Teachers

Rachel Flax Kaplan
Executive Director and Lead Teacher

I am deeply grateful to be part of the Snow Lion community. I joined it first as a newcomer to Boulder, enrolling my twin boys as Cubs and substituting when needed. With each year, I increased my time and commitments in the classroom, and it feels warm and welcome to settle into my place here.

I moved from NYC to Boulder with my husband, Dan, and twins in 2017. In New York, I earned my MS.Ed in Museum Education with K-6 and early childhood certifications from Bank Street College of Education. I was a Head Teacher at the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development, a lab school in the Psychology Department at Barnard College. My primary classroom training is focused on social emotional development and separation in toddlers. The journey children go through to discover that they are independent, capable little big beings is my favorite thing to witness. It is unique to each as well as a shared experience. Observing and supporting aha moments, resilience and the figuring out of where one person ends and another begins fills me with joy.

In addition to teaching in a classroom, I have coached springboard diving for ages six to seventy-six for over two decades. Instructing, encouraging and gently nudging people to do incredible things with their bodies and minds from a bouncy fiberglass plank into the water inspires and amazes me to no end!

Nicole Ann Vollmerhausen, MA Early Childhood Education
Assistant Director, Director of Licensing

I am originally from Trenton, Michigan. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in May of 2001 in the College of English Language and Literature; shortly after that I packed up my Honda Civic with all my belongings with my husband Shawn, and moved to Boulder in June of 2001. I consider myself a lifelong learner and truth seeker driven by a passion for knowledge. In my free time, I enjoy researching and reading about health and wellness, hiking, doing yoga, playing card and board games with my family.

I have been involved in the Snow Lion community since 2001, both as a teacher and as a parent. In August 2007, I finished the Teacher Education Program at Boulder Journey School, which was a joint partnership with the University of Colorado Denver where I earned my Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology. Through the same program, I also received my Early Childhood Education endorsement and licensure from the Colorado Department of Education.  

In 2015, I received my Large Center Director Certification and I completed the Touchpoints Early Care and Education Training Program, which I received twenty hours in child development and working with families of young children. Currently I hold a level VI Colorado Early Childhood Credential Professional Credential 3.0.  In 2019, I took the Colorado Foundations in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health course. Currently, I am in the process of renewing my Early Childhood Coaching Credential to help first year and teacher aides in the profession.

I am also listed in the DORA database as a Registered Psychotherapist holding certifications in specialty areas from post graduate coursework at The Colorado School for Family Therapy including Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Sand Tray, Child and Family Investigations and Family Mediation. I have also completed all the necessary post graduate coursework for Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling and Addiction levels I-III from the same school. 

Connie Aizeki, MA Educational Psychology
Cubs Class Coordinator, Mentor Teacher, Lead Teacher

In all my years of teaching at Snow Lion my greatest joy is watching my students grow from the uncertain toddlers that step into my classroom on their first day to the empowered, creative, confident graduates that step out of school on their last.

I obtained my Masters degree in Educational Psychology from CU Denver through the Teacher Education Program at The Boulder Journey School.  I had the good fortune to be immersed in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and pedagogy while there and to travel to Italy to witness the way in which the preschools bring that philosophy to life. After graduating from the program I was thrilled to move straight into a position here at Snow Lion where I found my true and forever home as an educator and caregiver in this dynamic, mindful and nurturing school.

I have lived in the Boulder area for about 30 years now and currently reside in Longmont in a sweet little bungalow built in 1910. I have spent a lot of time on the many trails here running, mountain biking, and recently I have been slowing down the pace and hiking more frequently. It has been good for me to be able to say a proper hello to the deer and notice which wildflowers are currently in bloom. I may also be found reading, baking, or embroidering.

I have two grown children who are on beautifully individual paths that suit who they are perfectly.  I would be remiss in not counting them among my most important teachers in life.

