I am delighted to be the Preschool Director and part of an incredible preschool team here at Ben Franklin Academy. I believe that early learning is a great way to build the foundation of a child’s future by providing opportunities for development and growth. I encourage positive interactions and relationships with the parents and the children by providing all families with attention, acceptance, and affection.

“What did I want to be when I grew up?” The question we ask our little ones at the end of every school year at the age of 5! I can say that I have already known for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a teacher. I followed my dream and completed a degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood emphasis. My first teaching job took me on an adventure to Nevada, and after getting married, I moved to California and taught for another two years. Wanting to move closer back to home brought us to Colorado. I began an in-home licensed childcare business, so I could be home with my children and still be able to do what I love. After 23 years, I retired from childcare and desired to get back into the school setting. I was excited to step back into the classroom and begin teaching at Ben Franklin and then stepping into the Director’s role in

I was born and raised in North Dakota; I now consider Colorado my home as I have lived here for 28 years. I love it in Colorado as my husband, Adrian, and I have raised all three of our children here. My oldest daughter, Shelby, and son Sheldon are both in the real working world. My youngest, Shantell, is attending the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a teaching degree.

I am looking forward to another great school year to meet new families and welcome our returning families back for another fantastic year!

Melissa is so excited to be a part of the Ben Franklin Academy preschool team!  She lives in Littleton, Colorado with her husband Steve, and their 3 children, Brittain (22), Christian (14), and Rowan (11).  She enjoys watching her kids play sports, traveling with her family for her son’s lacrosse tournaments, walking her dogs, hiking, skiing, and spending time in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado with her family. She studied Elementary Education at the University of Kansas and has been in the education field off and on for over 20 years.  She began her career working as a parent educator for the Parents as Teachers program in Summit County.  She has been a preschool teacher, working in Head Start and Montessori classrooms.  She has also worked in the kindergarten classroom as an instructional aide for several years, including 4 years at BFA. She has such a strong passion for working with young children and is so excited to be involved in helping children succeed in the preschool classroom!

Shannon is excited to be teaching preschool for her 13th year at Ben Franklin Academy. Shannon went to the University of Northern Colorado and received a degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Elementary Education.  Having taught Pre-K, First Grade, Fifth Grade and Sixth Grade throughout her 20 plus years of teaching Shannon has a great understanding of the fundamentals that kids need.  Shannon has always had a passion for teaching and enjoys watching the growth that happens in a year.  

In her free time Shannon loves spending time with her family.  Shannon and her husband, Chris, a high school teacher and coach, have been married for 26 years.  They have two wonderful kids, Kiernan, a 22-year-old senior at UNC, and Kellen, a 19-year-old Freshman at CU!  

Shannon looks forward to welcoming her new Preschool families and helping to build a foundation for BFA students.

Lakshmi is very much excited to be part of Ben Franklin Academy, She has done her Bachelors in Electronics Engineering and is very much fond of teaching. Lakshmi has a good amount of experience as a preschool teacher. Lakshmi has been married to her husband Sumanth Ragi and they have a little boy together. Lakshmi likes to travel and explore new places and cultures. She is also proficient in cooking. She is looking forward to assisting the preschool kids to enrich their goals and growth.

Amy is so excited to be joining the preschool staff at Ben Franklin Academy! Amy holds a BA in Communication from the University of Colorado. Having spent the last ten years volunteering at her kids’ school, and loving it, she decided to pursue a career in the classroom. Amy has been married to her husband Chris for 16 years and have three wonderful children together. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, and spending time with her family. She is looking forward to helping kids grow academically, socially, and emotionally!