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.

Aubrey Young

Subsitute

Aubrey started at FLLC in January 2025. She was born and raised in Lexington and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School’s Teaching and Learning Program in 2024. Aubrey is a freshman at the University of Kentucky studying Learning and Behavior Disorders and Elementary Education. She has babysat for 7+ years and served at Northeast Christian Church in children’s ministry for 7 years.

Ava Thurman

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Ava started at FLLC in December 2024. She is currently a Junior at UK studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with the goal of attending graduate school to earn a masters in Speech Language Pathology. Ava has been in childcare for 2 years, previously working for multiple families as their nanny. Ava was born and raised in Lexington and loves spending her free time with her family, friends, and dog Bentley.

Ben White (he/him)

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Ben started at FLLC in January 2026. He was born and raised in Lexington. Ben attended Henry Clay High School, along with tech school where he worked in FCPS as a student teacher. He is currently a freshman at the University of Kentucky learning about animal science.

Chelsea Back

P3 Assistant

Chelsea started at FLLC in May 2022. 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

Christin started at FLLC in August 2021. Her journey in the classroom began in 2008. Christin first joined the FLLC family in 2021, where she taught the P3 class for three wonderful years. Along the way, she also worked as a Registered Behavior Technician and as a special education paraeducator, supporting students with diverse needs and learning styles.

Ellie Nash

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Ellie started at FLLC in January 2025. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School’s Teaching and Learning Program in 2024. Ellie is a Learning Behavior Disorder/Elementary Education major at the University of Kentucky. She has lived in Lexington and enjoyed working with kids her whole life. Ellie also played soccer and was involved in student council all throughout high school.

Heather White

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Heather started at FLLC in June 2025. She has been working in education for over 20 years and currently teaches Preschool at Arlington Elementary. Heather is from Ohio but has been in Kentucky for 19 years. She lives with her husband and has two kids, both in college here in Kentucky.

Jada Turley

P5 Assistant

Jada started at FLLC in August 2025. She was born and raised here in Lexington and enjoys writing and recording music, playing golf, film making, traveling the world, and taking on new DIY projects. Jada believes in the power of creativity and works with various nonprofits to help youth learn about music production and explore all kinds of art.

Jaiden Lentz

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Jaiden started at FLLC in January 2025. He is a student at the University of Kentucky and is studying physical therapy. Jaiden has been an assistant supervisor for FLC’s nursery since August of 2021. He lives in Lexington where he loves playing sports and spending time with his dog, Lulu.

James Aguilar

P4 Lead

James started at FLLC in April 2025. James has worked in school or nonprofit settings for the last 12 years across various types of populations and services. One of his most rewarding jobs was at a day treatment program for children aged 3-6 with extreme behavioral challenges. He enjoys Scrabble, playing tennis, and spending time with his family.

Kaylee Richardet

P5 Lead

Kaylee started at FLLC in September 2025. She was born and raised in Southeast Missouri. She moved to Kentucky for college where she met her husband Casey. Kaylee has worked with children and individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. She finds great joy in partnering with caregivers and colleagues to support the development of young minds.

Lauren Walter (she/her)

P3 Assistant

Lauren started at FLLC in August 2025. She has worked with all ages infants to 6th grade. Lauren has been working in childcare for over 7 years and volunteered in a church nursery before then. She enjoys drawing, playing video games, and reading.

Mackenzie Harris (she/her)

P4 Assistant

K-5 Lead

Mackenzie started at FLLC in August 2024. She has been in early childhood education for a few years and has worked with an array of ages. She enjoys spending time outdoors, attending concerts, and thrifting.

Madi Rabe (they/she)

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PM Manager

Madi started at FLLC in August 2023. Madi grew up in Northern KY and graduated from UK in 2021 with a Bachelors in Music Education. Madi taught a year of middle school choir in St. Paul, MN and then taught a year of elementary general music in Lexington. Outside of teaching, Madi is a member of the Lexington Chamber Chorale and loves to journal! They live in Lexington with their partner, Isaac, and bearded dragon, Julien.

Malory Short

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Malory started at FLLC in August 2025. She has been in childcare for 7 years and has experience working with multiple ages. In her free time Malory enjoys concerts, hanging out with her friends and fiance, and going to vintage stores!

Mandy Savoy

Cook

Mandy started at FLLC in September 2020. 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 one dog.

Miranda Jarvis (she/her)

Substitute

Miranda started at FLCC in June 2025. She teaches public preschool with FCPS and has been working with young children since 2016.

Paige Barricklow (she/her)

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Paige started at FLLC in March 2025. She has Bachelors of Arts in psychology and sociology from Transylvania University and has been the Youth Assistant at Faith Lutheran Church since 2022. In addition to working with children and young people, Paige sings in the choir at Faith Lutheran Church and plays Oboe in the Central Kentucky Concert Band.

Rhonda Giesey

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Ronda started at FLLC in January 2022. 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!).

Savannah White

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Savannah started at FLLC in January 2026.

Stephanie Meier

P2 Lead

AM Manager

Stephanie started at FLLC in June 2015. 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.

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