Billie is the co-lead teacher at Evergreen Kids Corner, creating a nurturing and engaging environment for young children. She oversees classroom operations, lesson planning, student progress, behavior support, and team coordination, while maintaining strong communication with families and staff. A dedicated member of BELN for over eight years, Billie discovered her passion for early childhood education during her teaching internship at Evergreen Kids Corner. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Prekindergarten–3rd Grade Education, an Associate’s in Early Childhood Development, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. With over a decade of teaching experience, Billie brings deep expertise and commitment to supporting children and families in the Bitterroot Valley.
The work of the Bitterroot Early Learning Network is ultimately carried by people. While programs, systems, and strategies matter, it is the relationships, judgment, and care of the individuals behind the work that determine whether early childhood systems function with integrity. BELN’s team was built with this understanding at the center.
An Integrated Team Approach
BELN’s team brings together educators, family support staff, systems navigators, and leaders with diverse backgrounds and experiences. What unites them is a belief that early childhood is essential and families and educators deserve thoughtful, respectful support.
Early childhood work is complex, and our team meets it with empathy, collaboration, and clarity. We support one another, connect across roles, and take seriously our responsibility to families, educators, and partners.
Admin
Ariella Wells
Executive Director
Email: ella@beln.org
Direct Line: (406) 209-8246
Ariella (Ella) is the Executive Director of the Bitterroot Early Learning Network (BELN), where she leads the organization’s vision, strategy, and daily operations. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, she brings both heart and expertise to her work, guided by a strong commitment to families, children’s rights, and community collaboration. Ella holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and is dedicated to building high-quality early learning systems that support a healthy community across Ravalli County.
Ariella spent her childhood moving through more than 20 homes across the country, but the natural world was her playground and grounding force. She grew up exploring nature and spending long days and nights immersed in adventure.
Kate Boyd, MSW & MPH
Director of Operations
Email: directorofoperations@beln.org
Direct Line: (406) 201-6667
Kate serves as Director of Operations for the Bitterroot Early Learning Network (BELN), bringing a diverse background in education, public service, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she has focused on building strong programs, improving organizational systems, and helping mission-driven organizations turn ambitious ideas into practical action. Kate is also a music educator and mom of three children who have participated in BELN programs, giving her a personal connection to the importance of strong early childhood and educational opportunities. She is passionate about creating organizations and communities where children and families can thrive.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are traveling with my family and experiencing new places and cultures. Hearing different languages, trying new foods, meeting people, and seeing how other families lived taught me to be curious, open-minded, and interested in perspectives beyond my own. That curiosity helped shape my passion for working with young children and families. I love creating opportunities for children to explore, learn, feel connected, and discover the world with a sense of wonder.
Jenny Drake, MEd
Program Coordinator
Email: programs@beln.org
Direct Line: (406) 201-9766
Jenny is the Program Coordinator and oversees cross-program coordination, events, family workshops, youth programming, logistics. She holds a BFA with K–12 Art Education licensure and a Master’s in Teaching and Technology. Her experience includes preschool programming with the Denver Children’s Museum, elementary and middle school art education, and roles as an elementary librarian and technology teacher. She has also served on leadership committees focused on curriculum development and school-wide educational philosophies.
Jenny’s favorite childhood memories was making chocolate factories with her cousins. They would run the hose for far too long, creating massive mud pits that they would stomp around in for hours. They made an absolute mess, but it was the kind of messy, carefree fun that made those moments unforgettable.
Dakari Smilanich, MEd
Early Childhood Systems Navigator
Email: dakari@beln.org
Direct Line: (406) 201-9629
Dakari leads provider support, early childhood education advocacy, and community programs for the Bitterroot Early Learning Network (BELN). She heads the Bitterroot Early Childhood Coalition and the Ravalli Child Care Advantage (RCCA) program, focusing on family support, community engagement, and helping early childhood educators thrive. With over 20 years of experience working across Alaska and Washington, Dakari brings expertise in program development, coaching, and early childhood initiatives. She holds a B.A., M.Ed. in ECSE, and a graduate certificate in PBS/ABA, and is dedicated to fostering growth through collaboration and diverse perspectives.
