Haylee Sibley, Appley Dapply
Haylee joined the Paddington community as a substitute in 2018. She began her career in her home state of Michigan after earning an undergraduate degree in Family Studies and Human Development from Central Michigan University. When her husband, James’s work took them to California, Haylee continued her education by earning a Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling from the University of San Diego. She and her husband eventually settled in his home state of Colorado to build their family and she has been home raising their three young boys, JV, Waylon & Deacon ever since. Haylee is thrilled to be back in an educational environment, especially one that appreciates and emphasizes a play-based philosophy with social-emotional interaction and development at its core. When she is not at Paddington, Haylee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, ski weekends in the mountains, boating on Lake Michigan in the summer, sampling Denver’s culinary scene, attending a great live concert, and snuggling with her beloved 12 year-old dog.
The simple answer to “why I do what I do,” is that I love to learn and I love to play. I believe that the relationship between teacher and student should be reciprocal and built on mutual respect and admiration. I come to school each day dedicated to offering my time and attention to these young minds by building social-emotional connections, and in return, my mind is awakened by the beauty of their imagination and thoughtfulness. By the end of each day I am gifted with new ideas and insights on life, and my hope is that the same is happening for my students.
I truly believe that school should be a child’s favorite place. An inclusive environment where children can live and feel in the moment, knowing that they are cared for, all while gaining confidence in themselves and others. A place that brings about excitement and anticipation for a world of exploration, creativity, inquisition and challenge, all of which are fully encompassed in play.
To be a contributing member of a place that fully embraces childhood and celebrates all of the gifts that each child brings to this world is an incredible privilege. This is why I am so excited to continue working with the exceptional teaching team at Paddington Station Preschool. I am humbled to take part in this extraordinary journey of learning and hope that the sparks we ignite during our time together will build a foundation for a love of life-long learning.
“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.”
-Friedrich Froebel, Father of Kindergarten
I truly believe that school should be a child’s favorite place. An inclusive environment where children can live and feel in the moment, knowing that they are cared for, all while gaining confidence in themselves and others. A place that brings about excitement and anticipation for a world of exploration, creativity, inquisition and challenge, all of which are fully encompassed in play.
To be a contributing member of a place that fully embraces childhood and celebrates all of the gifts that each child brings to this world is an incredible privilege. This is why I am so excited to continue working with the exceptional teaching team at Paddington Station Preschool. I am humbled to take part in this extraordinary journey of learning and hope that the sparks we ignite during our time together will build a foundation for a love of life-long learning.
“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.”
-Friedrich Froebel, Father of Kindergarten