OUR TEAM | wildnwa.org

Meet Our Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

At WILD About Learning Academy, we pride ourselves on our dedicated and loving childcare professionals who pour into your children day in and day out.

CEO/Owner & Regional Director

Dina Ford

Dina is a native to Northwest Arkansas and has lived here for over thirty-two years. Dina has been in the Early Childhood industry since 1997. Dina is passionate about her role within the community and strives to provide excellent customer service and mentorship to her team. Dina is a mother to three children; Tanner, Lauren, and Carson, and her children are her world. Her newest joy is her twin grandbabies; Asher and Everleigh. In her free time, Dina enjoys practicing yoga, instructing group fitness classes, spending time with her grandchildren, decorating, traveling, and listening to live music.

Assistant Regional Director

Lauren Easley

Lauren is the Assistant Regional Director at WILD & West. She grew up roaming the halls of WILD as a little one. She is now walking them assisting and supporting the teams across both locations. She has always looked up to her mom, Dina, and has found a passion for helping the families within our community, just like her mom! Lauren graduated in 2024 from the University of Arkansas with her Bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Human Development & Family Sciences. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors, traveling to new places, and doing hot yoga/pilates at Nooma.

WILD Director

Kaitlyn Taylor

Kaitlyn is our Director at WILD. She has been with us since October of 2014! Kaitlyn has completed her CDA certification in Early Childhood Education. She has lived in Northwest Arkansas for most of her life, meeting her husband in 2014 and then marrying in 2018. She has two busy boys, Casen and Stetson. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and finding new hidden gems in our community. Children and education are both her passion and she feels lucky to be able to combine the two and serve all of our families in Northwest Arkansas.

WILD Assistant Director

Kourtney Granger

Kourtney is our Assistant Director at WILD. She has been in Northwest Arkansas since 2020 and has worked in Early Childhood Education ever since. She graduated in 2023 with her Associate's degree in Business Management. She's currently attending ASU to complete her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Kourtney welcomed her first child in January of 2024. His name is Crue and he currently attends WILD-West! She has a passion for Early Childhood Education and can't wait to foster a relationship with your family!

WEST Assistant Director

Ashton Pillstrom

Ashton is our Assistant Director at WILD-West.

She has been with WILD since 2021, and has worked at both campuses, serving many families of NWA. Ashton is currently a student at Harding University majoring in Elementary Education and will graduate in 2026. Ashton has two daughters Collyns and Charleston and is expecting a baby boy in February. She is in a very busy season of life, but enjoys spending quality time with family in her spare time. She cannot wait to meet and serve your family!

WILD Nutrition Specialist

Sabreena Scott

Sabreena is the Nutrition Specialist at our WILD campus. She has been in Northwest Arkansas since 2022. Sabreena has worked for WILD since May of 2022. She started as an Assistant Teacher and then moved her way up into the Nutrition Specialist role. She is Serv-Safe certified and looks forward to making yummy meals for your littles each day! Sabreena moved to NWA from Georgia with her husband and son, Enzo, as well as all of their pets! She loves to go camping, biking, and floating.

WEST Nutrition Specialist

Grace Roberts

Grace is the Nutrition Specialist at our WEST campus. Grace graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2019 and received a bachelors in Psychology. Shortly after graduating, she relocated to NWA and has been here ever since! She began her career in the Early Childhood Industry in 2021. In her spare time, Grace enjoys hiking, caping, crafting & spending time with friends and family. Her main goal while at WILD is to help children experience new, healthy fun foods by introducing different flavors and textures!

Team Lead

Lexus Griffin

Lexus is our Team Lead at WILD. She has lived in Arkansas for most of her life, but has also lived in Washington State twice. Lexus has been a part of the WILD team since 2019. She completed her CDA credential at the beginning of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys helping her husband build his race car and going to the drag strip to watch him race. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family! Lexus has a passion for Early Childhood Education and she she can't wait to form a relationship with your family!

WEST Team Lead

Raegan Salmonsen

Raegan is our Team Lead at WILD-West. She has worked at WILD since 2019 in many different roles and hopes to keep growing within the company. Raegan is currently working towards completing her CDA to help better serve the families of Northwest Arkansas. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, hiking and reading. Raegan can't wait to build long lasting relationships with all of the families within our program!

