Meet Our Team
Courtney Herald - Director
Courtney graduated from Berea College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Education and Child and Family studies with a concentration in child development. She received a Master of Arts in early childhood education with a master teacher concentration (MTEA) as well as a certificate in emergent inquiry from East Tennessee State University in 2020. Most recently she received her MAT in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and teaching certificate in 2023 from Morehead State University.
Courtney has worked in early childhood education since 2014 in various capacities including childcare, public preschool and developmental intervention. She shares three children with her husband and has a passion for early childhood education and advocating for children and families.
Lindsay Scott
Associate Director
Lindsay started at FLLC on 08-15-07. She has primarily worked with K-5, and also taught preschool for a couple of years; she became associate director in 2012. Lindsay has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky.
Abby Fife
K-5 Assistant Teacher
Abby started at FLLC on 12-19-23. She previously worked as an afterschool daycare teacher, specifically with K-5. She always had a passion for working with children and is excited to contribute to the FLLC environment and kids every day.
Amber Rainwater Pratt
P4 Assistant Teacher
Amber started at FLLC on 6-20-23. She married Stephen Pratt III on 8-18-18. Before working at FLLC, she was a stay-at-home parent to two young children, Coraline and Jasper. She’s currently working on her Associate's degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education.
Caitlin Turner
Substitute Teacher
Caitlin started at FLLC on 07-17-23. She graduated from Tates Creek High School in 2022. She is a state registered nurse aid and is working on an associate's Degree in Nursing from Bluegrass Community and Technical College. She’s been babysitting for 5 years, ages 6 months-11 years old. She has lived in Lexington her whole life and has always loved working with kids.
Chelsea Back
Float Teacher
Chelsea started at FLLC on 5-31-22. She graduated from Powell County High School in 2014. She married Jeremy Back in Oct 2018. Chelsea started working in childcare prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. After being stuck at home, she was blessed to work for the Powell County School system as a substitute teacher, while obtaining the role as the head coach of the Powell County Middle School Volleyball team.
Christin Lawson
P3 Lead Teacher
Christin started at FLLC on 08-09-21. She is currently working on completing her Associates degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. Prior to FLLC, she worked at Our House at the Pinnacle for 9 years, most of that time spent working with 2.5/3-year-olds, and preschool age. Most recently, she worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician with Blue Sprig Pediatrics.
Emily Reesor
K-5 Assistant Teacher
Emily started at FLLC on 02-12-24. She has worked with children and the childcare setting for 4 years of all ages. Emily recently moved to Lexington from Indiana to expand her options for childcare and hoping one day she’ll be able to be a preschool teacher! She is living with her partner, Eli, and has two cats and one dog.
Haley Hart
K-5 Lead Teacher
Haley started at FLLC on 11-02-22. She is a senior at UK, studying Family Science. She plans to continue her education with a Masters, to become a Child Life Specialist.
Jessie Price
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Jessie started at FLLC on 02-13-24 and they have been an assistant teacher in the Hippos room since April. They live with their partner of four years and their two cats, Freddie and Ringo. They enjoy traveling, concerts and festivals, and Doctor Who!
Julia Heller
K-5 Assistant Teacher
Julia started at FLLC on 08-29-23. She recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s of Public Health and a minor in Family Science. Soon she will beginning a Masters of Public Health program, concentrated in Maternal and Child Health, in goal to researching Mother and Child Development. Julia is from northern Illinois, loves being outdoors, and has a pet hedgehog named Tilly!
Kathy Haflich
Cook
Kathy started at FLLC on 09-18-20. Cooking has always been one of her passions and she has six years of experience being a school cook. She was a golf professional for 25 years and enjoys cross stitching. She has two kids, a son-in-law, and a grandpuppy.
Madi Rabe
P5 Lead Teacher
Madi started at FLLC on 08-09-23. They graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a Bachelors in Music Education. Madi taught a year of middle school choir in St. Paul, MN and then moved back to Lexington where she spent one year as the general music teacher at William Wells Brown Elementary. Outside of teaching, Madi is a member of the Lexington Chamber Chorale and an avid reader. They live in Lexington with their partner, Isaac, and bearded dragon, Julien.
Mandy Savoy
P4 Lead Teacher
Mandy started at FLLC on 09-08-20. She has been in the early childhood field for 20 years, working with a variety of ages. Mandy lives in Lexington with her husband and two dogs.
Matt Burney
Float Teacher
Matt started at FLLC on 03-25-24. He was born and raised in NY, but relocated to Lexington at the end of 2019. Matt has been in childcare for 13 years and has worked as an assistant, lead teacher, program coordinator, drama teacher, and dance teacher. He has two degrees: an associates in performing arts, and a BFA in Musical Theater. In his free time Matt loves to dance, travel, and spend time with his loved ones!
Rhonda Giesey
P3 Assistant Teacher
Ronda started at FLLC on 01-03-22. She has worked in early childcare with all ages for over 30 years. Most recently she worked at Our House at the Pinnacle for 20 years. Ronda lives in Lexington with her husband Mark and their sweet Yorkie named Charlie. She has 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren (twins!).
Sophie Kelley
Float Teacher
Sophie started at FLLC on 03-27-24. Sophie is currently studying Art History and World Religions at UK. She plans to further her studies in Art Education to become an elementary art teacher. Sophie has always loved working with little ones, whether it be teaching piano or volunteering with her mom who teaches ESL. In the process of teaching she learns so much from the kids! In her free time Sophie loves to paint, listen to music, read, bake, and travel with her boyfriend.
Stephanie Meier
Toddler Lead Teacher
Stephanie started at FLLC on 06-13-15. Stephanie lives in Lexington with her husband, two children, and beloved dog. She grew up as a member of Faith Lutheran Church. She was a full-time nanny for families in Lexington for several years prior to working at Faith Lutheran, as well as working the nursery here at FLC.
Tamara Bartleson
P5 Assistant Teacher
Tamara started at FLLC on 02-06-24. Tamara is 23 years old. She grew up in Harrodsburg, KY and has been a member of Centennial Baptist Church her whole life. She graduated high school in 2019 and attended Berea College where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. Prior to working at FLLC she worked with children at daycare and a residential facility. When she’s not teaching, Tamara enjoys watching Bluey, traveling, refreshing her anatomy skills, and growing her relationship with Christ.
Vida Pantoja
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Vida started at FLLC on 08-08-23. She graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar in 2020 and is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing online at Eastern Kentucky University. She was born and raised in Lexington and has always enjoyed working with children of all ages.