Early Childhood Program Faculty
Meet the Early Childhood Program Faculty
- Lower School Head
- Lower School Administrative Assistant
- EC1
- EC2
- EC3
- EC Specialists: Music, Performing Arts, Science
- Aftercare Coordinator
Lower School Head
Janet Salvoni joined Sun Valley Community School in 2005 and was appointed Lower School Head in 2011. Janet has extensive experience in the classroom, having taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades; she has also served as a Learning Specialist and as Early Childhood Coordinator. Currently, in addition to her role as Elementary School Head, she serves as Co-Director of the Teacher Training Academy (TTA)Janet holds a BA in elementary education from University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an MA in education from Cambridge College.
In her daily work with students, parents, and colleagues at the school, Janet is continually inspired by the passion of the school's faculty. "They believe 100 percent in the work they are doing, both with students and behind the scenes," she says.
Janet and her husband, Frank, are parents of two Cutthroats: Tyler '23 and Cooper '27. When she's not at school or spending time with her family, Janet spends time on the ice pursuing her passion for ice hockey.
Lower School Administrative Assistant
Kimrick Dolson joined our Lower School team in 2025, replacing longtime assistant Robin Seitz.
Kimrick moved from the Seattle area in 2019 with husband John and their four children: Cline, Henry ‘24, Winnifred, and Wells, who is a current 9th grade Cutthroat. Kimrick has been an active member of our Parents’ Association as V.P. of Middle School and as a room parent. She has years of experience in marketing and development and she most recently worked as Studio Manager for Dev Khalsa Photography in Hailey.
Kimrick holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Kimrick's warmth, organizational skills and enthusiasm for the Lower School’s program make her a natural fit for this position.
EC1
Jennifer Barrett-Neet
Jennifer earned a BS in Family and Human Services, Education from the University of Oregon where she was recognized as a Diversity Building Scholar. She also holds a MS in Early Intervention, Early Childhood and Idaho Licensure, Early Intervention/Early Childhood from University of Oregon where she studied early childhood philosophies including Reggio Emelia.
“I’m an advocate for child development and the path each individual child takes to grow," says Jennifer. "Working with young children has always been a passion of mine.” In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside, hiking, camping, and reading. Jennifer and her husband have two young children.
Ceci Velasco Martinez
Ceci first worked in the EC 1 classroom as a student teacher in 2022-2023 while completing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Southern Idaho. She was then hired in 2023 as part-time support staff in the Early Childhood program for the EC 1 and EC 2 classrooms. Ceci brings a calm, nurturing presence that is invaluable in a toddler classroom.
EC2
Stephanie Ernst
Stephanie Ernst joined the Elementary School staff in 2021 and is now entering her 3rd year as Sun Valley Community School's EC2 teacher. She also serves as the ECC Department Chair.
Stephanie brings a wealth of experience as a passionate and dedicated educator to the EC2 classroom. She started her career as a Head Teacher at the Children’s School for Mills College in Oakland, California, working with infants and toddlers. Since then, she has worked in the field of early education as adjunct faculty at Solano Community College and Diablo Valley College, where she created curriculum for and taught a variety of Early Childhood courses. Most recently, Stephanie worked for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District where she served as a Preschool Special Education Teacher from 2010-2017 and then as an Early Intervention Specialist from 2017 to 2021. Stephanie holds a BA in Sociology from Westmont College and an MA in Education from Mills College.
Alondra Herrera
Alondra Herrera is the teaching assistant for the EC2 classroom working with Lead Teacher Stephanie Ernst, a role she assumed in 2025.
Alondra joined the Lower School in the fall of 2024 and in addition to her role in Aftercare, has served as an EC substitute teacher throughout the 2024-25 school year. Alondra grew up in the Wood River Valley, graduating from WRHS in 2020. Before working at SVCS Alondra worked as a Teaching Assistant at Bigwood Preschool with three- and four-year old children while also taking courses in Early Childhood Education at the College of Southern Idaho.
Alondra loves watching young children grow and helping them to flourish in their development.
EC3
Katharine Weekes
Katharine Weekes is a lead teacher for EC3, working with 4-5-year-olds. Originally from Massachusetts, Katharine graduated with a BA in History from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1990.
