Professionalism & the Sunflower Staff
At Sunflower Preschool we believe that high quality education is better provided with well trained, well paid professional ECE (Early Childhood Education) teachers. All Sunflower staff are actively involved in ECE by taking classes, attending lectures and continuing an active interest in the field.
Debra King Ellman | Teacher, Director
Debbie has a B.A. from Guilford College in N.C., is Director Qualified by the State of Colorado, and is a C.S.U. Master Gardener. She had six years of teaching experience when she founded Sunflower in 1981 and has been the owner, administrator, director and a teacher ever since. Debbie has enjoyed designing and implementing the ever-evolving Sunflower curriculum for over 25 years. She is enthusiastic about the success of the science-based theme curriculum and the evolution of the interactive outdoor environment. She has been happily married since 1977 and is the mother of two Sunflower graduates, Maya and Marisa. Both daughters now live in Denver and Debbie enjoys being a "grandma" to their dogs. Her personal interests include traveling, gardening and tending to her green house, hiking, riding her electric bike, and the great outdoors.
Carrie Dovo Luttrell | Teacher, Office Manager
Carrie has been a teacher at Sunflower since August of 2000. Carrie received her B.A. from SUNY Buffalo in Communicative Disorders and Sciences. She has 17 years of teaching experience, and enjoys being a Sunflower teacher. Her non-teaching responsibilities include office administration and enrollment. Carrie's personal interests include NIA, camping, hiking, travel, long walks and spending time with her family. Carrie is married to Alex and they have a son Max and a dog named Byrney.
Kathy King | Teacher, Substitute Director
Kathy originally began teaching at Sunflower with Debbie in 1985 when the school was only four years old. Over the years she has been a part of the growth and development of Sunflower. Kathy has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Management from Front Range Community College. She is Director Qualified by the state of Colorado. As a member of the Sunflower "teaching team", Kathy has many varied responsibilities. Teaching a weekly yoga class gives her an opportunity to share her love of yoga with the Sunflower children. Kathy enjoys family life with her husband, Bill. Together they adore the wonderful adult children in their lives. Kathy also loves walking with her dog Chloe in the great Colorado outdoors, gardening, and creating gluten free baked goods.
Marcia Platt | Teacher
Marcia's first experience at Sunflower was as a parent in 1996. She started subbing when her son, Dylan, was in his third year, and officially joined the Sunflower Staff in 1999. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado with an emphasis in child development. Marcia especially enjoys creating new materials, interactive bulletin boards, and games for the math area. She has two children, Dylan and Natalie, both Sunflower graduates. Her personal interests include swimming, hiking and spending time with her family.
Sunflower Mars | Teacher
Sunflower Mars joined the team in 2001. Her involvement began with internships for studies in Early Childhood Education at Front Range Community College. She is Director Qualified, and has been a teacher at Sunflower Preschool throughout the years. She is also the co creator of Herb Camp for Kids, and has taught after school Nature and Crafts classes at University Hill and Columbine Elementary schools. She is happy to be part of the team again, and looks forward to creating art, building relationships, and helping the sunflower children reach their highest potential. Her son, Sol, is a Sunflower graduate now attending BCSIS and her daughter, Luna, currently attends Sunflower! Her personal interests include her family, travel, dance, and Nature.
Robyn Jennings | Teacher
Robyn attended Ithaca College and graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and minors in Writing and Art History. After college, Robyn explored the great cities of the east coast. She interned for the Wilderness Society in Washington D.C. and spent time working in Boston as an Assistant Teacher in Montessori School. To enhance her curriculum planning, Robyn spent a year attending the Teton Science Schools’ Graduate Program in Grand Teton National Park. While falling in love with the moose and bison of the west, Robyn expanded her knowledge of ecology, geology and place-based education. In her free time, Robyn enjoys photography, camping and traveling to new places. She enjoys bringing her expertise of local flora and fauna to the integrated science curriculum at Sunflower.