OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Michelle Cusick
Michelle CusickExecutive Director

Michelle and her family have lived in Pagosa Springs for nine years and love our beautiful community. She and her husband have two amazing children, Evan and Kendall. Michelle brings a plethora of experience in education and administration. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Elementary Education specializing in Early Childhood and Special Education and a Master of Early Childhood Education with emphasis in Reading. Michelle has obtained 30 hours towards her PhD in Early Childhood Development and Education. She has 10 years of experience as a Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade classroom teacher. Before moving to Colorado, she held a faculty position as adjunct lecturer in the Child and Family Studies department at Baylor University. In addition, she served as a full-time Instructor of Education/Early Childhood for two years at Arkansas State University-Heber Springs. She has her Colorado ECE credential- Level 6.  Finally, the role that helped her the most both professionally and personally was that of Executive Director and owner of a private child development center that she and her husband built from the ground up. Michelle was involved in every aspect of the program development and operation including building design, financial management, human resources, licensing regulations, curriculum development, staff professional development, family relationships, and facilities management.

Michelle believes early childhood is such a crucial time for a child’s development, and she strives to provide a high-quality preschool program here at Seeds of Learning.

Kathy Faber
Kathy FaberProgram Director

Kathy has lived and taught kindergarten in Pagosa Springs for 34 years from 1983-1989 and from 1994-2022.  Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University.  Kathy has many years experience teaching in the public schools, serving on district level committees, and writing/reviewing early childhood curriculum.

She recently retired from teaching kindergarten to help focus on her family.  Kathy and her husband, Mark, have three grown children, Ty, Kari Beth, and Jacob.  They also have three amazing grandchildren.

After retiring from teaching kindergarten, she feels it is such an honor to now work with children and educators in the preschool environment at Seeds of Learning.

Cory Henderson
Cory HendersonFund Development Manager

Cory joined the Seeds of Learning Team in November of 2023 after moving to Durango in September with his wife, Tara, and son, Cooper. While Cory may be a new resident to Durango, he and Tara have spent every summer the last 10 years in Southwest Colorado and have long wanted to make the move. Cory was born and raised along the Texas Coast in Beaumont, Texas before moving to Fort Worth in 2006 where he attended TCU and has lived since. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Sociology in 2010 from Texas Christian University.
Before moving to Durango, Cory spent the last 13 years in the Fort Worth nonprofit community where he successfully grew fundraising revenue for organizations where he worked. He has also led multiple development departments to increase fundraising capacity which helped increase services provided and number of people served. His focus on relationships and people will help positively position Seeds of Learning with our friends and supporters in the community. Cory is passionate about serving others and making sure that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their potential.
Candyce Coombes
Candyce CoombesExecutive Assistant

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance, and many years experience working in an office setting. She has lived in Pagosa Springs with her husband for about 17 years. Candyce enjoys horseback riding, dancing, and camping in the great outdoors.

One of her favorite things about Seeds is getting to go into the classroom and teach dance to the children.  Candyce enjoys being around all of the children and families here everyday.  She has even taken a Child Development ECE course through Fort Lewis College and has earned her Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0.

Our teachers are required to meet high quality teaching standards.  Lead teachers must hold an associate’s, baccalaureate, or master’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education.

OUR BUTTERFLY CLASSROOM

(4.5 to 5.5 Years)

MISS RUBY
MISS RUBYLead Teacher
Ruby has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Chapman University and worked for the California Alisal School District and Monterey County in Elementary School.

Ruby is passionate about children and play-based learning. She has been with Seeds of Learning since 2009 and is looking forward to many more years with Seeds. Ruby was born in Farmington, NM and has resided in Pagosa Springs for the past twelve years. She is looking forward to her daughter growing up in the area as she loves the feeling of community in our little town. Ruby knows it takes a village to raise a child and her heart is with the education of our youth.

MISS LEEANN
MISS LEEANNAssistant Teacher
Leeann was born in Monte Vista, Colorado and spent most of her school years in Leadville, Colorado. Leann has one grown son who is currently working and living in Northern Colorado. She enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking in our beautiful mountains and riding her road bike in such events as Ride the Rockies.

Leeann taught in the Archuleta County School District for twenty-nine years before retiring from teaching after 35 total years. After retirement, she decided to try her hand in early childhood education and make an impact! She has always believed that education is the stepping stone to a strong future and looks forward to helping young children achieve success. Leeann has been teaching at Seeds for 4 years. She has obtained her Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0.

