Desert Spring Educators are deeply committed to the growth and well being of young children. Our teachers pride themselves on providing experiences for children that are inclusive of all abilities, cultures, ethnicities, genders and gender identities, which are reflective of our collective belief in the competent child. Desert Spring educators also bring their own range of educational, professional, and life experiences to our school which enriches the diverse nature of our community. Regardless of where they are on their journey as an educator, every teacher holds Desert Spring’s values of play, exploration, and individuality as a core belief of their teaching practice.
Hypatia Luna, Director
Hypatia joined Desert Spring in 2021, bringing with her over twenty years of experience in education and a deep commitment to whole-child development. She believes that children learn best through doing. She prioritizes creating emotionally, physically, and mentally safe environments, knowing that true learning only happens when children feel seen, supported, and respected.
Her background includes Montessori training and Reggio-inspired practice, both of which align with her belief in individualized learning, developmental readiness, and the interconnectedness of all things. She holds a BA in Art History, a California Clear Credential, and owns a children’s bookstore in Tucson. Her child is also a proud Desert Spring alum.
Favorite childhood memory: Hypatia loved to build forts (both inside and outside), color and draw, and make up dances to Paula Abdul songs!
Kiana Solis, Assistant Director
Kiana has been at Desert Spring since 2018. Kiana believes children are unique individuals and in her classroom she fosters their growth by cultivating a safe and caring environment. Her passion for teaching lies in guiding young children toward becoming compassionate and exceptional adults. Her favorite activity to do is joining in their imaginative play and nurturing their creative ideas. Outside the classroom, Kiana loves to read and dedicates herself to playing slow-pitch softball three times a week.
Favorite childhood memory: Kiana grew up in a very sports oriented family and loved playing softball with her sister.
Dee Altuna, Rainbow Room Educator
Dee has been at Desert Spring since 2012. She wears all sorts of hats and is deeply committed to seeing the school thrive and grow. Dee believes that all children are individuals and have their own unique ways of learning. She thinks the classroom is a space where children should feel safe and be able to express themselves freely. Dee is passionate about working with children and loves to learn alongside them. In her free time Dee loves to read books and watch baking shows.
Favorite childhood memory: Dee loved to visit her grandmother and explore the majestic mountains surrounding her town.
Sammy Belknap, Rainbow Room Educator
The laughter, curiosity, and unique personalities of children are what Sammy loves most about teaching. She is passionate about creating a classroom where every child feels cared for, understood, and comfortable being themselves. Reading stories aloud is one of her favorite classroom moments, especially when she gets to bring characters to life with silly voices and expressive faces. Sammy appreciates the welcoming, supportive community that makes Desert Spring such a special place. In her spare time, she creates stained glass art, draws, crafts, and spends time swimming with her son.
Favorite childhood memory: Sammy loved reading to her stuffed animals as a child. Her cozy reading corner was her special place, where her imagination could run wild and every story came to life.
Fanny Brown, Monsoon Room Educator
Fanny has been at Desert Spring since October 2022. What Fanny loves most about teaching is seeing the children’s personalities blossom as they become more comfortable with their classroom, teachers and peers. In the class she loves listening to the children talk to each other and hear their unique ways of conversing. When she is not at work Fanny enjoys going thrift-store shopping and listening to music.
Favorite childhood memory: When Fanny was a child she loved to collect stickers and adorn all her belongings with them.
Coming Soon!, Monsoon Room Educator
Sophie Chapman, Mountain Room Educator
Sophie is inspired by children’s natural curiosity and their ability to learn through meaningful experiences. She strives to create a classroom where each child feels proud of their unique strengths, ideas, and experiences while providing thoughtful challenges that help them grow. Her favorite part of teaching is learning alongside children and their families. This passion extends beyond the classroom, as Sophie believes every child deserves access to basic needs, including shelter, clean drinking water, nutritious food, and education. She especially appreciates Desert Spring’s child-led approach to learning and its close-knit community. In the classroom, Sophie loves creating collages with children using photographs and a variety of materials to inspire creativity and storytelling. In her free time, she can often be found sewing or swimming.
Favorite childhood memory: Sophie loved building rivers in the dirt with her dad and floating paper boats through the rainwater in the street, creating adventures inspired by imagination and nature.
Brooke Rickard, Mountain Room Educator
Brooke loves creating opportunities for children to explore, discover, and express their creativity. She is passionate about building a fun, supportive classroom where children feel encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and develop a love of learning. Her favorite part of teaching is watching each child’s growth unfold throughout the year. She especially values Desert Spring’s welcoming community. Science and art are among her favorite classroom experiences, where curiosity and creativity come together. Away from school, Brooke loves feeding the ducks at Reid Park and thrifting.
Favorite childhood memory: One of Brooke’s favorite childhood memories is getting ice cream with her mom after the first day of school.
Marissa Hernandez, Sun Room Educator
Marissa has been at Desert Spring since April 2021. In the classroom Marissa encourages students to explore and celebrate their uniqueness. It is her goal to ensure that the classroom is an environment where each child feels valued, empowered and supported. With a background in social work, she brings empathy and understanding to her teaching and individualizes her approach to meet the diverse needs of her students. Marissa enjoys using open-ended materials to spark creativity as well as reading during circle time to promote a love for literacy and community. Reading is a passion for Marissa too, and when she is not immersed in a good book you can find her exploring local eateries.
Favorite childhood memory: Some of her happiest memories center around exploring the wash next to her home to collect rocks.
Ellie Schmidt, Sun Room Educator
Ellie’s appreciation for children’s creativity and curiosity shines in the classroom, where she enjoys painting and reading alongside them. She believes all children are capable learners and creates a space where every voice is heard. With a passion for music and poetry, she especially loves hearing the imaginative stories children share. In her free time, Ellie enjoys writing and playing guitar and feels grateful to be part of a kind, supportive community.
Favorite childhood memory: Ellie fondly remembers doing headstands with her friends during school recess.
Brooke Sanders-Silverman, Community Engagement Coordinator
Brooke joined Desert Spring after several years on the school’s board, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit experience. She has served as Director of Education at the Children’s Museum in Tucson, founded a preschool in Southern Oregon, and worked with other nonprofits. Brooke earned her BA in Education from Evergreen College, where she explored Reggio, Waldorf, and Montessori educational philosophies.
Brooke believes that children are whole, capable beings who actively shape their own learning. She encourages children to explore their interests and follow their curiosity, while also nurturing social-emotional growth, knowing that kindness, thoughtfulness, and self-awareness are essential in development. A parent of a Desert Spring graduate, Brooke cherishes the school’s community and stays connected with many families. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, camping, games, and family time.
Favorite childhood memory: Growing up, Brooke spent many summers at overnight camp in Prescott, enjoying the outdoors among the cool pine trees.
Sara Van Slyke, Founding Director
Sara Van Slyke, the eldest of four children, was born and raised in Tucson, where a childhood of love, laughter, and desert adventures nurtured her deep connection to family and appreciation for the Sonoran landscape. After college, Sara began teaching in preschools and after-school programs, initially exploring a career in nursing before discovering her true passion for early childhood education. In 1987, she and co-founder Jan Kincaid opened Desert Spring Children’s Center, which blossomed over the next 35 years into a cherished community for children and families. Sara felt daily gratitude for the families who enriched her life, creating a lasting legacy of joy and connection.
Favorite childhood memory: Playing endless hours of tennis and riding her horse through monsoon swollen arroyos and cactus covered hills.
