If you would like to learn more about Catalina United Methodist Day School and request a tour.  Please contact our office at (520) 327-4791 or [email protected]

Hi, I’m Carolyn Lovell, Executive Director of the Day School.  I was born in South America, Guyana and left Guyana when I was 8 years old. Lived in the Cayman Islands, Antigua, Curacao then my family moved to the United States, settling in Virginia when I was 16. I have my Bachelor’s in Business Management and an Associates in Early Childhood Education.  I have been at Catalina since 2006 as a 3-year-old teacher then in 2011 I became the Executive Director of the School.  I have two dogs, a 12-year-old Pit bull mix named Nina that I rescued when she was around 4, and recently I got a Shih-Poo mix named Oreo when she was 3 months old and she has lots of energy.  I enjoy the Catalina families and community.

Hey! I’m Jen Godfrey, Assistant Director of the Day School.  I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Tucson after graduating High School in 2007 from Newtown, Connecticut.  During the fall and winter of 2012, I did the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida, selling Ice Cream and Popcorn! My favorite treats were ALWAYS the Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars!  When I came back home, I was ready to settle into my career and started working at Catalina in May of 2013 as an afternoon Pre-K teacher.  I started running our Summer Camp in 2015 and became Assistant Director in 2022.  I have learned and grown so much during my time here and have loved every minute of it.  Eventually I decided to go back to school and graduated with a Bachelors in Behavioral Health Sciences with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders from Grand Canyon University in 2019.  I have a black cat named Binx, but I love all animals! I am a huge Disney fan!

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.

Hi, I’m Victoria Jaime, in the classroom I am known as Ms. Vicky.  I am a mother of 5 great kids; I enjoy gardening and I love to read. I have a YouTube channel aimed to instill a love of books in children and to help teachers in the classroom (https://www.youtube.com/@ChomStories) I have been in the Early Childhood Education field since 2000 with lots of continued education in early childhood developments. My favorite thing to do in the classroom is to read and create art.  I love engaging the children while allowing them to lead the way. Child led education is very important to me.

Hi, I’m Christa Ramos. I’m twenty years old. I’m originally from Rio Rico and Nogales. They are small towns that border Mexico. Growing up, I would cross back and forth. It was such a blessing to grow up knowing both my American and Mexican cultures. My first language is Spanish, and my second is English. What interested me in childcare was my nephew. I would love taking care of him and watching him grow. It’s such a beautiful thing to see a small human grow into their own person. Working here is a privilege because I get to see more babies grow into their own person and see how their personalities grow as they grow.

Hello, my name is Rosa Gonzalez, 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.

Hello, I’m Dejah Graham. I am one of the teachers in the Busy Bee classroom. I am a mom to my 5-year-old daughter Evianna who has been coming to Catalina since she was 3 years old. I adore working with and teaching children! I absolutely love photography, taking pictures and capturing the most precious moments!

Hi, I’m Kimberly Moreno and I have been with the toddlers and twos.  I enjoy singing and dancing with my twos.  I have worked at Catalina since 2019; after relocating from California.  I am pursuing my degree in Sociology.

Hello, I’m Kiwanis Graham but in my class my kids know call me Ms. Kate. I have been married for 27 years; I have 4 daughters and 5 grandchildren. I have been a foster parent for many years and adopted my two youngest daughters.  I have worked in Early Childhood Education for over 30 years.  I love crafting and doing projects with kids. I am a big fan of holidays and decorating for them.

Hello I’m Brenda Harrison; I was born and raised in Tucson.  I graduated with an Associates in 1983 from Pima Community College.  I started working in Early Childhood Education in 1986; I have been at Catalina since 2011.  I love working with all the ages and am very excited to care for your child.

Our threes can discover different skills through guided play time.  Play occurs in the classroom and on the playground.  Parents are always welcome to ask questions as we work together to help your three year old develop while in our care daily.

Hello from Hogwarts!  I’m Jessica Thomas.  I’ve been married for 18 years, a mother to 2 grown children and two younger ones, as well as 2 grand kids.  I have been a preschool teacher for almost 18 years.  I love Harry Potter!  I have two dogs, two cats and 10 chickens.  I enjoy working with the 3’s.

Hi from the Rainbows! I’m Melissa Lopez; I have been at Catalina since 2017 and I absolutely love it here. I am married and I have 3 beautiful daughters.  I have a soft spot for animals and have 3 fluffy doggies. I enjoy watching movies and going on vacations to Disneyland.  But I absolutely love the spooky season – Halloween.  I love to decorate for special times of the year.

Hello! I’m Erica Lu. I was born and raised in Texas and the southern charm I learned follows me wherever I am! My early education experience started in China and after having my own 2 wonderful boys, I am back in it stateside. I love making children feel supported, loved, and valued. My own love for music and reading reflects in my classroom as you can find us singing songs and reading together often. I remember very young learning through song, so I try to incorporate it as much as I can. It’s been a joy working at Catalina!

Hi, I am Jennifer Dain, and this is my 3rd year teaching Pre-K at the Day School. I was born in California but have spent most of my life in Arizona. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from NAU in 2001 and was employed in behavioral health case management for almost 10 years until I decided to start a family. My children are the light of my life, my son will soon be 12, and my daughter is 9. I love spending time in nature, music, art, and reading. I am thankful for the wonderful kids and opportunities in learning I’ve had since joining Catalina and look forward to many more!

Our fours and fives can discover different skills through guided play time.  Play occurs in the classroom and on the playground.  Parents are welcome to ask questions as we work together to help your four-five year old develop while in our daily care.

Hello I’m Tammie Miles; I have been a teacher for the past 30+ years.  It all started in a Church school back in Redondo Beach, CA.  I have my CDA which I earned when I lived in Las Vegas.  I originally moved to Tucson temporarily to help take care of my mom, and have been here now for 19 years.I have 2 grown children and 7 amazing grandbabies that call me “NaNa!”  I am a big super hero and Star Wars fan.

My name is Mallava Kittli and I am from India. I was born and raised there. After I found my spouse from the USA I got married in 2016. In 2017 I moved to Tucson AZ to live with him. My first job since coming here was working with children. That is how I started my career in the USA as a preschool teacher. I have been working in preschool for 7 years. I also have experience working for an accredited school.  I have taken some college courses since 2020. I also have a lovely son who is 3 ½ years old. My hobbies are cooking and going to the gym, watching movies, reading sometimes and listening to music. I am very passionate about my profession working with children and watching them grow. My favorite vacation destinations are any place that has beaches. I dream of one visiting Europe..

Hi I’m Susan Killmer; and I have been at Catalina since 2006.  I first became acquainted with the school when my kids were students at Catalina.  I was born and raised in Tucson, and graduated from Catalina High School.  My husband and I have been together for 40+ years and we have a grandson, 2 dogs and a turtle.  I enjoy gardening.  I look forward to cooking and making great meals for your child at Catalina.

Hi I’m Valentine Benton; born in Tucson, Arizona but I grew up in San Francisco, CA.  I have 4 years at New York University studying Theatre and African Studies, also obtaining my Bachelor’s degree.   After graduation, I came back to Tucson for graduate school at the University of Arizona; doing all of my course work with the Sociology Department.  I have 4 brothers and 1 sister.

Hello, my name is Aniza Lopez and I am currently a student at the University of Arizona and work with the 3s and pre-k classes. During the summer I also work with the school age kids in Summer Camp. I enjoy creating fun outline pictures for the kids to color in. In my free time I love to travel to the beach in addition to spending a day in Disneyland with my loved ones.