Our Staff

Sam P

Owner / Partner

ScuttleBugs has been quite the labor of love, and that’s why Sam often refers to our center as her third child! In fact, ScuttleBugs was created out of necessity when she started a family of her own, and just wasn’t satisfied with the childcare options available.

Her career spans 30 years encompassing all manner of roles such as neighborhood babysitter, English teacher abroad, teacher’s aide, Team Lead, Assistant to Regional Manager, and Center Purchasing Manager. Sam was able to hone her skills under the mentorship umbrella of Universal Childcare, now “Only About Children”, the premier childcare company in Australia.

The ScuttleBugs crew get a real kick out of learning wacky Aussie expressions such as “chuck a sickie” (time off work pretending to be sick), “dag” (look it up – basically a slob), and she insists we refer to the snacks we serve as morning and afternoon tea on the menu – admittedly it does sound fancier.

Her other titles include Resident Queen Bee and Jill of all trades, master of none! Budding ornithologist, whose other hobbies include sleeping, aromatherapy, and dancing with her boys to 80’s music. Her secret past time is sharing her mad origami skills by leaving a toilet paper hospitality fold in random public bathrooms, although this Grasshopper has yet to master “the fan” (think serviette/napkin in a posh restaurant).

But behind it all, Sam is a strong advocate as well as serious student of early childhood development. She follows developments close to home and around the world and her opinions are always insightful. You can read her ongoing thoughts and research – and occasionally some of the kiddies stuff that makes us weep with laughter – here.

Chef Liam

Kitchen Manager

Living things need nourishment in order to thrive. At ScuttleBugs Boulder, it is our Chef Liam who orchestrates a daily symphony of flavors that has our little foodies coming back for seconds.

Chef Liam believes that it is important to introduce children from a young age to a well balanced menu and also different cuisines, ingredients, and dishes from around the world. In doing so he hopes they will learn from an early age the importance of what we eat and also start to acquire enjoyment of different foods plus the social aspects of eating together. In his own words, “the opportunity to introduce kids to the world of new food at a young age is a unique and fun challenge. Providing fun, nutrient and tasty foods at such an important time of life is an honor.”

With his BA in Film, Mr. Liam provides food for both bodies and minds: he just published his first book in summer 2024! …

Karen E

Infant Lead Teacher

With over 40 years of experience working with children of all ages, Ms. Karen is a sage care teacher in ECE. Trained in Conscious Discipline, Karen brings a creative, joyful presence to ScuttleBugs Boulder (read “artsy craftsy”) — and she insists this has never felt like a “job.” As she puts it, “This is the easiest work I’ve ever done—because it’s so rewarding.”

Karen’s goal is simple but profound: to make every child laugh. She delights in their smiles, celebrates their accomplishments, and treasures the moments spent reading and singing with them. Her nurturing heart extends to every corner of the classroom.

When she’s not at ScuttleBugs, Karen enjoys reading, crocheting, gardening, and soaking up the outdoors. Fun fact: she lived on a sailboat for six years—talk about adventure! She’s also a proud mom of four and grandmother to nine, and we’re pretty sure her superpower is making children (and grow

Amber G

Infant Teacher

Ms. Amber brings a calm energy, warmth, and a deep sense of curiosity to her work at ScuttleBugs Boulder. An experienced mom of 3, she sees every day as a chance to learn something new—not just for the children, but for herself as well. Amber believes in developing a foundation built on individual and group connection, support, and shared discovery.

Her philosophy? “It takes a village.” And she means it. Amber is passionate about supporting families and fostering strong, trust-filled relationships. She believes children thrive when surrounded by a caring community—both inside and outside the classroom.

Always up for an adventure, Amber loves exploring, whether it’s a new hiking trail or just a fresh perspective on a neighborhood walk. She’s also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants, cooking experiments, and chatting with just about anyone—because sometimes a simple smile and “hello” can turn someone’s entire day around.

Amy F

Infant / Toddler ECT

Ms. Amy with BA and MA & Co-teaching license, has been in early childhood education for over 20 years, teaching from infant age to elementary school. She loves working with younger children particularly because she “loves their innocence in experiencing things for the first time. Seeing their “aha” moments, watching them grow, develop, and reach milestones is a very motivational part of the early childhood educator’s job!”

Ms. Amy values highly the trust parents put in early childhood teachers when they partner with us for their child’s welfare. This relationship of trust is built with daily communication, says Ms. Amy. “I value trust, communication, cooperation and care.”

Ms. Amy has 2 dogs named Poppy & Blossom. Every fall the travel to Trinidad CO each fall for the Spaghetti and Western festival. In her free time, you can see Ms. Amy reading cozy mysteries or

learning to knit. She also likes baking and once she even won the 1^st prize in a pie contest with her Apple Pie!

