Miss Selva Strickland is the Founder and Director of The Wonder Schoolhouse. She is a mother, educator, and creative who cares deeply about building early childhood environments that feel safe, thoughtful, and truly responsive to children’s real needs. Her vision for the school is rooted in respect, connection, and honoring childhood as a meaningful and important stage of life.

As a parent herself, Selva brings a strong focus on emotional well-being, consistency, and meaningful relationships. She values trust between children, families, and educators and believes that strong relationships are the foundation for healthy development and learning.

Selva has a deep personal interest in child development and learning and enjoys researching, observing, and continually growing as an educator. Over time, she has developed her own approach to teaching and leadership, shaped by experience, reflection, and ongoing learning. This thoughtful process is what gives The Wonder Schoolhouse its unique identity—intentionally designed, flexible, and guided by the children and families it serves.

Outside of school, Selva is a singer and a music enthusiast who values creativity and self-expression as essential parts of both childhood and adulthood. She believes that art, music, and imagination play a powerful role in helping children feel confident, connected, and free to be themselves.

Miss Maddie is the Assistant Director at The Wonder Schoolhouse and began her journey here as a preschool teacher, quickly building strong connections with children and families. Through her warmth, leadership, and dedication, she grew into her current role and now partners closely with Selva to support the school’s vision and community.

As a mom herself, Maddie brings empathy, intuition, and lived experience into everything she does. She believes deeply in honoring the 100 languages of children and is passionate about emotional connection, positive affirmations, and helping children feel confident, capable, and deeply loved. Maddie leads with intention, care, and a strong belief in building a school culture rooted in trust and connection. She is committed to supporting both children and educators in ways that feel thoughtful, steady, and aligned with the heart of The Wonder Schoolhouse.

Known for her bubbly personality and people-first approach, Maddie thrives on building meaningful relationships within the school community. She loves incorporating music, singing, and rhythm into learning and can often be found jumping into a spontaneous dance party or sneaking the babies an extra piece of French toast during snack time.

For Maddie, this school is more than a workplace. It is her purpose alongside being a mother. She is deeply grateful to serve The Wonder Schoolhouse community as an educator, a leader, and a person.

Miss Alisa brings fun, energy, and heart into the classroom every single day. With several years of experience in early childhood education, she creates an environment that feels safe, engaging, and full of life for toddlers and preschool-aged children.

She has completed coursework and ongoing training in child development and classroom management and is especially passionate about supporting children’s social-emotional growth alongside early academic learning. As a mom herself, Alisa brings an extra layer of empathy, patience, and understanding to her work, truly seeing each child as an individual.

Known for being hands-on and fully present, Alisa is always right in the middle of the action, whether she is leading a creative activity, jumping into imaginative play, or helping a child work through big feelings. She loves bringing creativity into the classroom through art, music, storytelling, and hands-on experiences that make learning exciting and meaningful.

Alisa values strong, trusting relationships with families and believes partnership is key to helping children thrive. Her upbeat personality, thoughtful problem-solving skills, and genuine love for children make her classroom a place where kids feel supported, celebrated, and excited to learn.

Miss Josie is currently attending UVU, where she is working toward a degree in Elementary Education. She has worked with children across all classrooms, with most of her experience at Wondersprouts, allowing her to build strong, meaningful relationships with both children and families.

In addition to her work at Wonder, Josie has taught English in Thailand. This experience strengthened her adaptability, cultural awareness, and love for teaching. She brings a thoughtful, global perspective into the classroom and approaches learning with patience, intention, and care.

Josie is known for her calm, level-headed presence and is often described as one of the most patient teachers you’ll ever meet. She creates a classroom environment that feels steady, safe, and welcoming, while still being engaging and joyful. Her youthful energy shines through in the way she connects with children and keeps learning fun.

Outside of the classroom, Josie loves playing guitar and dancing with the kids. She especially enjoys watching children light up as they pick up new concepts and gain confidence through her lessons. Her teaching style blends warmth, creativity, and gentle guidance, helping children feel supported as they grow.

Miss Emarie holds a degree in Elementary Education and brings over seven years of experience in early childhood and elementary settings, working primarily with children ages three through seven. She has also served as an Assistant Director, giving her a strong foundation in both classroom leadership and school operations.

