Meet Our Team

Hollie is the heart behind Ark Academy and a proud mom to two redheads, Berkeley and Braxton. She founded Ark Academy with her husband Brock in early 2025, opening the doors in June 2025 with a faith-filled vision rooted in family and community. Hollie loves God and is grateful she gets to share His word with children every day. When she’s not at Ark, she’s traveling with her family—especially to the beach—with an Alani Nu Orange Kiss in hand and “Heaven on My Mind” by TobyMac on repeat.

Brock is the co-owner of Ark Academy and helped bring the vision of a faith-filled, family-centered childcare center to life alongside his wife, Hollie. He has a strong passion for business and supporting the staff who make Ark such a special place. Outside of Ark, Brock enjoys sports 🏈 and weekend trips with his family. He’s grateful to help build a community where faith, family, and care always come first. 

Kendra brings over a decade of experience in early childhood education and a heart for supporting both teachers and kids at Ark Academy. She’s a wife and a proud mom of three, so she understands the importance of strong, loving care. When she’s not at Ark, you’ll find her crafting, cheering at a softball game, or enjoying a good cup of coffee ☕. Kendra loves being part of a team that helps classrooms thrive and supports children as they learn and grow each day. 

Erika has loved caring for children since she was 11 years old and brings that lifelong passion into everything she does at Ark Academy. She previously worked as an early elementary teacher and has a special love for helping little ones learn and grow. Her favorite children’s book is Are You My Mother?, and she’s always fueled by coffee and chocolate ☕🍫. Erika’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5–6, and she loves that she gets to teach children about Jesus all day long—even in the baby room. 

Alanna has been in childcare for 5 years and was inspired to work in early childhood education after the birth of her daughter. She loves being a goofball with the kids in her room and creating joyful connections. One moment she’ll never forget is when a foster child, scared of everyone else, clung to her and made her their person 💕. Fueled by caffeine and a love for both salty and sweet snacks, Alanna would choose the elephant on Noah’s Ark—a gentle giant who loves their family. 

Oriana has over 11 years of experience in childcare and teaching and brings a deep love for children and faith into her classroom. Her favorite children’s book is  🦙 Llama Llama Red Pajama, and she’s usually fueled by salty snacks and energy drinks. One Christian value she strives to live by is, “Less of me, more of You, Jesus.” A fun fact about Oriana—she lived in Haiti for over 8 years, where she taught and met her husband. She loves the presence of Jesus at Ark Academy and the strong sense o

Rachel began her childcare journey right here at Ark and loves being part of such an amazing team. The staff and kiddos brighten her day, and she especially enjoys watching children learn, grow, and say the funniest things. One of her most memorable moments? A child once told her she looked 88 years old 😂 (if you know Rachel, you know she actually looks way younger!). She loves Ziggi’s energy infusion drinks, anything chocolate, and you can almost always spot her—and Emmy—in the funniest socks.

Delia is starting her first official job in childcare and loves working with kids as she watches them grow and learn each day. She helps children feel safe by listening to them and guiding them through problem-solving. Outside of Ark Academy, Delia enjoys game nights with family and friends, painting and crafting, and baking. She loves tea and a good vanilla bean frappé ☕ and refuses to choose between salty or sweet snacks—she loves them both! Fun fact: Delia is double-jointed… want to see? 😄 

Maddie has been in childcare for 7 years and loves seeing the world through a child’s perspective. Her classroom motto could easily be “Everything Is Awesome” 🎶 because she brings positivity and fun into each day. When she’s not working with kids, Maddie enjoys baking and is happily fueled by caffeine—both coffee and energy drinks ☕⚡. Always ready to jump in and help wherever she’s needed, Maddie is a true team player at Ark Academy. 

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Noah has been in childcare for 7 years and chose early childhood education because he believes children are the future—raise them right and they’ll go far. He loves kids’ imaginations and the unique ways they see the world. Outside of Ark, Noah enjoys reading, playing video games, and watching movies, usually with a cup of coffee and something sweet. His favorite Bible verse is Luke 6:37–38, which guides how he leads with kindness and grace ☕📖 

Charity has been in childcare for 2 years after spending time as a stay-at-home mom, and she loves the joy on the kids’ faces when she walks into the room. When she’s not at Ark Academy, she enjoys watching cornhole and spending quality time with her family. Fueled by a good Dr Pepper or an Alani Nu energy drink, Charity refuses to choose between sweet or salty snacks—she loves them both! 💛 

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Rebekah loves that Ark Academy is Christian-rooted and has enjoyed working with children on and off for nearly 20 years. She finds joy in watching kids grow and showing God’s love each day through patience and care. When she’s not at Ark, Rebekah enjoys mystery movies, playing cards, and relaxing with a cup of coffee and something sweet ☕🍬. If she could be any animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d choose a lion—strong, fierce, and full of heart. 

