SARAH MONTOYA – KIDS COVE DIRECTOR

Hi! My name is Sarah Montoya and I am a passionate early childhood educator with over 16 years of experience. I have spent the last 6 years working as an integral part of a management team including as Director while raising four fun and lively children with my husband. One of my highest goals in life is to build confidence in those around me with unwavering kindness while working with others to lay a foundation in each child’s life, enabling them to grow into confident and well-rounded individuals. My desire is to build a team that will work together effectively to provide a safe, fun, and educational environment. Being here at Kids Cove has been a tremendous blessing for myself as well as my family. We have a truly amazing team, one that I feel honored to be a part of. Welcome to Kids Cove!

DEDRA GAYDOS – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND TEACHER

My name is Dedra Gaydos and I am the Assistant Director at Kids Cove. I have been in child care for over 10 years and have a deep passion for helping children grow and succeed. I spent the first 7 years as a Pre-K teacher and then the last 3-4 years I have been an Assistant Director as well as a Curriculum Coordinator. I have two children who I enjoy spending my free time with. My children love to see all the deer in our yard and neighborhood. We are originally from Louisiana, but Texas is our home now. This is such a beautiful place to raise my children. I am so excited to be here and to be working with such a great team! The environment at Kids Cove is exceptional. I look forward to making many more memories here! 

EMMA LALONDE – INFANT TEACHER FOR THE STARFISH ROOM

Hi! My name is Emma LaLonde and I am very excited to be here at Kids Cove. I graduated from Canyon Lake Highschool in 2019 and l am planning on returning to school soon while majoring in Medical Sonography. I have been around children of all ages, growing up with six siblings, as well as babysitting for friends and family through the years. I really enjoy taking care of children, they are so fun and energetic! I hope to be able to learn and grow, while helping as much as I can during my time here at Kids Cove.

KRYSTAL THAMES - INFANT AND TODDLER TEACHER WITH THE LITTLE GUPPIES AND STARFISH ROOMS

Hello, my name is Krystal Thames and I recently moved to Canyon Lake from Houston. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for eight years and have two wonderful children. We really enjoy living here and love going fishing or swimming in the lake. I am so excited to be joining this team and give your babies the best care possible!

ANGIE ESPINOSA - INFANT AND TODDLER TEACHER WITH THE LITTLE GUPPIES AND STARFISH ROOMS

Hi parents! My name is Angie Espinosa… AKA Ms. Angie. I wanted to tell you a little about myself since I’ll be working with your little darlings. I have been married to my best friend for 36 years. We have three adult children and eight grandchildren. I love spending time with my family, antique shopping, and target shooting with my bow. I also love DYI projects with my husband. I just recently retired from Comal ISD in May after 26 years. The past 14 years, I worked at Rebecca Creek Elementary School. I absolutely love working with children, and I am so excited to be working at Kids Cove. I look forward to meeting you all and taking care of your little darlings. 

PATTI JOHNSON – TODDLER TEACHER FOR THE DOLPHIN ROOM

Hi, I am Miss Patti.  Being one of 30 cousins, I did a lot of babysitting growing up.  I also helped my mom with Sunday school and VBS at our church.  I have four children; two older step-sons, my son Luke who is an 9th grader this year and my daughter Alyssa who is a 5th grader this year.  I have worked in daycare with all ages, different church preschools, and church nurseries for several years.  My family and I are members of North Shore UMC and I have been their nursery care worker on Sundays for four years now.  I look at Kids Cove not just as a job, but a ministry!  I like to plan ahead and believe in consistency.  I love being little ones first teacher and helping them work on learning their colors, shapes, letters, and numbers.  I have been married to Chris Johnson for 16 years and we have lived in Canyon Lake for 13 years.  I have been a Girl Scout Troup Leader for 6 years.  When I am not taking care of precioius little ones or helping the scouts, I enjoy working in my yard.  My birthday is November 4th and my favorite color is teal. 

AUNDREA - TODDLER TEACHER WITH THE DOLPHIN ROOM

Hello, my name is Aundrea, but everyone calls me Andy. I am 21 years old and have been saved by grace for about 6 years. I recently graduated from a missionary school called YWAM where I had the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic and do a lot of children's ministry work. I enjoy reading and serving at my church. I am so excited to be here and get to know your children!

DEBORAH CANTRELL – TODDLER TEACHER FOR THE DOLPHIN ROOM

Hi, my name is Debbie Cantrell and I moved to the Canyon Lake area in April of this year all the way from Houston. I taught elementary school for 28 years, grades Pre-K through 3rd grade. I retired from teaching at New Caney ISD in 2016 but still continued to work for the last five years as a substitute teacher. I am so excited to join Kids Cove and work with your children. I have also visited North Shore UMC quite a few times since moving here. I am married with two adult daughters and a six year old granddaughter. My oldest daughter lives in Chicago and my youngest daughter lives in Florida, we get together and visit as often as we can. I love living here and I look forward to meeting all of you!

