I started working as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher in a bilingual school in Venezuela many years ago. After teaching for 2 years, I got married and moved to Colorado. Our initial plan was for my husband to get his Master’s Degree from CU Boulder and go back to Venezuela, but we fell in love with Colorado and decided to stay. We have 4 boys, Felipe, Diego, Matias and Nicolas, they all have attended BCD since preschool. Our oldest is now at Niwot High School. I enjoy spending time with my family and go to all of our boys’ baseball games!
Amy Chally
Preschool Teacher
University of Iowa B.A. - Education Harvard Graduate School of Education Early Learning Leadership Program Graduate
I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and am a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Early Learning Leadership Program. Before relocating to Colorado I was an early learning teacher and Large Care Center Assistant Director. After moving to Colorado, I enjoyed a successful career in financial services for several years. While raising my two daughters I was inspired to return to my career of choice, early childhood education. After serving as a Director in a Boulder preschool for several years, I joined the BCD family in 2022 as a Lead Preschool Teacher. I am passionate about early learning and igniting children’s self-esteem while providing a safe and positive early learning experience. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, camping, snowboarding and whitewater boating.
I joined Boulder Country Day’s faculty in 2010. However, I have been a part of BCD’s community as a parent of two children since 2004. In my free time (or as I like to say, “when not doing laundry or running the vacuum”), I love to spend time with my two boys, Charlie and Christopher, and my husband, Doug. I also loves to do needle point, read books, listen to the Beetles (my all-time favorite band), and spend quiet, peaceful time at our family cabin on Lake Champlain. An interesting side note is that after college I went on a month long road trip with a couple of girlfriends. Together we drove from Washington, D.C. to British Columbia. The highlight of the trip was spending time in Glacier National Park.
Michelle Higgins
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Metropolitan State University B.A. Human Development Minor in Elementary Education
I am a Colorado native that grew up in Boulder County, after 13 years in Denver my husband and I have returned to Longmont to be closer to family while we raise our own son Griffin. I have a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver with an added endorsement in early childhood education. I have worked as a substitute teacher in St Vrain Valley Schools and am now excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Boulder Country Day School as an assistant teacher. My three-year-old son will also be starting preschool at BCD this year and we are both so excited to be part of the Bulldog community. In my free time I love to hike, go on family bike rides, read and paddle board.
Larissa Hoffmann
Preschool Teacher
Regis University BA - Elementary Education, minor in Business Administration
Before coming to BCD I spent eight years working at a preschool in Longmont. During this time I realized how much I love working in preschool! I was born in Germany but moved to the U.S when I was four years old, living in Longmont ever since. In my free time I love to be outdoors hiking or paddle boarding. I love to get outside whenever I get the chance. I am also an avid traveler and look forward to exploring new and exciting places whenever possible.
Kristina is a veteran early childhood teacher with several years of experience working with children ages preschool - kindergarten. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, but has lived in Colorado for the last 25 years.
Kristina and her husband, Mike, have two boys who are both in college. When she is not at work, Kristina loves spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys hiking, travel, yoga, reading, and container gardening. In addition, the mountains call her name and spends plenty of time in Telluride, Colorado - especially in the winter and summer. An interesting note about Kristina is that before becoming a teacher, she owned a sports marketing company and worked with several professional teams such as the Denver Broncos, Rockies, and Washington Capitals.
Calla Saunders
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Sarah Lawrence College B.A. concentration in French Language Boston University M.A. Elementary Education
I am excited to be part of the Boulder Country Day team! I grew up in Minnesota, but lived on the East Coast for a few years while attending Sarah Lawrence College and Boston University. I became interested in teaching while studying French and working in bilingual and language immersion programs. Prior to starting at BCD, I was a lead teacher at a Montessori school in Westchester and was a literacy intervention para in the Boulder Valley School District. In my free time, I hike with my fiancé and our two energetic dogs, and I love to sew and knit my own clothes!
Susan Wiberg
Assistant Preschool Teacher University of Illinois B.F.A. Fine Arts Seton Montessori Institute Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification Elgin Community College Early Childhood credits
Previously, I taught in a small private school in Chicago for two years as a trained Montessori assistant. In 2013, my family relocated to Boulder. For the past six years I was an assistant teacher at a Montessori school in BVSD. Prior to teaching, I danced professionally in NYC and Chicago. I love music, dance, yoga, and the arts. When I am not in a studio, you can find me out with my dog, family and friends enjoying the beautiful Colorado outdoors. I am excited to be part of the BCD community!
Natalie Wilkison
Preschool Teacher
University of Texas B.A. Government The George Washington University M.A. International Affairs & Economic Policy
I joined Boulder Country Day’s faculty in 2021 after serving as a substitute teacher during the 2020 school year. My daughter Vivienne is in fourth grade.
Prior to moving to Boulder in 2015, I spent 17 years in Washington, DC working in consulting and investment banking. When I am not at school or spending time with my family, you can probably find me at a trivia night around town, outdoors practicing photography or playing pickleball.