Sarah McKinney
Director of Brillante Early Learning CenterSarah has a Bachelor’s degree from UNM, a Master’s from George Washington University in Early Childhood Special Education, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Education Leadership. She has worked in the public schools and community-based early childhood programs and spent time as a work-at-home parent with her own three children. Sarah is passionate about building systems that give all families access to joyful, high-quality early learning, care, and support. Sarah enjoys powerlifting, gardening, working on house projects, and watercolor painting.
Victoria Roanhorse
Manager of the Coalition for Science Learning in Early ChildhoodVictoria has a Bachelor’s degree from UNM in Psychology and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. She has been in early childhood education for over ten years, and loves bringing the excitement of science, mathematics, art and engineering to children, families, and educators. She is especially interested in everyday and cultural science experiences. Victoria enjoys playing in dirt, looking at insects, and blowing bubbles with her five year old daughter, Lucille.
Jesse Murray
Lead TeacherJesse followed a winding path into early childhood education. She has a Ph.D. in Russian History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but after her own child started at a Reggio Emilia-based preschool, she realized that she’d forgotten how to play and that early childhood education was a lot more fun than the other stuff she was doing! She’s now got a Master’s degree in Family and Child Studies from UNM and loves to travel with her family, read, hike, garden, cook, and build everything from pants to tables.
Alma Chacón
TeacherAlma has an Associate’s degree from CNM in Early Childhood Multicultural Education. She is two years into the Early Childhood field and loves how eager and willing to learn and explore young children are. Alma has one child of her own and enjoys working out, music, reading, baking, and arts and crafts in her spare time.
Kayla Villanueva
TeacherKayla has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education from New Mexico Highlands University. She has worked in early childhood programs for nine years. Kayla has worked in various age groups and enjoys watching the growth and development that occurs at every stage. Her favorite part of working with children is seeing the gears in the minds of children click into place as they learn. She enjoys cooking, doing puzzles, and spending time with those she loves during her spare time.
Chelsea Begay
TeacherChelsea has an Associate’s degree from San Juan College and is continuing her education to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in early childhood education for four years. Chelsea is dedicated to teaching children to be creative and independent and to have fun while learning. Chelsea enjoys watching Netflix, sketching flowers, relaxing while listening to music, cleaning the house, and spending time with her family.
Sol Ulibarri
Assistant TeacherSol is working on her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at CNM. She is new to the early childhood field and very excited to continue her learning. Sol loves how many questions children have and how curious they are about the world around them. In her spare time, Sol likes to watch movies, hang out with friends and family, listen to music, and take photos.
Charlotte Auh
Substitute TeacherCharlotte is currently working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in TESOL at UNM. Before joining us in the Brillante classroom, Charlotte worked at Explora as a Career Pathways Intern and in visitor experience and camps. She is passionate about incorporating students’ cultures and experiences into the classroom and enjoys making music and art, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Melissa Krukar
Substitute TeacherMelissa has a Bachelor’s degree from UNM in Liberal Arts and has worked in early childhood for more than ten years. Melissa, who is also known as “Charlotte’s sister,” is a writer and reader, a native plant enthusiast, a curious chef, and Joaquin and Carmen’s mom. A quote she lives by is “Anything can be postponed except for love,” and she strives to treat students as such with humility, patience, and love.