include baking/cooking and finding delicious new restaurants with my fiancé. Growing up, I was fortunate to have some outstanding teachers which is where my passion for working with children comes from. I attended UofA where I graduated with my BA in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in childcare centers since 2015 but have been volunteering with children long before then. I hope to help children realize their full potential and have a lot of fun along the way!
Ms. Kelsey
Ms. Kelsey | Pre-K
I was born and raised in Iowa and attended the University of Iowa (GO HAWKEYES) where I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on child development. I moved to Gilbert 4 years ago to be closer to my best friend and to explore new opportunities. In my spare time I love hiking, swimming, participating in trivia nights, and going to the movies. I have always felt it was my passion to work with kids, so I am extremely excited to be a part of the PLA family!
Queen Creek
Ms. Tawny
Ms. Tawny | Toddlers
My name is Tawny and this is my first time working in childcare! I am so happy to be here at PLA, I absolutely love the environment here! In my free time my favorite things to do are spend time with my friends, crocheting, and thrift shopping! I am also a HUGE Taylor Swift Fan. I can’t wait to spend many years here with my PLA family!
Ms. Jules
Ms. Jules | Preschool
I have been at PLA now for just about 6 years and it has been amazing. I’ve worked with so many different age groups, and each age group brings me so much joy.
My hobbies include drawing, painting and photography! I spend most of my free time with my family, family always comes first.
Working at PLA all these years has helped me grow so much as a person and a teacher. I am so excited to continue working with these wonderful kiddos!
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Jessica | Preschool
I am from San Diego, CA! Fun fact, I was born in a car! I also was born hard of hearing. It has been a journey to get where I am today, and 3 years ago I had a life changing event happen for me – I was able to get a cochlear implant! It’s helped tremendously.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in English! I have also been in childcare for about eight years now and still love it. I look forward to working with your beautiful kiddos this year, and the years to come!
Ms. Janet
Ms. Janet | Pre-K
I am a California Native! I moved to AZ in 2019 with my husband. We have been married for 5 years now, and I absolutely love Arizona! I have been teaching in preschools since 1997! I have taught from toddlers to pre-k! I’ve found that preschool and pre-k are my favorite ages. I have had the pleasure of working at PLA for 4 years now, and it has been the BEST preschool I have ever worked at. It has a true family atmosphere. I am so proud to call PLA Home.
Ms. Megan
Ms. Megan | Pre-K
I am so excited to have the privilege of being your child’s teacher here at PLA! I have lived in the Gilbert area for 10 years, and was the 100th graduating class at Gilbert High School in 2017! Prior to that, I lived in Mission Viejo, Las Vegas, and Tucson! I’ve been teaching for 7 years now and will continue to teach, grow and learn along with your child! I have loved working with children for as long as I can remember. There is just something about helping to mold, educate and bring new experiences to a child’s eager mind that I find so rewarding!
