"I enthusiastically recommend this group of talented and caring professionals without reservation to anyone who is looking for the best for their kids."
-Veronica Christensen

A Program Is Only As Good As It's Staff...

Harvard Park Children's Learning Center is a full day learning center serving the North Side of Spokane, WA. We have an exceptional staff that receives ongoing extensive training in order to meet our high curriculum and teaching standards.

All our teachers have a degree in either Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field. Our extremely low turnover rate means that our staff has been with us for an average of 10 years or more. Our passionate, caring team is dedicated to providing the best care and education to each and every child.

 
 

Center Owners

  • Leanne Dixon

  • Suzi Colman

Before becoming the owners of Harvard Park in 2006, Suzi and Leanne were the management team of the program. Suzi began teaching for us in 1992 and Leanne in 2000. Both are dedicated to continuing to provide the children and families of the North Side of Spokane with the best Preschool and Childcare program that has become Harvard Park's reputation since 1988.

Our Staff

Naomi

Naomi started working for us in 2003. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught children of all ages. She believes that children are highly capable little sponges. She focuses on developing self help skills, social/ emotional skills and motor skills. With a solid foundation in these areas, children will be successful in their academics. When Naomi is not teaching children, she is teaching adults! Naomi teaches fitness classes at the YMCA.

Barbara

Barbara has been teaching for us since 2005. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education.  Barbara is a busy lady. She splits her time in classroom with time at the front desk as our Director. Barbara's experience and knowledge makes her an invaluable member of our teaching team. If you have a question, she can get the answer for you! Barbara and her family are hockey enthusiasts. If you are ever at a Spokane Chief's Game, you are sure to find them rooting for their favorite team!

Stephanie

Stephanie began teaching for us in the summer of 2008. Stephanie holds her Master's degree in Elementary Education and has spent most of her time with us teaching our Pre-K Class (Blue Group). Stephanie is calm, fun and caring. She brings her knowledge of children's development into the classroom and the children thrive. When not at work, Stephanie loves spending time with her two boys camping and spending time at the hockey rink. She and her family are also hockey enthusiastic!  

Erin

Erin has member of our Harvard Park Family for five years. After completing her Early Childhood Certificate, Erin spent many years creating a preschool curriculum at her church preschool in the Mead area. Erin loves spending time outdoors with her friends and family. You can often catch her at local sporting events, camping and volunteering her time supporting local first responders.

Jessica

Jessica joined our team on a full time basis in 2015.  Jessica had chosen to place her daughter in our Blue Group (Pre-K) while she finished up her degree in Applied Dev. Psychology. She began working in our classrooms doing field hours, then later she began subbing for us. We finally convinced her to stay and now she is teaching in our Yellow Group (Preschool Class) full time. Jessica and her family love to spend time outdoors hiking and playing sports.  

Kaitlin

Kaitlin joined our Harvard Park staff in May of 2022. She and her family moved back to the US after spending many years living in Canada. Kaitlin has her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and brings her experience and education into the classroom. Kaitlin is a “crafty” person, always sewing, crocheting and baking.

Susan

Susan joined our teaching team in the fall of 2022. She has her Masters in Education with an Early Childhood emphasis. Susan has taught Kindergarten, Preschool and Adults in our local school districts. She is bringing her experience, education and calm nature into the classroom. When she is not in the classroom, she is spending time with her two children at rodeos and sporting events.

Brian

Brian took over as our Van Driver in 2014 when our beloved "Papa Tom" retired.  We are so lucky to have Brian as part of our team! Brain has been a part of our family for many years, both as a parent and now an employee. Now he has the important job of getting the children to and from school safely. When not at work, he spends time with his family at sporting events and camping!

Stephanie D.

Stephanie D. joined Harvard Park in the summer of 2018. She is an integral part of our teaching team. She comes from the west side of the state and works in the afternoons with our school age kiddos. She has Early Childhood Certificate and has worked in classrooms with all ages of children. All the children know and love her as she helps to cover the staff lunch breaks before heading to Orange Group.

Emily

Emily joined Harvard Park in the Spring of 2023. She has her BA in Early Childhood Ed and has spent the most of her years teaching in toddler classrooms. She is currently teaching in our Green Group and is loving the older age group.