Education isn’t just what Emarie does, it’s who she is. Teaching is her passion and long-term career, and it shows in every interaction. She has a natural presence in the classroom—warm, witty, and deeply attuned to the needs of children. She creates learning environments that feel engaging, intentional, and full of connection.

Emarie is Reggio certified and strongly believes in child-led, inquiry-based learning. She seamlessly blends structure with creativity, encouraging children to think critically, express themselves confidently, and take pride in their work. Art is one of her favorite tools for learning, and she uses it to spark curiosity and bring children’s ideas to life.

With her experience, confidence, and genuine love for teaching, Emarie creates a classroom atmosphere where children feel inspired, supported, and excited to learn every single day.

Miss Kandice brings a gentle, nurturing presence to The Wonder Schoolhouse that instantly makes children feel safe, seen, and loved. She has experience working in preschools and childcare settings since 2017 and has spent years doing what she loves most: supporting children as they grow, explore, and discover the world around them.

Kandice works with our Big Wonders each day and is known for her calm energy, kindness, and thoughtful approach to teaching. Her deep love for nature, books, music, and even reptiles naturally weaves into her classroom, creating a learning environment that feels curious, peaceful, and full of wonder.

You can often find Kandice offering warm cuddles, singing Disney songs with the children, or gently encouraging curiosity through play and conversation. She believes that fostering a love of learning starts with connection, and she brings that belief into every interaction with her students.

With a heart as sweet as her teaching style, Kandice is passionate about helping children feel confident, curious, and excited to learn. She is so happy to be part of The Wonder Schoolhouse community and looks forward to continuing to build meaningful relationships with both children and families.

Miss Saryssa is a passionate and nurturing educator who can often be found fully engaged in play, learning, and connection with the children in her care. Whether she is building, creating, or offering comforting snuggles, she believes strong relationships are the foundation for meaningful learning experiences.

She holds a degree in Educational Studies and values creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children feel confident to explore, grow, and express themselves.

While Saryssa enjoys working with children of all ages, she has a special love for toddlers, especially 2s and 3s, as well as elementary-aged children. She finds joy in supporting early independence while also encouraging curiosity, creativity, and confidence at every stage of development.

Outside the classroom, Saryssa enjoys spending time outdoors running, hiking, and skiing. She loves road trips, exploring new places, and starting her day with a good cup of coffee.

Miss Cecilia is currently attending SLCC, where she is studying education. She brings five years of experience working with young children, with a strong background in infants and toddlers. Her favorite age group is two-year-olds, and she loves supporting children during this exciting stage of independence and growth.

Cecilia is known for being dedicated, reliable, and deeply committed to the children in her care. She is one of our successful potty training teachers and approaches this milestone with patience, encouragement, and consistency, helping children build confidence at their own pace.

In the classroom, Cecilia is highly engaged and can often be found playing tag with the children or jumping right into their dramatic play, whether that is joining a pretend hair salon, storytelling, or imaginative games. She enjoys reading books to the children, especially classics she loved growing up like Dr. Seuss, and believes play and literacy go hand in hand.

Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys skating, listening to music, and collecting CDs. She brings a warm, playful, and steady presence to the classroom, creating an environment where children feel supported, confident, and free to be themselves.

Miss Cat is a dedicated and loving teacher who brings warmth, creativity, and compassion into everything she does. She is a natural advocate for children and families, always working to ensure every child feels supported, understood, and valued. Her kind and quirky personality shines through in the classroom, and the children adore her.

With nearly ten years of experience working with children of all ages, Cat brings a deep understanding of behavior, development, and individual needs. Her background as a behavioral specialist and phlebotomist has strengthened her ability to approach each child with patience, empathy, and care.

Cat enjoys working with all age groups and believes every stage of childhood deserves respect, joy, and thoughtful guidance. She focuses on building strong, trusting relationships while helping children grow emotionally, socially, and confidently.

Outside the classroom, Cat loves all things sunflowers, glitter, pink, and art. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her family. Her creative spirit and big heart make her a beloved part of our school community.

