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

Mrs. Hafner is delighted to serve as the Preschool Director and to be part of the incredible preschool team at Ben Franklin Academy. She began teaching at BFA during the 2019–2020 school year as the lead teacher for the Pre-K half-day afternoon program and SEM classes for Pre-K, before stepping into the Director role during the 2020–2021 school year. She believes that early learning builds a strong foundation for each child’s future by providing opportunities for development and growth. Mrs. Hafner values positive interactions and relationships with both children and families, offering every family attention, acceptance, and affection.

Mrs. Hafner has always known she wanted to be a teacher. She earned her degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood emphasis from Valley City State University in North Dakota. She began her elementary teaching career in Nevada, teaching both third and second grades, and later moved to California, where she taught first grade for two more years. In 1996, her family relocated to Colorado to be closer to relatives, where she opened and operated a licensed in-home childcare business for 23 years while watching her own children learn and grow each day. After retiring from childcare, she felt a strong desire to return to a school setting.

Originally from North Dakota, Mrs. Hafner has called Colorado home since 1996. She and her husband, Adrian, have raised their three children here. Their oldest daughter, Shelby, and son, Sheldon, are now working adults, while their youngest daughter, Shantell, is completing her student teaching at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley as she pursues a teaching degree. Mrs. Hafner looks forward to welcoming new families and reconnecting with returning families for another fantastic school year

Ms. Angel considers it an honor to be part of the preschool team at Ben Franklin Academy. She joined BFA during the 2025–2026 school year as the Preschool 3’s and Pre-K assistant teacher. She values the school’s positive reputation for celebrating diversity and achieving academic excellence. Ms. Angel strives to motivate and inspire children by nurturing their creativity and curiosity. She believes early education is a blend of innovative and traditional methods that help build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, combining fun with challenge to create a stimulating classroom environment.

Ms. Angel earned her master’s degree in English Literature and was inspired by her mother, who was also a teacher. She taught at colleges in India for three years before relocating to Colorado. While raising her family, she became a storyteller at her neighborhood library, which opened the door to volunteering opportunities with children. She then served as a teacher’s aide at her church’s school and was encouraged to pursue an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Arapahoe Community College.

Ms. Angel and her husband, Joshua, enjoy family life with their two sons, Shane and Allan. She finds joy in handmade crafts, yoga, reading, and dancing. Ms. Angel is excited to continue her teaching career at Ben Franklin Academy and looks forward to creating a warm, engaging environment where young children can learn and grow.

Birthday: August 23rd

Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: The Dumpling Kitchen

Favorite Restaurant: Pappadeaux  and Olive Garden

Favorite Snack: crackers of any kind

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it doing Yoga and painting..

On a bad day, these would cheer me up: Listening to Mozart or going for a nature walk.

Favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros: I don’t drink coffee.

Chocolate or Fruit: Fresh fruit.

Favorite Place to Shop: Kohl’s and Target

Favorite Colors: Turquoise

Favorite Sports Team(s): Gymnastics from Russia.

Hobbies: Painting and reading stories to kids

Favorite BFA Virtue: Resolution and Tranquility are my favorite BFA virtues.

My family includes my husband, Joshua, our best versions, Shane and Allan, our sons, and Harry, our cat, our muse to all of us.

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!

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

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!

Birthday:March 3

Favorite Restaurant:Cuba Cuba or anywhere with good sushi

Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it…:With my family cuddling up and watching movies

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

Favorite Starbucks drink: Coffee Frappuccino

Chocolate or Fruit?: Both, but not together

Favorite place to shop:Target

Favorite color: Green

Favorite sports team: Denver Broncos

Hobbies:Crafts, cooking, reading, and being outdoors

Favorite Ben Franklin Virtue: Sincerity

My family includes…: My husband Chris and our three kids; Olivia, Landen and Isla

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.