MISS DEBBIE
MISS DEBBIETeacher Aide
Miss Debbie was born and raised in West Virginia. She has degrees in Physical Education and Library Science. Debbie has also taken several ECE courses. She and her husband Dan have been married 40 years. Together they have one daughter and two beautiful grandchildren. Miss Debbie has served as one of our awesome substitute teachers for many years and then joined the Butterfly class permanently as the Teacher’s Aide and hasn’t looked back.

She has been at Seeds since 2011 and feels truly honored to be able to be a part of the kids lives!

OUR LADYBUG CLASSROOM

(3.5 to 4.5 Years)

MISS JENNIFER
MISS JENNIFERLead Teacher
Miss Jennifer joined Seeds in August 2023. She moved to Pagosa Springs with her husband in February 2022. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Arizona State University. She holds a Colorado ECE credential – Level 3. She has worked in a preschool for 2 years, and has 20 plus years experience working with early intervention and Head start programs. She is knowledgeable about typical and atypical child development, and has used this information to coach teachers and parents in her positions with United Cerebral Palsy and Foundation for Blind Children in Arizona. She continues to advance her knowledge of early childhood by taking college ECE courses.

Jennifer believes every child deserves a safe, happy place to go and learn. She loves being a member of the Seed’s team!

MISS TANARA
MISS TANARAAssistant Teacher
Miss Tanara has been a teacher’s aide here at Seeds since September 2022. In February 2024, she was promoted to assistant teacher. She has been living in Pagosa for about 3 years now, and has a 10 year old son. Tanara was working as a manager in a restaurant, and decided she wanted a change in careers. She loves children and is excited to learn more about their development. She is currently pursing her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and has completed 18 college ECE credits to advance her knowledge of early childhood education. She holds her Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0.
MISS MARIAH
MISS MARIAHTeacher Aide AM
Miss Mariah started here at Seeds in July 2024 as a sub, and we are excited to welcome her as the Ladybug Teacher’s Aide AM. She is new to Pagosa Springs, and has a little one at home. She recently moved from Utah where she worked as lead teacher in a preschool and earned her Child Development Associates Credential.
She believes children are their own individuals and they learn best through play. Mariah is happy to be part of the Seeds team.
MISS ELLEN
MISS ELLENTeacher Aide PM
Miss Ellen started here at Seeds in June 2024 as a sub, and we are excited she will be our new Teacher’s Aide in the afternoons starting in September. She moved recently to Pagosa from Texas. She worked for a year as a teacher at Head Start. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders.
She strives to build a strong sense of community to help all children, families, and educators have a feeling of belonging and support. She is excited to be a part of the Seeds team.

OUR DRAGONFLY CLASSROOM

(30 months to 3 1/2 years)

MISS MELISSA
MISS MELISSALead Teacher
Melissa has been with Seeds for 12 years. She left for a short time to return to New York, and we are excited she is back. She was previously employed at Our Savior Lutheran Preschool for four years, where she worked with children ages 3 to 5 years. She joined the Seeds of Learning team in January of 2010. She is originally from Buffalo, NY, but has lived all over the country. Melissa has two children. She obtained her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education in May 2016 and her BA in Early Childhood Education in May 2019.

Ms. Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors in our beautiful town.

MISS WHITNEY
MISS WHITNEYAssistant Teacher
Ms. Whitney started as a Teacher’s aide in September 2022, and was promoted to Assistant Teacher in May 2023. She and her Fiancé moved to Pagosa from Texas. She has over 9 years experience working with young children. She worked for 5 years as a lead teacher for 2 and 3 year olds in a preschool classroom.

She is excited to be a part of our Seeds team, and has completed 18 college ECE credits to advance her knowledge of child development. She is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education, and aspires to become a lead teacher at Seeds. She holds her Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0.

MISS MEGAN
MISS MEGANTeacher Aide
Miss Megan joined our team in August 2024. She has worked previously in the retail and food service industry in multiple capacities, including manager. She has always had a passion for children and has 3 of her own.
Megan believes that the start of a child’s educational journey is the most important and can dictate how successful they will be in life. She is happy to join our team and ready to learn more about child development through experience and taking early childhood courses.