Teacher Credentials:

Erin Tippetts: Owner/Head teacher

Erin Tippetts, a Hidden Springs resident, is a mother of three children, ages six, eight and ten. She has a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in human development with early childhood, and has over 18 years of teaching experience. Over the years, she has taught preschool in various early childhood centers, was the owner of her own preschool, ran an interactive parent/toddler program, taught Kindermusik, and has spent the past 17 summers as the owner of a summer day camp in Sun Valley, Idaho. Erin has been the owner of Smart Start Preschool for the past three years and was recently honored in Idaho Business Revue’s 2009 Women of the Year magazine.

Rachel Stewart: Early Preschool assistant teacher

Rachel Stewart has been assistant teacher at Smart Start Preschool for the past three years. She received her AA degree with a major in child development from Modesto Junior College, and then her BA degree with a minor in child development from California State University. Over the years, her teaching experience has included teaching first, fourth, and fifth grades. She was a supplemental teacher for two years working with students grades first through fifth in areas of reading and math. She facilitated a tutor program on the same campus for two years. She moved to Hidden Springs in March 2006, with husband Greg, son Jacob and daughter Sarah.

Kerry Flaker: Pre-K assistant teacher

Kerry Flaker has been a resident of Hidden Springs for three years now. She has two children Olivia (age 6) and Luke (age 4). What drew her to Hidden Springs was the great sense of community and the community schools. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wyoming in Elementary Education with her Area of Concentration in the Creative Arts. Her teaching experience includes working with grades K-5^th in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and Idaho. In 2000 when She and her husband moved to Idaho, she began working at the Treasure Valley YMCA as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and lead staff in the Health and Fitness Dept. It was there that she continued to use her education degree working with a variety of health/fitness programs for children/families/and seniors. In her free time she loves to trail run with a running group, road bike, ski, camp, swim, and spend time in the outdoors with her family. She is excited to be the assisting teacher for Erin Tippets at Smart Start for the M/W/F classes and look forward to meeting your wonderful children.

Kristin White: Extended Care afternoon teacher

I am the mother of two little girls, Eloise – 8 and Delilah – 4, and have been married to my husband Brian for 10yrs.  We have lived in Hidden Springs for the last several years.  Previous to that we lived in Cincinnati, Park City and San Francisco areas – but I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York.  I have a long history of educating children and adults in creative and athletic disciplines.  I am certified in both Yoga and Pilates, and have danced since I was 5yrs old.  Music has always been a part of my life, and I started performing in large theater productions in 2^nd grade.  I have enjoyed running creative groups out of my home for the last year.  I think that anything can be turned into a creative learning experience for children and love finding interesting ways to make daily experiences memorable and fun.  I look forward to my time at Smart Start, and to getting to know your children and watch them grow.