Our staff
Our highly qualified teachers know that young children learn through their relationships and through their experiences. For this reason, our teachers create a warm and nurturing learning environment in both our indoor and outdoor classrooms, and strive to cultivate each child's sense of wonder, curiosity and capacity.
LENNAE JENKINS
Preschool Director
Lennae joined NRP in fall 2019. With plenty of ECE and special education background, she brings leadership and fresh ideas to NRP. Lennae has a bachelors degree and CO teaching license in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree and CO teaching license in Early Childhood Special education.
Lennae grew up in Routt county and travelled the world since high school graduation, living in Oregon, Australia, Zambia, and Switzerland. She returned 11 years ago to settle down and enjoy her passion for the outdoors...skiing, rafting, camping, hiking and more.
Lennae and her boyfriend just took on home ownership in Steamboat with their puppy Mocha. They love to cook, camp, raft, ski, and hopefully get to a beach soon!
Lennae grew up in Routt county and travelled the world since high school graduation, living in Oregon, Australia, Zambia, and Switzerland. She returned 11 years ago to settle down and enjoy her passion for the outdoors...skiing, rafting, camping, hiking and more.
Lennae and her boyfriend just took on home ownership in Steamboat with their puppy Mocha. They love to cook, camp, raft, ski, and hopefully get to a beach soon!
Dr. Deena Tarleton
Lead preschool teacher
Our Preschool teacher, Dr. Deena Tarleton, has taught every elementary grade level from preschool through sixth grade. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and her dissertation was Dimensions of Learning: A Model for Enhancing Student Thinking and Learning. She was a teacher, coordinator for gifted and talented and principal of a National Blue Ribbon School in Cherry Creek School District for 28 years. She has been an elementary principal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Vienna, Austria. She retired two years ago from the elementary head position at St. Anne's Episcopal School in Denver. She also holds a director's certificate in early childhood education and has been trained in various early childhood educational programs.
Deena and her family moved to Clark in February of this year. She heard about our program and inquired about any available positions. She missed working with children and was excited about working with our preschoolers. She loves gourmet cooking and has traveled the world from Southeast Asia, India, Europe, Africa to Central American and much of the U.S. Many of her favorite dishes reflect her travels. An avid gardener, her first experience with the late frosts and drought conditions this year has caused her to rethink next year's crop. She and her family raise Tibetan Yaks on their ranch nearby. All four of her grandsons attend North Routt County Charter School or our own preschool. She has begun to acquaint herself with members of the community after spending the four months from March to June close to home. Feel free to call her at any time if you have questions about our program or additional goals for your child. We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year; masks and all!
Deena and her family moved to Clark in February of this year. She heard about our program and inquired about any available positions. She missed working with children and was excited about working with our preschoolers. She loves gourmet cooking and has traveled the world from Southeast Asia, India, Europe, Africa to Central American and much of the U.S. Many of her favorite dishes reflect her travels. An avid gardener, her first experience with the late frosts and drought conditions this year has caused her to rethink next year's crop. She and her family raise Tibetan Yaks on their ranch nearby. All four of her grandsons attend North Routt County Charter School or our own preschool. She has begun to acquaint herself with members of the community after spending the four months from March to June close to home. Feel free to call her at any time if you have questions about our program or additional goals for your child. We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year; masks and all!
Kelly Skrabacz
Lead toddler teacher
Kelly joined the NRP staff in August 2020 after moving to the Clark area. She has a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Masters of Education in Human Learning and Development. Kelly is a certified K-6th CO teacher and has 3 years of classroom experience. Before getting into classroom teaching, she spent several years teaching in outdoor education along the east coast. Originally from Maryland, she moved to Colorado in 2017 to be closer to the mountains. She loves skiing, yoga, ultimate Frisbee, and hiking with her two dogs Pebbles and Boots. Kelly and her boyfriend are settling into their new home in Clark and are happy to call North Routt their home!
kristen Barnard
Classroom assistant
Kristen joined NRP in August 2020 after relocating with her family to the North Routt area from Minnesota in March. She is a wife and mother of two. She has a Bachelor of Science degree and has spent the last seven years at home with her girls. She is excited to continue working with the preschool age kids! She enjoys hiking, skiing, biking and camping with her family. Kristen and her family are so happy to call North Routt their new home.
