Our Storyland Staff

The following group of dedicated staff members make up the team of individuals that care for your child day in and day out.

What makes them unique?

They are dedicated individuals who have a passion for children and an eagerness to teach and serve. Their dedication along with their educational attainments, training, and experience make them one of Amarillo's premiere child care teams.

Here is our team with their individual accomplishments.

The Administrators

Karissa Ellison, Director

Name: Karissa Ellison

Employed Since: April 2005

Birthday: September 28

Favorite Snack: Chips

Favorite Drink: Water

Hobbies/Interests: Volleyball

Tell us something about you:

I love being at home! Spending time with my hubby and our 3 kids is my favorite thing to do.

Justine McDonald, Assistant Director

Name: Justine McDonald

Employed Since: February 2012

Birthday: June 29

Favorite Snack: Dark Chocolate covered fruit

Favorite Drink: Water

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, baking, crafts, outdoors

Tell us something about you: I am a total Boy Mom! I have 3 boys and we are all about dirt, bugs, worms, sports, and trucks.

April Guenther

Name: April Guenther

Employed Since: April 2016

Birthday: June 20

Favorite Snack: Chocolate covered pretzels & fresh fruit

Favorite Drink: Water & Unsweet Tea

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking & Baking

Tell us something about you: I love getting to spend my free time with my family!

Keitha Ratliff, Food Service

Name: Keitha Ratliff

Employed Since: July 2005

Birthday: September 15

Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky

Favorite Drink: Coke

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts, camping, & hot summer nights!

Tell us something about you: I married my high school sweetheart, we have 2 teenagers and along with our daily jobs, we breed American Bully dogs.

The Teachers (Listed in Order of Employment Seniority)

Marie Lee

Name: Maria Lee

Employed Since: August 2010

Birthday: June 21

Favorite Snack: Hot cheetos

Favorite Drink: root beer

Hobbies/Interests: I love to watch football and read

Tell us something about you: I have been married for 8 years and I have 2 of the cutest, sweetest boys. I love teaching and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

Michelle Gonzalez

Name: Michelle Gonzalez

Employed Since: April 2012

Birthday: November 28

Favorite Snack: Pineapples/ Strawberries

Favorite Drink: Unsweet tea

Hobbies/Interests: watching my Cowboys play! Reading, going to the movies

Tell us something about you: I have 2 foster kids and am currently pregnant with my first baby!

Stacie

Name: Stacie Stubblefield

Employed Since: October 2014

Birthday: August 10

Favorite Snack: Popcorn, veggie straws & jello

Favorite Drink: sweet tea & lemonade

Hobbies/Interests: Playing pool, cooking, bowling, & traveling America when possible

Tell us something about you: I love being with my family when I’m not working. I’m also in a California wine club and will be married 24 years in 2019.

Ashlee Little

Name: Ashlee Little

Employed Since: May 2015

Birthday: September 7

Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos

Favorite Drink: Sprite

Hobbies/Interests: Decorating, cooking, & spending time with family

Tell us something about you: I’m a mom of 3 girls; Milly, Kynzlee, and Adlee. I love to be outdoors and with my family.

Rose

Name: Rose Bilderback

Employed Since: March 2017

Birthday: September 25

Favorite Snack: Cherry tomatoes

Favorite Drink: Flavored water

Hobbies/Interests: Riding motorcycles, hanging out with family

Tell us something about you: Married 34 years, 3 boys, 4 grandchildren. Associate Pastor at New Life Church. Member of Prisoners of Hope Motorcycle Ministries

Christin Marnell

Name: Christin Marnell

Employed Since: April 2017

Birthday: August 23

Favorite Snack: Cheese & Sriracha almonds

Favorite Drink: Unsweet tea & water

Hobbies/Interests: anything to do with the Dallas Cowboys, OU, arrows, pineapples

Tell us something about you: I am married and have 3 awesome stepchildren and the best grandbaby ever! So…yes, I am a grandma! I am infatuated with dogs and cats and have a slight obsession with pictures.

Stephanie Smalley

Name: Stephanie Smalley

Employed Since: May 2017

Birthday: November 23

Favorite Snack: Beef jerky & combos

Favorite Drink: Spark

Hobbies/Interests: sleeping, eating, & watching movies

Tell us something about you: I have 4 children, a husband, and a dog.

Brittany Brittany

Name: Brittany Gomez

Employed Since: August 2017

Birthday: December 6

Favorite Snack: Snickers w/almonds

Favorite Drink: Sweet tea

Hobbies/Interests: I collect crosses

Tell us something about you: I have 2 boys. I love hanging out with my family.

Enjelika Matinez

Name: Enjelika Martinez

Employed Since: December 2017

Birthday: August 12

Favorite Snack: Pistachios or pineapples

Favorite Drink: Bang amino drinks (Black Cherry vanilla)

Hobbies/Interests: fitness, animals, space, piano

Tell us something about you: I am in school studying to become a veterinarian! I hope to have the privilege to work with exotic animals.

Nicollee Courtney

Name: Nicollee Courtney

Employed Since: May 2018

Birthday: May 6

Favorite Snack: Takis Fuego

Favorite Drink: Coconut Redbull

Hobbies/Interests: Elephants

Tell us something about you: I have 2 kids. A boy and a girl.

Emily McClanahan

Name: Emily McClanahan

Employed Since: July 2019

Birthday: March 8

Favorite Snack: Fruit

Favorite Drink: Lemonade

Hobbies/Interests: Camping, hiking, boating and outdoors

Tell us something about you: I am going to school for management and will graduate in 2020!

Irma Spurlock

Name: Irma Spurlock

Employed Since: August 2018

Birthday: July 11

Favorite Snack: Chocolate

Favorite Drink: Coke

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, online games

Tell us something about you: I love working with babies. I am married, I have 5 children,

Angel Gonzalez

Name: Angel Gonzalez

Employed Since: October 2018

Birthday: February 9

Favorite Snack: Pineapple & popcorn

Favorite Drink: water & Gatorade

Hobbies/Interests: Watching movies & doing puzzles

Tell us something about you: I am getting married in March to my high school sweetheart and have a baby on the way!

Keaton Adams

Name: Keaton Adams

Employed Since: October 2018

Birthday: May 27

Favorite Snack: Peppered Beef Jerky

Favorite Drink: Sprite

Hobbies/Interests: Crafting

Tell us something about you: I am in school to be a paramedic.

Lexie Perez

Name: Lexi Perez

Employed Since: October 2018

Birthday: November 23

Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos w/ lime

Favorite Drink: sweet tea & Big Red

Hobbies/Interests: arts & crafts, reading, family time, baking

Tell us something about you: I have 1 kid and 3 dogs. I love to draw when I get the chance. I love going camping/hiking. I collect crosses and anything with cactus on it.