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

Birthday: September 28

Employed since April 2005

Favorite snack & drink: Gardettos & water

Hobbies/Interests: I love to play volleyball.

“I am a homebody, I love just being home with my hubby & our 3 kids!”

Justine McDonald, Assistant Director

Birthday: June 29

Employed since February 2012

Favorite Drink & Snack : Water & Trail Mix

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Baking, Crafts

“I am a total boymom. I have 3 boys and we are all about dirt, bugs, worms, sports, & trucks”

Laura Cogliandro, Assistant Director

Birthday: May 26

Employed since September 2014

Favorite Drink & Snack: Water & dried apricots

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts, baking, & being outdoors”

“ I love being a dog mom to my Ellie. I have a huge family who always keep me moving & grooving.”

Keitha Ratliff, Food Service

Birthday: September 15

Employed since July 2005

Favorite Drink & Snack: Coke, sweet tea, & beef jerky

Hobbies/Interests: I love all crafts!

“I married my high school sweetheart & we have 2 beautiful children together”

The Teachers (Listed in Order of Employment Seniority)

Allison Anthony

Employed since January 2006

Favorite Drink & Snack: Water & salt & vinegar chips

Hobbies/Interests: Volleyball & Real Estate

Maria Lee

Birthday: June 21

Employed since August 2010

Favorite Drink & Snack Sweet tea, pineapples, & grapes

Hobbies/Interests: Reading

“I have my Bachelors in Education & am certified EC-6”

Michelle Gonzalez

Birthday: November 28

Employed since April 2012

Favorite Drink & Snack: Diet Dr Pepper & beef jerky

Hobbies/Interests: Puzzles & Dallas Cowboys

“I have my associates in child development. My husband & I are currently fostering 2 family members. We are hard core Dallas Cowboys fans!!”

Kayla Tijerina

Birthday: August 3

Employed since October 2013

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sprite, beef jerky, & fruit

Hobbies/Interests: DIY projects & crafts

“I’m currently going to school for my Bachelors in general education K-6”

Heather Harmon

Birthday: August 12

Employed since January 2014

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sweet Tea, queso & chips

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, giraffes, traveling, & Netflix

“I’m originally from Maine, obsessed with Mexican food, & Queso is life!”

Stacie Stubblefield

Birthday: August 10

Employed since October 2014

Favorite Drink & Snack: lemonade, popcorn, lemons, & watermelon

Hobbies/Interests: Playing pool, bowling, & history

“I’m a volunteer for veterans & I recently joined a cooking club on Saturday nights”

Ashlee Little

Birthday: September 7

Employed since May 2015

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sweet Tea & Baked chips

Hobbies/Interests: Sports, being a mommy

“I’m going to school for medical billing & coding”

Jackie Almazan

Birthday: September 6

Employed since November 2015

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sweet Tea, Coke & Reeses

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, Netflix, Spending time with my kids.

“I’m going to be a grandma for the first time in September”

Paige Dominquez

Birthday: May 5

Employed since April 2016

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sugar free Red Bull & Fruit

Hobbies/Interests: Making Dream Catchers & Tennis

“My family originates from England”

April Guenther

Birthday: June 20

Employed since April 2016

Favorite Drink & Snack: Unsweet tea, Big Red, Dr. Pepper & anything but cherry

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking

“I’m a registered Choctaw Indian”

Elysia Almazan

Birthday: October 5

Employed since June 2016

Favorite Drink & Snack: Cranberry Sprite & Chips & Queso

Hobbies/Interests: Collect Marilyn Monroe & elephant stuff

“ I just got my first house on my own”

Carissa Villarreal

Birthday: May 13

Employed since August 2016

Favorite Drink & Snack: Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Starbucks Vanilla & Hot Cheetos Lime

Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, Anime, painting w/my daughter

“I love animals. I like to be creative with art & cooking”

Elizabeth Rueda

Birthday: March 27

Employed since March 2017

Favorite Drink & Snack: Big Red, sweet tea, gummy bears, & beef jerky

Hobbies/Interests: makeup, clothes, & hair

“I am a very big family person & love being with them”

Rose Bilderback

Birthday: September 25

Employed since March 2017

Favorite Drink & Snack: Coke, sweet tea & hot fries w/ lemon salt

Hobbies/Interests: Motorcycle riding & helping in the community.

“ I have 3 grandbabies. I’m a member of POH Motorcycle Ministry. I have a bachelors in biblical studies. I have enjoyed working w/children for over 25 years”

Christin Marnell

Birthday: August 23

Employed since April 2017

Favorite Drink & Snack: Unsweet tea, cheese, hot chips, & plain m&m’s

Hobbies/Interests: Volleyball & going out of town with hubby

“I love kids & animals”

Stephanie Smalley

Birthday: November 23

Employed since May 2017

Favorite Drink & Snack: Mountain Dew & Cheetos

Hobbies/Interests: Reading & crafts

“I have lived in 4 different states”

Kayla Martinez

Birthday: May 23

Employed since May 2017

Favorite Drink & Snack: Unsweet tea w/vanilla & peanut m&m’s

Hobbies/Interests: Glitter, Bath & Body Works candles, & Disney

“I enjoy spending time with my girls, run a police awareness blog, & graduate in May with my bachelors. God has blessed me with amazing friends & a love for kids!”