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
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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 with my hubby. We enjoy playing games and hanging out with friends. |
Justine McDonald, Assistant Director
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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 Mom of 4! I have 3 boys that are all about dirt, bugs, worms, sports, and trucks, and a baby girl who has us all wrapped around her finger!
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Michelle Gonzalez, Assistant Director
Name: Michelle Gonzalez
Employed Since: April 2012
Birthday: November 28
Favorite Snack: Beef jerky
Favorite Drink: Unsweet Tea
Hobbies/Interests: Watching my Cowboys play! Reading and going to the movies.
Tell us something about you: I'm a mom of 3. We enjoy attending church together and watching football!
Keitha Ratliff, Food Manager
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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, and we have 2 teenagers. |
The Teachers (Listed in Order of Employment Seniority)
Rose Bilderback
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Name: Rose Bilderback Employed Since: March 2017 Birthday: September 25 Favorite Snack: Veggie straws Favorite Drink: Gatorade Zero Hobbies/Interests: Riding motorcycles, hanging out with family Tell us something about you: Married 36 years, 3 boys, 5 grandchildren. Associate Pastor at New Life Church. |
Brittany Gomez
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Name: Brittany Gomez Employed Since: August 2017 Birthday: December 6 Favorite Snack: Beef jerky Favorite Drink: Sweet tea Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family, watching my son play football. Tell us something about you: I have 3 kids and 4 fur babies. |
Nicollee Courtney
Name: Nicollee Courtney
Employed Since: May 2018
Birthday: May 6
Favorite Snack: Oreos
Favorite Drink: Sweet Tea
Hobbies/Interests: Elephants
Tell us something about you: I enjoy spending my time at home with my 2 kids.
Audiana Ellison
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Name: Audiana Ellison Employed Since: July 2020 Birthday: April 17 Favorite Snack: BBQ Pringles and beef jerky Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper Hobbies/Interests: Art and doing puzzles Tell us something about you: I like relaxing and spending time with friends and family. |
Susan Matheson
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Name: Susan Matheson Employed Since: September 2020 Birthday: December 17 Favorite Snack: Strawberry and watermelon Favorite Drink: Water and Sweet tea Hobbies/Interests: Reading and spending time with my family. Tell us something about you: Proud mom and Grannie |
Mayra Gallegos
Name: Mayra Gallegos
Employed Since: October 2020
Birthday: June 21
Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky
Favorite Drink: Texas Tea
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, arts & crafts, planning events, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family.
Tell us something about you: I have 3 beautiful children, an awesome husband, I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and I am a shopaholic.
Nikki Hargrove
Name: Nikki Hargrove
Employed Since: October 2020
Birthday: May 19
Favorite Snack: Dot's honey mustard pretzels, Reese's
Favorite Drink: 1/2 sweet 1/2 unsweet mint tea, Citrus green tea
Hobbies/Interests: I like to cook, bake, and listen to music.
Tell us something about you: I have 2 beautiful baby girls, spending time with them is the best! I love working with the kids at Storyland!
Anessa Miera
Name: Anessa Miera
Employed Since: January 2021
Birthday: February 28
Favorite Snack: Chips & Queso, Hot fries
Favorite Drink: Sweet mint tea and Blue Powerade
Hobbies/Interests: Makeup and painting/drawing
Tell us something about you: I want to travel the world someday.
Kirstan Puryear
Name: Kirstan Puryear
Employed Since: April 2021
Birthday: May 16
Favorite Snack: Chocolate, Peanut butter crackers
Favorite Drink: Sweet tea, Cherry Coke, Dr Pepper
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family/friends, horseback riding, baking sweets, and playing with my son, nieces, and nephew.
Tell us something about you: I spent 2 years in the U.S. Army, I foster dogs for a local rescue, and aspire to become a high school Ag teacher.
Alyssa Ratliff
Name: Alyssa Ratliff
Employed Since: May 2021
Birthday: February 22
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos
Favorite Drink: Sweet tea
Hobbies/Interests: Painting/Art
Tell us something about you: I love spending time with family and friends.
Shaquila Gomes
Name: Shaquila Gomes
Employed Since: May 2021
Birthday: August 17
Favorite Snack: Pistachios
Favorite Drink: Iced Coffee
Hobbies/Interests: Painting, doing nails.
Tell us something about you: I love being a mom and teacher!
Maquinzie Baniolas
Name: Maquinzie Baniolas
Employed Since: August 2021
Birthday: May 5
Favorite Snack: Hot chips and sweets
Favorite Drink: Sweet tea and coke
Hobbies/Interests: painting, going on walks with my 2 dogs, and watching anime.
Tell us something about you: I love pandas
Chase Cooke
Name: Chase Cooke
Employed Since: October 2021
Birthday: July 16
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos with lime
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper
Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out with my family and I love playing around with makeup.
Tell us something about you: I am the youngest of four brothers, I have a niece and a nephew and another on the way. I am a huge family person.
Miranda Guerrero
Name: Miranda Guerrero
Employed Since: October 2021
Birthday: July 4
Favorite Snack: Dynamites and lime chips
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper and Sweet tea
Hobbies/Interests: Doing schoolwork, coloring, spending time with family.
Tell us something about you: I love spending time with friends and family.
Kilee Martinez
Name: Kilee Martinez
Employed Since: December 2021
Birthday: April 19
Favorite Snack: Grapes
Favorite Drink: Vanilla Cream Sweet Tea
Hobbies/Interests: Reading and soccer
Tell us something about you: I love going to the movies and being a mommy.
