Meet Our Preschool Staff
Kristi McGarry - Director
Mrs. McGarry has been working at Holy Apostles Preschool since 2016, and as a volunteer for many years before that when her three children also attended HAP. She has found her heart’s joy in teaching preschoolers. Mrs. McGarry has a degree in elementary education from Regis University, with an endorsement in early childhood education. She holds a professional teaching license and her director credentials through the state of Colorado.
Mrs. McGarry loves spending time in the beautiful Colorado mountains. She also loves reading, music, spending time with her family, and teaching children about God’s love.
Paula Cooper - Lead Teacher
Mrs. Cooper has been teaching at Holy Apostles Preschool since 2008. After teaching second grade and kindergarten for 10 years, she volunteered at Holy Apostles Preschool when her oldest son started preschool in 2007. She believed in the program so much, she started working at the preschool. She has a Human Development Degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development from Oregon State University and a Masters in Education from Colorado College. She has enjoyed educating preschoolers in faith, academics and social skills.
Mrs. Cooper has many hobbies outside the classroom. She enjoys the Colorado outdoors by hiking, kayaking and camping. Her indoor activities include paper crafting, tutoring and spending time with her family, which includes her 2 sons, husband and dog.
Samantha Ross - Lead Teacher
Mrs. Ross began as a volunteer at Holy Apostles Preschool in 2011 when her oldest son started preschool. She then joined our staff in 2018. Before working at Holy Apostles Preschool, she taught first grade. She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction from CU, Colorado Springs. However, she found that her true passion is teaching in the early education preschool setting.
Mrs. Ross is a Colorado Springs native, and she and her husband have three sons, all of whom attended HAP. She enjoys hiking, biking, and keeping up with all of her children’s sports and band activities.
Rostia Stoecker - Catechist and Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Stoecker has a master’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education, and has taught preschool, kindergarten, and early intervention. She joined Holy Apostles Preschool in 2011. Since then, she has been welcoming children into our Atrium where she enjoys sharing our faith in a developmentally appropriate way through The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.
Mrs. Stoecker has two grown children, and enjoys gardening, traveling, and hiking. She was recently able to combine hiking and her faith by completing a Camino de Santiago.
Cassidy Long - Substitute Teacher
Mrs. Long has an undergraduate degree in History Secondary Education from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in Special Education from Morningside University. Before staying home with her children, Mrs. Long taught middle school students with significant and multiple disabilities for five years, and prior to that worked as a teaching assistant in classrooms with students with significant physical, behavioral, and/or communication needs. She has three children, two of which have graduated from Holy Apostles Preschool, and one who is currently attending. She is looking forward to working with preschoolers and seeing how much they grow and learn over the course of the school year!
Mrs. Long is originally from Chicago and lived in Iowa for many years, but she and her family now call Colorado Springs home. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking and biking with her family. Mrs. Long also enjoys sewing and reading whenever there is a free moment.
Jessica DiGiovanna - Assistant Teacher
Mrs. D. has an undergraduate degree in adolescent education, and a Master of Science from Long Island University. She was a classroom teacher for nine years before stepping back to stay home with her three kids, all of whom have attended Holy Apostles Preschool. Mrs. D moved to Colorado Springs in 2015.
Robyn Tyboroski - Volunteer
Mrs. T graduated from U.C.C.S. with a degree in Elementary Education. She has been working with children for many years, loving every minute!
In her spare time, Mrs. T enjoys reading, baking, and taking long walks with her husband and golden retriever.
Melissa Carriaga - Assistant Teacher
With a diverse background that includes roles such as Kindergarten-3rd Grade Teacher, Prekindergarten-5th Mathematics Facilitator, Elementary Coordinator for Multilingual Programs, and Education Consultant, Mrs. Carriaga brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. Mrs. Carriaga holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from St. Mary's University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Mrs. Carriaga and her husband have three wonderful children, two of whom have cherished their time at Holy Apostles Preschool. Family time is incredibly important to them, whether they're exploring the scenic trails of Colorado or discovering the wonders beneath the waves through scuba diving adventures.
Melissa Thoms - Nurse Health Consultant
Nurse Thoms has been a nurse for many years, including working at Holy Apostles Preschool since 2017. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Child Care Health Consultant certification, and a School Nurse license.
Nurse Thoms says, “I love being the nurse at Holy Apostles Preschool, and I know you will not regret choosing our preschool!“