Shangwe loves playing with the kids and helping them build independence as they learn and grow. When she’s not at Ark Academy, she enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and listening to music. A true coffee lover ☕, she can never choose between salty or sweet snacks—she loves them both! Fun fact: Shangwe can sing really well 🎶. If she were an animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d choose a rat… because she really loves food 😂. 

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Whitney has a heart for children and loves helping in Sunday School at church. She enjoys watching children grow and building strong relationships with families at Ark Academy. Outside of work, she likes spending time with friends, watching movies, and cheering on sports teams. If she were an animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d be a squirrel—easily distracted but full of fun! Whitney may get sidetracked, but her love for art, laughter, and God shines through every day. 

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Ellie started her very first daycare job right here at Ark Academy and loves getting to share the gospel with the kids each day. She enjoys listening to the stories children tell about their days and treasures moments like when Hank told her she was his favorite teacher 💛. Ellie’s favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:6–7, and when she’s not at Ark, she’s busy keeping up with her five siblings—and just as many dogs 🐶😄. 

Haylie is currently working toward her undergraduate degree at SDSU and loves spending her days building connections with kids. She enjoys planning fun activities and jumping right in to play alongside them! 🎨🧩

You’ll often find her with a coffee or energy drink from Ziggi’s to keep her going! ☕⚡ If she could be any animal, Haylie would be a lion 🦁 because she’s a natural-born leader. And when it comes to snacks—McDonald’s fries are always a yes! 🍟

Jack has been in childcare for 4 years and loves the connections he’s building with both the kids and staff at Ark Academy. He’s great at getting down on the kids’ level, listening to them, and helping them use their words when they’re feeling frustrated or need something. When he’s not at Ark, Jack enjoys baking and is usually fueled by energy drinks and sweet snacks 😄. 

Liv loves that Ark Academy feels like family and enjoys watching each child’s personality grow. Outside of work, she stays busy with soccer, writing poetry, and spending time with family and friends. She’s a fan of a good coffee caramel ribbon crunch and both sweet and salty snacks ☕🍿. Her favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 3:9, and a fun fact—Liv is bilingual and currently studying another language! 

Madyson loves the fun, joyful environment Ark Academy has created and all the silly things the kiddos say and do each day. When she’s not at Ark, she enjoys reading, sewing, and baking, usually with “Raining Tacos” playing in the background 🌮🎶. Fueled by energy drinks and salty snacks, Madyson lives out her favorite Bible verse—1 Corinthians 16:14, “Do everything in love”—with a smile in everything she does. 

Paislee loves using positive reinforcement with the kids and finds joy in those quiet, special moments—like when a baby who fought sleep all day finally crawled over to her and fell asleep 💕. When she’s not at Ark Academy, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and hanging out outdoors with friends. She’s a big fan of salty snacks and loves Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 23. If she were an animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d be a monkey—funny, playful, and always swinging through life 🐒. 

Payton started her very first daycare job at Ark Academy and loves watching the kids grow and learn each day. Her favorite part is all the giggles and little laughs—and she’ll never forget the moment a baby clung to her and wanted only her 💕. When she’s not at Ark, Payton enjoys wrestling, working out, and watching TV. Fueled by energy drinks and salty snacks, she loves 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 and brings that love into everything she does. 

Sophia, aka SoLow, loves being part of making the kids’ childhood at Ark Academy extra special. She’s goofy, fun, and especially loves watching big milestones—like the Turtle group taking their very first steps 👣. She may be great at saving money, but when it comes to coffee, she’s all in ☕. Sophia loves praying over the kids, and if she were an animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d be a lamb—cute, soft, and full of love 🐑. 

This could be you!

Chad helps keep Ark Academy running smoothly and brings plenty of laughs along the way. He loves Scooby-Doo, handing out high-fives to the kids, and making both children and coworkers smile throughout the day. A simple guy at heart, Chad is usually fueled by water and salty chips. From tackling all kinds of tasks to keeping the Ark afloat behind the scenes, Chad plays a big role in making each day at Ark a great one. 

"Mac" loves that Ark Academy feels like a true community and brings a big heart for kids into everything she does. She’s a pediatric nurse by day, a natural leader at Ark, and also a proud Ark parent herself. Fueled by coffee and a love for all things VeggieTales ☕🥕, Mackenzie keeps things running while cheering others on. If she were an animal on Noah’s Ark, she’d choose the giraffe—able to oversee everyone, a little clumsy at times, but proud to be someone others can look up to.