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 amazing team.
The Administrators
Karissa Ellison, Owner/Director
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Name: Karissa Ellison Employed Since: April 2005 Birthday: September 28 Favorite Snack: Gardettos Favorite Drink: Waterstill Water & Red Bull Hobbies/Interests: I love True Crime documentaries! Tell us something about you: I love being at home with my hubby. We enjoy playing games and hanging out with family and 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: Waterstill 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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Mayra Gallegos, Assistant Director
Name: Mayra Gallegos
Employed Since: October 2020
Birthday: June 21
Favorite Snack: Limon Lays
Favorite Drink: Water
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, arts & crafts, planning events, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family.
Tell us something about you: I have 2 beautiful girls. I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and I am a shopaholic.
Keitha Ratliff, Food Manager
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Name: Keitha Ratliff Employed Since: July 2005 Birthday: September 15 Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky Favorite Drink: Water Hobbies/Interests: Crafts, camping, & hot summer nights! Tell us something about you: I married my high school sweetheart, and we have 2 kids. |
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: White Cheddar Pop Corners Favorite Drink: Gatorade Zero Hobbies/Interests: I like to watch TV and eat snacks
Tell us something about you: Married 39 years, 3 boys, 5 grandchildren. |
Brittany Gomez
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Name: Brittany Gomez Employed Since: August 2017 Birthday: December 6 Favorite Snack: Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky Favorite Drink: Aloe Vera Pomegranate Hobbies/Interests: Going to the lake, game nights with my family. Tell us something about you: I collect crosses |
Audiana Ellison
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Name: Audiana Ellison Employed Since: July 2020 Birthday: April 17 Favorite Snack: Kettle Corn Pop Corners Favorite Drink: Red Bull Hobbies/Interests: Reading, anything artistic, puzzles
Tell us something about you: I'm super smart & pretty...JK! LOL! I love my family and spending time with them is my favorite thing to do. |
Shaquila Gomes
Name: Shaquila Gomes
Employed Since: May 2021
Birthday: August 17
Favorite Snack: Pretzels
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper
Hobbies/Interests: Painting
Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my family and my wonderful Storyland kiddos.
Stephanie Rocha
Name: Stephanie Rocha
Employed Since: January 2022
Birthday: April 14
Favorite Snack: Veggie Straws
Favorite Drink: Ice water, Unsweet Tea
Hobbies/Interests: Planting, painting, reading, shopping, cooking, coloring, card games.
Tell us something about you: I love to spend my extra time with family & close friends or just relaxing outside with my animals. My fav books to read are romance/rom coms.
Christa Orsborn
Name: Christa Orsborn
Employed Since: June 2022
Birthday: April 26
Favorite Snack: M&M's
Favorite Drink: Coke
Hobbies/Interests: Coloring, singing, going on walks with my dog.
Tell us something about you: I love playing with my pitbull! My favorite colors are blue, grey, pink. I like staying home watching movies.
Analicia Ellison
Name: Analicia Ellison
Employed Since: July 2022
Birthday: July 10
Favorite Snack: Cheddar Pringles
Favorite Drink: Red Bull
Hobbies/Interests: Shopping.
Tell us something about you: I love hanging with my family and friends.
Michelle Gonzalez
Name: Michelle Gonzalez
Employed Since: May 2023
Birthday: November 28
Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky
Favorite Drink: Waterstill Water
Hobbies/Interests: Jigsaw puzzles, reading, binge watching Grey's Anatomy.
Tell us something about you: I am an old lady at heart. I want to learn how to knit and crochet.
Isannah Riggins
Name: Isannah Riggins
Employed Since: August 2023
Birthday: June 27
Favorite Snack: Trail Mix
Favorite Drink: Alanis
Hobbies/Interests: Missionary work, hair, exercise
Tell us something about you: I love planning, reading my Bible, and reading science fiction.
Andrea Cote
Name: Andrea Cote
Employed Since: October 2023
Birthday: May 30
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos, Honey Buns
Favorite Drink: Red Bull
Hobbies/Interests: Church, reading, coloring, running.
Tell us something about you: I love Jesus. I like murder/crime/romance books. My favorite color is Emerald Green.
Susan Matheson
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Name: Susan Matheson Employed Since: November 2023 Birthday: December 17 Favorite Snack: Cheetos Favorite Drink: Unsweet tea Hobbies/Interests: Reading and spending time with my family.
Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my family (2 sons, 1 granddaughter, 1 daughter in law & husband) I love being with the babies at Storyland. |
Tandi Bray
Name: Tandi Bray
Employed Since: December 2023
Birthday: September 11
Favorite Snack: Hot Funyuns
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper
Hobbies/Interests: Love spending time with family and going to church, and listening to music.
Tell us something about you: I love going to church and being around nice people. I love getting to know people. I love my class.
Anessa Miera
Name: Anessa Miera
Employed Since: June 2024
Birthday: February 28
Favorite Snack: Buffalo Pretzel Chips
Favorite Drink: Celsius energy drinks
Hobbies/Interests: Drawing, painting, and writing.
Tell us something about you: I enjoy watching scary movies, being with my family, and doing arts and crafts.
Kandice Martinez
Name: Kandice Martinez
Employed Since: August 2024
Birthday: August 15
Favorite Snack: Chips
Favorite Drink: Lemonade
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with friends and family.
Tell us something about you: I love to color and I love the cold weather.
Bianca Gallardo
Name: Bianca Gallardo
Employed Since: November 2024
Birthday: August 18
Favorite Snack: Lime Hot Cheetos, Original Sunflower Seeds
Favorite Drink: Water & Cran-apple juice
Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, listening to music
Tell us something about you: I'm the oldest out of my 3 siblings. I grew up taking care of my siblings so being around kids has always been something I love to do!
Maquinzie Baniolas
Name: Maquinzie Baniolas
Employed Since: December 2024
Birthday: May 5
Favorite Snack: Nutella biscuits, Hot Cheetos, Hot Fries, Reese's
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper, Sweet tea
Hobbies/Interests: Baking, Hello Kitty, Japan, I collect tumbler cups and pandas, I love self care & my favorite colors are black, purple, & maroon.
Tell us something about you: I'm a dog mom to my Chow Chow Xebec. I'm in culinary school for baking & pastries and have a small business selling custom treats.
Mackenzie Catherall
Name: Mackenzie Catherall
Employed Since: April 2025
Birthday: May 14
Favorite Snack: Hot Fries, Oreos, Fruit Snacks
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper, Sweet tea, Lemonade
Hobbies/Interests: Going on walks with my family, painting, watching movies.
Tell us something about you: I'm a homebody and shy until I get comfortable with the people around me. I like to try new things.
