Our Staff
Nichole has worked in early education for over 15 years combined as an assistant teacher, teacher, an elementary school substitute, as well as an Early Interventionist working with children with special needs. She is now stepping into the Director Role at Small Oaks. She has her MS and BS in Psychology with a concentration on early childhood, and has been a Program Director for Adult Day Health Care Centers as well as a Social Work Assistant, she has worked with both children and adults with special needs and very much enjoys the Early Childhood Development environment.
Nichole and her husband, Zach, have two daughters. Their oldest is a middle schooler at Heritage Christian Academy and is active in sports and Drama, as well as music and playing the guitar. Their youngest daughter is a fourth grader at Heritage Christian Academy, and has a rare genetic disorder called SATB2 Associated Syndrome and loves to keep her family on their toes!
Mrs. Nichole loves to spend her spare time with her family, camping, reading and studying the Bible. She also volunteers as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator and loves to teach and take Bible Studies. She has been attending Dayspring Christian Church since moving to Colorado in 2013. Mrs. Nichole has a few favorite chapters in the Bible – Ephesians 6 and Romans 8 are among her top favorites!
Her favorite verse is John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth, for Your Word is Truth!”
Nichole and her husband, Zach, have two daughters. Their oldest is a middle schooler at Heritage Christian Academy and is active in sports and Drama, as well as music and playing the guitar. Their youngest daughter is a fourth grader at Heritage Christian Academy, and has a rare genetic disorder called SATB2 Associated Syndrome and loves to keep her family on their toes!
Mrs. Nichole loves to spend her spare time with her family, camping, reading and studying the Bible. She also volunteers as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator and loves to teach and take Bible Studies. She has been attending Dayspring Christian Church since moving to Colorado in 2013. Mrs. Nichole has a few favorite chapters in the Bible – Ephesians 6 and Romans 8 are among her top favorites!
Her favorite verse is John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth, for Your Word is Truth!”
After many years of teaching 3-5-year-olds at church, Miss Kara joined Small Oaks Christian Preschool in 2022. She loves being a part of the early development and education that the kids receive at Small Oaks. Her motto is, “intentional, but flexible!”
Kara and her husband, Joe, (both Colorado natives!) have been married for 26 years and have two kids. Their son (a junior) plays soccer at the University of Northwestern St. Paul in Minnesota. Their daughter is a freshman at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.
In her spare time, Kara loves to read, play with her dog – Husker, and teach/discuss apologetics with her friends and the ladies at church. She has been a member of Dayspring Christian Church for 38 years and Joe is a worship leader here.
One of Miss Kara’s favorite Bible verses is 1 Peter 3:15, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” Her favorite verse for the teachers at Small Oaks is John 17:17, “Sanctify them in THE truth, for Your Word is truth!”
Hello! I’m Miss Deborah, and I am excited to begin the school year with your kiddos! I received my bachelor’s degree from UNC, Greeley, in Elementary Education in 2006 with a minor in music. I play both the violin and piano and find that music is a great way to teach.
I went on to work in pre-school with a special needs student and from there moved to Colorado Springs and spent the next several years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in Harrison School District 2. I moved back to Northern Colorado in 2015 and returned to school.
I received a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2017 and have worked with medically high-needs students, accompanying them to school, as well as assisting with their education. I continue to assist students in the Thompson School District to attend school while simultaneously caring for their medical needs. I am an active member of my church, Day Spring Christian Church in Ft. Collins, where I volunteer in the nursery throughout the summer.
I have three amazing children, 15, 12, and 7 years old, who attend Heritage Christian Academy in Ft. Collins. It is my greatest blessing to be their mother and disciple them as they grow in the Lord and maturity. My favorite bible verse is John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” And Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men."
Whether it’s teaching academics, playing music, or nursing those in need, I find great joy in serving those around me with love, compassion, integrity, and kindness.
Miss Kristin has followed a roundabout path into the world of teaching tiny
humans. I first obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geological Engineering at
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Shortly before graduation, I married my
husband Brad and shortly after graduation we moved to Colorado. We have been
married for 24 years! I worked as an engineer before taking a harder job as a full time
stay at home mom of my two kids who are now a sophomore attending University of
South Dakota and a senior at Liberty Common High School. While staying home I
volunteered many hours running the nursery, teaching baby Sunday school class and
Wee Worship, and teaching 5/6 th grade Sunday school at Dayspring. I also spent many
hours volunteering in K-4 th grade classrooms at Liberty Common. This volunteering
eventually led to me subbing at Liberty and eventually because I wanted a set schedule,
teaching the 4/5s class at Small Oaks. I was lead teacher for this class for 6 years
before taking a year off to explore what it was like not getting sick so much, but I
missed the kids and those college bills just don’t stop coming so I am back and excited
to be the Assistant teacher in both the 4/5s and the 3/4s. I enjoy spending time with my
family, attending high school sporting events, visiting friends and family in the Black
Hills and crocheting.
One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, But
the LORD directs his steps.” Maybe that path isn’t so roundabout after all!
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This is my first year, (2025), at Small Oaks Christian Preschool as the Jr. K Assistant Teacher and I am so excited to be here! I love children and have worked with them my whole life. It is my favorite thing to help them thrive in every area. My experience includes raising two children from birth to adulthood, which was always full of laughter and adventures! Also, many years of working in facility daycare, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and volunteering in Poudre School District and other organizations. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education Theory from Colorado Christian University. Although I also have a business background, God led me to my dream job of being able to teach children and help them learn about the Lord and the Bible. Children make every day full of joy and blessings! One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." I enjoy hiking and being active outdoors, spending time with family and friends, learning new things, and volunteering at favorite organizations.