Staff



Lead Teachers
Our lead teacher's responsibilities include: 
​Observing and assessing children’s development. Planning children’s curriculum based on child development knowledge. Designing the learning environment. Implementing and supervising developmentally appropriate learning activities. Building positive relationships with children and families, and planning guidance strategies for children and involving parents.


Assistant Teachers
Our assistant teacher's responsibilities include: 
Demonstrating competency to implement program activities under direction of a 
lead teacher.
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Amy Zehrung
Program Manager/Director

  • Mother of one
  • Working at Petite Academy since 2014
  • Working towards AA in early childhood development
  • Over 150 hours of workshop in child development
  • Earned initiate and short certificate from NCCC
  • 30 hours Basic Childhood education, First Aide/CPR certification, and food handling experience​


Alexis Janas-Williams
Lead Preschool Pre-K Teacher

  • 16 years experience in childcare
  • Working at Petite Academy since 2015
  • Working towards AA in early childhood development
  • Initial and short certificate in early childhood education
  • Over 100 hours of workshops in early childhood education
  • Earned initial and short certificate from NCC
  • 30 hours STARs, First Aide/CPR certification, and food handling experience​

Lins Nunez Lara
Toddler Assistant Teacher​

  • Mother of Two
  • Has been with Petite Academy since 2021
  • Languages spoken: English and Spanish​
  • 30 hours Stars, First Aide/CPR certification, and food handling experience
  • Continuing education in early childhood

Connor Zehrung
​​Assistant Teacher

  • Graduated from Garfield High School in 2014
  • 1 years experience in Childcare
  • Working at Petite Academy since 2021
  • Working towards Initial and Short Certificate
  • Has enjoyed working with kids since the age of 14
  • Language spoken: English
  • ​30 hours STAR ( Basic childcare education certificate)
  • Over 20 hours of Workshop in ECE
  •  First Aide/CPR Certification, and food handling

Kongit Shiferaw
Lead Toddler teacher

  • Worked at Petite Academy since 2022
  • Completed 30 hours of basic childcare training in 2021
  • Over 40 hours of STARS in childhood education
  • Languages spoken: English  and
  • Has a passion for creative art, especially painting
  • Feels its important to provide children with a fun, enriched environment

Heidi Rourke
Assistant/Aid  teacher

  • Worked at Petite Academy since 2022
  • Languages spoken: English
  • Over 30 hours of workshops in Child Development
  • 30 hours  Basic childcare training , First Aide/CPR certification, and food handling

Ikram Benarbia
assistant Pre-K  teacher

  • Started at Petite Academy February 2021
  • Mother of 4 children
  • Completed High School in Morocco and took part time courses as NSCC
  • Languages spoken: English, Arabic, French
  • 30 hours STARs, First Aide/CPR certification, and food handling experience
  • Continuing education in early childhood