Our Teachers

Here at Totspot we think we have the best teachers in the world! Let us introduce them to you. 


Miss Shannon - Director/Owner

Shannon grew up in Mesa, Arizona.  She attended Mesa Community College and received an Associate Degree in General Studies in 2003 and a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Prescott College in 2008 and holds a current teaching liscense in the state of Arizona and has taught every grade from preschool to sixth as a substitute teacher. 
Through a lot of hard work and effort Shannon made her dream of owning her own preschool a reality when she opened TotSpot Preschool a few years ago.  It started as a small preschool in her living room with just three students.  Things grew quickly and in October 2010 the doors opened at the new location on corner of Val Vista and Queen Creek Roads in Gilbert where there are four classrooms and almost 100 students this year.

Shannon loves working with young children.  As she greets the students each morning as they come to school each day she has a big smile on her face and love in her eyes.  She loves each of the kids that attend and want to make their first experience at school a wonderful one.

Miss Sarah
My name is Sarah Milner. I grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I graduated from Ricks College in 1993 with an associates in General Education. In 1996 I completed my college education at BYU with a degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband and I moved to Arizona in 1998 with our oldest child and have been here ever since. I now have four children aged 14, 12, 9, and 6. I  am enjoying being able to use my education in a more formal setting at Totspot. Working with young children is an exciting adventure. You never know what is going to happen on any given day. The children are so ready to learn about anything and everything. I have been with Totspot Preschool since August 2009 and love working with the kids and the amazing teachers!


Miss Jasey
Hi! My name is Jasey Rogers and I am really, really excited to be a teacher at Totspot Preschool this upcoming year. I graduated from ASU in Early Childhood Education in 2000 and taught 2nd grade for 2 years in the Chandler School District before having my first child. I then stayed home with my 3 children and now my youngest is going into kindergarten. I am looking forward to working again in my desired field.

I hold a current AZ teaching license and can't wait to get back into the classroom. I have always wanted to teach preschool because I love to watch the children light up when they have learned something new and are excited about life. I have a passion for kids and I love to build on their imagination and lead it into learning.
View Miss Jasey's Blog


Miss Gretchen
Hi my name is Gretchen Peterson. I grew up here in Tempe, Arizona. I earned my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from UVSC. I have also studied French and recently went back to school to study British and European History. For the past several years I have loved being home with my three children. I am so excited to work with young children again and use my education more formally. Young children are so much fun to work with! They are so loving and eager to learn. You can see the excitement in their eyes as they learn new things and make sense of this incredible world we live in.


Miss Nelay
Hello, my name is Nelay Young and I look forward to teaching at TotSpot Preschool this upcoming year. I grew up in Mesa, AZ and graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2000 with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught for six years in the Mesa School District, my first two years were in 2nd grade, and in the last four years I taught all elementary grade levels as the Librarian/Media Specialist. In May of 2006 I decided to stay home with my one year old twins. I am thrilled to get back in the classroom again and teach young children. I still have a preschooler at home and love this age because they are full of life and ready to learn new things. I enjoy watching them grow through the year as their minds absorb what they learn. 
View Miss Nelay's Blog

Miss Monica - Teacher (3's)

Hi, I am Monica Shumway and I am an Arizona native. My husband and I are the happy parents of six daughters. I taught each of our girls preschool in our home. I have had the wonderful blessing of teaching kindergarten through sixth grade students in Art Masterpiece at several schools for the past 12 years. It was during this time that I discovered that I loved to teach, and I especially loved watching kids get excited about learning. I returned to college and graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2005.

I am thrilled to be with your little ones at TotSpot Preschool. They are at such an important stage of life and this is a wonderful opportunity to build strong foundations for their future. I have a passion to see each child as an individual with limitless possibilities. I look forward to helping them take their first steps on their journey.

View Miss Monica's Blog


Miss Krista
Hi, my name is Krista Robinson. My family and I moved here from Utah six years ago, but I am originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho. I graduated from Ricks College with an Associates Degree in General Education and Behavioral Science, but I think the best education I have received has come from being a mother of four active children (ages 2-8). I enjoy watching children learn and grow—there is never a dull moment! I currently teach piano in my home and love it. I also had the opportunity to live in Chile several years ago and enjoying speaking Spanish.

I am so excited to have this opportunity to work at Totspot Preschool. It truly is amazing to watch children as they explore the world around them and learn in so many different ways. I can’t wait to meet your children!


Miss Joanna - Teacher

Hello, my name is Joanna Quitugua and I was born and raised on an island called Saipan located in the Northern Marianas Islands. I came out to Arizona to pursue my college education in early childhood education. I am in the process of earning my Associates degree at Mesa Community College and then plan on transferring to University of Phoenix for my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I have worked with children at various summer camps back home and enjoyed helping them learn and play, which brought me to my decision to pursue the field of education. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work at TotSpot Preschool. I am excited to work with children and gain more experience in my chosen field. Children are our future and I am glad to be a part of their learning process. I can’t wait to meet your children. It’ll be a great year!

Kristen Benson - Assistant Teacher

Hi, my name is Kristen Benson. I am so excited to be an Assistant Teacher at TotSpot Preschool! I grew up in Orange County, California. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 1995. I worked in the accounting field for a few years before staying home to raise my 3 daughters. I have helped teach each of them in a home-based preschool and have worked with children in my church for the past 12 years. I love to read, cook, decorate and spend time with my family.

I am so happy to be working with your children. My youngest child started first grade this year and I miss the fun preschool ages. I believe preschool is such an important time in a child's life because it creates a love for learning that will hopefully carry on for the rest of their school years.