Staff

The BellaVita School

for people ages 2 1/2-6

Where community is encouraged, individualism is valued,and children are treated with love dignity and respect.

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BellaVita Staff

In addition to community resources and programs that we participate in, our curriculum is enriched by our Staff. The low adult-to-child ratio contributes to the quality of the program and the happiness of the staff. Staff build relationships with the children, and add to the richness of the child’s experience. You are welcome to view any staff member’s resume, just ask.

Rachael Frisius-Henderson- Teacher owner, director

Rachael was employed as a teacher at The BellaVita School for three years prior to deciding to purchase it from its original owner Kari Ditta. It was during that time she fell in love with teaching children. As director of BellaVita her love for children has deepened, as well as her commitment to provide the highest quality care possible. She received her B. A. in Communication from the University of Massachusetts, and has constantly furthered her knowledge of Early Childhood Education through college courses and workshops. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Education at the University of Colorado.

She is responsible for providing the highest quality care available in a home environment, full-time program planning and teaching, advocating, record keeping, budgeting, shopping for program materials, cleaning and maintaining environment, hiring and overseeing staff, scheduling, monthly newsletter, maintenance of web site, advertising, event planning, actively participating in early childhood professional affiliations, classes and workshops, and most administrative duties.

Amy Bonfiglio - Chef, Nutritionist and Teacher

Amy moved here from West Virginia where she was the chef at the regionally renowned Whitegrass Cafe in Canaan Valley. She is currently studying to become a Certified Nutrition Therapist at Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, CO and is excited to have the opportunity to apply what she is learning to her job at Bella Vita.

Amy's primary responsibilities are in the kitchen- planning and preparing healthy, nutritious and tasty meals and snacks; as well as the cleaning and sanitation that go along with that. She spends as much time as she can with the kids-doing cooking projects, washing hands, playing outside, counting and reading. Amy is the primary care-giver of the vegetable and herb gardens and enjoys harvesting with the children. She also has become the handywoman at Bella Vita.

Emilyn Inglis- Music Teacher

Emilyn received her BA in music from Oberlin College. She taught at Front Range Community College, Jarrow Montessori School in Boulder, Clementine Art Studio, and Thorne Ecological Institute, among others. Now she teaches voice, piano, and guitar to private students, and enjoys drawing from her 10 plus years of teaching music to children when she leads music at Bellavita. She also regularly performs solo shows, and with her duo. See www.emilynsmusic.com for more info. She has been at Bellavita for two years.

Jacqueline Forsythe- Spanish Teacher

-Her bio will be published shortly

Angela Justis- Herbalist, Science and Art Teacher

Angela began working with herbs as a young teenager creating her own "Spa Days" as part of a joyful exploration into empowerment as a young female. Her love for herbs and science grew from there and hasn't stopped. She received a BA in Biology from the University of Colorado. And later graduated from The Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies where she received her technical training in herbalism. Also during college Angela trained as a teacher of classical dance and went on to teach ballet to children and adults through the Boulder Parks and Recreation Dance department. Angela is the mother of two wonderful little girls who provide are a constant source of inspiration to her life and teaching. At Bella Vita, Angela has the opportunity to create innovative and fun activities for children to learn about herbalism and science.

Christina Stott - Dance Teacher

We call Christina our Dance teacher. Although the kids call it dance, it is much more than just dancing and having fun. Christina’s “1st Moves” class uses the power of music, movement, immersion, creativity, and imagination as a catalyst for learning. To learn more about this amazing program visit www.thewholechildinmotion.com

Christina Stott has a passion and dedication to her work with children and has 15 years of experience working directly with young children and families. She has held many positions including preschool teacher, assistant director, educational coordinator, director of a large early education center, private nanny, and dance instructor. She is director qualified by the state of Colorado dept of childcare and has a Child Development Associates Credential. She continues to educate herself in the field by attending college courses, workshops, and keeping up to date on early childhood issues, studies, and research.