Discovery offers families a supportive, knowledgeable staff that is educated, experienced, and committed to developing relationships with the children and families in their care. Classroom teachers have backgrounds and degrees in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, and other related fields. They offer a developmentally appropriate and child-centered program focused on helping children gain social and emotional competence, in a hands-on, play-based setting. Low adult / child ratios ensure that everyone receives special attention and quality services. Individualized programming based on observation and documentation is provided for all children in the program. Discovery’s staff includes:
Devin Saucy
Executive Director
Devin’s Bio:
Devin joined Discovery staff in February 2021 and oriented quickly to the pre-K classroom routine to become the pre-K teaching assistant. She was mentored by Torree Heaton to become a co- lead teacher, and held that position for 2 years before applying for, and accepting, the job of Executive Director! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Human Services from Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia, and completed the MT Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) through the Dept. of Labor. Devin and her fiancée, Hunter, welcomed their son Emmett in October.
Tamara Pitman
Lead Teacher, Raven Class
Tamara’s Bio
Tamara joined Discovery staff in December 2010 as a part-time substitute and aide while maintaining employment at Glacier National Park in the summer months. She transitioned to full-time employment in September 2012. She has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from FVCC, and over the years, has intermittently completed online coursework through University of Montana Western in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in ECE. She has been working in the field since 2007.
Shay Reynolds
Lead Teacher, Chipmunk Class
Shay’s Bio:
Shay joined the Discovery staff in February 2018 as part of a required ECE practicum for college, and worked in all three classrooms before landing in the toddler classroom. She holds an Associate’s degree from FVCC in Early Childhood Education, and recently completed her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education through Salish Kootenai College. Congratulations, Shay!
Autumn Ekeberg
Classroom Assistant & Substitute
Autumn’s Bio:
Autumn is one of our new summer hires, and we are so excited to have her on staff! She is a nursing student at MSU, working toward a Bachelor of Science in nursing. She has childcare experience running a summer camp in WA, and her interests include swimming, baking, and painting. Fun fact- she played rugby for 6 years!
Barbara Otey
Assistant Director
Barbara’s Bio
Barbara was recruited to join Discovery after taking a class with Collette at FVCC! She started in September 2017 in a dual-position that includes work as Director’s Assistant and afternoon teacher, but she spends plenty of time in all the classrooms and the kitchen. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Alma College (Alma, MI) in Physiology & Health Sciences, and 20 ECE credits from FVCC/UM Western. She has lived in the valley since 2015, working first in a PT clinic and then at NW MT Head Start as a long-term substitute. Barbara also teaches dance at the Northwest Ballet Company & School.
Meredith Mikkola
Lead Teacher, Otter Class
Meredith’s Bio
Meredith joined the Discovery staff in July 2015. She has worked and cared for children in a variety of capacities throughout high school and college, including volunteering during college years with an after-school program and with Girls, Inc. She also worked in a Kindergarten classroom as a 1:2 instructional assistant in Massachusetts after graduation from college. She graduated from Salem State University with BS degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and is P-3 certified in Montana.
Megan Olsen
Lead Teacher, Chipmunk Class
Megan’s Bio
Megan joined DDC’s team in May 2022, after her former place of employment, Natural Beginnings Childcare, closed. She has her Associate’s degree from FVCC in Early Childhood Education, and is currently working on her Bachelor’s through Salish Kootenai College. Prior to Natural Beginnings, she worked at the FVCC Early Childhood Center, assisting in all of the classrooms. In 2024, she joined Tamara as co-teacher of the Mountain Lion classroom, and in fall 2025, she and Shay joined forces to take on the toddler class!
Brooke Williams
Classroom Assistant & Substitute
Brooke’s Bio:
Coming soon!
Torree Heaton
Lead Teacher, Raven Class
Torree’s Bio
Torree first joined Discovery staff in 2010 while completing her Associate degree at FVCC. She returned to the organization in April of 2018. During the intermittent years, she completed a BS degree from UM Western, had a child, and worked as Family Support Specialist at the Child Development Center (CDC). Both of Torree’s children have attended DDC!
Denise Parmelee
Asst. Teacher, Otter Class
Denise’s Bio:
Denise joined us in October 2024 to learn the routines of the Pre-K Raven classroom so she could cover Devin’s maternity leave. In January, she transitioned full-time into the Otter classroom with Meredith. She has extensive experience as a substitute teacher, mostly in the Lakeside/Somers district, and has worked with many DDC alumni who are now in elementary school. Her own daughter attended DDC and had Torree as one of her teachers!
Cloe Hodges
Classroom Assistant (all classes)
Cloe’s Bio:
Cloe is our versatile classroom assistant, helping with meals, transitions, and providing support during afternoon mixed-age programming. She pursued higher education through FVCC and has early childhood experience working at Smith Memorial. Recently, she “leveled up” in licensing and is now considered an ECLT!
Bre Levanen
Kitchen Assistant, Non-Provider Staff
Bre’s Bio:
Bre graduated from Glacier HS and has taken Continuing Education classes at FVCC, including Sign Language with Preschoolers, which she shares with the staff & children at DDC. Bre is the oldest in her family and is very comfortable being around young children as she regularly assists in caring for her younger siblings. Her early childhood experience includes an internship at Smith Memorial Daycare and employment at Trinity Lutheran Child Care.
