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, Owner/Director
 |
Name: Karissa Ellison Employed Since: April 2005 Birthday: September 28 Favorite Snack: Salty snacks Favorite Drink: Waterstill Water 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
 |
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!
|
Mayra Gallegos, Assistant Director
Name: Mayra Gallegos
Employed Since: October 2020
Birthday: June 21
Favorite Snack: Hot Funyuns
Favorite Drink: Waterstill 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.
Keitha Ratliff, Food Manager
 |
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
 |
Name: Rose Bilderback Employed Since: March 2017 Birthday: September 25 Favorite Snack: Ranch Veggie straws Favorite Drink: Sweet tea & Lemonade Hobbies/Interests: I like to watch TV and eat snacks
Tell us something about you: Married 39 years, 3 boys, 5 grandchildren. |
Brittany Gomez
 |
Name: Brittany Gomez Employed Since: August 2017 Birthday: December 6 Favorite Snack: Hot fries w/ranch Favorite Drink: Sweet tea Hobbies/Interests: Going to the lake, game nights with my family. Tell us something about you: I collect crosses |
Audiana Ellison
 |
Name: Audiana Ellison Employed Since: July 2020 Birthday: April 17 Favorite Snack: Cashews Favorite Drink: Water 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. |
Susan Matheson
 |
Name: Susan Matheson Employed Since: September 2020 Birthday: December 17 Favorite Snack: Sugar free candy, cheetos, almonds Favorite Drink: Water and 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. |
Nikki Hargrove
Name: Nikki Hargrove
Employed Since: October 2020
Birthday: May 19
Favorite Snack: Sour cream & cheddar chips
Favorite Drink: Sweet mint tea
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking & Baking
Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my kids and husband. I have recently started reading more books! Crime and murder books are my favorite kind of books!!
Shaquila Gomes
Name: Shaquila Gomes
Employed Since: May 2021
Birthday: August 17
Favorite Snack: Cheese Chex Mix
Favorite Drink: Water
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: Sunflower seeds
Favorite Drink: Ice water, Sweet 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: Reece's (Fast Break, Any kind of Reece's!)
Favorite Drink: Coke, Dr Pepper, Pepsi, Lemonade
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.
Kelli Evans
Name: Kelli Evans
Employed Since: June 2022
Birthday: January 25
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos or Takis
Favorite Drink: Root beer
Hobbies/Interests: Plants and antiquing.
Tell us something about you: I'm about to get married, I have 2 dogs & 2 cats. I love traveling.
Analicia Ellison
Name: Analicia Ellison
Employed Since: July 2022
Birthday: July 10
Favorite Snack:
Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper
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: Water or tea
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: White cheddar Cheez-Its
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: Root beer, Sprite, Tea
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.
Tandi Bray
Name: Tandi Bray
Employed Since: December 2023
Birthday: September 11
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos
Favorite Drink: Dr Pepper/ Golden Eagle from Dutch Bros
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.
Jordan Johnson
Name: Jordan Johnson
Employed Since: February 2024
Birthday: February 2
Favorite Snack: Any fruit or chocolate
Favorite Drink: Sweet tea/mint tea...Just tea!
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my 3 littles, painting, swimming, dancing, playing flute, anything outdoors!
Tell us something about you: I'm a single mom of 3! I go to school. I have a big family. Five brothers!
