Meet Our Staff
We are Kind, We are Passionate, We have Integrity, We are Progressive & We put our Communities and Families First
Our staff has over of combined experience

Ben Poswalk
Executive Director
Personal Info:
Title
Executive DirectorDegree
Kinesiology and Applied Physiology; Human PerformanceYears at Paradise Place
10My Hobby
Getting Outdoors: Skiing, Hiking, Camping.
Gwyn Grier
Program director
Personal Info:
Title
Program DirectorDegree
Early Childhood EducationYears at Paradise Place
10My Hobby
Teaching Aerial Dancing, Skiing, Climbing, Running
Allison Poswalk
Lambs Teacher
Personal Info:
Degree
Childhood EducationClass Educator
LambsYears at Paradise Place
7My Hobby
Hiking, Skiing, Snowshoeing
Allison Dolloff
Whales

Kaleigh Nethington
Whales

Megan Willson
Lambs Teacher
Class Educator
LambsYears at Paradise Place
1My Hobby
Hiking, Paddle Boarding, Camping, Skiing, and Ice Skating
Leah Starinieri
Lambs Teacher
Personal Info:
Degree
EducationClass Educator
LambsYears at Paradise Place
1My Hobby
Family, Reading, Hiking
Melody Barge
Whales Teacher
Personal Info:
Degree
EducationClass Educator
WhalesYears at Paradise Place
1My Hobby
Hiking and the outdoors
Monique Gonzalez
Doves Teacher

Dillan Espeset
Lions Teacher
Personal Info:
Degree
Agricultural EngineeringClass Educator
LionsYears at Paradise Place
2My Hobby
Running, Hiking, Yoga, Baking
Carie Mitchell
Child Find Coordinator
Personal Info:
Degree
Childhood Childhood Special EducationYears at Paradise Place
4My Hobby
Hiking, Biking, Skiing
Andreea Nisbett
Hi, I’m Andreea. Born in Eastern Europe (Romania) my desire for travel brought me to the states where I chose to further my passion for working and helping children grow and develop. In 2012 I began my career in child development. It has allowed me to gain the insight and knowledge to help grow young minds and influence them to be productive and inspirational leaders in the community.
I do believe that, even they will not remember me once they will become adults, my words will be stuck in their mind and actions forever.

Karen Jansen
Music/Spanish
One of my greatest joys is sharing my love of music with children! I have lived in Crested Butte over half my life, and have been a teacher of some sort the entire time. I began Munchkin’s Music and Dance (classes for the youngest musicians) over 15 years ago, and also run a successful private teaching business (where I offer classes in piano, guitar, and mandolin). I also enjoy teaching Spanish–I taught preschool and kindergarten in Costa Rica for a couple years, where I grew to love the language. Besides singing and playing music, I love to write and be outside hiking, biking or Nordic/backcountry skiing whenever possible.
website: www.musicincb.com

Mia Hill
Doves Teacher

Morgan Raspanti
Doves Teacher
Hi, my name is Ms. Morgan and I am very excited to be joining the Doves classroom as an assistant teacher this school year!
I was born in New Jersey and I just moved to Crested Butte from New York, where I had lived since 2013. There I was studying at The New School, first for my Bachelors degree in Global Studies and then, for my Masters degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Media and Culture. Over the years I have worked in a variety of early childhood environments, including two different preschool classrooms, as an NJ State Certified Substitute Teacher and as a Nanny. In addition, I have also worked as a Teaching Assistant in undergraduate and graduate classrooms. My professional experience is varied but some of the most rewarding work I’ve done is with young children. Helping a child navigate their process of development is an enriching experience and I feel so fortunate to be a part of our students growth here at Paradise Place!

Ms. Madeline
Lions Teacher
Hi there! I am Ms. Madeline and I joined the Lions class in December of 2020 to help out while Mrs. Dillan prepares for her little one that is on the way. It has already been so fun and rewarding!
I was born in Gunnison but moved away when I was young. I have always wanted to move back to the area and was lucky enough to get the chance in early December. I moved to Crested Butte from San Luis Obispo, California where I finished my undergrad at California Polytechnic State University. I graduated with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection and a minor in Child Development. I fell in love with teaching while in college during two internships leading nature hikes and teaching different science subjects to K-6th graders in an afterschool program. I also worked at a daycare while doing a student exchange in Montana for a semester. These experiences helped me realize my main career goal is to teach outdoor education to young children because of all its benefits for development and so I can teach them to love the beautiful outdoors as much as I do. In my free time I love to do yoga, run, rock climb, snowboard, hike and knit. I am so honored to help instill a sense of joy for learning and help the kiddos at Paradise Place flourish into extraordinary tiny human beings.