Dakari’s favorite childhood memories was spending time outdoors. From flying homemade kites with her dad on the beach, to learning to cast a fishing line into the river for steelhead, some of her happiest moments were outside. She also remembers running around with baby goats, encouraging them to circle the pen, then laughing as they continued swirling around. These playful experiences shaped her appreciation for nature, curiosity, and learning through exploration.
Karen Martinez
Communications Coordinator
Email: karen@beln.org
Direct Line: (406) 363-1688
Karen is the Communications Coordinator at BELN, where she manages social media, the website, stakeholder communications to ensure consistent and effective messaging. She also teaches Spanish at Evergreen Kids Corner, providing engaging language experiences for children. A Montana native, Karen previously worked as an Assistant Teacher and Summer Camp Leader at Evergreen Kids Corner. She holds a B.S in Business Administration from the University of Montana and combines her business expertise with a passion for early childhood education to support children and families across the community.
Her favorite childhood memories revolve around spending time in the great outdoors with her brother. Whether it was enjoying summer days with her family at Lake Como, sledding and building snowmen during the winter, or playing outside with neighborhood kids—making mud pies and riding bikes around the block—she found joy and adventure in every season spent outside.
Admin Office Dogs
Freya
Magpie
Evergreen Saplings
Hayden Houser
Assistant Teacher
Hayden is a former preschool assistant teacher and is currently pursuing a bachelors degree. She will be serving as one of our summer camp leaders this season, bringing valuable experience in early childhood care and education. She is known for her attentiveness and the quality care she provides, ensuring each child’s individual needs are met with kindness and patience. She is passionate about creating a fun, safe, and engaging summer experience where children can learn, grow, and most importantly enjoy time outdoors exploring the great valley.
One of her favorite childhood memories is spending time outdoors with family and friends. Whether exploring nature or enjoying adventures together, those experiences fostered her love for the outdoors and created lasting memories. The sense of connection and fun she experienced growing up continues to shape her appreciation for outdoor activities and meaningful experiences with others.
Denise Lines
Health and Nutrition Coordinator
Email: healthysaplings@beln.org
Denise holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit and human services, with a focus on supporting women and children. She is excited to join the BELN team. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with youth and families in nonprofit settings, helping connect them to fresh, local produce and promoting home cooking. Denise has a deep appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us and enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible with her husband and dogs.
Evergreen Kids Corner
Billie Grady
Co-Lead Teacher
Email: ekcpreschool@beln.org
Billie’s favorite childhood memory is exploring the woods with her twin brother. They would spend hours wandering through the trees and letting their imaginations run wild. Whether climbing trees, building forts, or simply enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature, these adventures created a bond between them and sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Karen Daniels, MA
Co-Lead Teacher
Email: ekcpreschool@beln.org
Karen is the co-lead teacher at Evergreen Kids Corner. She helps implement daily activities, assist with routines, provide one-on-one support, and ensure families feel supported in their child’s learning. A retired teacher with experience from elementary to high school and teaching abroad in Japan, she holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, and a Spanish teaching endorsement. Fluent in Spanish, Japanese, and some French, Karen returned from retirement to follow her passion for working with young children.
Karen’s favorite childhood memories are of playing outside with neighborhood kids in suburban Philadelphia—riding bikes, playing baseball, jump rope, digging in the dirt, making “jewelry,” and chasing fireflies on summer evenings. She cherishes the freedom to explore and create, which made for some of her best memories.
April Anderson
Health and Nutrition Coordinator
Email: healthyekc@beln.org
April oversees healthy meal and snack planning at Evergreen Kids Corner, ensuring they meet dietary guidelines and support children’s well-being. She leads nutrition education, engages families around food, and champions farm-to-school initiatives. With a background in gardening and culinary arts, she engages children in hands-on food experiences to foster lifelong healthy habits. After 25 years in Oregon, April returned to Montana and rediscovered her passion for early childhood education through BELN’s Summer Explorers program. She holds an associate degree in education and loves the energy and curiosity children bring to every day.
