Elaine McCarthy Teaching Director

I began at the Children’s House Preschool as the Assistant Director in 1992, and became the Teaching Director in 1994. My educational background is a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College, Salem Massachusetts. I completed my degree in England where I taught kindergarten and studied the British Infant Methodology system. I have been working with twelve preschool directors once a month since 1994 for professional development and collaboration of early childhood techniques and resources. I have written grants each year since 1994 for the purpose of expanding the opportunity for all children to attend a quality early childhood program. I have completed my course work for a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education at the University of Colorado. Teaching is an honor and a passion. In 2010 I was honored to be awarded “Educator of the Year” by the Boulder County branch of the National Association for Education of the Young Child (NAEYC).

All of our staff complete at least 15 hours of professional development workshops annually.

Michael Knuckey Business Director

Michael Knuckey came to America from Australia in 1994 where he was completing Bachelors Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Business Management. He started working as a volunteer teacher in preschools in 1999, when his son, Alex, was 3 years old. Before starting at Children’s House, Michael had worked as a chef for 17 years and had been employed both teaching cooking, and as a private caterer. He is an accomplished artist who has had work on show in museums in Aspen and Santa Barbara . He loves to paint, and has decorated many a child’s bedroom with murals. Apart from classes in Early Childhood Education, Michael has also taken classes in art, sculpture, painting, psychology and children’s literature. Michael has been with Children’s House since 2005 and works in all aspects of the school. He lends his art expertise to the class in both the projects and the decoration of the room, he uses his computer and business knowledge to run the office and administration side of the school, and draws upon his talents to work with the children as a teacher. Alex now 14 years old, works as a volunteer at Children’s House, reading to the children on mornings when he has a later start at school. Michael is a qualified Director and Early Childhood Educator, and has Level Two credential as a Early Childhood Professional.

Melissa Carter, Full-Time Teacher

Melissa is originally from Santa Cruz, CA and moved to Boulder in 1991 where she cultivated her career as a sports & fitness model. After 9 years in Boulder she and her husband Kelly moved to Kona, Hawaii and soon started their family. Their daughter Blake was born in 2001 and Melissa gave up modeling to become a full-time mother. During Blake’s first year Melissa started an in-home childcare business where she discovered her passion for caring for children. Three years later their son Quincey was born and they decided to return to Boulder to be closer to Kelly’s family. Kelly and Melissa are former CHP parents, as both Blake and Quincey graduated from CHP. Melissa adds a unique introspection to our program, as she has experienced our program from the parent’s perspective first. She has integral knowledge of the “Storybook Journey” our 3-dimensional recycled art program and the importance we place on our children’s dictated stories. Melissa has been completing her ECE education at Front Range Community college for the last two years and has received her Early Childhood Educator credential. Melissa and her family enjoy, camping, biking, swimming, hiking and being with their friends.

Jen Swezey Part-time Teacher

Jen Swezey was born and raised in Weston, Connecticut. She attended the University of Tampa, AZ, for 2 years then transferred to the University of Colorado in 1988 where she studied studio arts and political science. She has lived in Boulder for 18years, and is the mother of 2 children; Edie 12 and Gabe 7. Jen has volunteered in both of her children’s classrooms from pre-school to the present. Before having children, Jen was a nanny for 4 years, a professional chef, a daycare provider in her home for elementary aged children. For the past 4 years, Jen has worked as a Case Manager at Imagine. There she helped children with special needs and their families, navigate the Medicaid and healthcare systems and access resources and supports in the community. Jen continues to take classes in oil and watercolor painting and Spanish. Jen loves children, painting, running, cooking, gardening, travel and reading. She is very grateful to be part of Children’s House Preschool and the children who share their gifts of wonder and joy with her. Jen is currently a teacher’s assistant, and is taking classes to gain her qualifications as an Early Childhood Educator.

Chelsea Peason, Part-Time Teacher

Chelsea Peason was born and raised in Albany New York. She moved to Boulder 3 years ago and bounced back and forth from Boulder to New York. Finally settled, she is attending Front Range Community College and transferring to Metro State in the spring to start a degree in Special Education. She has big goals of achieving a Masters in Special Education and a PHD in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with special needs children in the past and that is where her passion to teach began. She is tri-lingual currently, knowing spanish and italian and is working on mastering sign language. She hopes to use all of her knowledge from her classes to teach the children. She is excited to become part of the Children’s House Preschool family and learn from the children.

She is a part time teacher and is qualified as a level 1 credential as a Early Childhood Professional.