Faculty & Staff

Our teachers and assistants have a CDA, AA, BS, BA, or MA degrees in the Early Childhood Field or a related field. Shenker Academy hires professional faculty members who are dedicated to the school mission and passionate about early childhood education and about their personal growth.

We are certified by the State of Nevada Preschool Licensing Department, Nevada Department of Education, SNHD, Office of State Fire Marshal, Department of Building & Safety, OSHA, and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Head of School

Candace Mapp

Candace Mapp is an accomplished educator with a passion for improving student outcomes. A Nevada native, her journey in education was inspired by exceptional teachers during her school years. Candace has held diverse roles, including Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Administrator, Instructional Coach, and Special Education Teacher.

She began her career teaching K-8 in the Clark County School District, serving as both a grade-level and department chair. Later, she worked in Nye County as an Instructional Coach, Special Education Teacher, and 4th Grade Teacher, earning Master’s Degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership.

In 2021, Candace became Administrator at Mt. Charleston Elementary School, providing professional development and managing grants. In 2024, she was appointed Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Nye County, overseeing PreK-5 strategic planning, PLC facilitation, and grant-supported programs like NV Ready PreK.

Beyond the classroom, Candace has been a cheerleading coach, founding member of Pioneer Territory CASA, and certified Google Educator. She has served in leadership roles for CASA and teaches PreK curriculum through Southern Utah University. A graduate of the P3 Leadership program, Candace is dedicated to empowering children through high-quality education and playful learning.

Curriculum & Licensing Director

Paola Borders

Mrs. Borders is a 3’s preschool lead teacher and curriculum coordinator. In her administrative position, Mrs. Borders manages all teacher training  licensing requirements and report to the Head of School. In addition, Mrs. Borders coordinates the quality improvement system among the lead teachers. Mrs. Borders in at Shenker Academy for the past 10 years and her experience is beneficial to all our team members.

Admissions Director

Casey Luna

Casey Camat-Luna is the Admissions Director and Administrator at Shenker Academy for the past 5 years. Prior to joining Shenker Academy, Casey held various administrative positions in Biotech, Pharmaceuticals, and Private Equity.  Casey holds a BA in Business Management from CSUH Casey, and with more than 20 years’ experience in business administration, it is Casey’s goal to provide excellent customer service to our current families, as well as prospective families interested in learning more about Shenker Academy.  Please contact Casey directly at 702.255.5437 or via email at [email protected] to inquire about the admissions process at Shenker Academy.

Accounting Administrator

Melissa Rogers

My name is Melissa Rogers and I have an Administration background along with 14 years of extensive Sales and Marketing experience. I started my path at Shenker Academy as a parent and fell in love with the school and its amazing staff. I have been working with the administration team since 2017 and after a short maturity leave, I was happy to return as a full-time member of this dedicated team. I am here to assist our teachers, our students and our parents with anything that you need; and look forward to welcoming prospective families to our lovely campus.

Enrichment Specialist

Enrichment Specialist

Wendy Rangel

Executive Assistant

Michelle Vargas

My name is Ms. Michelle and after 6 years at Shenker Academy I am glad to help with all the immediate needs of parents, students and teachers. I will be at the front desk, helping you with any questions you have (from last minute lunch order to communication between home and classroom teams and more). Please feel free to call me or email me at any time during the day and after hours.

Office Assistant

Cinthia Wilbanks

Lead Teachers

Kindergarten Lead

Sheryl Davis-Haas

My name is Sheryl Davis-Haas. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching for over twelve years. I started my journey in education as a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher in Okinawa, Japan where I began teaching at an International Montessori based school. I have since been blessed by teaching Kindergarten at Zion Christian Academy (Okinawa, Japan), Second Grade, and First/Second Grade combination class at Tree of Life Christian School (Las Vegas, Nevada). I also held the Vice Principal position at Tree of Life for four years. Teaching has always been a passion for me. I first started teaching English in Korea, Germany, and Japan, but gradually earned my BA in Early Childhood Education. It is an honor to be teaching Kindergarten; my sixth year at Shenker Academy.

Pre-Kindergarten Lead

Chloe Young

My name is Chloe, I am the co-lead in the Safari 3’s program. I joined the Academy in the Summer of 2022, and I am excited to work with Ms. Cynthia and our wonderful children!

Pre-Kindergarten Lead

Tiffany Wilson

Hi, my name is Mrs. Tiffany Wilson and I am proud to be in the Early Childhood Education field for over 7 years now. I have years of experience as a lead teacher in various Los Angeles, California Preschools. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, as well as Nevada Registry training courses. My educational philosophy embraces hands-on activities with an emphasis on science experiments, and our ROZZY STEAM is certainly supporting that! I have been a lead in the past two years, and taking over the Pre-K groovy cats is a great journey for me and my team.

