91ÌÒÉ«

Interim Director, Educational Coordinator

As a child who learned English as a second language and whose parents emigrated to this country, Mrs. Kraus values diversity, a strong work ethic, and has an appreciation for young children who may struggle to learn new information. Her early life experiences culminated in her pursuit of an MA degree at The University of Akron in Family and Child Development. She focused her studies on the developmental impact of childhood learning disabilities.

Mrs. Kraus has over 30 years of experience primarily in the areas of child/family development and early childhood education. She has worked in a variety of settings including elementary schools as well as private childcare centers. She was a co-owner of her own childcare program (1994- 2007) and a former administrator and Interim Center Director for The University of Akron Center for Child Development Lab School (2007-2017). Mrs. Kraus brings additional experience in NAEYC accreditation, clinical supervision of student field experience, and coordination of community intervention programming for children and families.

Furthermore, Mrs. Kraus comes to 91ÌÒÉ« with over 20 years of teaching in higher education. Her courses have ranged across multiple disciplines including coordination of the Resilient Child Certificate involving the study of trauma-informed care, play-based intervention techniques, and play theory and assessment.

Mrs. Kraus moved to Nevada from Ohio to help open the ECEC in 2021 as part of the inaugural administration. She is enjoying her new life in the desert with her husband and three children and believes this center will profoundly impact future generations.

Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Education Center

Katherine always knew she was going to be a teacher. As a child, she held class in her bedroom with all her stuffed animals. Her career in early childhood, 10+ years ago, teaching in classrooms of all ages. Katherine has her Associate of Arts in Early Childhood and is currently working on finishing her bachelor’s degree. Katherine is passionate about teaching the whole child and believes each child is on their educational journey.

Outside of the ECEC, Katherine is an avid sports fan and can often be found at Vegas Golden Knights and Raider Games. She enjoys hiking around our beautiful valley, volunteering, reading books, and spending time with friends and family.

Assistant Teacher, Early Childhood Education Center

Alexis Krause, a Las Vegas native born and raised, has always been deeply invested in nurturing young minds. With her own children now aged 10 and 13, she found herself inspired to delve into the field of Early Childhood Education. She has always enjoyed learning new concepts and activities to help children learn and grow. Having served as a long-term substitute and accumulating two years of experience in various educational settings, Alexis’s journey led her to her current role as an Assistant Teacher at the Early Childhood Education Center. She is dedicated to cultivating a safe and stimulating learning environment that prepares her students for the transition to kindergarten. While Alexis initially pursued a career in Business Management and holds an Associate’s Degree in Accounting, her true passion lies in shaping young minds. This has led her to transition her focus to Early Childhood Education, where she is currently pursuing furthering her Education at 91ÌÒÉ«. Beyond her professional pursuits, Alexis finds joy in spending quality time with her family, exploring new destinations, indulging in activities like hiking and snowboarding, and appreciating the serenity of nature.

Assistant Teacher, Early Childhood Education Center

Originally from Henderson, Nevada, Catherine Nunez is currently pursuing her Speech Pathology degree at 91ÌÒÉ«, with an expected graduation in 2026. Catherine’s passion for working with children led her to the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC), where she started as a student intern and later advanced to the role of assistant teacher. Her dedication and love for nurturing young minds are evident in her work. Beyond her professional endeavors, Catherine enjoys baking various goodies and spending quality time with her two beloved dogs and family.

Rebekah serves as the Administrative Assistant and first point of connection for families at our school. With a background int psychology and early childhood education, she brings both professional training and personal passion to the heart of her work – supporting your children and the adults who care for them.

As a child she spent most of her time outdoors — exploring, imagining, and learning through unstructured play — an experience that continues to shape her belief in the power of early childhood.

A graduate of University of California, Irvine, Rebekah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Psychology and Education Sciences in 2018 after beginning her academic journey as a first-generation college student and mother. Her studies were rooted in one driving question: how can we use what we know about early brain development to build pathways of confidence, compassion and resilience in children from the very beginning?
Rebekah earned her teaching credential through Teach for America in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she taught preschool for two years. Her experience in early learning environments, including Head Start and Reggio-inspired programs, shapes her belief that the first five years are foundational not only academically, but even more so emotionally and socially.

As a mother of four, Rebekah’s work is both professional and deeply personal. She is committed to helping create a welcoming school community where children and families feel supported, valued and connected.