Meet our Staff

Dr. Tara O'Neill - Interim Director

Dr. Tara O'Neill is the Education & Early Childhood Education Program Director and Interim FEC Director. She holds degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Psychology.

She has taught preschool, 1st and 2nd grades, K-5 language learners, and college level courses in education, early childhood education, English, and Psychology. Tara is a Prescott native who has worked at Yavapai College since 2006 and is a founding member of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of the Prescott Area board.

Nicole Moore – Coordinator

Nicole Moore became part of the dynamic FEC team in January of 2024. She looks forward to the coming years of opportunity and growth, especially in the role of classroom substitute. She has an extensive work and volunteer history that currently includes teaching in the Pre Kindergarten room on Sundays. Education is of great importance to her and as such she completed an Associate Degree in General Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Public Agency Service, and a Master of Business Administration.

Born and raised in Arizona, she enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring small town AZ, traveling, reading, group exercise classes, continuing education, and spending time with her pets, family and friends.

Donna Moss – Administrative Assistant

My name is Donna, named after my mother, and I was born into a military family. We moved quite a bit and I have spent plenty of time overseas, but I primarily grew up in Northern Virginia. I received my Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Government Policy, Pre-Law, and History in 3 years. I was married shortly before graduating to my college sweetheart and have been married for 12 years. We had two children during that time. I have been a stay-at-home mother until just recently when I came to the FEC.

After becoming a mother, I realized just how much I enjoy teaching, encouraging, and engaging with children. I have been volunteering at my local church in the children's programs for the past 4 years and have worked with children from the earliest stages all the way up to high school. I am honored to be working at the FEC with such a caring and capable team and I look forward to only improving upon the greatness that already exists in this organization!

Jeannie Culbert – Infant Room Mentor Teacher

Hello, my name is Jeannie Culbert, and I am the mentor teacher in the infant room. I am new to the FEC. I have a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona and I have my Early Childhood Teaching certification. I have worked in a preschool and have taught grades Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. This year I decided I needed a change and found myself at the FEC and am loving the infant room!

I have 2 children, my son graduated from Montana State last year and is now living and working in Montana and my daughter is a Sophomore at the University of Arizona. I love spending time with my kids. I love to travel and explore new places. I love being out in nature and taking pictures of nature. Winter is my favorite time in Prescott, I love the snow and cold!

Kirsten Rice

Hi! My name is KiKi Rice. I am the Teacher Technician in the infant room. I have been working with infants and toddlers for 25 years. I live with my partner Stefan, my child Lennon and our pup extraordinaire, Bennie! We are new to Prescott, having just moved here from Denver, Colorado. Outside of caring for littles, I love to sing, song-write, play piano and guitar. You might see me and my partner playing around town!

I believe that early childhood education, especially age 0-12 months, is the foundation for everything in a child's life- and I feel so blessed to be a part of that foundation. I'm excited to be on the FEC team and look forward to getting to know you!

Ashley Brown – Toddler A Mentor Teacher

Hi! My name is Ashley Brown, and I am the mentor teacher in Toddler A. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University in 2010. I’ve worked with children in summer camps, school districts, private preschools and even watched children from my in-home daycare. With all the different experiences I have, working with young toddlers is my absolute favorite. Seeing growth in the children is the most rewarding and exciting aspect. I love getting to know their personalities, providing experiences for them to learn and grow from plus they give the best snuggles!!

When I am not working, I’m usually spending time outside with my family. Mike and I have been married for 9 years. We have 2 children, Lincoln and Della. We moved to Prescott, from Gilbert AZ, in 2018 and have loved being here since!! We love getting outdoors, the chill vibes and small town feel, and you can’t beat the weather!

Shannon Shea – Toddler A Teacher

Hello, my name is Shannon Shea.

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. I was homeschooled from Kindergarten all through 12th grade, after graduating high school in 2015 by family and I moved to Chino Valley, AZ during the summer of 2016.

I started attending Yavapai College in 2017 where I studied performing arts, and during that time I started as a kitchen assistant at the FEC, I had always enjoyed working with children and so when I needed a on campus job it seemed like a natural fit. I quickly realized that the FEC was unlike any other place I’d encountered, the quality of care and the philosophies were what I had always wanted to provide but hadn’t been able to before.