Pre Kindergarten Lead

Betzy Rangel

Hello, my name is Betzy Rangel, and after working for three years at Shenker Academy, I assumed the lead position in the Two-Year-Old program. I hold a CDA from the University of Nevada – Reno, and I have hours of Nevada Registry training.

3’s Lead Teacher

Brittney Ganir

My name is Brittney Ganir, and  I am the Lead Teacher in the Whales classroom 2022-23 school year. This is my second year at Shenker Academy. I am holding an associate degree in early childhood Education (CDA), and after a year with our Pre-Kindergarten and a year in our uyoung classrooms I am excited to lead the 3’s Whales. I bring the knowledge of both young toddlers and Pre-K, and I integrate both when implementing my curriculum plans in the classroom. I enjoy being part of the Shenker Academy team.

3's Co-Lead Teacher

3's Co-Lead Teacher

Aleah Lasker

3's Co-Lead Teacher

3's Co-Lead Teacher

Anabel Zaragoza

3’s Lead Teacher

Hannah Flippo

My name is Hannah Flippo. I am originally from Alaska, and I have been working in the field of early childhood education for four years. I hold an associate early education degree (UNR) and I  love teaching my three-year-olds in the Safari Kids classroom. I believe that teaching and mentoring this age group is not only challenging but also very gratifying. Our classroom is always busy. There are different areas of interest in our classroom available for all children to help enhance their learning. I am very excited and honored to be the Safari Kids teacher for this year.

Co-Lead Pre- Kindergarten

Co-Lead Pre- Kindergarten

Mariyah B.

2’s Co-Lead Teacher

Karina Duran

2's Co-Lead Teacher

2's Co-Lead Teacher

Madeline Hernandez

2’s Lead Teacher

Peta Porotesano

My name is Peta Porotesano, and I am the lead teacher for the Funky Frogs Two-year-old classroom for this school year. I have joined Shenker Academy after 5 years leading a classroom at the 9th Bridge School in Las Vegas and after a few years of ECE experienec in the State of Hawaii. I hold a CDA in Toddler Education from the University of Nevada Reno,  and I am excited to continue and share my knowledge and experience with my students, team, and parents.

2’s Lead Teacher

Shelby Clemente

Hi, my name is Ms. Shelby Clemente and I am proud to be in the Early Childhood Education field for over 2 years now. I have years of experience as a  teacher in various settings. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in science, as well as Nevada Registry training courses. My educational philosophy focuses on differentiate instruction and giving young children the love and warmth they need to grow academically and developmentally.

18M Lead Teacher

18M Lead Teacher

Gabriela Silva

18 Month Lead Teacher

Diblaim Hernandez

My name is Ms. Diblaim H., and I am excited to be the 18M lead teacher. I am glad to see the children’s abilities grow with the curriculum planned for the school year. I am experienced with early childhood education, and after working at the Academy for 3 years aas a Teacher Assitant in the 2’s program, I assumed the role of a Lead in the Busy Bees classroom. My educational philosophy is that educators are here for helping each child individually reach their milestones and develop into their own person through exploration, and hand on activities. I am focusing on routines and centers, and I am honored to share my expeirence and creativity with the children in my classroom.

12M Lead Teacher

12M Lead Teacher

Lisbeht Barrera

Infant Room Lead Teacher

Debora E. Deutch

Hello! My name is Debora Estenos-Deutch and I am the Infant room lead teacher. My team and I are happy to greet each baby every day and care for each one of our babies throughout the day. Communication with parents is a key at this age, and we are available all through the day, to report to you about the happenings at all times.

Assistant Teachers & Additional Staff

Sign Language Teacher

Shannon Osborne

My name is Shannon Osborne, and I began conversing with her son, Elijah, when he was still crawling. That was 15 years ago. Now, I teach other parents and children how to communicate with their child through sign language. I am a language specialist in my training, and I am the owner of Wee Can Sign. I teach the signs most pertinent to children’s lives, from  “mom and dad,” to “please and thank you” to stories, songs, and more.

Music Teacher

Andreas Haas

My name is Mr. Andreas Haas, and I am an assitant teacher in the Kindergarten classroom as well as the music teacher at Shenker Academy. I hold a B.A. with majoring in musi and Fridays are my week anticipated music days at Shenker Academy, and I love bringing new music trends to the children through percussion instruments. I will use different instruments each Friday and work on various rhythm enhanced  with our percussions.