Non-Mobile 1 Lead Teacher

Brittany Burnett

Brittany is the Lead Teacher in our Non-Mobile 1 classroom at WILD-West. Brittany has been in Early Childhood Education since 2018.In her spare time she enjoys being outside with her three kiddos, camping, and reading a good book! One thing Brittany hopes to accomplish while working in childcare is helping the kids learn and grow in a safe environment.

Lead Teacher

Erin Rogers

Erin is the Lead Teacher in our Mobile 2 classroom at WILD-West. She has been babysitting and helping with Girl Scouts for 10+ years, but officially joined the childcare industry in 2020. In her free time, Erin enjoys hiking and playing video games. A goal Erin has for her time at WILD is to make sure each child has every opportunity to grow, feel loved, and cared for!

Walker 2 Lead Teacher

Alexia Herren

Alexia is the Lead Teacher in our Walker 2 classroom at WILD-West. Alexia has been in the childcare industry since 2019. She loves seeing the babies smile and reach new milestones. In her free time, Alexia enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family. Alexia and her husband are expecting their first child in August. Alexia is currently studying Psychology and plans to be a school counselor after she graduates!

Toddler 2 Lead Teacher

Mackenzie Russell

Mackenzie, "Kenzie", is our Lead Teacher in Toddler 2 at WILD! She has lived in Northwest Arkansas her whole life. Kenzie has worked at WILD since January of 2023, but she has been in Early Childhood Education for 3 years. When she is not at work, Kenzie likes to spend her free time with her family and friends. She is always down to go to a concert or the lake. She's thankful to all of the parents that trust her with their littles!

Jr. Pre-K 2 Lead Teacher

Abby Sutherland

Abby is our Lead Teacher in Jr. Pre-K 2. She has lived in Northwest Arkansas for almost her whole life. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and she has been following her passion for working with kids ever since! In her free time, Abby loves to read, be outdoors, and spend time with her family. Her favorite part of her job is creating a safe and loving space for children to grow and learn in their own unique ways!

Pre-K 1 Lead Teacher

Selena Munoz-Aguilar

Selena is our Lead Teacher in our Pre-K 1 classroom! She has been with WILD since October of 2021. She enjoys teaching and working with all of her students to prepare them for Kindergarten! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and two fur babies-- Alejandro and Delilah! She enjoys going on walks and grabbing a drink from 7Brew! She looks forward to meeting your family!

Pre-K 2 Lead Teacher

Brenda Pockat

Brenda is our Lead Teacher in Pre-K 2. Mrs. Brenda has been employed at WILD since 2016. Before coming to WILD, she worked for Evergreen

Children's Academy as a teacher and Assistant Director. She received her CDA credential while working at ECA. Mrs. Brenda has been in Early Childhood Education for 30+ years. She really enjoys getting to know your littles and watch their success as they learn and grow. She plays a huge role in prepping her students for Kindergarten by utilizing Kindergarten Prep curriculum. She looks forward to meeting and building a relationship with your family.

Teacher Assistant

Mackenzie Scott

Mackenzie is an Assistant Teacher at WILD. She joins us after a full day of teaching over at the district. She was born and raised here in Bentonville. Throughout high school, she worked as Summer Camp leader! In 2019, she graduated from Pittsburg State University (Go Rillas!) with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She loves reading, running, and being with her family. She can't wait to spend the summer with your child(ren)!

Teacher Assistant

Abbigail Borse (Goodding)

Abbigail has a huge heart and a strong sense of connection. She loves to dance and listen to music. Abbigail has been with her highschool sweetheart for over twelve years and now carries the title of MRS.

Teacher Assistant

Amanda Inman

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Amy Elston

Amy is an Assistant Teacher in our Walker 1 classroom at WILD-West. Amy started her career in Early Childhood Education in 2023, shortly after her daughter, Alyson, was born. Amy wanted a career change, but also a safe space for her daughter, while she was working which lead her to WILD. In Amy's free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, swimming, being outside, or shopping!

