Meet Our Team
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Bel Akyuz
Bel brings over 15 years of hands-on classroom experience, having taught both preschool and kindergarten. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and a degree in Graphic Arts, blending deep child development knowledge with creativity, thoughtful design, and engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Beyond the classroom, Bel serves on the board of the Utah Association for the Education of Young Children (UAEYC) as NAEYC Accreditation Co-Chair, supporting early childhood programs throughout the state of Utah in achieving national accreditation. She is also a Social-Emotional Pyramid Model coach and a Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapy member, partnering with educators to build inclusive, supportive environments where all children feel safe, capable, and valued.
Bel additionally reviews preschool curriculum for the Utah State Board of Education and has completed over 200 hours of professional development through conferences and specialized trainings. She is deeply committed to staying current on best practices in early childhood education, social-emotional learning, and inclusive, evidence-based instruction.
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Annie Jensen
Annie brings over 20 years of experience teaching preschool, along with extensive professional development in early childhood education. Her deep understanding of how young children learn allows her to thoughtfully design engaging, hands-on learning experiences that nurture social-emotional growth, spark curiosity, and build confidence—while consistently meeting the highest standards for quality early learning.
Annie holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and has completed many hours of professional development focused on developmentally appropriate practice, relationship-based teaching, and evidence-informed early learning strategies. Her work is grounded in a strong understanding of child development and a genuine respect for each child’s unique pace, strengths, and needs.
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Mary Ogan
Mary serves as our external coach, guiding and supporting our team using the Utah State University Pyramid Model framework. She mentors with a focus on social-emotional development, responsive teaching, and relationship-centered practices that strengthen both classroom culture and individual child outcomes.
With decades of experience spanning nearly every corner of early childhood nonprofit education, Mary brings a rare depth of knowledge and perspective to her work. Her career-long commitment to early learning includes supporting educators, programs, and organizations in building high-quality, inclusive environments that truly meet the needs of young children and families.
Mary’s ongoing coaching and mentorship ensure that every class and camp is intentionally designed to meet the highest standards for quality early learning.
Playful by design. Intentional by practice.
Families can feel confident knowing our programs reflect the gold standard in enrichment classes - while still feeling joyful, playful, and deeply engaging for children. We are constantly striving to make sure our teaching remains reflective, research-informed, and consistently aligned with best practices, so children experience learning environments that are both nurturing and intentionally designed.