The HELPers

My name is Keli Mooney, and I have been in early childhood education for over 20 years, with most of those years spent teaching in the Pre-K classroom. I’ve always loved working in diverse and inclusive environments where children learn to appreciate one another’s uniqueness — because young children truly see no differences.

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In my current role with toddlers, I enjoy the exciting change of helping them reach new milestones and encouraging early language development through books, music, and play. I find so much joy in watching their curiosity and confidence grow each day.

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As a mother of three adult children and a grandmother to three grandsons, I bring a deep understanding of how young minds learn and thrive. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor activities and amateur wildlife and landscape photography — a passion I was fortunate to nurture during my time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.Each day, I feel grateful to come to work, surrounded by bright little smiles and endless opportunities to inspire young learners. It truly gives me the affirmations of what I was meant to be in life!  

Hello, my name is Sam and I have been teaching in early childhood for 9 years now! It has been my passion ever since I was old enough to work. I started with infants and toddlers and have continued ever since! I have taught in the infant/toddler classrooms here at Higher Elevations for over 2 years now and it has become my teaching home. I love that our school is a such a close community where we get to care for and love every child that comes through our doors. 

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Some of my passions outside of teaching include; singing, playing the piano and guitar, caring for my 5 animals at home, and cooking. I love to bring the art of music into the classroom and really showcase the importance of music. My favorite moments in the classroom are when we sing and enjoy the beauty of music together.

My name is Destiny I just go by Destiny, I have worked in childcare for five years. I started around nineteen years old. 

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My joy is my family, I have been in a loving relationship for the last four years and have a dog, four cats, a chameleon and several fish tanks. My joy is taking care of them and have been passionate about nature and animals from a young age. 

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I love working with children and teaching them how to play and connecting them with one another and setting the tone for engagement and emotional growth. 

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I love being a nurturing and educational  person and teaching feels like my calling. Being able to step outside of myself and communicate and connect with families and kids is very important to me. 

 

Working at Higher Elevations provides such a comforting energy of community, as the community teacher I get to experience each room and contribute to the communicative learning atmosphere.

Hello Families and Friends, 

My name is DeZhae Moreland. My name can be difficult for the children to pronounce, so they call me “Teacher DJ”. I am fine with parents addressing me as DeZhae or DJ. 

 

I graduated from The University of Oregon in 2020. I have taught preschool children for five years. I have lots of experience working with children. I love seeing children smile, have fun, try new things, and watching them grow over time. I love seeing my students thrive and become who they are, it makes my Teacher Heart Happy! I enjoy painting, using play dough, reading stories, having conversations, and making memories with my students. 

 

Outside of teaching I love spending time with family and loved ones. I have a cocker spaniel named Nova, and she is my child (fur baby). I enjoy sleeping, relaxing, shopping, getting my nails done, self care, taking baths, cleaning, and being at home. My favorite color is pink, I love all things “girly”, Starbucks, Dutch Bros, watching Youtube, ect. 

 

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child's educational journey. I am looking forward to a Great School Year : ) 

I am a mother of three grown adults! I have two Beautiful daughters a one Handsome son! My two daughters ages are 28, 26 an my son is 23! I have two Grandchildren!

 

A Granddaughter  and a grandson ages 10 years old an 11 months. I so excited to be apart of HELP! 

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I’ve worked with children over 20+years! I started with my Mother In-law in 1996! I became one of her Assistant Director for her summer camp program! 

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From than on I knew I have a love a passion for children!

 

One of my passions to work with children is to see their growth.  To know that I’m apart of each child development! Brings me so much joy! My goal is to always plant the seeds and children to help them with their independence, their social emotional skills!

 

To bring out their gifts and watching them becoming their own being! I am so Grateful to be a Teacher at HELP! An so Grateful to have the Privilege to work with each child in our classroom community!

Hi, I’m Fleace. I am born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and I’ve been working in early childhood education for about six years. I love helping kids discover who they are through play it’s such an important way for them to learn, express their emotions, and build friendships.

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I have a son, and we share a love for all things spooky. When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me exploring Powell’s Bookstore or crystal shops.

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Early education matters to me because every child deserves a space where they feel safe, seen, and supported. Higher Elevations already feels like home. HELP is special place where everyone looks out for each other and truly values community.

Teacher Max started working in the foster care system after college, and after the program they worked for was shut down they were looking for a slightly calmer place to call home. That is what led them to HELP, and the last year of working in the Cascade Rooms has been a blast!

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In their free time they like to explore all of the best food Portland has, and all of its finest parks and rivers with their dog Archie. They love music and all things nerdy, and can usually be found cuddled up with Archie and reading a good book.

Monica has been working at HELP for 3 years,

mostly in the infant room, and has been with the preschool rooms for

about 7 months.

 

She received her master’s in Early Childhood Education from California State University Long Beach. Her favorite things about preschool are seeing children’s natural curiosities emerge in the classroom and watching children develop rich friendships.

 

She is constantly educating herself in neuro-affirming practices, having two neurodivergent children of her own and is passionate about every child being seen and represented in her class.

