Our Staff
The staff at First Class Preschool are a group of dedicated women. They believe educating young children is important and makes a difference. Every teacher or aid has early childhood education and experience and continues to take educational courses. Their commitment to working with young children is shown year after year as well as the joy they bring to each day.
Nancy Diehl
DIRECTOR & OWNER
Nancy has been a preschool director and lead teacher in the Colorado Springs community for over 30 years. The preschool has been in business for over 9 years. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a co-author of the book, Art Based Curriculum Discovering the Alphabet With Imagination and Art. Her love for preschool age children shows through the dedication and devotion she has for First Class Preschool. "First Class Preschool, where kids come first."
Director & Owner
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Kara Franco
Kara is a Colorado native and a mother of two amazing children. She has been in the Early Childhood Education field for almost 5 years. She has a passion for learning and creativity taught through an art based curriculum. These are synonymous with the values held by First Class Preschool. Kara has been a lead teacher and will continue in a leadership role within the organization as the Assistant Director.
3 & 4 YEAR OLD PROGRAM LEAD TEACHER
KRISTIN ECK
Mrs. Kristin has been a preschool music teacher in the Colorado Springs area since 2009. She has been the Music Teacher at First Class Preschool since 2020 and has also been the 3 year old teacher for the past two years. She has a degree in Elementary Education and taught in Colorado elementary schools for seven years, prior to having her own kids. Her passion is creating an environment that is fun and inspiring, to develop an early love of school and learning in her students.
Lauren Hakala
3 & 4 YEAR OLD PROGRAM CLASS AID
Lauren Hakala is a paraprofessional at First Class Preschool and has been with the school for going on three years. She is a wife, mother of two, and a Colorado Springs native. Lauren has a background in Early childhood Education and Art. She relates deeply to First Class Preschool's art based curriculum and truly believes children can thrive by being creative and hands-on.
PRE K LEAD TEACHER
JANINE ROBERTSON
Janine Robertson will be going on to her 10th year teaching preschool. She found her purpose here at First Class Preschool loving and teaching 4-5 year olds amongst all the creative aspects of art. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Azusa Pacific University and was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. She is dedicated to building up a strong foundation in social-emotional learning, academics and helping kids build good character.