Ms. Bacho joined BFA in 2026 as the Preschool Director.  She brings over 20 years of experience teaching. She loves working at BFA because the environment is so welcoming and everyone extends their support and appreciation, which she loves and is grateful for! Ms. Bacho looks forward to teaming with the school and my amazing colleagues to be innovators who cultivate growth, challenge, independence, and motivation. She looks forward to creating strong relationships with our families, students, and community as a whole, who facilitate quality learning and education.

Ms. Bacho earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Western New Mexico University with minors in Sociology and Early Childhood Education, providing a strong foundation in child development, learning, and social growth. In addition to her academic background, Ms. Bacho holds a Large Center Director Certification, Educational Coaching Certification, Adult Trainer Certification, and an Early Childhood Professional Credential – Level 6. She is passionate about creating positive learning environments, mentoring educators, and helping children build confidence and success both academically and socially.

In her personal time, Ms. Bacho prioritizes quality time with her husband and values maintaining strong mental health and balance as life changes from week to week. She enjoys escaping to the mountains whenever possible to play, reset, and explore new adventures together.

Ms. Bacho loves cooking, reading, hiking, yoga, strength training, and learning about nutrition. Her passion for health and wellness has continued to grow over the years, and she enjoys encouraging healthy habits in young learners whenever possible. She also values faith, close friendships, and building meaningful new connections while embracing new opportunities and challenges.

Birthday is May 27

Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Mad Greens, Sweet Greens, Starbucks, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Favorite Restaurant: Yum!! Anything!!

Favorite Snack Food: Chips & Salsa, Crackers & Cheese, Popcorn

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it… Inside: Coffee, cozy blanket, and reading.

If I had an unexpected day off, I would spend it… Inside: Reading with a cozy blanket and coffee OR organizing random things. Outside: Hiking or yoga. Even better if it’s by a lake or in the mountains!

On a bad day, these would cheer me up… Hug, coffee, active listening, quiet space, reassurance, motivation, and/or inspiration

Favorite Starbucks/Dutch Bros Drink: Starbucks (Hot) Nonfat Vanilla Latte (Cold) Any refresher

Chocolate or Fruit: I love both and can’t go wrong. I love chocolate with caramel even more (Snickers, Carmello, Twix, Lindor, Ghirardelli)

Favorite place to shop is Amazon, Target, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, or any home decor store.

Favorite color(s) are Yellow, Coral, Sage green, Black

Favorite sports team: All Colorado sports teams

My hobbies are quality time with husband and close friends, cooking, reading, hiking, yoga, nutrition/health, and strength training.

Favorite Ben Franklin Virtue(s) are: I love all of them and feel they each have deep meaning and value. I would choose: Temperance, Tranquility & Humility.

My family includes my husband and his amazing family, who live out of state.

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

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.