Barb Ruigh
Director
Mrs. Ruigh is a newer face at Rainbow Factory, bringing her Reggio-Inspired approach to the preschool where she infuses a love of nature with emergent curriculum. This approach allows students to be collaborators, and Mrs. Ruigh challenges students to expand their knowledge based on their genuine interest and understanding of students as capable individuals. Mrs. Ruigh has been in the early childhood education field for 30 years. As of July 2024, Mrs. Ruigh has been named our director, we are thrilled to have her leadership which will infuse her love of nature & creating functional, beautiful classroom spaces that act as a third teacher.
Justice Rhoden
Lead Teacher, Multi-age Preschool
Ms. Rhoden is gentle, kind, and approaches children with care. Joining Rainbow Factory in 2020, Ms. Rhoden has continued to develop her curriculum and classroom management skills while leading our Full Day multi-age classroom. Ms. Rhoden has been in the early childhood education field for over five years and her understanding of children’s needs makes that obvious to all who are fortunate enough to work alongside her.
Ashley Bandow
Lead Teacher, Twos Program
As the mother of five children, with two sets of twins, Mrs. Bandow operates with calm and thrives under the chaos of a Twos Program in her fourth year at Rainbow Factory. Mrs. Bandow has a Masters Degree in Sociology and English, and is currently pursuing an Associates in Early Childhood Education.
Anna Williams
Lead Teacher, Multi-age Preschool
Outdoor Coordinator
Mrs. Williams leads our Multi-age Mornings program in her fourth year at Rainbow Factory, as well as planning and executing Camp Rainbow curriculum and oversight. Using her background in horticulture, Mrs. Williams engages our students in gardening and maintaining our nature center which feeds their love of nature and understanding of community!
Jenny Reid
Twos Teacher
Mrs. Reid’s love of literature and children landed her in our Twos program at inception of said program, and we’re thrilled she signed on for a third year nurturing our youngest learners! Mrs. Reid’s own children went through Rainbow Factory as preschoolers, providing us with unique insight through a parent and community member’s perspective since 2017.
Lisa Smith
Teacher, Multi-age Preschool
Ms. Smith has been a part of the Rainbow Factory staff off and on since 2018, providing her excellent behavior management skills in our classrooms as a teacher. Ms. Smith believes children learn through each other as much as they learn through teachers and likes to promote ample opportunities for peer engagement in her classroom.
Stella Mogis
Aftercare Lead Teacher
Miss Stella hones her empathetic nature to care for children in our Aftercare program daily. Growing up in Montessori schools, Miss Stella encourages students to grow through practical life skills and supporting their independence through play.
Stacey Brown
Co-lead Teacher Multi-age Preschool
New to Rainbow Factory Preschool this year, Mrs. Brown co-teaches with Ms. Rhoden in the Multi-age Preschool Room. Mrs. Brown has been in Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is an Emergent/Creative Curriculum Specialist as well as Reggio inspired. She believes by observing and allowing the children to help choose what is of interest to them, helps them gain better knowledge of the world around them. Learning through play, as well as providing opportunities for new experiences, not only in the classroom, but out in nature, is what she strives for in a classroom.
Laura Clarke
Teacher
Ms. Laura is a new face this spring to Rainbow Factory. Laura has spent the last 22 years working at Creighton ELC. She loves creating a warm, welcoming, safe environment, where children can build relationships and feel connections. Laura is passionate about building a good foundation for learning. Laura is the mother of 5 children and grandmother to 6. She enjoys reading and gardening in her free time as well as being with family. Laura will be covering for Ms. Rhoden during her maternity leave then working with us at Camp Rainbow. As our numbers grow, Ms. Laura will move into a classroom to call her own.