Meet our CAREGIVING TEAM
Our Mini Makers™ Studio is under the direction and supervision of a professional team of Educators, Behavioral Psychologists, Professional Coaches, caregivers, student interns, and parents. Together, they aim to expose your children to a variety of educational and artistic experiences while they learn and play together!
Leadership Team
Leslie Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, graduated from UCLA with degrees in Communications, Education, and Applied Developmental Psychology. She also is a trained as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and has experience working in Higher Education in student leadership development. Leslie is the Co-Founder of The Makers Place™ where she currently serves as the Community Manager and Director of the Mini Makers™ Preschool. She also works as a Leadership Coach and Lifestyle Strategist at her boutique practice, Lead With Intention®.
Joel Bosserman, M.A., BCBA, has over a decade of professional experience supporting children and families as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst working in early-intervention for school districts and in-home programs. He recently joined our teaching team full-time in our Mini Makers™ Preschool where he focuses on teacher training and creating innovative classroom environments. Along with his wife Leslie, Joel is the Co-Founder of The Makers Place™ and also does Behavioral Assessments, Parent Training, and in-home work for children and families through his corporation, Entropy Behavior Services, Inc.
The Bossermans are based in Sacramento where they live with their three young children. When they are not playing at local parks or hosting epic dinner parties, they enjoy traveling the globe, dancing (and singing) to all kinds of music, and reading as a family.
LEAD Caregivers
Anissa Sengchiam is in her freshman year at Sac State majoring in Health Science. She loves being a community helper and has a passion for working with children of all ages. In her free time, Anissa enjoys going to the beach and traveling to new places. After college, she aspires to enter the medical field to become a pediatrician.
Tammie Balestreri moved to Sacramento to attend college and earned her degree at Sac State in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource management and Risk Management and Insurance. She has worked for over a decade as a Benefits Account Manager and has even more parenting experience! As the oldest of eight kids, Tammie has two elementary aged children of her own. Her hobbies include hand embroidery, kayaking and hiking with her family. Tammie also currently serves as our Childcare Coordinator.
ASSISTANT Caregivers
Danellie McPheeters is in her freshman year at Cosumnes River College majoring in Web Development. She enjoys taking care of babies and children and loves helping them learn new skills and support their development. In her free time, Danellie enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and making cute crafts like crocheted butterflies.
Jessica McPheeters is a college student at Sacramento City College studying Library and Information Science and Child Development. She aspires to work at a public or school library after graduation. Jessica has a passion of reading and wants to share her love of reading with children. She also enjoys going hiking, watching movies, crocheting, and singing. Jessica enjoys spending time with children and is excited to be working with our Mini Makers!
Melissa McPheeters is currently a sophomore at Cosumnes River College working towards an AS-T degree in Nutrition, along with obtaining a Plant-Based Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture Certificate. She is passionate about helping people heal through a good diet and a healthy lifestyle to improve their quality of life. When she is not busy studying, Melissa enjoys reading books, doing nature and landscape photography, and drawing horses.
STUDENT INTERNS
Amber Webb is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Education Certificate at American River College. She is passionate about her education and loves school and helping others. Amber enjoys being able to showcase her creativity to children by doing arts and crafts, especially rock painting. In her free time, she enjoys building strong ties with her family, friends, and cat name Midnight. Amber enjoys being outdoors and going on long hikes. She looks forward to helping children reach their full potential and discover their artistic side!
Ciara (CeCe) Williams is currently studying Sociology at Cosumnes River College. She loves helping children learn and grow and has previously worked in after school programs. CeCe is currently part of the Thousand Strong Program which is helping her gain professional experience toward her future goals. She loves traveling and exploring new places. In her free time, CeCe enjoys drawing and listening to smooth jams.
Lilli Barajas is currently a high school senior at Natomas Charter High School.. After graduation, she aspires to major in Child Development and pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. Lilli finds joy in spending time with children and actively volunteers at local events to engage with them whenever she can. Additionally, she is part of the Thousand Strong Program where she serves as an intern at The Makers Place™ to gain valuable experience working with children. In her free time, Lilli enjoys various artistic activities such as ceramics, painting, crocheting, and aerial silk.
Lindsey McPheeters is currently a Sophomore in high school. After graduation, she hopes to attend UC Davis to major in veterinary technology or veterinary medicine. Lindsey enjoys taking care of children and loves to help out at The Makers Place™! In her free time, she likes to crochet, sketch, listen to music, read books, try new hairstyles, play piano or her ukulele and play with her kitties!
Lizzy Olivares is currently a senior at Natomas Charter High School. Once she graduates, Lizzy is interested in going to college to become an ultrasound technician. She loves working with children of all ages and has babysitting experience in addition to her internship at The Makers Place™. Lizzy is currently part of the Thousand Strong Program where she gets professional job training in early childhood education. In her free time, Lizzy loves to make pottery and even has a pottery wheel at home!