In 2020 when the FEC reopened during the pandemic I started working in what at the time was the Toddler B classroom. When I graduated college in 2022 I worked for a short time as a substitute teacher before returning to YC as a student later that year to get a secondary AA degree in early childhood education.

In spring of 2023 I started working full time as a floater teacher.

In spring of 2024, I started working full time as the Toddler A teacher.

When I’m not teaching I enjoy doing crafts, photography, music, and spending time with friends and family.

Mattie Dundas-Tillman- Toddler B Mentor Teacher

My name is Mattie Dundas-Tillman, and I am so excited to be a part of the FEC team! I am the Mentor Teacher in the Toddler B classroom.

I was born and raised here in Prescott, Az and I have a younger sister. My dad worked for the forest service and my mom was a music teacher for PUSD. After I graduated from Prescott High School, I began taking classes here at Yavapai College. I transferred to NAU and moved to Flagstaff. I majored in Elementary Education and received a Bachelor of Science in Education. I have my Arizona Teaching Certificate for Elementary (K-8) with an Early Childhood Endorsement (Birth-Age 8).

I taught Kindergarten/1st grade for 8 years and then began teaching Preschool. Preschool is by far my favorite age to teach! This will be my 11th year teaching.

I am married and have two incredibly active and adorable little boys. My oldest son is Bode and he is 4. He is currently in Preschool B. My sweet baby boy is Jory, and he is 9 months. He is currently in the Infant room. We also have two big dogs, Echo and Mia.

I am so grateful to have my boys with me at FEC. In the short amount of time I have been here, I have seen my two boys thrive and I believe I have grown into a better teacher by learning and playing with the children in Toddler B. I feel so lucky to be a part of this wonderful program at Yavapai College.

John Olivas – Toddler B Teacher

Hello, my name is John Olivas, I was born in Yuma, AZ, grew up in a small farming town about 55 minutes outside of Yuma called Roll, AZ. After graduating high school, I moved to Prescott, AZ in 2000. I graduated with my A.A.S in Early Childhood Education in 2007, and furthermore was hired as a student worker the same year. I have been part of the Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center here at the FEC for about 14 years. I have been in all the classrooms from the infant room to the preschool rooms, including the kitchen and front desk.

My favorite age group to work with is the infants to 2-year-olds. Currently I am back at Yavapai College, working towards my business administration degree part time. When I am not teaching, I like watching sports, like soccer, baseball, and the Olympics. In addition, I enjoy hiking, Zumba, exercising, playing video games, going to the movies, being outdoors and reading.

Lauren Calkins – Preschool A Mentor Teacher

Lauren is the mentor teacher in Preschool A. She has over 25 years experience working with young children including as a substitute teacher here at the FEC from 2016-2018. Lauren loves to come alongside children to help them discover the world and their place in it. She lives with two of her five children and four of her eleven grandchildren plus a couple of kitty cats. During her free time she enjoys reading, crocheting and dancing.

Sarah Martin – Preschool A Teacher

Hi there! My name is Sarah Martin, and I am the teacher in the Preschool A classroom. I was born and raised near Chicago, Illinois, but I moved to Prescott when I was 21 years old. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a young girl. I would play "school" with my neighbor, and we would use our stuffed animals as our students. My mom and sister are teachers as well, so we are a family of teachers. I graduated with my AAS from Yavapai College and would eventually like to continue on with my Bachelors.

I started working at the FEC in 2019 as a student worker in the Toddler B classroom. The FEC shortly became my 2nd home. In 2022, a position opened up for the teacher in the preschool classroom, so I decided to apply. I was filled with so much joy when I found out I was offered the position. I love watching the children's curiosity and imagination develop during the preschool years. I am very honored to be a part of the children's lives at this young of age. I am very excited to continue my teaching journey at the FEC!

I have a daughter, Isabelle, who is my pride and joy! She is such a sweet, gentle, and spunky little girl! Together we enjoy going on hikes, singing, reading, planting, playing with our 2 dogs, and, of course, cuddling together. My daughter attends the FEC and the memories and relationships she has made there will last a lifetime.