Staff


Director and Teachers

Ms. Natalie is the Director and a Lead Teacher here at PHCP. Ms. Natalie has been with the preschool in different capacities since 2005. Her origins as a teacher are rooted here at the preschool, as she was a practicum student and student teacher here while attending UNM, eventually earning a B.S. in Early Childhood Multicultural Education in 2006. Ms. Natalie taught at the school for the 2006-2007 school year, then left the state for nine years. During her time in Eugene, OR, Ms. Natalie worked at a University of Oregon based child care center working with children from six weeks old to school age. Ms. Natalie then traveled with her family to Baltimore, MD where she worked to develop and implement early childhood programs through the Baltimore County Public Library System. Upon her return in 2016, she was given another opportunity to return to the preschool. In 2019, Ms. Natalie began her role as Director of PHCP. Ms. Natalie has a wonderful husband, Pete, two sons named Sage and Sol, and two step-daughters, Charlotte and Tiffany, and a house of full of pets. Ms. Natalie truly enjoys working with the incredible teachers, teaching staff, and office staff, along with the parent board members to create an enriching curriculum, engaging environment, and exciting learning experiences for our students to grow and learn. Ms. Natalie strives to connect with every student and their family to build a strong network of support for a rich and fulfilling school year for everyone.

Ms. Erin is one of our Lead Teachers this year.  She has 3 kids and has been with PHCP since 2017 when her oldest daughter attended the school. She worked as an assistant for 4 years prior to taking on her new role this year. When Erin isn’t in the classroom, you can find her and her family busy with homeschooling, Irish dancing, basketball, baseball and also loving on their 4 year old golden retriever Shadow. Ms. Erin has a medical background and has a degree in EMS but has always had a love for working with children so now she’s finishing up school to get her Teacher’s License. “Preschoolers are my favorite age to be with, and I’m excited for another year at the school I love and assist with helping these children thrive and grow!

Ms. Catherine  is one of the Teacher Assistants and who is also our Office Manager. This will be her third year of being in the classroom. She holds a Masters in Electronic Engineering and was a Commissioning Engineer before becoming a mom. She has been a part of the preschool for 8 years. She has had two children at PHCP.  She has served on the Parent Board for 4 years as Fundraising Chair, Vice President and then as President for a few years. She is on her forth year as staff and is excited for new things to learn and new student faces at the school.

Ms. Jenn is one of this year’s Teaching Assistants. She has two boys, her youngest attended PHCP a few years ago. Originally from Albuquerque, she earned a BS in Criminology from UNM. Ms. Jenn and her husband lived in Oregon, where both of their children were born, before moving back to Albuquerque to be closer to family. She transitioned from the legal field after her oldest son’s birth to stay home with him and then her second son as well. Ms. Jenn’s love for both children and PHCP created a perfect fit for her to return to work now that both her boys are in school. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading with a comforting cup of coffee, singing karaoke, playing golf, and cherishing moments with friends, family, and her two pit-mix rescue dogs.
Ms. C (Erin Cappleman) is another one of our Teacher Assistants this year.  She was a Payroll Accountant before becoming a mom of 2. She was first introduced to the school when her daughter, Eleanor, started in Blue Class several years ago. She volunteered on the Parent Board as Secretary while her daughter, Ellie was in Green Class. She also served as President of the Family Teacher Organization at Coyote Willow Family School where her daughter goes to elementary school. She is excited to be back for her first year at the school as a staff member.
 


Office Staff

 
Ms. Catherine Smouse is our Office Manager.  She is on her fourth year as Office Manager and she thoroughly enjoys this role working and creating all of the exciting things the students use and make in class, this is were she uses her engineering/computer brain. 
 
Ms. Penny Bakke is our Bookkeeper at the Preschool. After 14 years of working in the corporate world, with her second child on the way she knew she wanted to slow down and be a stay-at-home mom. “I’m extremely thankful for this part time job to help me be able to do that.” She has a 7 year old son Grayson and a 4 year old daughter Adianna. Penny loves to travel and relax by pools or beaches! She is excited to be a part of this amazing preschool and serve in ways to help it prosper. Please contact her at phcpbookkeeper@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about the financial aspects of your students’ enrollment.