Ms. Julie first discovered the magic of Happy Valley in 2021 while working as Behavioral Therapist and took over as owner and director in 2023. Julie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Chemistry with initial plans for medical school. Although she still LOVES science, she instead earned a Master’s degree in Special Education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Julie loves working with young children and brings over 15 years of experience spanning traditional education and behavioral therapy working in both public schools and homes. Julie is a firm believer in embracing life’s struggles rather than avoiding challenges and loves helping children navigate their world from a place of trust and respect. Dr. Seuss got it right, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Personally, Julie is the proud mother of four, an avid runner, biker, and overall outdoor enthusiast. Her energy for life is infectious. She cannot wait to welcome all of our new students and families!

Meet Ms. Alisha, who is wearing two hats again this year as both our Popcorn Teacher and Assistant Director! This marks Alisha’s 8th year at Happy Valley and her 5th year as Assistant Director. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from Regis University and brings over 10 years of experience working with young children. Alisha is deeply passionate about creating a space where children can truly feel their best – to do their best.

In her free time, she loves to dive into a good book, watch Disney movies, and spend quality time with her family and friends. Her two absolute favorite people in the world are her two sweet nieces, who you might even see visiting the school from time to time!

Ms. Laurie brings a vibrant energy and dedication to early childhood with 10 years of experience under her belt. During those years she has had the opportunity to work within various pedagogies including Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia. Ms. Laurie holds a BFA and loves to incorporate art in every way possible into her classroom. Ms. Laurie is also an RBT (Registered Behavioral Technician) and in school right now working toward her Master’s in Special Education to become a BCBA.

Laurie is passionate about kids, child development, and child psychology. She loves the brain and is fascinated by all the crazy things it can do. She and her husband met in the military 20 years ago and love the company of their cats.

Sina joined Happy Valley in May 2025 and serves as the nuts and bolts of our operation, keeping everything running smoothly. While she possesses stellar organizational skills, her true passion lies in theater and music. Sina actively acts and directs throughout the community, and she also shares her immense talents as a private voice and theater coach. She can’t wait to meet all the faces that go with the names she has memorized!

Meet Ms. Ariel Knight, who brings seven years of dedicated experience in Preschool and Early Education to Happy Valley. For Ariel, teaching is both an art and a science. She is deeply passionate about shaping and guiding classroom experiences that go far beyond the basics, fostering a true love for lifelong learning in her young students.

Outside the classroom, Ariel is an avid reader, traveler, and photographer who loves capturing the beauty of the world around her. Her adventures include living in England for a year, hiking most weekends with husband and dog, and anything that includes them. She is sooooo excited to get to know you, your family, and your students.