Teachers and Staff
Staff
Fun Fact: Our staff of 13 has a combined total of 111 years of experience working at Cross of Christ and 223 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education!
My name is Amy Goodmanson and I have had a passion for working with children for as long as I can remember. Through the years I have had incredible mentors, coaches, and colleagues who have helped shape who I am and what I believe.
For the past 20+ years that I have worked in Early Childhood Education, I have had the privilege of working with young children from birth through age 6 and their families, and what I love most is watching how much children learn, grow, and change while they develop trusting relationships with their caregivers. I strongly believe that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher, and teachers, staff and parents are partners in a child’s education.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Colorado Denver. I started working at Cross of Christ Preschool and Kindergarten in 2009 as the Assistant Director, and became the director in 2017. It has been a blessing and a joy to lead a team of amazing early childhood professionals, and I look forward to continuing our journey as we learn and grow together.
My husband is a high school music teacher and we have two daughters. As I continue my lifelong journey of growing in my faith, family, and career, I am constantly reminded that I am blessed beyond measure.
My name is Carlen McGregor and I have been working as the bookkeeper at Cross of Christ Preschool and Kindergarten since 2009. I attended CU and worked in oil and gas accounting for 13 years prior to having children. My two children attended Cross of Christ preschool and it was a wonderful experience for both of them. The philosophy of the school as well as the loving and caring atmosphere are the two major contributing factors that drew me to this school. I enjoy working with young children and volunteer in the 4-year-old room at the church I attend. My family and I enjoy hiking, camping and playing disc golf.
My name is Michelle Thornhill and I am a pediatric Physical Therapist who teaches Movement and Music here at Cross of Christ as well as three-year-olds. A native to Colorado, I grew up in Boulder and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Health Sciences Center to get my master’s in Physical Therapy. I had the great fortune to spend nearly 18 years working at The Children’s Hospital in nearly every department, helped establish the International Adoption Clinic, and provided Early Intervention services in the home for many families with children Birth to 3. I came to Cross of Christ in 2011 to help consult with teachers and never left. I am fascinated by children’s growth and development as well as watching children learn and have found my role here to be very fulfilling.
I have been married to my husband Joel for 19 years and we have two teenage daughters (Megan and Lindsay) and two dogs (Bella and Mayzie). I have a love for children, animals, ancestry and like to spend my free time with family, gardening, scrapbooking or reading.
3 year old Teachers
My name is Bianca Kozloski. I am a Colorado native, and I have always had a passion for working with children. I received my undergraduate degree in Communications at Regis University where I played softball. After working in higher education for a few years I returned to the University of Denver and earned my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction as part of the Denver Teacher Residency Program.
I taught in Denver Public Schools for six years before I started Mindful Moments Tutoring. I work with students K-8 in all subjects. I also am Orton-Gillingham certified and a Dyslexia Advocate.
I was referred to Cross of Christ by a friend of mine as I was searching for a preschool for my son DJ. As fate would have it, we found a second home at Cross of Christ. DJ has had a magical experience, and I have found so much joy in teaching the 2.5-year-olds.
In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time with my family, playing sports,and being outdoors.
Hello my name is Carin Poe and love being a teacher at Cross of Christ Preschool. I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education (K-6). I earned my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado Denver and I hold a certificate in early literacy through UCD as well. Previously I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade as well as early childhood. I love the warm, welcoming environment of Cross of Christ. It is a wonderful place where children can grow, learn and explore.
I greatly enjoy seeing the joy and delight in children as they gain new knowledge and skills. In my free time I enjoy reading, photography, crafts, travel and spending time with my family.
My name is Kelli Markham. I grew up in Florida and lived there for 25 years. I then moved to Tennessee for a few years before moving back to beautiful Colorado in 2007! I currently live in North Thornton with my husband Jesse and 2 children Harry and Allie. Harry is 12 and Allie is 9. We also have a cat named Pearl, a hamster named Coconut and several fish.
I have a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of South Florida. Before teaching I handled multi level injury claims for a large auto insurance company.
I started my career in education as a guest teacher with the Adams 12 school district in 2012. In 2016 I became a classroom aid at my children’s preschool in Thornton. In 2019 I enrolled at Front Range Community College to obtain a certificate in Early Childhood Education. This will be my 5th year as a lead teacher in a preschool classroom.
My goal as your child’s teacher is to create a warm and inviting environment that your child can explore and learn through play.
When I’m not teaching I do a lot of volunteering with my kids’ various activities. I’m a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s troop and I do a lot of volunteer hours in the summer for my children’s swim team. I also love to garden and travel with my family.
My name is Mary Hoyland and I’m excited to be a teacher at Cross of Christ Preschool.
Three of my five children attended Cross of Christ Preschool and it always felt like a big family, with the teachers as well as other student’s families. I joined the Preschool team in 2017 as a substitute teacher and helped with the Lunch Bunch program. In 2019, I became a teacher for the 3 year olds (3 day program).
