Our staff of experienced teachers promote a creative, educational and positive school environment.
Beth Florez,
Head of School
Beth and her family have lived in Lyons since 2018, and like so many they were drawn to the sense of community that Lyons gives. They enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time at the parks and river together.
Beth received her teaching credentials through the Friends’ School teacher preparation program in Boulder, and a MA in Educational Psychology from CU Denver. She has taught a range of preschool and elementary students, and is excited to carry on the vision and mission the founders and the Board have created. She has a strong commitment to Early Childhood Education and is honored to be in her role at Lyons Valley Preschool.
COURTNEY Platt,
Teacher
Miss Courtney grew up in Destin, Florida, a little beach town beside the Gulf of Mexico. In 2009 she traded the beach for the mountains, and now resides with her husband and son in Berthoud.
Miss Courtney has been with Lyons Valley Preschool since its opening in 2013. She completed her Montessori training in 2015, and brings a wealth of joy and Montessori knowledge to our school. She loves cooking, camping, and traveling with her family. Her favorite children's book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
Cayenne Towns,
Teacher
Ms. Cayenne is a native of Colorado and has lived in Niwot for over 25 years. She has been a teacher with Lyons Valley Preschool since 2016. Cayenne is extremely blessed to have stayed home with her beautiful twin daughters, Megan and Makenna, until they were 16. Her lovely girls graduated college together and now reside in Peru and Fort Collins, respectively. Cayenne has a degree in Nutrition with extensive coursework in Early Childhood Education. She also attended the College of International Esthetics and is a certified Medical Esthetitian. Cayenne has a passion for cooking vegan recipes, reading, walking the great outdoors, spending time with her lovely daughters and her furry cats, Jasper and Cloudy. Cayenne feels it is an honor to be part of the Lyons community and spending time learning herself from the amazing children each and every day at Lyons Valley Preschool.
Jene bergan,
Teacher
Jené is not a Colorado native but she has lived in Lyons for the last 27 years, aside the last 2 years she and her family embraced their wanderlust and lived abroad in Mexico and Chile. In her spare time she loves to travel, camp, drink coffee, mountain bike and spend time exploring nature with her husband and twin 5-year old daughters. She received her teaching credentials through the Friends’ Teacher Preparation Program in Boulder, and a MA in Learning, Development, and Family Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado-Denver. Jené brings a wealth of experience teaching preschool through second grade and is deeply passionate about fostering student growth and discovery throughout their learning journey.
Mysha Lubke, chairperson
Mysha Lubke joined the board in April 2025 bringing decades of experience leading educational non-profits, streamlining operations, and advising on business, legal, and financial considerations. A proud native Texan, she knew Lyons was special when she and her family stumbled upon it while vacationing in 2023 wholly unaware that they would make this community home the following year. As a mom to three fiercely independent and strong-willed young girls, she knows the value of LVP's child-centered and supportive approach to preschool education. She is excited to have a front-row seat to LVP building on its strong foundation as a mainstay for families in the Lyons community.
Jessica johnson, board member
Jess is a mom to two daughters, Rosie and Vyla, and a happy Lyons resident. Originally from Southern California, she has called Colorado home since 2012 and moved to Lyons in 2022, drawn by the small town charm and beautiful trails and rivers.
Jess is also a veterinarian and works part-time at Left Hand Animal Hospital in Niwot. She recently retired from large animal practice after a decade of caring for Boulder County’s farm animals. Before having children, Jess enjoyed volunteering her veterinary skills both internationally and domestically - working in Mexico, Nicaragua, Liberia, Denmark, and on several Native American reservations in North and South Dakota.
Jess believes there’s no better way to experience the world than through the eyes of a child or an animal - both have a remarkable ability to find magic and joy in everyday moments. She feels grateful to be raising her family in such a warm, supportive community and is excited to contribute as a member of the Lyons Valley Preschool Board.
Kristina knight, treasurer
Kristina brings over two decades of experience in finance, management, entrepreneurship and prior board experience to LVP. She is passionate about childhood education and supporting communities through thoughtful leadership and collaboration.
She is a mom of two wild and adventurous little ones - one a current LVP student and another future student to be. Her family moved to Lyons in 2023 shortly after the birth of their daughter and quickly fell in love with the incredible community here.
When she’s not chasing toddlers or working on her business she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, lifting heavy weights, and traveling. She is grateful to be part of the LVP family and is excited to serve the board, helping support the amazing teachers and families that make this school so special.
Erin Mang, board member
Erin is a mom to a sweet and very social boy, River, who is currently a student at LVP and will be attending LES in the fall. Erin met her partner Nate in Ann Arbor, MI before taking eight weeks off to ski the U.S. and Canada, eventually settling in Boulder and then moving to Lyons in the Summer of 2022. Erin has her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Michigan and worked at the University of Michigan hospital for 7 years before moving to CO. Since moving here, she has worked in many different settings and has worked for UCHealth, BCH, CommonSpirit and now works locally as a physical therapist at Lyons Physical Therapy. With only one child, Erin had no idea what to expect from LVP. Since her son River began at LVP in November of 2024, she has been truly amazed by how her son has blossomed. The teachers are so warm, creative and genuinely invested in every child’s growth. Every day he comes home buzzing with excitement about friendships, music or tumbling class and everyday skillful lessons that have been taught by his teachers. Erin is more than confident that LVP has well prepared River for a successful Kindergarten year.
Jocelyn Masurat,
Board Member
Jocelyn Masurat is the mom to two LVP students, one current and another who graduated in 2021. Originally from St. Louis, she and her husband moved to Lyons in 2009. Jocelyn has a master’s in social work and worked for Boulder County Public Health for many years. Her background also includes work in school-based health centers and in the field of youth development where she was the director of a nonprofit youth program that integrated outdoor education, social emotional learning, and educational support. Jocelyn values LVP’s gentle, effective approach as well as the teachers’ warmth and engagement. As a board member, she looks forward to supporting LVP’s sustainability and essential role in the Lyons community as a high-quality independent preschool.
Liz Schnabolk,
Board Member
Liz Schnabolk is a mom of two and Lyons resident. Her family moved to Lyons in 2021 and quickly fell in love with the spirited community and natural surroundings. She has a background in journalism and communications, and has worked for education and parenting-related companies like Scholastic as well as FamilyFun, Parents, and KIWI magazines. She currently works part time as an editor for The Week Junior magazine, while also spending much of her days with her kiddos.
Jennifer Wolding,
Secretary
Jen Wolding is mother to two very adventurous bilingual daughters, one a current LVP student and the other an LVP “student-to-be”. Jen is originally from a small town in central Wisconsin, has lived in Colorado for 12 years, and currently resides just outside of Lyons. Jen has a background in education as a Teach For America alumnus and former elementary school teacher with experience in teaching bilingual 5th grade, elementary Spanish, and elementary English as a Second Language. After teaching, Jen went back to pursue a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology, and spent a number of years on the Special Education and Leadership teams for a bilingual school in Fort Collins, primarily working in the preschool classrooms. She currently works part time as a Speech Language Pathologist and Medical Interpreter in local hospitals, but spends the bulk of her time running around with her little ones. She is absolutely thrilled to raise her girls in this vibrant, tight-knit, Lyons community and is excited to bring her background as a parent and former teacher/educator to the board as a way to support local families, educators, and the Lyons Valley Preschool.