Leslie Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, has a long-standing professional background in education and leadership. As an entrepreneur and mother, she runs The Makers Place™ and Lead With Intention® and is actively involved in the Greater Sacramento community. Her background in Early Childhood Education and passion for supporting parents and families is only paralleled by her love for local coffee and hosting events that bring people together. As the Preschool Director, Leslie supports the administration of our Mini Makers™ Preschool, including admission, enrollment, hiring, and training.

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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. Joel also works on a consultative basis when families need more behavior support and parent training. In his free time, he enjoys distance running, CrossFit, karaoke, and playing board and card games with his family and friends.

Madylin Stewart, B.A. has her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development at Sac State. She completed her supervised fieldwork hours in our preschool program in Spring 2023 and was such a great fit she has joined our professional teaching team! Mady has a passion for working with children and making an impact on their lives and plans to return to school to purse her teaching credential. In her free time, she loves to travel, explore nature, and go on walks with her dog.

Jordan Tzonkov, B.A. recently graduated from Sac State in Child and Adolescent Development. She believes that children learn best and thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment that celebrates their unique backgrounds and learning styles. Jordan aspires for empathy to be at the cornerstone of every interaction, ensuring each child feels safe, valued, and empowered to participate. Her passion for teaching lies in fostering a love of learning that ignites a child's curiosity and empowers them to become confident, creative, and ultimately happy individuals.

Taylor Browne, B.A., graduated from Sac State with her degree in Music Education. She has experience working with children of all ages, from infants to school-age, and finds joy nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning while encouraging children to expand their creativity and imagination. As a mother, Taylor understands the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. She spends most of her free time with her daughter and their three pets, and enjoys listening to and writing music, reading, and doing arts and crafts.

Elena Balesteri is attending Sac State and majoring in Liberal Studies to pursue her career in teaching. She started out as a swim instructor and fell in love with teaching children life skills through their lessons. Elena loves to spend time with her family, trying new foods, exploring, and doing color guard.

Julie Vang is passionate about working with young children and has a deep love for nurturing their development. As a mom of three teenagers and adult children, her approach to education is characterized by a strong sense of responsibility and respect for each child's unique needs and growth. By fostering trust and respect, Julie aims to positively impact their developmental journey and build a strong foundation for their future. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and watching movies with her family.

Kathy Almanza has been taking undergraduate courses locally at Sac City College in Early Childhood Education and is working toward pursuing her career to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist She originally joined our team as part of the Thousand Strong Program through the Sacramento Metro Chamber and has a passion for working with young children. In her free time, Kathy loves to read, do puzzles, and hang out with her two cats.

Emily Carling, B.A., graduated from Sac State with a degree in Child Development and plans to pursue her elementary teaching credential. She has worked with children at multiple age levels and is passionate about creating a welcoming, creative environment to help them thrive. Emily is fluent in Spanish and travels Mexico every summer with family. In her free time, she loves to travel to new places, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Sara Chinakwe, B.A., is a dedicated wife, mother of three children, and passionate early childhood educator. After graduating from California State University Stanislaus, Sara has spent decades working in the education field while simultaneously raising her family. Her love for nurturing young minds has been the driving force behind her successful career in early childhood education. With a wealth of experience and a genuine enthusiasm for her profession, Sara continues to make a positive impact on countless children's lives, shaping their educational foundations from the very start.