Our Creative Crew
The relationships that our teachers develop with you and your children are the cornerstone of our success!
At Creative Imaginations, we invest a considerable amount of time and resources toward the recruitment, training, and development of our employees. We take great pride in our employees' performance and commitment to the education and care of your children.
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To be considered for employment, an applicant must pass an enhanced criminal background check through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. They must also be current with Pediatric CPR and First Aid training. Pediatric First Aid and CPR must be renewed every 2 years and background checks must be renewed every 5 years. Upon hire, a trainee is placed on a 60-day trial period and if new to early education, they are required to commit to a yearlong training period to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).
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Our center participates in the Professional Development System through the IdahoSTARS program. This program provides us with resources to assist our staff in securing scholarships to obtain a CDA, Technical Certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelor Degree in early childhood education. All lead teachers are required to hold a CDA.
All employees take 20 hours of professional development each year in:
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Business Practices
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Child Development
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Environments
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Curriculum & Instruction
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Health, Safety & Wellness
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Partnerships with Families & Communities
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Inclusion & Diversity
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​Our employees stay with us on average for at least 3+ years! Several of our teachers have earned teaching degrees and successfully gained employment with local school districts. We are very proud of them!
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Meet Our Team
Cofounder / Happily Retired!
~Linda
​​"Creative Imaginations has been an absolute labor of love. I have truly been so blessed to be able to work alongside my daughter caring for so many children over the years. The friendships we have developed with the families are so cherished.
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My husband and I are now enjoying our retirement. We love to camp and travel. We're becoming reacquainted with old friends, and we love spending time with our family."
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Cofounder / Director
~Stacey
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Cofounded Creative Imaginations 2013
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Bachelor of Business Administration Degree
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Director Credential 2023
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Child Development Associate Credential 2023
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Appointed to ICCP Advisory Panel 2024
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IdahoSTARS Professional Development Restructure
Group 2024
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IdahoSTARS Steps to Quality Restructure Group 2024
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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Mentorship Program for West Ada School District
Career Technical Education (CTE) Early Childhood
Education (ECE) Student Interns 2024
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233+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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88+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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15+ Years Teaching Experience
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25+ Years Childcare Experience
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"There is truth in the saying, “Do what you love, and you will feel like you have never worked a day in your life.” My path through my entire adult life has led to this. What an incredible blessing to be a part of Creative Imaginations! I love what I do and am so grateful for everyone that has had a hand in helping to make this dream come true.
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My life is all about family: my Creative Imaginations family and my own. I am married to the most amazing man, and we have four incredible children. We spend endless hours together enjoying our favorite pastimes: camping, boating, playing in the snow, chasing our children to all their sporting events and spending time with family and friends!"
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Administrative & Teaching Support Specialist
~Natalyn
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2021
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Child Development Associate Credential 2024
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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152+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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15+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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3+ Years Teaching Experience
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6+ Years Childcare Experience
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​"I've been interested in working with children ever since I was little. I feel intrigued to watch and learn the way children develop. I've learned that children's minds at these young ages are so vast and imaginative. They're extremely curious and there is no limit to what they can learn. It's all about that glow in their eyes when they see or experience something new that keeps me in this position. I feel honored to be a part of the Creative Crew.
I am the only daughter of 4 siblings. My mom and dad are my biggest supports. They have taught me to work hard for what I want, be empathetic towards others, and to be honest. My brothers have taught me to be strong, independent, and to always stand up for myself.
Some of my hobbies include, going on nature walks, photography, shopping and hanging out with my family and friends."
Education Support Specialist
~Heather
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2018
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Child Development Associate Credential 2023
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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156+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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34+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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13+ Years Teaching Experience
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35+ Years Childcare Experience
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"I am a mother of four sons, a mother in law and a grandma to two grandsons.
As the oldest of five kids, my experience in caring for children began at a young age. I started my first job working after school in a child care center when I was 16.
My favorite pastime is reading and creating photo books of my family photos. I also enjoy road-trips and scrolling Pinterest for new preschool ideas.
As part of the Creative Crew, I am happy to work where a strong teaching and childcare philosophy matches my own ideals on nurturing and preparing children for kindergarten."
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Culinary Care Specialist
~Maria
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Creative Crew Member 2022
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Food handler Certificate
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12+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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40+ Years Meal Planning & Prepping
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30+ Years Childcare Experience
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Bilingual - Spanish & some English
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"Bio coming soon!"
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Totschool Teacher
~Evonie
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2020
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Child Development Associate Credential 2023
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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150+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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33+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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4+ Years Teaching Experience
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12+ Years Childcare Experience
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Bilingual - English & Spanish
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​"I am a mother to a beautiful little girl. Together, we have a kitten and numerous plants. Before having my daughter, I wasn't sure what my life was destined for, but now there is no doubt in my mind that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I love what I do and consider it more than a job.
