Michael Knuckey Director / Teacher

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 professional cook for 17 years and had been employed both teaching cooking, and as a private caterer.  He loves to paint, and has decorated many a child’s bedroom with murals. Michael has taken classes in art, sculpture, painting, psychology, children’s literature and Industrial Design.

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 runs the office and administration side of the school as well as working with the children as a teacher. Michael is a qualified Early Childhood Director and Early Childhood Educator, he has Level Three credential as a Early Childhood Professional, and an Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education.

He is active in the Early Childhood community, serving as the Treasurer on the local chapter of the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) and on the volunteering on the early Childhood Advisory Councils for both Boulder Valley School District and the Front Range Community College Early Childhood Department.  In 2015 he was awarded “Educator of the Year” by the Boulder County branch of the National Association for Education of the Young Child (NAEYC).

Suzanne McCarthy Teacher

I am Suzanne McCarthy.  I have been a preschool teacher for the past 25 years. In fact, my sister, Elaine McCarthy and I operated Children’s House together from 1995 until 2005. We brought the preschool from its origins as a small church school and transitioned it into the non-profit, multi-cultural, inclusive neighborhood school located where it is today.

Following my 10 years at Children’s House, I worked at several other Boulder Valley School District preschools. The first 2 years that I worked at University Hill, my position was as the English speaking component of this newly created bilingual program.  My 3^rd year there, I was in the intensive education preschool room where we integrated both bilingual and students with special needs as well as peer models.  I actually introduced the Storybook Journey to both programs.  Already aware of the benefits of this approach, I saw children, as well as the other teachers, not only fully engage but thrive.

I also helped establish a new preschool in Flatirons Elementary before they had one.

For the past 10 years, I have worked with children in the Early Childhood Center at the Sun Valley Community School in Sun Valley, ID.  My teaching partner and I were charged with expanding a new arm of their preschool to include toddlers utilizing the Reggio-Emilia approach.  I have long believed that children are capable.  I see my role as a facilitator to bringing their ideas to life.  In all my experiences, I have not found a better way of working with children than using the Storybook Journey.  This approach is so receptive to incorporating a child’s own experiences and ideas while building upon them; giving them depth.  The Storybook Journey allows for a child to learn on many different levels.  We all have our own unique learning style and I feel it’s important to meet each child where they are.

Teaching young children is not only my passion but my vocation.  I love the outdoors.  I enjoy hiking, tennis, biking and traveling.

I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be part of the Children’s House Preschool family once again.  Children’s House Preschool’s commitment to children, families and their community is unparalleled.

Ellie Bredemeier Part-time Teacher

Elle Bredemeier grew up in Massachusetts with her parents, older brother and sister. She spent much of her childhood riding horses and working at the stables. After high school, Elle attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she received a B.A. in both Early Childhood Education and Psychology.

She then moved to Boulder in 2003. Elle began working at Rallysport Health and Fitness club in that infant and toddler room, but soon became a preschool teacher there. After 10 years as a co-teacher, Elle became preschool director and ran the summer camp as well.

Elle resides in Longmont with her family, including 3 children that have all attended Children’s House! When not at work, Elle will be found spending time with her family, cooking, and enjoying Colorado’s outdoors. She absolutely loves working with preschool age children and is very excited to be part of our teaching team.

Jimmy Mitchell Teacher

My name is Jimmy Mitchell.  I first began my career in education at Children’s House Preschool in 1999.  Originally, I began working with children with special needs as a paraprofessional. I went on to work for the Boulder Valley School District at High Peaks Elementary as a special education para and a literacy tutor.  The children I had under my care ranged in ages from kindergarten to 5^th grade. I stayed with High Peaks for 8 years.  Simultaneously, I was employed at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center providing respite care for parents of children with special needs in their home setting.

I moved on to work at Mesa Elementary in their  I Can Program.  I followed this job with an assignment at Lafayette Elementary School in the intensive special education program.

After moving to Ketchum, ID in 2011, I was hired as a substitute teacher for the Blaine County School District for many years.  I was employed at the Sun Valley Community School Aftercare Program for 5 years as well as subbing for the school – preschool to 5^th grade.

I have a great passion for the outdoors.  I have been a professional musician for more than 30 years.  I am extremely excited for the opportunity to work for Children’s House Preschool once again.  This is where a wonderful career of over 20 years began.  It is an honor to be here and working for a school that is so passionate and giving to their students and families.