Preschool Director
Leslie Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, has a long-standing professional background in education and leadership. As an entrepreneur and mother, she runs The Makers Place™ and Lead With Intention® and is actively involved in the Greater Sacramento community. Her background in Early Childhood Education and passion for supporting parents and families is only paralleled by her love for local coffee and hosting events that bring people together. As the Preschool Director, Leslie supports the administration of our Mini Makers™ Preschool, including admission, enrollment, hiring, and training.
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BeHAVIOR ANALYST
Joel Bosserman, M.A., BCBA, has over a decade of professional experience supporting children and families as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst working in early-intervention for school districts and in-home programs. He recently joined our teaching team full-time in our Mini Makers™ Preschool where he focuses on teacher training and creating innovative classroom environments. Joel also works on a consultative basis when families need more behavior support and parent training. In his free time, he enjoys distance running, CrossFit, karaoke, and playing board and card games with his family and friends.
Lead Teacher
Madylin Stewart, B.A. has her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development at Sac State. She completed her supervised fieldwork hours in our preschool program in Spring 2023 and was such a great fit she has joined our professional teaching team! Mady has a passion for working with children and making an impact on their lives and plans to return to school to purse her teaching credential. In her free time, she loves to travel, explore nature, and go on walks with her dog.
Assistant TeacherS
Jordan Tzonkov, B.A. recently graduated from Sac State in Child and Adolescent Development. She believes that children learn best and thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment that celebrates their unique backgrounds and learning styles. Jordan aspires for empathy to be at the cornerstone of every interaction, ensuring each child feels safe, valued, and empowered to participate. Her passion for teaching lies in fostering a love of learning that ignites a child's curiosity and empowers them to become confident, creative, and ultimately happy individuals.
Taylor Browne, B.A., graduated from Sac State with her degree in Music Education. She has experience working with children of all ages, from infants to school-age, and finds joy nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning while encouraging children to expand their creativity and imagination. As a mother, Taylor understands the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. She spends most of her free time with her daughter and their three pets, and enjoys listening to and writing music, reading, and doing arts and crafts.
Kathy Almanza has been taking undergraduate courses locally at Sac City College in Early Childhood Education and is working toward pursuing her career to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist She originally joined our team as part of the Thousand Strong Program through the Sacramento Metro Chamber and has a passion for working with young children. In her free time, Kathy loves to read, do puzzles, and hang out with her two cats.
TEACHER’S AIDES
Ariel Hughes is studying Early Childhood Education at Los Rios Community College. As a mother, she understands the importance of building an early foundation all children through developmentally appropriate activities. Her passion for serving her community and pouring into our next generation motivates her desire to work with young children. When she is not teaching, Ariel enjoys shopping, reading, and going on walks.
Julie Vang is passionate about working with young children and has a deep love for nurturing their development. As a mom of three teenagers and adult children, her approach to education is characterized by a strong sense of responsibility and respect for each child's unique needs and growth. By fostering trust and respect, Julie aims to positively impact their developmental journey and build a strong foundation for their future. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and watching movies with her family.