She joined Sun Valley Community School in 1994, drawn to the school's culture and traditions, including the dynamic outdoor program, and the Reggio-inspired early childhood center. Of the Early Childhood Program, Katharine says, "We see our students as capable and independent thinkers, who are intrinsically motivated to make meaning and connect with their environment through organic play. Our emergent curriculum revolves around the interests of our students. Most importantly, we foster close relationships with our families and create a classroom environment that feels safe and nurturing, where our students push themselves to learn and grow."
When she's not teaching, Katharine loves to ski with her family (husband Jack, Sun Valley Community School class of '85, son John '20, and daughter Lucy '25), and hike with the family dog, Ernie.
Nancy Moore
She previously owned Creekside Center in Bellevue, where she provided developmentally appropriate childcare for children 6 months to 5 years. She also served as the Center Director and teacher for A Place for Kids, the childcare center for the Advocates, and was also a preschool teacher at the Little River Preschool in Hailey.
Nancy is a graduate of Casper College in Casper, Wyoming with an Associate of Applied Science - Home Economics with emphasis on Early Childhood Education. In addition, completed her CDA Credential by the Council for Professional Recognition overseen through the CDA National Credentialing Program.
EC Specialists: Music, Performing Arts, Science
Tom Downey, Science
Tom Downey joined the Sun Valley Community School faculty in 2019, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience and a passion for engaging young learners.
After several years teaching Middle School Math and Science, he transitioned in 2023 to focus on Lower School Science, while continuing to provide math enrichment. He also serves as the Middle School Track & Field Coach.
Tom's journey to the Wood River Valley began when he ran Galena Lodge under contract with the Blaine County Recreation District, living off the grid for five years. A founding faculty member at Pioneer Montessori School, he spent 14 years as Elementary Director and two years as Head of School. He later helped open a Montessori school in Queensland, Australia and developed several youth adventure programs.
Tom holds a Master’s in Education from Loyola University, a Certificate of Distinction from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (grades K–8), and an international diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale. He brings energy, depth, and creativity to the Elementary Science program, often integrating mindfulness and movement into his teaching. As one student shared, “Tom has a special way of connecting with students and celebrating their learning.”
Lindsey Emmer, MA, LPC; EC Atelierista (Art Studio Teacher)
Lindsey holds an MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology & Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho. Prior to teaching Lindsey owned and operated HeArt Space Counseling, where she worked with children using child-centered and strength-based methods of talk, art, and play therapy. Lindsey finds pure joy in supporting children in their process of exploring and learning about materials, becoming creative problem solvers, and creating a space for them to express their ideas, interests and feelings in a variety of ways.
Outside of work, Lindsey loves to play and spend time in the mountains biking, hiking, skiing, going to the lake and camping with her husband Jay, son Jack, and their husky Bandit.
Aftercare Coordinator
Kindra Acker is the Accessibility + Belonging Coordinator, a new role she took on in 2025. She also serves as the Lower School's Aftercare Coordinator.
Kindra has been an active member of the school's DEI Committee since 2022, having contributed to the school's recent self-study DEI component as part of its recent accreditation process.
Kindra was first hired in 2017 as the Lower School's Aftercare Coordinator. In 2019, she transitioned to the EC1 classroom as a Teaching Assistant. During her time at Sun Valley Community School, Kindra has been a Teaching Assistant in all three of the EC classrooms.
Since 2020, Kindra has also served as the Lead Instructor for Young Explorers Camp, a summer program held at Sun Valley Community School.
Says Kindra, "I strive to provide a safe, encouraging, and engaging space for students to explore, be creative, and discover their own capabilities."
Kindra holds a MA in Early Childhood Education from University of Colorado, Denver and a BS in Human Development with a minor in Psychology from University of California, Davis. During her time at CU Denver, she focused her projects and research on inclusive classroom practices and equitable access to quality learning experiences. She also co-designed curriculum and guest lectured for CU Denver (Course name: Learning Through Play). Explains Kindra, "The focus of my contributions were lessons on equitable and inclusive practices, access to playful learning experiences, and anti-bias education."
When not working, she enjoys crocheting, snowboarding, and camping and hiking with her husband and their 2 dogs.
The Early Childhood Program is a place where we foster trusting partnerships with our families. If you ask our parents, they will tell you that we truly know their children. Our program offers an unique environment where children are inspired to play and explore. When kids feel nurtured, they will take risks, learn and grow. Whether building with recycled materials, writing a collaborative class book, or snowshoeing around our campus, our students are engaged and intrinsically motivated. Most importantly, we like to have fun!
Katharine Weekes, EC3 Class Faculty and Alumni Parent