Staff Photo

Lori Hafner

Preschool Director

Bio

I am delighted to be the Preschool Director and part of an incredible preschool team here at Ben Franklin Academy. I believe that early learning is a great way to build the foundation of a child’s future by providing opportunities for development and growth. I encourage positive interactions and relationships with the parents and the children by providing all families with attention, acceptance, and affection.

“What did I want to be when I grew up?” The question we ask our little ones at the end of every school year at the age of 5! I can say that I have already known for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a teacher. I followed my dream and completed a degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood emphasis. My first teaching job took me on an adventure to Nevada, and after getting married, I moved to California and taught for another two years. Wanting to move closer back to home brought us to Colorado. I began an in-home licensed childcare business, so I could be home with my children and still be able to do what I love. After 23 years, I retired from childcare and desired to get back into the school setting. I was excited to step back into the classroom and begin teaching at Ben Franklin and then stepping into the Director’s role in

I was born and raised in North Dakota; I now consider Colorado my home as I have lived here for 28 years. I love it in Colorado as my husband, Adrian, and I have raised all three of our children here. My oldest daughter, Shelby, and son Sheldon are both in the real working world. My youngest, Shantell, is attending the University of Northern Colorado to pursue a teaching degree.

I am looking forward to another great school year to meet new families and welcome our returning families back for another fantastic year!

Favorites

Birthday (month/day): July 25

Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster

Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Jersey Mike’s or Pei Wei

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it..:  watching Hallmark or getting a pedicure

On a bad day, these would cheer me up…:  a hug and kind words 

Favorite Starbucks drink: Ice Chai Tea

Chocolate or Fruit?: Chocolate and Fruit

Favorite place to shop: Hobby Lobby and Amazon

Favorite color: Red

Favorite sports team:  Minnesota Vikings and Denver Nuggets

Hobbies: (bowling, golf, etc…):  Crafts

Favorite Ben Franklin Virtue: Tranquility

My family includes…:  My husband Adrian, My daughters Shelby and Shantell and my son Sheldon

Ms. Eframo

Melissa Eframo

Preschool Teacher

Bio

Melissa is so excited to be a part of the Ben Franklin Academy preschool team!  She lives in Littleton, Colorado with her husband Steve, and their 3 children, Brittain (22), Christian (14), and Rowan (11).  She enjoys watching her kids play sports, traveling with her family for her son’s lacrosse tournaments, walking her dogs, hiking, skiing, and spending time in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado with her family. She studied Elementary Education at the University of Kansas and has been in the education field off and on for over 20 years.  She began her career working as a parent educator for the Parents as Teachers program in Summit County.  She has been a preschool teacher, working in Head Start and Montessori classrooms.  She has also worked in the kindergarten classroom as an instructional aide for several years, including 4 years at BFA. She has such a strong passion for working with young children and is so excited to be involved in helping children succeed in the preschool classroom!

Favorites

Birthday (month/day): 10/30

Favorite Restaurant: Smokin Fins/Los Dos Potrillos

Favorite Fast-Food Restaurant: In N Out

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it…: probably cleaning the house and grocery shopping, but I would much rather do anything outside if the weather is nice.

On a bad day, these would cheer me up…: kind words and lots of love.

Favorite Starbucks drink: Iced chai latte

Chocolate or Fruit? Love both!

Favorite place to shop: Target, TJ Maxx, Inspyre

Favorite color: Crimson and Blue

Favorite sports team: Kansas Jayhawks

Hobbies: (bowling, golf, etc…): Swimming, skiing, watching my kids in their sports, traveling, walking

Favorite Ben Franklin Virtue: Humility

My family includes…: Husband, Steve, Daughters, Brittain and Rowan and son, Christian

 

Staff Photo

Amy Jones

Preschool Aide

Bio

Amy is so excited to be joining the preschool staff at Ben Franklin Academy! Amy holds a BA in Communication from the University of Colorado. Having spent the last ten years volunteering at her kids’ school, and loving it, she decided to pursue a career in the classroom. Amy has been married to her husband Chris for 16 years and have three wonderful children together. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, and spending time with her family. She is looking forward to helping kids grow academically, socially, and emotionally!

Favorites

March 3

Cuba Cuba or anywhere with good sushi

Chick-Fil-A

With my family cuddling up and watching movies

Hugs and kind words

Coffee Frappuccino

Both, but not together

Target

Green

Denver Broncos

Crafts, cooking, reading, and being outdoors

Sincerity

My husband Chris and our three kids; Olivia, Landen and Isla

Ms. Olson

Shannon Olson

Preschool Teacher

Bio

Shannon is excited to be teaching preschool for her 13th year at Ben Franklin Academy. Shannon went to the University of Northern Colorado and received a degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Elementary Education.  Having taught Pre-K, First Grade, Fifth Grade and Sixth Grade throughout her 20 plus years of teaching Shannon has a great understanding of the fundamentals that kids need.  Shannon has always had a passion for teaching and enjoys watching the growth that happens in a year.  

In her free time Shannon loves spending time with her family.  Shannon and her husband, Chris, a high school teacher and coach, have been married for 26 years.  They have two wonderful kids, Kiernan, a 22-year-old senior at UNC, and Kellen, a 19-year-old Freshman at CU!  

Shannon looks forward to welcoming her new Preschool families and helping to build a foundation for BFA students.

Favorites

Birthday (month/day): February 19

Favorite Restaurant: White Chocolate Grill

Favorite Fast-Food Restaurant: Kneaders/Panera

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it..:  with my family, shopping or getting my nails done 

On a bad day, these would cheer me up…:  anything from the heart 

Favorite Starbucks drink: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Chocolate or Fruit? Chocolate

Favorite place to shop: TJ Maxx and Target

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite sports team:  Any Colorado Sports, we love sports as a family

Hobbies: (bowling, golf, etc…):  Walking with my husband, doing crafts and baking

Favorite Ben Franklin Virtue: Tranquility

My family includes…:  My husband Chris, My daughter Kiernan and my son Kellen