I feel extremely blessed to be a part of so many children's lives. I consider every one of my past and present students to be a part of my family. Although I am a teacher of so many wonderful little humans, it's the children who are teaching me new life lessons every day. They have taught me how to be a better human being.
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Children are full of compassion, love, and kindness. They remind me every day of the importance of slowing down and being present in the moment. My job has given me insight into the importance of early childhood development and has blessed me with the knowledge to become a better mom. Creative Imaginations is more than a school, we are a forever family."
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Assistant Totschool Teacher
​Will Be Hiring Soon!
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Prek Teacher
~Olivia
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2021
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Child Development Associate Credential 2024
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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124+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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30+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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3+ Years Teaching Experience
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6+ Years Childcare Experience
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Bilingual - English & Spanish
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"All of my life I have been told that I should become a teacher. I grew up being the "babysitter" of the family and of my parents' friends. My litter brother was born when I was 8 and I took on a bigger role with kids. I fell in love with taking care of him and watching all the stages of his growth.
I have always loved helping and teaching people. However, I rejected the idea of becoming a teacher at first, as my hobbies being guitar, art and photography - I thought those were what I wanted to pursue. Once I got hired at Creative Imaginations as a floater when I was 16, it honestly and truly changed my direction in life. I discovered an even deeper passion for teaching young children and realized that it is what I am meant to do.
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I love seeing the pure curiosity and excitement in these kid's eyes. I want to do everything I can to help kids learn! I am grateful that I am even able to incorporate my hobbies of art and photography in it as well. It never feels like a day at work when I am at Creative Imaginations!
I am grateful for my parents for being my biggest supporters and for setting me on the path of becoming a teacher."
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Prek Teacher
~Mikayla
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2023
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Child Development Associate Credential 2024
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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148+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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13+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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1+ Years Teaching Experience
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2+ Years Childcare Experience
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​"I decided I wanted to work in childcare when I realized that I have basically only grown up around kids. I have 4 little sisters and because I'm the oldest, I've always been the designated built-in babysitter:) I love working in childcare because I have been able to see the impact I have on these tiny minds! That is so inspiring and so rewarding! Teaching kids everyday has helped me to grow into a better teacher:) I have been so grateful and blessed to be able to come into a job where everyone treats everyone with kindness and love. Our first priorities are the children and making sure that they hit all their milestones before we send them off to kindergarten! Watching their creative imaginations is so fascinating! They inspire me to be better and have taught me how to be more patient and compassionate and caring. They've also taught me how to think outside the box and they test my knowledge everyday with all their little questions:)
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A little bit about me, I'm 23 years old and I have a husky named Tundra and he is the absolute love of my life. I moved to Idaho about 3 years ago by myself and I have not regretted the move at all! It has been the best decision in my whole life, and I wouldn't change a thing. Moving here has taught me how to be independent and it has been so fulfilling. Some things I like to do whenever I have free time is spend time with my dog, relax and unwind with a good movie or a book, and in the summer, you can always find me in a body of water!"
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Preschool Teacher
~Leticia
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2022
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Child Development Associate Credential 2023
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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205+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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37+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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2+ Years Teaching Experience
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10+ Years Childcare Experience
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Bilingual - English & Spanish
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​​"I find joy in working with children. I love fostering their creative imaginations with daily activities that help them develop and grow into happy children!
Growing up, I had an amazing childhood and preschool was one of my favorite memories. I enjoyed the friends I made and all the learning. I absolutely loved my preschool teacher and to this day when I see her, I give her a big hug! I hope to not only teach, but to touch the hearts of every child I interact with."
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Preschool Teacher
~Chris
IdahoSTARS Professional Specialty Badges Earned:
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Creative Crew Member 2022
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Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
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Child Development Associate Credential 2023
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Pyramid Model Participant 2024
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West Ada School District CTE ECE Student Intern
Mentor 2024
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183+ IdahoSTARS Training Hours
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32+ Professional Development Coaching Hours
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40+ Years Teaching Experience
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40+ Years Childcare Experience
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"I have always loved working with and being around children. I volunteered in our church nursery and worked as an assistant director at YMCA for a children's performance group "Sunshine Generation".
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I have two daughters that I raised on my own and when I met my husband, I gained 5 bonus kids! We then had 1 child together. I now have 8 children and 9 grandchildren!
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For years I was stuck at a job that I hated working in an office. I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of Creative Imaginations. Now I love coming to work and being able to help shape little minds. These children amaze me every day! I really do believe that each child has a different way of learning and I love that I get the chance to help them along the way and also to learn from them.
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In my spare time, I am usually spending time with my 14 year old daughter or crafting with my Cricut!"
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Staff Testimonials