Teacher Assistant

Ashley Sifontes

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Andrea Brena

Andrea is one of our Assistant Teachers in Toddler 1. She has worked in Early Childhood Education since 2023. She graduated in 2023 with her Associates in Paralegal Studies as well as an Associates in Liberal Arts/Sciences. Andrea is currently double majoring in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoys riding her horses, raising animals, and being an aunt! She loves being a part of all things WILD and building special connections with the children and families.

Teacher Assistant

Bailey Hollingsworth

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Caitlynn Stouder

Caitlynn is an Assistant Teacher in our Mobile 1 classroom at WILD-West. Caitlynn has been in the childcare industry since 2019. She has one son, Greyson, who is her mini! He’s precious. In her spare time, Caitlynn enjoys spending time with family, shopping, and watching football... Go Hogs! (& Chiefs!) Caitlynn loves forming bonds and connections with both the children and their families!

Teacher Assistant

Claudette Guevera

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Ghizele Hernandez

Ghizele is an Assistant Teachers in our Mobile 1 classroom at WILD-West. She has been in the childcare industry since 2022. She loves getting to know not only the babies in her care, but their families. You can usually find Ghizele making fun art for their classroom! She is so crafty! In her free time, Ghizele likes to go hammocking, traveling/road trips, going to rodeos, and making caffeine runs to 7brew.

Teacher Assistant

Haley Dodgen

Haley is one of our Assistant Teachers in our Toddler 2 classroom. She is currently a senior in high school. Haley is passionate about her future and plans on being an Early Childhood or Kindergarten teacher. She enjoys working with children because she loves to watch them develop and grow! She looks forward to working with your family!

Teacher Assistant

Irie McKnight

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Juliet Ramsey

Julie is an Assistant Teacher in our Toddler 1 classroom at WILD. Julie has an incredible love for the babies in her care and strives to help them reach their milestones. Julie has been in childcare since 2019 and has been with WILD since 2021. In her free time, Julie likes to visit family and friends, go on walks, workout, and take her dog, Honey to the dog park.

Teacher Assistant

Kaden Hall

Kaden is one of the Assistant Teachers in our Non-Mobile 1 classroom at WILD-West. She joined our team because she has a passion for children and wanted to help influence our future generation! She is an avid animal lover! In her free time, Kaden enjoys reading, painting, crocheting, and singing! The outdoors is her happy place and she loves adventures as well as looking for gems! Kaden has a positive spirit and her goal everyday is to create a better tomorrow!

Teacher Assistant

Katya Martinez

Katya is one of our Assistant Teachers in Jr. Pre-K 2. She is currently a student at Northwest Arkansas Community College planning to transfer to the University of Arkansas where she will be majoring in Art Education. Katya's goal is to become an art teacher. In her free time, she enjoys baking and creating illustrations. She is excited to be on the team at WILD and is grateful that she has the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with families!

Teacher Assistant

Maddie Mota

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Madison Hopper

Madison is one of our Assistant Teachers in our Jr. Pre-K 2 classroom. She is an animal lover, child at heart, and loves to craft! Madison loves to build meaningful relationships with her students and enjoys watching them learn and grow each day!

Teacher Assistant

Maria Garcia

Maria is an Assistant Teacher in our Non-Mobile classroom at WILD-West. She is calm, loving, and nurturing. Maria has been with WILD since 2023. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 4 dogs, being outdoors, and traveling with family. Maria comes in each day excited to love on her babies! She enjoys teaching them and watching them meet their milestones!

Teacher Assistant

Melissa Hull

Coming Soon!

Teacher Assistant

Riley Heston

Riley is an Assistant Teacher in our Non-Mobile 2 classroom at WILD-West. She has always had a love for children, which lead her to childcare. Riley and her fiancé have one daughter, Maya. In her spare time, she enjoys tanning, spending time with family, and playing Nintendo. Riley loves being apart of the children’s growth and development to help them meet their goals!

Teacher Assistant

Sydnei Weatherman

Sydnei is a Teacher Assistant in our Toddler 2 classroom. She has been in Early Childhood Education since January of 2023. She was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas and is a current student at the University of Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, baking, shopping, and watching movies. She has loved getting to make connections with families and pouring her love into the children.