Hebrew Teacher

Sharon Beeman

My name is Sharon Beeman, and I am the Hebrew instructor at Shenker Academy. I love to use colorful props, games, songs, and more when teaching the Hebrew language, word at a time, in a fun and enriching sessions.

Spanish Teacher

Abu Bengoechea

My name is Abu (Adriana), and I teach Spanish through songs, dance, and games. From “Good Morning – How Are You?” to colors, shapes, days of the week and more, the children love learning Spanish at all ages.
4's Assistant Teacher

4's Assistant Teacher

Darielle R.

4's Assistant Teacher

4's Assistant Teacher

Jerrie Ortiz

Kindergarten Assistant

Kindergarten Assistant

Loubna Zahri

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Maryam Mahj

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Boshra Israel

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Adriana Martin

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Sharon Ayala

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Kenna K.

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Anna Bracamontes

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Maria S.

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Ashley Hernandez

2's Assistnat Teacher

2's Assistnat Teacher

Cristina Rivera R.

18m Assistant Teacher

18m Assistant Teacher

Kenia Hernandez

Infant Assistant Teacher

Infant Assistant Teacher

Laura Calderon

Support Staff

Support Staff

Maria Teresa Rangel

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Maria Sandoval

Infant Assistant Teacher

Infant Assistant Teacher

Martha Mercado

3's Lead Teacher

3's Lead Teacher

Maria Perez

3's Co Lead Teacher

3's Co Lead Teacher

Adriana Martin

Support Staff

Support Staff

Alexa May

3's Co Lead Teacher

3's Co Lead Teacher

Alyssa Manterola

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Kayla Lowery

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Emma Moreno

18M Assitant Teacher

18M Assitant Teacher

Melanie Sanchez

18M Teacher

18M Teacher

Karym Carrillo

18M Assistant Teacher

18M Assistant Teacher

Kim Rojas

18M Assistant Teacher

18M Assistant Teacher

Noemi Moreno

12M Assistant Teacher

12M Assistant Teacher

Chabely Bautista

Support Staff

Support Staff

Cristina Gamboa

18m Co-Lead Teacher

18m Co-Lead Teacher

Nashalee G. Bautista

Infant Assistant Teacher

Infant Assistant Teacher

Marylin Leyson

Infant Assistant Teacher

Infant Assistant Teacher

Claudia Hincapie

Office/ Medical Assistant

Office/ Medical Assistant

Cinthia Wilbanks

4s Assistant Teacher

4s Assistant Teacher

DeAnna Calloway

18m Assistant Teacher

18m Assistant Teacher

Elizabeth Ramos

2's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Estefany

Infants Assistant Teacher

Infants Assistant Teacher

Gabriela Lopez

18m Assistant Teacher

18m Assistant Teacher

Jennifer Esquivel

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Kate Luc

Support Staff

Support Staff

Cheryl Neville

Support Staff

Support Staff

Ashley Ibarra

Support Staff

Support Staff

Alexis Hughes

Support Staff

Support Staff

Christina Gamboa

Support Staff

Support Staff

Presley Beaver

Support Staff

Support Staff

MaryAnn Bounds

Support Staff

Support Staff

Cheryl Neville

Support Staff

Support Staff

Ashley Ibarra

Support Staff

Support Staff

Alexis Hughes

Support Staff

Support Staff

Christina Gamboa

Support Staff

Support Staff

Presley Beaver

Support Staff

Support Staff

MaryAnn Bounds

Support Staff

Support Staff

Cheryl Neville

Support Staff

Support Staff

Ashley Ibarra

18m Assistant Teacher

18m Assistant Teacher

Yesenia Cordova-Salas

3's Assistant Teacher

3's Assistant Teacher

Zoe Boswell

Support Teacher

Support Teacher

Genesis Guzman-S.

Maintenance Director

Maintenance Director

Alireza Mahj.

12M Assistant Teacher

12M Assistant Teacher

Chabely Bautista

Chef

Chef

Chef Hector

Faculty & Staff

Our teachers and assistants have a CDA, AA, BS, BA, or MA degrees in the Early Childhood Field or a related field. Shenker Academy hires professional faculty members who are dedicated to the school mission and passionate about early childhood education and about their personal growth.

We are certified by the State of Nevada Preschool Licensing Department, Nevada Department of Education, SNHD, Office of State Fire Marshal, Department of Building & Safety, OSHA, and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Lead Teachers

702.255.5437
9001 Hillpointe Road | Las Vegas, NV 89134