Carolyn Lovell – Executive Director

Carolyn has served as Executive Director of Catalina United Methodist Day School for over 16 years. Her journey at Catalina began in the classroom, where she started as a Three-Year-Old teacher before moving into leadership. This experience gives her a deep understanding of both teaching and administration.

Born in Guyana, South America, Carolyn brings a rich multicultural background to her work, having lived in several countries before settling in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and an associate’s degree in early childhood education.  Since moving to Tucson, Carolyn has been dedicated to building a strong, supportive school community for children, families, and staff. She is passionate about high-quality early childhood education and believes in partnering closely with families to support each child’s growth and success.  Carolyn’s favorite part of Catalina is the exceptional staff, caring families, and joyful children who make the school a special place every day.

Our toddlers can discover different skills like developing social skills, thus encouraging the develop of imagination, developing motor skills and teaches self-expression.  Parents are always welcome to ask questions as we work together to help your toddler develop while in our care daily.

Rosa Gonzalez, Toddler Teacher

Rosa is one of our dedicated teachers in the Toddler Classroom and will be celebrating two wonderful years at Catalina this October. She joined our school through the recommendation of a former teacher and has been a valued member of our community ever since.

One of Rosa’s favorite parts of working with toddlers is teaching them Spanish. She loves seeing how quickly children learn and believes that introducing bilingual skills early helps open doors for future opportunities.

Rosa brings years of caregiving and educational experience to our program, including work with children with special needs and families in need of extra support. Her calm, nurturing approach helps children feel safe, confident, and loved each day. We are grateful to have Rosa as part of our Catalina family.

Priscilla Canez, Toddler Teacher

Priscilla is one of the teachers in our Toddler Classroom and has been part of the Catalina family for nearly a year. She truly enjoys working with our amazing toddlers and supporting their growth, curiosity, and confidence each day.  One of her favorite things about this age group is their big imaginations and eagerness to learn. Their curiosity, kindness, and joyful spirit make every day rewarding.

Outside of the classroom, Priscilla enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing at the beach.

Kimberly Moreno, Toddler Teacher

I am almost 58 years old and I was born in Michoacán Mexico. When I was 3, my parents moved us to Compton California. Unfortunately, I don’t have any memories of my time living in Mexico. I moved to Arizona in 2000 and started doing respite care for autistic children and families and caregiving for the elderly. Before coming to teach at Catalina, I was a teacher’s aide for autistic children.

Our twos can discover different skills through guided play time they develop key skills like hand-eye coordination and independence.  Play occurs in the classroom and on the playground.  Parents are always welcome to ask questions as we work together to help your two year develop while in our care daily.

Brenda Harrison, Two’s Teacher

Brenda is a dedicated early childhood educator who was born and raised in Tucson. She began her career in early childhood education in 1986 and has been a valued member of the Catalina family since 2011.

She holds an associate’s degree from Pima Community College and brings decades of experience, patience, and care to her classroom. Brenda enjoys working with children of all ages and is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child can thrive.  As a teacher in the Two-Year-Old Classroom, Brenda especially loves supporting children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to explore. She finds joy in watching each child’s creativity and unique personality shine as they grow and learn.  Brenda is excited to partner with families and looks forward to caring for your child each day.

Dejah Graham, Twos Teacher

Dejah is one of our dedicated teachers in the Two-Year-Old Classroom and celebrated her second anniversary with Catalina this past August. She brings energy, creativity, and a caring spirit to her work with young children.

Dejah is now a proud mother of two, including her new baby boy, and a loving mom to her daughter, Evianna. Her experience as a parent enriches her ability to connect with children and families in meaningful ways.

She especially enjoys working with two-year-olds because of their fun personalities and curiosity. Watching them explore, learn, and grow each day is what makes her work so rewarding. Outside of the classroom, Dejah enjoys photography and capturing special moments with her family.

Mallava Kittli, Twos Teacher

Mallava is originally from India and moved to Tucson in 2017. She began her career in early childhood education shortly after arriving and has been working in preschool settings for over seven years.

She has experience working in accredited schools and has continued her education through college coursework since 2020. Mallava is passionate about supporting young children’s growth, learning, and confidence during their early years.  She is also a proud mother to a young son, which deepens her connection with families and her understanding of children’s needs.

Outside of the classroom, Mallava enjoys cooking, going to the gym, watching movies, reading, and listening to music. She loves traveling—especially to beach destinations—and hopes to visit Europe one day.

Mallava is dedicated to creating a caring, positive environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

Amber Siefken, Two’s Teacher

Amber is one of the teachers in our Two-Year-Old Classroom and has been a valued member of the Catalina family for nearly a year. She truly enjoys working with the wonderful children in her class and supporting their growth and development each day.  She especially loves the incredible imagination of two-year-olds and finds joy in their fun, playful, and loving personalities. Being part of their learning journey and watching them grow is what makes her work so meaningful.  Amber is proud to be part of the Catalina team and looks forward to partnering with families to help each child thrive.

Tysharra Turner, 2’s Teacher
My name is Tysharra, and I am the 2’s teacher in our 100 Acre Woods classroom. I have been working with children since I was 16 years old, and I truly believe early childhood is where my heart belongs.  I am a proud mom of two boys, ages 16 and 7. My oldest son is autistic, which has given me a deep understanding of patience, advocacy, and celebrating each child’s unique strengths and abilities.  I am also a big football fan — the Pittsburgh Steelers are my team!