April grew up in a soccer-loving family, traveling often to support her brother’s competitions. A memorable trip to Utah included visiting The Lagoon amusement park, where she watched her dad ride a giant swing and enjoyed her favorite water ride. The joyful family adventure left a lasting impression, and she hopes to return as an adult to relive the fun.
Autumn Frost
Friday Fun Day Teacher
Email: explore@beln.org
Autumn brings a warm, creative, and nurturing approach to working with children, with two years of experience as a teacher’s aide in early childhood classrooms. She believes childhood should be a time to explore, create, get a little messy, and simply be a kid. Autumn strives to create an environment where every child feels safe, seen, and supported as they follow their curiosity and imagination. A professional photographer, Autumn enjoys working with families and children and spending time outdoors with her family. She is excited to bring her creativity and love of the outdoors to Fridays through art, play, exploration, and hands-on activities.
Autumn’s favorite childhood memories were spending time outdoors with her dad and sisters, from snorkeling in the ocean and riding bikes to working together in the garden. Her mom, an artist, also inspired her from a young age to embrace creativity and appreciate the beauty of making things by hand. These experiences shaped her love for both the outdoors and all things creative.
Substitutes
Stephanie DeBiasio, MA
Substitute
Stephanie is a Substitute Teacher at BELN, supporting classrooms and engaging children in hands-on, interactive learning. She helps create a positive, nurturing environment where students feel supported and excited to explore. With 11 years teaching sixth-grade science and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, Stephanie combines her education and science background to foster curiosity and a love of learning. She is currently focused on raising her two-year-old daughter, Ginger.
Stephanie’s favorite childhood memories were summers spent with her grandmother in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. One summer, Stephanie tackled a tough hike with the local outdoors club, reaching the summit thanks to a patient counselor. The experience taught her perseverance, the value of nature’s lessons, and the impact of kindness.
Cassidy Buchanan
Substitute
Cassidy was born and raised in the Bitterroot Valley and brings a diverse background in agriculture, music, and early childhood education. She has professional experience working with children at various child care facilities across the valley. Cassidy currently holds her CDA and plans to begin working toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. As a substitute teacher, she is excited to bring her experience, creativity, and love of learning to the classroom and support children as they learn, grow, and explore.
One of Cassidy’s favorite childhood memories is sitting at the piano with her great-grandmother and learning to play. It’s a cherished memory that holds a special place in her heart, reminding her of the joy, connection, and meaningful moments they shared together through music.
Hannah Buchanan
Substitute
Hannah’s favorite childhood memory is playing outside with her sisters, spending long days exploring, imagining, and laughing together. Those moments of outdoor play and connection remain a cherished reminder of joy, creativity, and the simple happiness of being together.
Volunteers
Our volunteers provide extra support in the classroom, always under the supervision of our staff.
Rejoice Ralph
Classroom Volunteer
Rejoice graduated from Hamilton High School in 2025. Originally from Alaska she moved to Montana in 2022 with her mom, Dakari, and twin brother, Liam. She loves volunteering at the animal shelter, art, bowling, cooking, crocheting, camping, and cheer choreography. As a classroom volunteer, Rejoice enjoys spending time with the children reading, playing, and assisting teachers with tasks—always ready to lend a helping hand.
Hilary Brumley
Evergreen Kids Corner Music Teacher Volunteer
Hilary is a dedicated music teacher with a strong background in early childhood education and has been a certified Harmony Road Music instructor since 1999. Teaching group classes and private musicianship at the Bitterroot School of Music in Hamilton, she tailors her approach to each student’s learning style in a compassionate, supportive environment. Passionate about inclusive music education, she uses rhythm, movement, and sound exploration to foster creativity, confidence, and joy.
Evolving with Purpose
As BELN continues to grow, our team evolves alongside it—roles adapt, new expertise is welcomed, and leadership is shared. Through all change, our commitment remains constant: to build early childhood systems that are humane, effective, and grounded in relationship.
For anyone considering joining BELN—as employees, collaborators, or future founders—our team embodies the kind of early childhood leadership we aspire to: thoughtful, accountable, collaborative, and deeply committed to the people and communities we serve.
