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Meet the Director

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Nandi
Executive Director

With E&D Since
September 2024

Welcome to Explore & Discover!

My name is Nandi (rhymes with Gandhi), and I’ve been working with children and families for over 20 years—starting when I was just 12 years old! I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University and began my journey in the field as a gymnastics teacher at My Gym in Arvada after moving to Lakewood, Colorado.

Since then, I’ve served as a preschool teacher, led school-age enrichment programs, and directed early childhood and summer programs at St. Mary’s Academy. Most recently, I founded and led a Montessori school in Thornton before returning to the west side of town and joining the Explore & Discover community.

I have a deep love for the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which honors children as capable, curious, and full of potential. At Explore & Discover, we practice emergent curriculum, observing closely and building learning experiences around each child’s interests and needs. As educators, we see ourselves as co-learners and guides. In our cooperative model, families can expect strong relationships, open communication, and meaningful involvement in their child’s early learning journey.

When I’m not working with little ones—or coaching grown-ups through life and leadership (I am also a certified Life Coach)—you can find me hiking with my family, dancing, painting, trying new fitness classes, enjoying a good podcast or exploring Colorado mountain towns, with my husband, Tyler, husband, and our goldendoodle, Fraiser.

​I am so excited to get to know you and your family!

Meet the Team

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Sophia

Adminstrative Assistant

With E&D Since June 2025

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Rhianna

Continuity of Care Teacher & Administrative Support

With E&D Since May 2017

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Kaelin

Continuity of Care Teacher

With E&D Since Oct 2023

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Neyesa

Continuity of Care Teacher

With E&D Since August 2024

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Ashley

Continuity of Care Teacher

With E&D Since December 2024

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Isabella

Continuity of Care Teacher

With E&D Since October 2024

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Angelic

Continuity of Care Teacher

Starting August 2025

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Elizabeth

Support Teacher

With E&D Since October 2024

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Michelle

Support Teacher

With E&D Since May 2025

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Shanel

Support Teacher

With E&D Since June 2025

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Gwen

Support Teacher

With E&D Since June 2025

What it means to be a Continuity of Care Teacher...

At Explore and Discover, our team is made up of caring and knowledgeable educators with deep roots in early childhood education and hands-on experience in the field. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we view children as capable, curious individuals and honor their development through responsive, relationship-based care. We provide our teachers with meaningful professional development each year to support reflective practice and maintain program excellence.

A cornerstone of our philosophy is Continuity of Care—an intentional structure in which children remain with the same teaching team for multiple years. Our educators move with their caregiving groups as children grow, ideally from infancy (as early as 3 months) through age 3. This model honors the deep bonds that form between children, teachers, and families, and allows for trust and connection to flourish over time. These strong relationships provide a foundation for social-emotional growth, secure attachment, and successful transitions into kindergarten.

As educators, we often become like co-parents—deeply attuned to each child’s rhythms, routines, and developmental milestones. We partner with families through meaningful transitions such as starting solids, learning to walk, potty training, and preparing for preschool and kindergarten. With this collaborative approach, we ensure that every child is supported in both home and school life, setting them up for success in their next chapter.

Currently, we serve children ages 3 months through 3 years and plan to expand through age 5 by the end of 2027.

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Interested in joining the team?

Please email your resume to nandi@exploreanddiscover.org, and our Director will be in touch.

Top 10 Reasons to Join our Team

1

We have an incredible community of kids and families

2

We have a small, tight teaching team

3

We offer competitive pay

4

We care about your professional development with  7 professional development days per year, including a staff retreat

5

Our benefits lead the industry

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6

Our parents are our partners in the cooperative model

7

We offer 8 hours of vacation per month + ~10 hours of built-in vacation days.

8

We are influenced by a Reggio Emilia-style curriculum

9

We spend so much time outside!

10

We support each other as a community for the children!

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