CAROLYN HARPER – PRESCHOOL TEACHER FOR THE SEAHORSE ROOM

My name is Carolyn Harper, I am a believer of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and an active member of the Tree of Life Church in New Braunfels. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Clinton, and have been a teacher for 19 years. I enjoy drawing, painting, teaching, studying the Bible and reading. I came to teaching after my youngest son went into public school. I found myself with all this free time and one of my friends asked if I would like to teach at her Mother’s Day Out program. As they say, “It took” and I have been teaching ever since. I like to say that God pushed me into it. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the children’s and parent’s lives for 19 years now and I am looking forward to many more to come.

ROBIN MARTELLI – PRE-K TEACHER FOR THE TURTLE ROOM

I am Robin Martelli, or “Miss Robin”. I have lived in Canyon Lake for 12 years. I was a member and President of PTA for many years, as well as a Hawk Mom volunteer for youth at school, sports clubs, and my church, North Shore UMC. I enjoy thrifting, sushi, and art activities. My husband, Cory, sells Sonora insurance. He is the voice of Hawk Friday Night Football. He is also a member for Lots of Little Hawks. My daughter, Sloan, is 25 years old. She is kind, caring, and will be occasionally volunteering at Kids Cove. My son, Chance, is a 17-year-old at CLHS. He participates in many sports and is a good student.  I love being a part of the Kids Cove family and caring for your “Sea Turtle”!

AAVERIE NAVARRO – AFTER-SCHOOL TEACHER AND FLOATER

Hi! My name is Aaverie Navarro and I have lived in Canyon Lake for going on 17 years now. I recently graduated from high school and have been babysitting for several years. Now I am going to college for a degree in social work. After I reach that goal I plan to go to law school in hopes of becoming a family attorney. I started attending North Shore United Methodist Church about two years ago and I fell in love with the environment throughout the church. I have a full heart when it comes to working with children and watching them grow. I am so excited to be here and have the opportunity to work with your lovely kiddos.

TAYLOR HERNANDEZ – INFANT TEACHER FOR THE STARFISH ROOM

Hello everyone! My name is Taylor and I have lived in Canyon Lake for about 6 or 7 years now. I am the oldest of 5 children with experience working at a summer camp as well as a bakery in Blanco, and I recently graduated from Canyon Lake High School. I think children are so fun to watch as they grow and learn. Kids Cove is an exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to help take care of your young ones!

NORMA TIJERINA - SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR ALL CLASSES

Hi, my name is Norma Tijerina and I recently moved to the area. I am from Laredo where I have lived all my life. I was a substitute teacher within the local school district for about four years and I also spent several years working at a daycare and preschool in Laredo where I was a teacher. I love working with children, teaching them is my passion. I also enjoy baking, I love seeing my kids big smiles when they eat treats that I bake. I am so happy to join the Kids Cove club and am excited to see you soon.

KATHY JORDAN – SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

My name is Kathy Jordan. I have a strong passion for early childhood education, especially early literacy. I have spent 35 years teaching special education students, reading, and Kindergarten. My postgraduate degree is in Reading Education from the University of Virginia. It makes my day to watch the children as they learn and grow. My husband Jon and I moved to Canyon Lake from the Washington D.C. metro area in 2017. We have a dog named Bluebelle, who is the “apple of our eyes.” We belong to North Shore United Methodist Church. I feel so honored to have the privilege of teaching at Kids Cove.

DANNY ROSS - AFTERSCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

Hi! My name is Danny Ross and I bring joy, encouragement, exhortation and excitement in all settings. I spent 40 years helping others in their pursuits of success through various training and employee development roles. My heart is focused on quality, truth, engagement and celebrating the diverse gifts that we discover in our journey of life. As a father and grandfather, I choose to use generous listening so that I may hear and see clearly. I bring 45 years of experience in child and student ministry as a parent, teacher and mentor. I have served children from all ages. They have taught me in so many different ways as well. My wife and I began our 12th year serving impoverished and homeless men, women, and children in San Antonio. I so enjoy sharing life with all God’s people. The children are the most precious.

SLOAN MARTELLI – AFTERNOON VOLUNTEER

Hi, I am Sloan Martelli and I am an afternoon volunteer at Kids Cove. I am 27 years old and a graduate at Canyon Lake High School as well as Life Bridges in New Braunfels. On Fridays I work in New Braunfels as a hostess at Herberts Taco Hut. I have worked at Herberts for 8 years. On week days I hang out with my friends at Close to Home, a fun place for people with special needs. My brother Chance is 19 years old and goes to West Texas A&M. My dad’s name is Cory. We love to spend time in the evening catching up about our days. My mom’s name is Robin, she is a PreK teacher at Kids Cove and she is loving and kind. I love cooking, dancing, and taking care of my dog Buddy. He is huge and loving. I enjoy playing with kids and helping the teachers with anything they need.