 

In her spare time, she

loves exploring the outdoors with her own kiddos, gardening, cooking, and baking.

I’ve worked in early childcare for about 18 years, and I have a deep passion for helping children grow, explore, and discover new things. I love seeing their confidence build as they achieve milestones and learn skills they once thought were beyond their reach.

 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my cats, reading, and volunteering with my horse group. 

 

As a community teacher at Higher Elevations, I love supporting all classrooms and building meaningful relationships with all the children, and getting to know all the staff and families.

My name is Gabby, and I’ve been working in early childcare for three years. I love expressing my creativity through art, whether it’s drawing, painting, or decorating and I enjoy bringing that same creativity into the classroom. Working with children brings me so much joy! It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow, learn, and light up with new discoveries. Their laughter, curiosity, and sweet little personalities always make me smile.

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Higher Elevations is a special place with such a sense of community and growth. It’s amazing to see how much we’ve evolved together, and I feel grateful to continue growing right alongside our children and team.

I’ve been teaching in early childhood education for three years, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my life. Outside the classroom, I find joy in cooking, playing games, and taking long drives to explore the area.

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In the classroom, I love creating beautiful, intentional environments that invite children to explore, imagine, and grow with confidence. I’m passionate about designing spaces that nurture curiosity and independence, giving children the freedom to express their ideas and discover the world in their own unique way. Watching their growth step by step is what inspires me to teach. 

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What excites me most about being a teacher at Higher Elevations Learning Place is our strong sense of community. We are building a space that feels like home—a place where families and staff alike can give and receive support, feel valued, and grow together. I’m grateful to be part of a team that truly believes in connection, care, and the ability of children.

Hi, I’m Ashley Heil, a Christian mom of three and an educator who believes deeply in the power of child-led learning. Before becoming a teacher, I spent ten years as a nanny and several years as a chef—experiences that taught me the importance of patience, creativity, and meaningful connection.

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In my classroom, I draw inspiration from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and play-based approaches. I see each child as capable, curious, and full of potential. I value hands-on exploration, independence, and giving children the time and space to discover at their own pace. My goal is to create an environment where every child feels seen, respected, and inspired to learn through play, wonder, and real-world experiences.

Hello, my name is Lissette Grondzik and currently working as an Infant (Sprouts) & Wobbs (Buttercups) teacher. I’ve been with HELP for 8 years and have been in Early Childhood Education for 24 years! 

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I’m bilingual as I was born in Mexico City. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where I attended Merritt College. I made Oregon my home in 2010 and have no plans on leaving. I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful foliage and views of the Pacific Northwest. In my spare  time, I enjoy watching sports, working on house projects, vacationing, and spending time with friends and family. 

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My husband , James and I, share an 18 year old daughter, named Jadyn. She recently graduated high school and is attending her first year of college with aspirations of becoming a dentist. We also share 3 adorable kitties named Winston, Ermine, and Chester (my COVID babies!)

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This field has been a major part of my life. I feel completely honored and blessed to be a part of all these beautiful children’s lives throughout the years. To watch them grow and thrive, brings me so much joy. The opportunity to have been someone that helped mold them into their exceptional selves is priceless! 

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I am excited to be a part of this very special team and community.

My name is Yesenia Silva, and I am a dedicated teacher with over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. I started my career as a social worker, doing home visits with parents and children to help build stronger connections between families. That experience taught me the importance of communication, trust, and support in a child’s growth and development.

 

I studied Early Childhood Development at North Central Missouri College and have continued to grow in my career by incorporating both Montessori and play-based learning methods in my teaching. I am a bilingual educator, and I value creating an inclusive classroom where every child feels seen, heard, and encouraged to explore their potential.

 

Education has always been my passion, and I strive to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families every day.

Hello my friends,

 

My name is Shelby Voas, and I am so excited to be a part of the Higher Elevations Learning Place community. Working with children brings me so much joy. It keeps me young and allows me to still embrace my imagination and sense of wonder. I see each child as an individual and support their needs and interests.

 

The teaching of peace, community and respect makes my classroom a beautiful place to be. I believe in fostering a lifetime of respect, love of learning and an understanding of what an individual can contribute to a community and our world as a whole. I have been working with children since the age of 14 in diverse classroom environments. I have taught children overseas, as well as in traditional classrooms, and I have had the opportunity to start several outdoor preschool programs.

 

I am one of the lucky ones who consider their work fun and exciting. I look forward to spending my days with kiddos. I am as happy leading a gathering, telling stories, playing games or singing as I am following children on their own adventure. I have found my passion and calling. 

 

When I am not in the classroom, I like to spend my time with my family. I live with my 17 year old son Indigo, my partner Rachel, our cat Serendipity, dog Charlie, and our turtle Otis Flower. I grew up in Oregon, and I feel blessed with all the Pacific Northwest gifts us. I love to camp and spend my time in nature. In my free time you will find me playing in my garden, creating with beads, or reading a book. Community is very important to me, and I look forward to be a part of the Higher Elevations Learning Place family too.