EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

barb ruigh

Mrs. Ruigh has been a valued member of the Rainbow Factory Preschool community since 2022. After serving as a classroom teacher, she accepted a promotion to Director in 2024, and we are thrilled to have her leadership guiding our program.

Mrs. Ruigh brings a Reggio-inspired approach to our preschool, blending a deep love of nature with an emergent curriculum that centers children as capable, curious learners. She believes students are collaborators in their learning and thoughtfully challenges them to expand their understanding based on genuine interests and meaningful exploration.

With 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Mrs. Ruigh is passionate about creating functional, beautiful classroom environments that support creativity, independence, and connection. Her vision emphasizes outdoor learning whenever possible and classroom spaces that act as a “third teacher,” enriching each child’s daily experience.

MULTI-AGE classrooms

ANNA WILLIAMS

Mrs. Williams has been a member of the Rainbow Factory Preschool staff since 2021. She serves as a co-teacher in our Multi-Age Mornings program alongside Ms. Smith and plays a key role in shaping daily classroom experiences.

Mrs. Williams also leads the planning and execution of our Camp Rainbow curriculum and serves as our Outdoor Coordinator. With a background in horticulture, she brings a deep love of nature into our program by engaging students in gardening and caring for our nature center. These experiences help children develop curiosity, responsibility, and a growing understanding of their connection to the natural world and their community.

lISA SMITH

Ms. Smith has been a part of the Rainbow Factory Preschool community since 2018. As a classroom teacher, she brings strong behavior management skills and a thoughtful approach to supporting positive social interactions.

Ms. Smith believes children learn just as much from one another as they do from teachers. She intentionally creates opportunities for peer engagement, collaboration, and shared problem-solving, helping children build social confidence and meaningful relationships within the classroom.

jUSTICE RHODEN

Ms. Rhoden joined the Rainbow Factory Preschool team in 2020 and leads our Full Day Multi-Age classroom. She is known for her gentle, kind approach and the care she brings to every interaction with children.

With over five years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Rhoden continues to develop her curriculum and classroom management skills while thoughtfully supporting each child’s individual needs. She works closely alongside Ms. Stacey, creating a warm, consistent classroom environment where children feel safe, supported, and confident to grow.

STACEY BROWN

Mrs. Brown joined the Rainbow Factory Preschool team in 2025 and works as a co-teacher in our Full Day Multi-Age classroom alongside Ms. Rhoden. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, she brings deep knowledge, patience, and creativity to her work with children.

Mrs. Brown is an Emergent and Creative Curriculum Specialist and is Reggio-inspired in her approach to teaching. She believes that careful observation and allowing children to help guide learning based on their interests leads to deeper understanding of the world around them. Learning through play, combined with opportunities for new experiences both in the classroom and outdoors in nature, is central to the environment she strives to create.

Threes classroom

LAURA CLARK

Ms. Laura joined the Rainbow Factory Preschool team in the spring of 2025. She brings 22 years of experience from Creighton ELC, where she developed a strong foundation in supporting young children through meaningful relationships and responsive care.

Ms. Laura loves creating warm, welcoming, and safe environments where children feel connected and supported. She is passionate about building strong foundations for learning and believes those foundations begin with trust, consistency, and positive relationships.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Laura is the mother of five children and grandmother to six. She enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Keyaina COLE

Ms. Keyaina joined the Rainbow Factory Preschool team in 2025 and serves as a co-teacher in the Threes classroom alongside Ms. Laura. She has been a wonderful addition to our community and is quickly adored by students for her kind and approachable nature.

Ms. Keyaina brings a calm, welcoming presence to the classroom and is thoughtful in how she supports children throughout the day. She focuses on building positive relationships, offering encouragement, and helping children feel comfortable and confident as they learn and grow. Her flexibility and teamwork make her a valued member of both the classroom and the wider Rainbow Factory team.

TWOS CLASSROOM

JENNY REID

Mrs. Reid brings a deep love of literature and children to our Twos program, where she has been nurturing our youngest learners since the program’s inception. We are thrilled to have her entering her third year in this role, supporting children as they begin their preschool journey.

Mrs. Reid also brings a valuable parent and community perspective to Rainbow Factory. Her own children attended Rainbow Factory as preschoolers, and she has been connected to our community since 2017. This unique combination of experience allows her to thoughtfully support both children and families with care and understanding.

STELLA MOGIS

Miss Stella brings a thoughtful, empathetic approach to caring for children in our Aftercare program, where she serves as the lead teacher. She supports children daily by fostering independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Having grown up in Montessori schools, Miss Stella values practical life skills and encourages children to develop independence through play and hands-on experiences. In addition to leading Aftercare, she also assists in our Twos classroom, helping create consistency and strong relationships across the day.

 Rainbow Factory Preschool was founded more than 60 years ago as a mission of First United Methodist Church, created to provide young children with a joyful, inclusive, and developmentally rich preschool experience. For decades, families have walked through our doors knowing their children were entering a space grounded in care, curiosity, and community.

That legacy continues today. In 2024, Rainbow Factory Preschool became an independent nonprofit organization—an intentional step taken to preserve and protect the values that have guided the school for generations.

Becoming a nonprofit ensures that Rainbow Factory’s mission remains at the center of every decision. All funds are reinvested directly into the school, supporting students, families, staff, and programs while expanding access through scholarships, community partnerships, and long-term sustainability efforts.

While Rainbow Factory now operates independently, our roots remain deeply connected to First United Methodist Church. Long-standing appointments of FUMC members on the Board of Directors provide continuity, historical perspective, and faithful stewardship of the mission entrusted to us over 60 years ago.

This transition honors where we began while strengthening our ability to serve future generations. With a dedicated Board, a clear educational purpose, and a commitment to equity and inclusion, Rainbow Factory Preschool continues to be a place where children grow, explore, and thrive—today and for many years to come.

BOARD OFFICERS

board members