Miss Brin is a dedicated and caring educator whose love for children is evident in everything she does. From the moment she joined our team, she quickly impressed us with her natural ability to connect with children and her thoughtful, hands-on approach in the classroom.

She is Reggio-inspired and trained, and she values child-led learning that honors curiosity, creativity, and meaningful exploration. Brin believes children learn best when they feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take an active role in their experiences.

Brin is especially known for being fully present and engaged with the children throughout the day. Whether she is playing alongside them, guiding activities, or offering gentle support, she brings intention, patience, and genuine care into every interaction.

Her warm personality, strong work ethic, and deep commitment to children make Brin a wonderful part of our school community. She takes pride in helping children feel confident, capable, and excited to learn, and we are grateful to have her at The Wonder Schoolhouse.

Miss Bhuvana is a thoughtful and dedicated educator who brings structure, creativity, and care into the classroom. She is currently working as a toddler teacher in a licensed childcare setting and is passionate about creating developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that support each child’s growth and independence.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Montessori Diploma in Primary Teacher Training from India. Bhuvana is currently working toward her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has completed over 75 hours of verified professional development through the Utah Registry for Professional Development. Her training includes school readiness, child development, special needs, leadership, and program management. She is also certified in Pediatric and Child First Aid, CPR, and AED through the American Red Cross.

Bhuvana has experience teaching toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, and primary-age children, both locally and in India. She enjoys creating structured routines and nurturing environments that support social-emotional development, early learning foundations, and growing independence. She believes consistency, patience, and connection are key to helping children thrive.

Outside the classroom, Bhuvana loves bringing music, movement, art, and sensory play into her teaching. She enjoys storytelling, hands-on activities, and creative exploration, as well as drawing, reading, cooking, music, and dance. She also hopes to travel widely in the future and experience new cultures and places.

Miss Paulina has three years of experience in early childhood education and a CDA credential, and brings consistency, warmth, and intentional care into everything she does. She has worked with children ranging from 3 months through 11 years old, giving her a strong understanding of developmental stages and how to support children at every age.

Paulina is known for her kind heart, patience, and dependability. She creates a nurturing and structured environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. She believes that children learn best through connection, play, and meaningful engagement, and she brings that belief into her classroom each day.

She loves incorporating creativity and movement into learning through arts and crafts, dancing, and hands-on activities that spark joy and curiosity. Paulina is especially thoughtful about helping children build confidence, independence, and positive relationships with their peers.

Outside of the classroom, Paulina enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and being outdoors, whether hiking or relaxing at the beach. Her calm presence, reliability, and genuine love for children make her a trusted and valued part of The Wonder Schoolhouse community.

Miss Tori is known around Wonder as a true baby whisperer. She is calm, gentle, and incredibly nurturing with even our youngest learners. She brings a steady, reassuring presence to the classroom and creates an environment where children feel safe, seen, and deeply cared for.

This is Tori’s first year teaching, and she has absolutely loved growing in her role at The Wonder Schoolhouse. Working with children of all ages has been especially meaningful for her and has strengthened her passion for pursuing a long-term career in education.

She is currently studying Social and Behavioral Sciences in college, with plans to transition into an education program in the near future. Tori has a naturally friendly demeanor and is very level-headed, making her a wonderful support for both children and fellow teachers.

Outside of the classroom, Tori loves creating art and taking photographs. She brings that creativity into her teaching, encouraging children to express themselves through hands-on art experiences and imaginative projects. Helping children explore their creativity is one of her favorite parts of teaching, and she loves watching their confidence grow as they create something uniquely their own.

Miss Madeline, also known around here as Maddie 2, has been one of our rostered substitutes for close to a year and a half. She is dedicated, reliable, and deeply personal with the children, forming genuine connections and knowing each child as an individual.

She has a natural ability to step into the classroom and make it her own, creating a space where children feel comfortable, supported, and understood. Her attentiveness and care are evident in every interaction, and the children truly adore her.

Currently, Miss Madeline is continuing her education while working toward her doctorate, bringing both commitment and thoughtfulness into her role. We value her greatly, adore her presence, and proudly consider her an important part of our core team. Whenever we have a substitute need we reach out to Maddie first!