Teresa is the Program Director at Gioiosa, backed by a psychology degree and several years of diverse experience in the childcare field, beginning in 2017. She is a seasoned entrepreneur who previously founded and operated an in-home center, proving she could successfully manage a staff of three and a cohort of ten children without losing her sense of humor. Teresa specializes in high-level oversight and the kind of organizational calm that can only be earned after years of being outnumbered by toddlers.

Brandy Poiry

Riley joins the Gioiosa team with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from KU and a specialized ability to remain calm in a room full of percussion instruments. Her background includes a deep dive into developmental music therapy and years of volunteering in special needs ministries as a respite buddy. Between her clinical internship and a lifetime of nannying, Riley has seen every possible childhood "performance." As a float teacher, she moves between classrooms, bringing a mix of therapeutic expertise and a strategic ability to find the "off" switch when things get a bit too fortissimo.

Emma Kostelac

As our Infant Lead, Colby brings a level of perspective that can only come from working with both the very young and the very old. She’s been a fixture in the childcare world since 2017, punctuated by a two-year nannying stint and a detour into senior care. She has earned her CDA, cementing her status as a professional caregiver. Colby has been with the Gioiosa team since 2023, where she focuses her "seen-it-all" attitude on making sure the infants are thriving (and the chaos is contained).

New Teacher Coming Soon!

Jazmine joins the Gioiosa team with a background that blends childcare experience with the iron-clad patience required for customer service. After recently completing her high school studies online, she is using her time in the classroom as a real-world laboratory for her future career in early childhood development. She spent a year as a daycare teaching assistant before joining us, and she’s already well-versed in the art of being "motivated and responsible" in the face of toddler-induced chaos.

Gelina Taylor

Von Plumley is our Lead Teacher in Early Preschool and has been in early childhood education since 2015 - long enough to know that toddlers are both delightful and relentless. She’s worked with children ages one to five in roles ranging from teacher to assistant director, and she holds an AA in Early Childhood Education. Von brings a steady mix of patience, experience, and just enough humor to survive the daily mysteries of early preschool life. She likes to focus on social and emotional development with her kiddos, which we can all appreciate. We’re grateful to have her guiding our early learners… and occasionally decoding their artwork. She lives in Kansas City with her two dogs and she enjoys taking them on walks or just being in nature with them. She also likes to explore Kansas City and try new places around the city.

Tina Cabe

Aly Alvarado brought over four years of early childhood classroom experience - plus an impressively eclectic résumé that includes teaching art at Got Art Gallery, coaching Happy Feet soccer, supporting youth in crisis as a shelter advocate, and working as a behavioral interventionist with FosterAdopt Connect, to Gioiosa. Basically, if it involves kids or community, Aly has probably done it. She’s completed collegiate coursework in early childhood education and has a clear passion for volunteer work and outreach. Aly shows up for children and families with dedication, creativity, and the kind of calm flexibility that only comes from seeing… a lot. We’re glad she’s on our team. When she's not here, she likes to hang out with her four cats, craft, and garden.

Ella Akrobetu

Marisa is an Infant Float Teacher at Gioiosa. She transitioned from Little Lambs Montessori School where she cultivated her understanding of Montessori principles and the vital stages of early child development. Marisa has a strong foundation in the wellness development of young children, supported by a Certificate of Completion in Personal Wellness and Human Nature. Her favorite part of working at Gioiosa is experiencing the humor and compassion of her coworkers. Marisa comes from a large, close-knit family she loves and lives for dearly. Outside of her role at Gioiosa, she enjoys learning new things, staying physically active, and spending quality time with her family.

Alaina Mendoza

When she isn’t busy studying the complexities of the human mind at the University of Missouri, Alaina is at Gioiosa putting those theories to the test. As the oldest of three, she’s been an unpaid consultant in child development and little-human diplomacy for years. Alaina joined the team to be a role model for the next generation—or perhaps just to see if her psychology textbooks actually hold up against a determined toddler. She’ll be popping into classrooms during her school breaks to apply her expertise in the field.

Carmen is 21 and was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. She has worked with children most of her life in home and center settings. She worked in a Montessori school for several years and enjoys watching children grow while supporting them in learning independence. She is able to adapt and attend to every child or situation and enjoys learning and growing with the kids as she works with them. She believes that age is just a number and everyone is greater than it! She is not only a teacher of children but a student of them as well! 

Lucy Coones

Lucy Coones is our part-time break coverage teacher and a dependable presence in the classroom. She has worked in childcare centers since 2024, along with volunteer work in soup kitchens, proof that she’s no stranger to patience, flexibility, or organized chaos. Lucy holds a high school diploma and approaches each day with a steady attitude and a willingness to jump in wherever she’s needed. Our classrooms (and our teachers’ sanity) are better for it.

Atziri Guillen