Meet Cohort 1

Retired after 24 years of dedicated public service in Wisconsin and carried with her a deep commitment to community and personal growth. In 2022, she relocated to Chaffee County, Colorado, where she discovered a new calling in early childhood education. A mother of two and a devoted grandmother, Sue brings warmth, life experience, and a nurturing presence to her work with young children.

She is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Colorado Mountain College as part of the Emerging Early Childhood Educators Program, Cohort 1, sponsored by the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council, building a solid foundation of knowledge to support her classroom work. Sue began her journey in the classroom as a volunteer at Busy Bees Preschool in Buena Vista, where her natural connection with children and passion for learning quickly became evident. This year, she will return to Busy Bees as a co-teacher of a preschool classroom.

Sue’s approach is grounded in fostering inclusive and engaging environments that support children’s sense of identity, sense of belonging, and social-emotional growth. Her transition from retirement to the classroom reflects her unwavering commitment to growth and service. Outside of her studies and teaching, Sue finds joy in spending time with her family and embracing life’s small, meaningful moments.

Amber Jacobs has lived in Salida, Colorado since 2020. She met her beautiful wife at our very own Salida Pride and they got married two years (to the day) later. They are expecting their first child in October 2025.

Growing up in Texas, Amber always had a love of caring for children. She started her own babysitting business, with the help of her mom, when she was 12 years old. Later she attended the University of North Texas in Denton and received her bachelor degree in Art Education. Upon searching for her first teaching job she ended up taking a position in a special education classroom and that is where her passion for working with students began. From there she would go on to teach or serve families in some capacity for the next 17 years, currently working as a Foster Care Coordinator for Chaffee County for the last 2 years.

With the completion of the Early Childhood Education Program through the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council and Colorado Mountain College Amber hopes to better serve her community by offering in-home childcare services to local families. This program has helped turn a love of children and passion for helping others into a way to meet a great need for our small town.