Allison Berger

Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator

I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the Snow Lion teaching team. Originally I am from the cornfields of Iowa but have spent the last 20+ years in Boulder planting my roots firmly in the rocky soil of the foothills. I live in Boulder with my husband Mark and my two lovely (not so little) littles, Penny and Tilda. Both Penny and Tilda graduated from Snow Lion.

I love to be creative, head outdoors, hike, bike, garden, adventure and most importantly spend time with my family.  I graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Fine Arts and then received my Early Childhood Lead teacher certification from Front Range.

After spending time caring for my girls, as well as caring for others’ children while I was a stay-at-home mother, I realized I wanted to be in a classroom on some level. I was fortunate to find a place at Snow Lion, first in the Cubs room and then with the Lions. I am thrilled to be continuing to connect with the children and helping to facilitate outlets of self-discovery. I look forward to sharing my creativity, energy, love and compassion with each of your children.

Lauren Pilling
Lead Teacher

I joined the Snow Lion Community in August of 2021, and I am so happy and grateful to be a part of it. What a magical place for the children and magical to work here. I grew up in a tiny town in Pennsylvania—where I babysat anyone as soon as I turned 12—and moved to Utah to attend school in 2019. I moved here and started work at a YMCA summer camp, nannying, and being a teacher at an after school program. I worked my way up to being a teacher at Snow Lion and I couldn’t love it more. Outside of Snow Lion, I enjoy hiking, reading, and i love to go on long walks.

Heidi Violett
Teacher

I was born and raised in Longmont, Colorado, and graduated locally from Niwot High School. I have always been interested in education, and I began working with kids through a program in my middle school where I offered childcare for parent volunteers at school. I continued to learn about education informally through school programs in my teenage years and through childcare in my adulthood. I am so grateful for the opportunity to join the lovely Snow Lion community this year, and I’m so excited to learn more. In my free time I enjoy many hobbies. My current favorites have been crocheting and going for walks.

Jessica Deerman
Teacher

Originally from New England, I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Quinnipiac University, and a MA in Clinical Health Psychology from Northern Arizona University. I have two children who graduated from Snow Lion and I feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing community. I have worked with children throughout my career and find myself in awe of their sense of wonder, unique expression, and the intricacies of each child’s individual path toward development. When I’m not teaching you will find me adventuring, here in CO and beyond, with my family. We love to travel, ski, hike, snorkel, anything outside will do. In addition, I have a background in yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda with a 200 hour YTT.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to share in your child’s joy as they explore and grow in such a magical way here at Snow Lion.

Zoe Hilbert
Teacher

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, my partner and I moved to Boulder, Colorado in 2019. I received my Bachelor’s degree in social work with a focus on child development and family studies at Central Michigan University in 2016. I later received my Master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan in 2019. I am a licensed clinical social worker and prior to working at Snow Lion, I practiced as an early childhood mental health consultant in preschools and daycares. I later shifted to a position as a parent-child therapist. I am very excited to be a part of the Snow Lion team! I have a passion for early learning. I highly value building relationships and supporting young children’s social-emotional development. In my free time, I love to do any outdoor activities, read, travel and spend time with my family and friends.

Kristin Lhatso, MA Educational Psychology
Former Executive Director

Growing up in California, dance and theatre arts played a major role in my early life. My first introduction to teaching came in my late teens when I taught children’s dance classes. I did my undergrad work at Naropa Institute, where I was introduced to contemplative education. I started the original Snow Lion School in 1995 and this school has been an incredible blessing to me.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my husband, 3 grown-up children (who have taken it upon themselves to propel me into a continuously more refined version of myself), garden, swim and dance. My current practice in all areas of my life is to embrace what is arising as fully as I can. I love how much more genuine my teaching becomes when I can relinquish (tiny bit by very tiny bit) the facade of control that interrupts real connection and presence. It is such an honor to be a teacher and to have the opportunity to support children and families on their unique life paths.