What I love most about teaching twos is simply watching kids be kids — their imagination, the stories they tell, their curiosity, and their endless energy. Every day is full of laughter, learning, and special moments. I strive to make each child’s day brighter and to create a classroom environment where they feel safe, happy, and valued.

Kiwanis “Ms. Kate” Graham – Three-Year-Old Teacher

Kiwanis, known to her students as Ms. Kate, has been a valued member of the Catalina family for three years and brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education to her classroom.

She is passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences and especially enjoys crafting, classroom projects, and decorating for holidays and special celebrations. Her classroom is filled with creativity, joy, and meaningful learning moments.  Ms. Kate loves working with three-year-olds and finds delight in their curiosity, enthusiasm, and wonderful conversations with one another. She enjoys helping children build confidence, friendships, and a love of learning.  Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cooking and discovering new recipes. As a proud mother and grandmother, her strong family values enrich the care and connection she brings to her work with children.

Jessica Thomas, Three-Year-Old Teacher

Jessica is one of our dedicated Three-Year-Old teachers and brings nearly 17 years of experience in early childhood education to her classroom. She has been part of the Catalina family for four years and is passionate about supporting children’s growth and development.  She especially enjoys working with three-year-olds as they begin to discover their unique personalities and build independence. Jessica finds great joy in helping children gain confidence, self-help skills, and a love of learning.  Outside of the classroom, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and caring for her pets. As a mother and grandmother, she brings warmth, patience, and understanding to her work with young children.

Tammie Miles – Pre-K Teacher

Tammie brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education to her role as our Pre-K teacher in the Super Friends classroom. Her teaching journey began in a church school in Redondo Beach, California, and she later earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential while living in Las Vegas.  After moving to Tucson to care for her mother, Tammie made the community her home and has been here for nearly two decades. She is a proud mother of two and a loving grandmother to seven grandchildren, who affectionately call her “NaNa.”  Tammie is passionate about helping children build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. One of her favorite parts of the day is morning meeting and discussion time, where she enjoys seeing students share ideas and celebrate their learning.  Her classroom is filled with energy, encouragement, and joy, making it a welcoming place where children feel excited to grow and succeed.

Melissa Lopez – Pre-K Teacher

Melissa is a valued member of our Pre-K team and leads the Wonders classroom. She has been part of the Catalina family for seven years and brings dedication, enthusiasm, and care to her work each day.

She is passionate about inspiring growth and guiding children through their learning journey as they prepare for kindergarten. Melissa finds it especially rewarding to watch her students gain confidence, develop independence, and discover new skills.  Her classroom is a warm, engaging environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn.

Jennifer Dain – Pre-K Teacher

Jennifer was born in California and has spent most of her life in Arizona. She earned her degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University and worked in Behavioral Health for many years before bringing her skills and experience to early childhood education.  She is the proud mother of two and brings patience, understanding, and compassion to her classroom each day. Her background allows her to support children’s emotional and social development alongside their academic growth.  Jennifer especially enjoys watching her Pre-K students grow throughout the year as they build confidence, strengthen skills, and prepare for kindergarten. She loves being part of their learning journey and celebrating their progress.  Her classroom is filled with encouragement, laughter, and a love of learning.

Aniza Lopez – Pre-K Afternoon Teacher & School-Age Camp Leader

Aniza is our Pre-K Afternoon Teacher and also leads our Summer Camp program for school-age children. She brings energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to both roles, helping children feel supported and excited to learn year-round.  She enjoys getting to know each child’s unique personality and loves working with Pre-K students because of their curiosity, imagination, and joyful spirit. Her classroom is filled with laughter, encouragement, and opportunities for children to build independence and confidence.  During the summer, Aniza especially enjoys leading creative projects and organizing fun activities, including favorite traditions like Friday movie days. She is passionate about making each child’s experience at Catalina fun, meaningful, and memorable.

Sierra Mitchell – Three-Year-Old Afternoon Teacher & School-Age Camp Leader

Sierra serves as the Afternoon Teacher for our Three-Year-Old classroom and also works with our Pre-K and Summer Camp programs. She has been part of the Catalina family for nearly two years and brings positivity, dedication, and enthusiasm to her work each day.  She values the strong sense of teamwork at Catalina and appreciates the supportive leadership, beautiful campus, and caring staff community. Sierra is grateful to be part of such a welcoming environment and enjoys building meaningful connections with children and families.  Her calm, encouraging approach helps children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn and grow.

Valentine Benton – Kitchen Assistant, Floater, & Two-Year-Old Afternoon Teacher

Valentine serves in multiple roles at Catalina as a Kitchen Assistant, classroom floater, and Two-Year-Old Afternoon Teacher. Her flexibility, dedication, and positive attitude help support both students and staff throughout the day.  Born in Tucson and raised in San Francisco, Valentine brings a diverse educational background to her work. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from New York University, where she studied Theatre and African Studies, and later completed graduate-level coursework in Sociology at the University of Arizona.  Her strong academic foundation, creativity, and compassion enrich her interactions with children and contribute to a supportive, well-rounded learning environment. Valentine is proud to be part of the Catalina team and enjoys helping create a positive, nurturing experience for every child.

Susan Killmer – Cook

Susan has been a valued member of the Catalina family since 2006 and has a long-standing connection to the school, first joining the community when her own children were students here.

Born and raised in Tucson, Susan is a graduate of Catalina High School and brings dedication, care, and pride to her work each day. She plays an important role in preparing nutritious, delicious meals that support our students’ health and well-being.  Outside of work, Susan enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and pets. She looks forward to cooking for your children and helping make Catalina feel like home.