I earned my BS in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. I have spent numerous hours volunteering within the preschool, and elementary schools that my children attended. I have also held several volunteer positions for Boy Scouts of America (from Den Leader – until my son aged out, to most currently the Pack Activity Coordinator for a Pack of nearly 100 scouts).
I grew up in Colorado, and after graduating from CSU I moved to England where I previously met my husband. We started our family in the UK and after 10 years we decided to move back “home”. Our 5 kids (John (18), Nathan (16), Madeleine (14), Elliott (12) and Grace (7)) keep us busy with all their activities.
4 year old Teachers
My name is Bonnie Cleary and I teach 4 year olds on M/T/Th. I am native to Colorado, growing up in the Arvada area. I currently live in Erie with my husband Steve, and our 2 children, Benjamin and Emily. Ben just graduated from high school, and is hoping to join the workforce soon. Emily is 15 and a sophomore in high school.
Teaching is actually my second career, my first being in health care. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Metropolitan State University with a Human Services degree. With this I started working as a Medical Assistant in OB/GYN and Pediatrics, which I did for 10 years. I then took a few years off to be home with our children. Both of my children attended Cross of Christ Preschool, and it was during this time that I began subbing at our school. I also worked in the nursery during Sunday services, where I discovered that I loved working with young children. I then decided to go back to college, and enrolled at Front Range Community College in the Early Childhood Program. I graduated and am Early Childhood and Kindergarten certified. I began working at a full time childcare center, but missed the smaller community feel of Cross of Christ.
Since returning I have facilitated the lunch bunch program, worked as a substitute teacher, was the snack preparer and assistant teacher, and for the past few years have been a lead teacher for 4 year olds. As your child’s teacher I will create a safe and fun environment where children feel comfortable exploring and learning. I will strive to form a partnership with you and your child as they learn and experience new things.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, watching sports especially the Avs and Rockies, and spending time with my family.
My name is Carolann Ellingson and I am one of the 4 year old teachers here at Cross of Christ Preschool. I am originally from upstate NY but have lived in Colorado since 2002. I received my undergrad in Early Childhood Psychology and my Masters in Elementary
Education. I have worked with children of all ages from infancy through school age. I am very passionate about all aspects of children’s learning and development, especially when it relates to nurturing growth in early childhood milestones. The 4 year old have always been my favorite ages to teach!
My husband and I recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and we have 2 boys ages 15 and 10. As a family we enjoy traveling, hiking, camping, watching movies, and playing games. In my free time when I am not chasing my boys between sporting events I also enjoy cooking, reading, watching football, and spoiling my animals.
It was clear from my 1 st time being at this preschool that it holds a special place in many
families’ hearts. This is a wonderful community and I am very happy to be a part of it.
My name is Regina Gillies and I’ve been teaching since 1991—mostly lively and curious third graders. I recently retired from Adams 12 Five Star Schools and traded in my whiteboard for circle time and centers! My passion for working with children is still going strong, and I’m so excited to be part of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten team.
I am a Colorado native, who graduated from The University of Northern Colorado. When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m a proud mom to two amazing grown kids—Lauren and Joe—and a happy grandma to two adorable little ones under the age of two. I love playing with my grandchildren and soaking up every moment with them.
I also enjoy coffee and lunch with friends, long walks with my sweet dog Waffle (who loves to chase bunnies and squirrels) reading, and curling up on the couch to watch a good drama on Hulu or Netflix. I’m so glad to be part of this warm, welcoming preschool community and look forward to a year full of fun, learning, and laughter!
Kindergarten
My name is Bilette Kulhanek and I grew up in the mountains here in Colorado. I currently live in north Thornton with my husband David and 2 of our 3 children. Nathan is 17 and Grace is 12. Our oldest daughter, Katrina, lives in Colorado Springs.
I began my college education at CU in Boulder. I finished with a BA in Psychology with an emphasis on Child Growth and Development at George Mason University in Virginia. I also have 28 hours of Early Childhood Classes from Red Rock Community College.
My career in Education began in a small Infant Center in Boulder. Since then, I have worked with children of all ages in public and private child care centers, Jefferson County Preschools, and was invited to help open and teach at the child care center at Red Rocks Community College. During my time at Jefferson County and Red Rocks my classrooms were often models of quality for college students in the Early Childhood programs at the college.
I took a break for awhile to foster/adopt our oldest daughter and ended up home for 16 years raising my own children. As my children got older I found myself missing my young friends. I came to Cross of Christ looking to substitute, but they needed a teacher. This will be my 3rd year at the school and I have loved being back in the classroom.
My goal in my classroom is that every child feels welcomed and loved. I strive to create a warm, friendly, safe, and fun environment where children are comfortable exploring and learning.
In my free time I like a good book, cooking, gardening, camping, and traveling.