Our Faculty and Staff bring to UCCC their education, expertise, enthusiasm, and a love for children and teaching. They are committed to helping young children and their families grow and learn. Each teacher is responsible primarily for her own classroom of children, although there is collaboration and continuity between/among classes. Teachers keep families informed about their child and the child’s classroom through newsletters and calendars, spontaneous and planned conversations and meetings, and twice-yearly conferences where on-going informal and formal assessments and portfolios are shared. Our administrator facilitates communication and the work among families, teachers, and the Preschool Board of Directors.
Ms. Meagan, Dinosaur Teacher (4/5 class Mon/Tues/Fri)
Meagan Barkley
Meagan happily joined the UCCC team in 2013 to teach the Dinosaur class. Meagan and her husband Sam also joined UCCC as parents that same year, with the enrollment of their oldest daughter in the Bumblebee class! Both her girls, Ellie and Rowan, LOVED their time at UCCC preschool, and often still ask to visit and help out when they can! Meagan grew up in the Seattle area and taught there, after graduating in 2003 from Washington State University (GO COUGS) with a B.A. in Human Development: Early Childhood Education. She also lived and taught in Fresno, CA before moving to Missoula in 2009. Prior to becoming a teacher at UCCC, Meagan co-owned and operated Art and Garden Childcare and Preschool here in Missoula, and treasured the opportunity to spend time with her two young daughters before their time at UCCC began. In the classroom, Meagan is passionate about helping young children gain a lifelong love of school and fostering meaningful and long-lasting relationships between all children, families, and teachers. Meagan is so honored each day to witness the growth, joy and amazing abilities children bring to preschool and our greater community each day. Some of her favorite activities to do with children are in the sensory, block building, reading/language/literacy, and creative art centers. In her spare time, Meagan enjoys reading books and magazines, taking naps, baking, hiking and camping, playing tennis, exploring Montana, and, most importantly, making memories with her family and pets.
Ms. Annie, Ladybug Teacher (3/4 class Mon/Tues/Friday)
ANNIE DAVIS
Annie is delighted to be part of the UCCC Preschool teaching staff, having joined in 2019. Her knowledge and passion for early learning led her to complete degrees in both Elementary Education (B.A. from University of Montana) and Early Childhood Education (A.A. from University of Montana Western). Annie and her husband Ryan were thrilled to join UCCC as parents when their son, Rowan, attended the Ladybug class in 2018 and the Monkey class in 2019. Working alongside families to help children deepen their learning through meaningful, purposeful play is a cornerstone of her teaching style. She strives to create a warm and welcoming learning environment that allows children to explore their creativity, develop friendships, and learn new skills and levels of independence. She loves incorporating music into her teaching and has a song for just about every occasion! During her free time, you are sure to find her at a local coffee shop or bookstore, on a trail with friends, or at a park playing with her family.
Ms. Kelci, Bumblebee Teacher (3/4 class Wed/Thurs)
kelci kuntz
Kelci was beyond thrilled to join the UCCC team in 2020 as the Bumblebee teacher. As a former UCCC student herself she has had a love for this school for most of her life. Kelci knew from a young age that she someday wanted to teach young children and therefore she spent much of her time while growing up at UCCC. Through her work with Lunch Bunch and the former summer camp program, Kelci was influenced by all the great former and current teachers of this school. Kelci graduated from MSU with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Kelci taught at the Child Development Center in Bozeman before she and her husband moved back to Missoula in 2016. She worked as a nanny before having her oldest daughter and staying home with her for the last few years. Kelci is excited to be back teaching as she has missed it very much! In the classroom, Kelci strives to develop lasting relationships with the children and their families. She works hard to foster a lifelong love of learning through meaningful play, exploration and encouragement to try new things. Her favorite things about teaching young children is everything they have taught her and the way they see the world. In her free time you can find Kelci reading a book, going for a walk outside, or spending time at home with her husband and their three kids Hallie, Ella and Brendan, and their dog, Sven.
lisa firehammer
Lisa joined the teaching staff at UCCC in 2021. She served as a parent helper and substitute teacher when her youngest child was a Ladybug and Monkey, so she was excited to return to this welcoming, nurturing community. Lisa earned an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Eastern Washington University and a B.A. in journalism with a Spanish minor from UM. Her professional experience includes co-teaching first grade at Lowell Elementary School, supporting students as a Title One Reading Specialist for grades K-4 at Hawthorne Elementary School, and serving as a Family Resource Center Specialist at Hawthorne and Paxson schools. She also teaches in the Academic Success Program at the Lifelong Learning Center and leads parent-education workshops for Families First of Missoula. Lisa loves sharing her enthusiasm for books and music with students; exploring nature and the community together; and sharing in students' joy in learning. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, reading, watching movies, attending concerts and hiking.
Rhett Hoff- Preschool Administrator
Rhett joined the UCCC team as Administrator in 2018. Her two sons attended UCCC and the whole family loved their time here. Prior to moving to Montana from South Carolina, Rhett was the Operations Manager at a whitewater rafting company on the Chattooga River. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Biology and enjoys mountain biking, skiing, birding, teaching Oula, and all things involving rivers. Rhett is grateful to be at UCCC working with such a great community of teachers and parents.
Preschool Board of Directors 2023-2024
President: Laci Rathbun
Vice President: Megan Gran
Secretary: Kolleen Burreson
Treasurer: Erica LaPorte
Registrar: Renae Hill
Outreach: open
Maintenance: Joshua Page
Purchaser: Mary Hoyt
Member-at-Large: Brittany Wilson-Thompson