Meet Our Staff
Johanna Jellybean (She/Her) - Director
Johanna received a Bachelor of Science in Family Social Science and a Bachelor of Art in Child Development from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She joined the SCCC community in 2018. During her time at SCCC she has worked as a float, assistant teacher, lead teacher, and interim director. Johanna also gained valuable experience supporting children during her time as a Clinical Program assistant at Fraser working with toddler and preschool aged children who are on the Autism Spectrum. Johanna is an active member with Kids Count on Us, advocating for transforming our childcare and early childhood education system into an equitable and just system. She has completed the Childcare Advocates Ready to Emerge (CARE) Fellowship. Some of Johanna’s favorite activities she's done with students includes going to the pool, making popsicles, and screen printing shirts! Her favorite topic to teach her students is about how babies and families grow and the many different types of families. Outside of SCCC, Johanna enjoys spending time with her husband Jack and their puppy, Pebbles.
Yolande Yarn (she/her) - Teddy Bear Lead Teacher
Yolande started teaching as an intern at SCCC in 2015, and has been teaching in the Teddy Bear room for over 10 years! Yolande’s favorite thing about teaching is watching the kids grow and develop over time. She really enjoys building bonds of connection and trust with her students. Yolande’s favorite moments are when we come to the end of a tough day and are still able to hug it out and be joyful. She also really enjoys dance parties with the Teddies and seeing the smiles on their faces as they move around. Outside of work, she loves cooking and spending time with her family.
sUZY sUNFLOWER (she/they) - Polar Bear Lead Teacher
Suzy received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and joined the SCCC community in 2025. She brings over six years of experience teaching diverse groups of learners in a variety of environments, including public school classrooms, camps, and online in virtual settings. Suzy is passionate about fostering social-emotional development as a foundation for building respectful, empathetic communities. She looks forward to growing alongside the SCCC community and contributing to the growth of each child. Outside of teaching, Suzy enjoys spending time with her partner, Wes, and their cat baby, Yuki. From enjoying live music, diving into a book, or creating art, Suzy continually seeks out experiences that expand her perspective.
Ashley Alligator (she/her) - Polar Bear teacher
Ashley attended Seward Child Care as a child, and then volunteered and read to the Penguin classroom for 10 years until she graduated from high school. While attending college she was a substitute teacher at SCCC and also worked at an on-campus child care center. Ashley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Early Childhood Education and is licensed to teach birth - grade 3. She has been a teacher at SCCC since 2018. In her free time Ashley likes to read, watch movies, go to musicals or plays, spend time with friends, garden, and do crafts. In the summer you will find her at garage sales looking for good deals and things for the classrooms every weekend.
Emily ENCHILADA (she/her) - Penguin lead Teacher
Emily grew up in the Longfellow neighborhood and still lives there with her wife, their young son, and their black and white cat Breaker. Emily lives close to extended family and loves spending time together. They have dinner every Sunday as a big group – 11 in total, as well as celebrate all special occasions and holidays together. They love to cook, sing, spend time outside, travel, and celebrate together. Emily is passionate about working with children and has been doing so in a formal setting for almost 20 years! Emily has worked with children in a variety of settings including being a nanny, working for the Roseville Area School District, working for Minneapolis Public Schools in the Teen Parent Service Program, working for Fairview hospital’s former child care, and working for Ebenezer in their intergenerational child care program. Emily has a BAS in Early Childhood Education with experience with all age groups - but her passion is preschool, especially 4-5 year olds! Emily joined the SCCC community in 2025. Her favorite thing about working with children is the lightbulb moment that happens when they have been working on something and they finally get it! Their perseverance and pride in themselves is the best! Some of her favorite things to teach about are bugs, insects and butterflies, cooking activities, anything about the autumn season, songs, and how to take care of each other. She loves making connections with children and families and building relationships that foster positive learning experiences. Emily believes we all have a role to play in a child’s development and when we work together we make the greatest impact. She is very excited to join the SCCC community and looks forward to many exciting new adventures.
Destinee Donut (she/her) - Float Teacher
Destinee is a student at the University of MN-Twin Cities majoring in early childhood education and minoring in family social science. She has worked at SCCC since 2024, and has 5 years of experience working in education. Destinee is very passionate about SCCC’s core values, especially “We take care of each other and our community”. She loves how the children learn to advocate for themselves and others at such a young age, and get to learn the importance of diversity in each classroom. Destinee loves being a part of the SCCC community, it has made her feel so welcomed and as though we are all a part of something much bigger than just a school! Outside of work, Destinee is a full time student and is in a sorority so she stays busy with lots of classes and events! She is the oldest of six children and enjoys spending time with friends and family, she likes to go home as often as possible to see her little siblings.
La’niya (Niya) Necklace (she/her) - Float Teacher
Niya joined the SCCC community in early 2026. As a float teacher, Niya supports multiple classrooms throughout the day, helping teachers and children wherever needed. She enjoys working with children of all ages and building positive, trusting relationships that help them feel safe and comfortable. Niya strives to create a calm, caring, and fun environment where children can learn, grow, and feel confident being themselves. Niya is passionate about supporting both students and staff to help make each day a positive experience for everyone.