Early Childhood Instructor: Michelle Alqlaf
Hello! This is my fifth year at Heritage, but my eighth year with the district. I have two kids. My daughter graduated from ThunderRidge High School a couple years ago and my son is an 8th grader in middle school. We also have 4 dogs in the house: one 15 year old Miniature Schnauzer, two 6 year old Rottweilers, and mini Pit Bull . I have my bachelors degree & license in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood endorsement. We are a Kansas City area transplant family, but have been in Colorado for about 10 years. I am excited to be here and get to know everyone!
Michele Gonzales: Special Education Assistant
My name is Michele Gonzales and I am the Special Education Assistant. I have been working in Douglas County Preschools since 2006 and I am happy to say that I have been at Heritage Preschool since 2007. I live in Highlands Ranch with my husband Ron. We have two daughters, Jessica and Rebecca and a 6 year old boxer named Diego. Both of my daughter's attended elementary school here at Heritage, where they received a great start to academic success. Jessica graduated in 2024 with her MSW (master of social work), she is now a therapist working with adolescents and is also working on her LCSW (License Clinical Social Worker). Rebecca graduated with her MBA (master of business administration in 2024). She now works for a global leader in a tech and AI company in Santa Clara, California.
Ron and I enjoy tackling DIY home projects, watching movies and hiking. I also enjoy coffee, cooking, spending time with my family, running (I've ran four 1/2 marathons), and team training at Chuze fitness, (you can catch me at the 5 a.m. class). I look forward to working with all of the new and returning preschoolers and am looking forward to an exciting school year.
Jodi Beck: Speech and Language Pathologist
My name is Jodi Beck, and I'm the speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Heritage Preschool and Summit View Preschool. I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Louisiana Tech University and a masters degree in speech-language pathology from Texas Woman's University. I began working in DCSD preschools in 2015 when I moved to Colorado with my husband and two boys. I'm looking forward to a fun preschool year!
Kristina Carnes: Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Hello! My name is Kristina Carnes and I am the Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE) at Heritage Preschool and Summit View Preschool. I am a Colorado native and attended the University of Northern Colorado for my undergrad, Masters in Elementary Education and Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. I have been working in DCSD for 5 years and previously worked in Jeffco for 3 years. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, photography, and hanging out with my family and friends. I am excited for a great school year!
Jan Richards: EA IV Floater