Holladay Preschool is committed to promoting personal development of our students to prepare them for the challenges in life that lie ahead. Our staff consists of experienced, certified, and continually trained educators.
The goals for each age group are set together by our staff, but teachers are expected to achieve those goals in their own special way that fits their own teaching style and the needs of their particular class. That flexibility spurs creativity in the curriculum.
“Children become like the things they love.”
Tammy started as the Director of Holladay Preschool in June of 2023. She has spent time teaching at the University of Utah in the Child and Family Development Center, along with coaching college students. She loves children and has always loved working with them. She enjoys walking, hiking, painting, and golfing with her family.
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Heidi is a former Preschool Parent and loves interacting with children. She has a background in Management and Accounting with a Business Degree in Finance from the University of Utah. She enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and spending time with her family.
“Self esteem, kindness, following directions, discovering new ideas, enjoying creativity, and getting along with peers is so important in the success of each student. I love that the developmental philosophy of Holladay Preschool strengthens these skills to help children adjust and excel in their whole life, as well as their education.”
Sharon is our ever-present support, filling in and stepping up in whatever area is needed. Sharon has a BA degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Beginning Reading Instruction, which she put to use as a 2nd grade teacher for 23 years. She loves sports, as well as gardening, cooking, and doing other activities with her 20 grandchildren.
“I love that Holladay Preschool is so creative and child-centered. Life skills aren’t evaluated like the alphabet, but are every bit as important in a well-rounded adult. The social experiences, responsibilities, and confidence children learn here will last their entire lives.”
Loralee is a Holladay native and has taught at the preschool for over 15 years. She graduated from Olympus High and eventually Utah State University with a BA in Liberal Arts. Loralee loves painting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She also is an avid traveler. Her children are Holladay Preschool grads and their experiences are what attracted Loralee to the job.
“I love teaching here at Holladay Preschool. I believe strongly in their play based curriculum that focuses on the development of the entire child. My goal is for the children to develop a love of learning.”
Jessica Cohen graduated from the University of Utah in 2011 with her degree in Human and Family Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She was an associate professor and spent time teaching in the Child and Family Development Center at the University of Utah. She has 3 children of her own. She loves to play tennis, hike, and enjoys reading.
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I adore working with children! I graduated from the University of Utah in 2020 with a degree in Family and Community Development. I loved my schooling and have always had a special interest in early childhood education. This is my first formal year teaching at Holladay and I have loved it!
I have four children of my own and continue to learn from them daily. I enjoy running, hiking, wake surfing, gardening and walking my dog! Holladay Preschool was a magical place for my own children and know it will be for your children too!
“Holladay Preschool is a place I have loved seeing kids grow up with confidence and a love of learning through singing the best songs and socializing with their class and friends. Which is something they will keep with them their whole lives.”
Leslie was first a Holladay Preschool mom and loved being involved with the Spring Carnival each year her four kids were at the preschool. All four of her kids are Alumni. She has a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Utah. When she is not helping and teaching at the local schools she loves to hike, run, travel to her cabin in the mountains and read books.
"I am honored to be on part of this community and believe deeply in the developmental philosophy of Holladay Preschool."
Megan's background is in education, including a BS in Elementary Education, a Reading & Literacy Master's of Education, and six years of teaching first grade before starting a family with her husband. She has three daughters and one son, who have all attended HPS. Megan loves to read and collect children's books, garden, organize, craft, go on walks with her family, and travel!
“If there is one thing a child needs to prepare them for kindergarten, it is self-confidence. Social development helps promote this by offering a wide variety of experiences through play, and children at Holladay Preschool are offered so many wonderful experiences through social interactions.”
Lori has been with Holladay Preschool for over 25 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science. Lori enjoys crafts of all kinds, especially scrapbooking and card making, which she displays in a homemade yearbook for each of her students.
“I love Holladay Preschool for the focus it has on each child's own personal development. I especially enjoy watching the children's imagination at work be it through their creations, singing time or just listening to their conversations during purposeful play and snack time.”
Candice was first a Holladay Preschool mom whose four children are all alumni. She has a degree from the University of Utah in Family and Human Development. When she’s not vacationing at a beach, Candice can be found playing tennis, running, or reading good book.
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I love Holladay Preschool’s emphasis on play. Fred Rogers said it best, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
Somer Holt has a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Utah. She taught elementary school for 10 years before staying home with her own children. She loves children’s books, good food, walks with friends and adventures with her husband and four daughters.
“Holladay Preschool teaches the whole child: socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Childhood is such a valuable stage in life and to have the opportunity to help children learn and grow and to become self-confident in a nurturing environment is truly fulfilling.”
Julie brings her love of teaching and a passion for yoga together often in her classroom. She holds a BS in Psychology and has a Special Education background, in addition to being a certified kids yoga instructor. Julie also enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, paddle boarding, camping, snowshoeing and snowboarding with her family.
"Every child is special and unique. They deserve love, respect, and safety. I believe that as we see them, hear them and meet them at their level, they will find joy in creativity and confidence in learning."
Maurine is excited to be a part of the Holladay Preschool team. She has a degree in Human Development and has spent the last 31 years practicing and learning more about children’s development while she has been raising her seven children. Art, psychology, and cookie dough are some of her favorite things. She also loves to read, play games, and go on long walks.
“Children need a good foundation to succeed in school. At Holladay Preschool, we stress the need for age-appropriate activities by using teachers’ own ideas and creativity to make each class unique and special. Each day is varied and active to make learning fun.”
Linda has been teaching at Holladay Preschool for over a decade. She worked in the Jordan School District as a substitute teacher, a teacher’s aide, and reading specialist before coming to Holladay. Linda loves children’s books and is not afraid of a messy art project. She enjoys gardening and cooking with her children.
“If I can help a child to learn to make his own decisions and feel confident in those decisions, learn to be a good friend and to stand up for himself, to be kind and considerate to others, and learn to express himself positively, I know he will be off to a good start in his schooling.”
A fellow Holladay Preschool teacher brought Jessie to our door nearly a decade ago. She has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah. Jessie’s musical talents playing the piano often are applied in the classroom. She also enjoys reading and acting out stories for her students.
Sarah attended Utah State University where she majored in Elementary Education with a Fine Arts Emphasis. She taught second grade for seven years. She currently lives in Holladay with her husband, son and dog. Some of her favorite things include: art, crafting, traveling, children's books, and everything pumpkin spice in the fall season. She loves working with the preschool kids in enrichment. She hopes to help the children gain a love for learning, creating, exploring and discovering new things about themselves as learning.
Ali is a mom of 2, and former 2nd grade teacher. She now owns Pencil Box Art Studio where she teaches art classes for toddlers up to elementary kids. She loves art, color, reading, hiking, and being silly. Teaching is her life-long love!