Cheyenne C

Room 3

Ms. Cheyenne brings energy and creativity to our room 3! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and History, a Credential 3.0 Level 2 Lead Teacher certificate, and has experience of potty training, lesson planning, and helping little ones grow in confidence and independence.

“I love working with kids because I love watching them develop their autonomy and personalities,” she says. Her teaching philosophy centers on letting children explore and learn on their own, with safety remaining the priority of course. She also considers partnering with parents crucial to help toddlers build independence in their daily routines and learning.

Outside of ScuttleBugs, Ms. Cheyenne is a Mini-Verse collector and builder, loves to read and write, and enjoys hiking with her German Shepherd-husky, Avalanche. Fun fact: she had been a competitive cheerleader for eight years!

Rachael E

Room 5&6

Ms. Rachael has called Boulder County, Colorado home for most of her life—and with her love for camping, collecting unique rocks and seashells, and exploring the outdoors, it’s easy to see why. When she’s not on the trails or at a live music show, you’ll likely find her creating abstract art or planning her next adventure.

Ms. Rachael earned her B.A. from MSU Denver in Cultural Perspectives in Learning, and holds a Level 4, Credential 3.0 on the PDIS. With over 9 years of experience in early childhood education she brings both heart and depth to the classroom.

Her teaching philosophy is child-centered and play-based, grounded in the belief that children learn best when they’re having fun. She loves watching little ones discover the world and finds excitement in every moment of their growth. Ms. Rachael also values open communication with parents, knowing that “strong partnerships help children thrive”.

Jannel G

Teacher

(Ms. Jannel’s portrait by junior artist in residence “Van”)

Ms. Jannel has spent years wrangling little humans from 4 months to 5 years old. Whether as a teacher, aide, breaker, or floater, she has mastered the art of multitasking, from boosting motor skills and sparking curiosity to ensuring snack time runs smoother than a well-oiled tricycle.

A hard worker and a kid at heart, Ms. Jannel believes in delivering top-tier “customer service” to the tiny VIPs in her care. She’s always eager to lend a hand, learn new things, and ensure every child has a joyful, safe space to grow.

When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll likely find Ms. Jannel on the field, court, or any place where a sport is being played—especially soccer. She also enjoys drawing and painting, with dreams of becoming an art teacher one day.

Fun facts: Even in an era dominated by automatic transmissions, she still “drives a stick”; she has also mastered a “party trick” since she was a child, and just recently found out that it is actually a minor shoulder dislocation—don’t try this at home!

Tae M

Assistant Teacher

Fresh out of Holy Family High School (Class of ’22!), Miss Thae is already making waves in the early childhood world while pursuing her dreams of becoming the next great American writer – she’s currently studying Creative Writing in college!

Don’t let her youth fool you – this dynamo has already packed in 3 years of professional kiddo-wrangling experience, primarily with our wonderful wobbly walkers (aka toddlers).

When it comes to her teaching philosophy, Miss Thae doesn’t hold back: “I believe my purpose on this earth is to help children reach their full potential!” (Now that’s what we call dedication!) She’s all about building those precious bonds with both tiny humans and their grown-ups, because it takes a village, right?

Outside the classroom, you might find her managing her dog’s budding TikTok career (move over, influencers!), crushing it on the co-ed softball field with her sister during summer seasons, or embarking on spontaneous driving adventures.

Angela B

Lead Floater & Admin/Classroom Support

Ms. Angela is a responsive, flexible, and dependable presence with all the infants and young children, in every classroom at ScuttleBugs Boulder. With almost a decade of experience supporting children from six weeks to six years, her heart lies with the littlest learners—helping them meet milestones, form bonds, and grow in a nurturing environment.

She believes trust is everything—both with the children and their families. “When parents know their child is safe, supported, and loved,” Angela says, “they can breathe easier—and that trust becomes a partnership.” She finds immense joy in those quiet breakthroughs: a baby’s first steps, a toddler learning new words, or a child reaching out for a familiar hand (or hug).

Angela’s interests include playing with her two cats, junk journaling, painting, and indulging in a good TV show. She’s a proud plant mom (houseplants galore!) and has a deep love for elephants.

Ola I

Teacher's Aide

Ola joins us with the boundless energy of a pre-med college student and the seasoned nerves of someone who has nannied children aged 0 to 10. Having navigated the chaos of everything from newborn nap schedules to the complex negotiations of a preschooler, she is well-versed in maintaining a safe, nurturing, and fun environment.

Ola is CPR certified, though she prefers to use her skills for more “standard” heroics—like helping a toddler master a spoon or witnessing that “lightbulb moment” when a child develops a new bit of confidence. She firmly believes every child deserves a baseline of love, support, and happiness, and she considers it a genuine privilege to be part of their developmental journey.

A hair and makeup enthusiast and a self-proclaimed foodie, Ola maintains an ambitious bucket list of restaurants that she fully intends to conquer.

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