big wood School 2023-24 staff

Kim Piggins, Director

My name is Kim, but ‘round these parts you will usually heard me referred to as “Miss Kim”. This year marks my 13th school year at Big Wood School. Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

In my role of School Director, I handle all of the “business” aspects, but I also get to engage with the kids and get to know their emerging little personalities. If I am not in the front office, you will often find me in the Sanctuary introducing our Bible Story of the week, in the kitchen whipping up a special snack like “Green Eggs and Ham” for the school, or driving the school bus. There is certainly never a dull moment at BWS!

I consider our school community to be an extension of my family. And now that I am an empty-nester, I have more time than ever for this family! I can’t wait to host you all at our Thanksgiving Family Feast, our Christmas Program and Cookie Swap, and Spring Spectacular Open House, to name a few. But, it is the day to day when I really get the chance to get to know you and you to know me. I am thrilled to make your acquaintance and anticipate a terrific school year!

Kim and her two daughters, Kendall and Madison, relocated to the Wood River Valley from San Diego, California on New Year’s Day 2010. They almost immediately began attending Church of the Big Wood and when the Director position opened at the school, it seemed God had placed them in just the right place at just the right time. After majoring in Psychology and Education at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the University of Colorado in Boulder, she immediately began her career in teaching. Over her 20+ years of experience, she has worked in virtually every capacity with every age group in the Preschool/Elementary School setting….Aide, Pre-K Teacher. Kindergarten Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, Reading Resource Teacher, Tutor, and Director. She moved over to the Administration side of Education in 2005 and has thoroughly enjoyed combining her love of children, calling to teach, and business/organizational skills in the School Office environment.

Kim’s girls have now flown the coop, but as often as they can, they enjoy traveling together, going to see live shows, concerts, and festivals, and exploring the world. And when she is home, she embraces the mountain lifestyle with the hiking, biking, skiing, and rafting and is filled with gratitude that she still gets to call Big Wood School her “home away from home”!

Susan Chizum, Sharks Lead Teacher

Susan started at Big Wood School in 2007, teaching the two-year-old Silly Monkey class. In 2015 she switched to the Sharks Pre-K class and has revolutionized it! Susan has a passion for teaching and enjoys incorporating various disciplines, creating a diverse educational experience, and pursuing continuing education any chance she gets. After graduating from the University of Washington in 2005, with a BA in Sociology, she moved to the Valley and has never looked back. When Susan is not working, she loves spending time with her husband Eric, and their son Ethan. They love to spend time outside riding bikes, hiking and camping! After two years of receiving the Bronze Medal, Susan was awarded the Gold for Teacher of the Year from Best of the Valley in 2020!

Cathy Largent, Chickadees Lead Teacher

Miss Cathy moved here over 30 years ago from Vermont.  After many years of ski-bumming and travel adventures with Ketchum as basecamp, she finally decided to stay put and start her teaching career at Big Wood School.  She spent 12 amazing years here, before going to Hemingway for another learning opportunity.  She is back here now and excited to have her own Chickadee classroom again, with friends and teachers old and new!  She is looking forward to being surrounded by all the Pre-K kiddos as they blossom and grow!

Her husband Dana works at the Idaho Mountain Express and their son Tre is living in Park City, following in his mom’s footsteps trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up.

Jen Silva, Sharks and Chickadees Teachers’ Aide

Jen received her BA in Sociology from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. She later obtained her teaching credential from Loyola Marymount in California. She taught kindergarten for 10 years in California then relocated to the Wood River Valley in 2011. Jen substituted around the valley for a few years and began working at Big Wood in 2015 as an assistant to the Pre-K classes. She is married and has two children, Bridgette and Peter. When she is not at Big Wood she enjoys Nordic skiing, ice skating and gardening!

Morgan Shay, Wolves Lead Teacher

I grew up in Seal Beach, California and spent most of my time on the beach. I have a love for all things ocean. I moved to San Francisco for college and loved living in a big city! I moved to Boise in 2018 and became a Kindergarten teacher at a private school. There I rediscovered my love for phonics - something we work a lot on in the Wolves class. I loved my students and school in Boise, but the mountains were calling and I made the move to Ketchum. Joining the Big Wood team has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! Our school is full of love, kindness and is a beautiful place to nurture young minds. This will be my third year teaching at Big Wood, and I could not be happier!

Having discovered her passion for education, Morgan moved from San Francisco to Star, Idaho to teach. After 3 years of teaching Kindergarten in Ada County, she decided to move to Ketchum and is thrilled to be teaching at Big Wood School! When she is not working she enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, and spending time with friends and family in Stanley.

Jane Sheue, Wolves Teacher’s Aide

Hi everyone. My name is Jane and I’m so excited to be a part of your Wolf Pack this year!  I taught preschool in San Fransisco and have always loved watching the pre-k kids grow and flourish as they get ready to take on Kindergarten. It’s going to be such an amazing year! 

A little about me: I have two awesome kiddos. Vann is in 4th grade at Hemingway and Serena is in 3rd grade at Community School.  I really hope you guys can meet them this year.  They are super excited that I’m at Bigwood. We also have three dogs! Betsy, Kolbey, and Dodger.  I’ll show you a picture one day. My husband and I own a restaurant in town called, The Covey.  I hope I can bring the Wolf Pack over to learn how to make pasta and see the giant hearth where we cook the food! 

I love all things adventure and I have traveled all over the world eating interesting foods and meeting people from other countries.  My husband, Jesse and I got married in a country called Nepal and we got to hike to Everest Base Camp and work for an orphanage with kids your age! I can’t wait to share some stories and hear all about your lives. I’m so happy to be at Big Wood with Miss Morgan.

Nicole Williams, Kind Cats Lead Teacher       

Hi there! My name is Nicole Williams and I teach in the Kind Cats Class Class- the 3’s. This will be my ninth year at Big Wood. I love Early Childhood education and working with children and their families. My husband and I have raised 6 kiddos in this Valley. I love to travel and raise chickens and adore pets!

Nicole joined the Big Wood team in 2015 and led the Silly Monkeys, the young two’s group, before moving up to the three year old, Kind Cats. She has a passion for early childhood education and this age group in particular. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Education from Cal State Northridge. When Nicole is not at BWS, she is out having fun with her husband, Jim and three lovely ladies, ranging from college to Elementary school. She enjoys exploring new places and raising her children, chickens, cats, dogs, and a rabbit. As the proud recipient of the Gold Medal for Best Teacher from Idaho Mountain Express’ Best of the Valley 2022, Nicole feels incredibly blessed to work at BWS and loves when people stop to say hello, either in the classroom or around town.

Linley Fraser, Ladybugs Lead Teacher

Miss Linley moved to the valley in 2001 after the completion of her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from Prescott College. She grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and took many ski trips with her family, which is why she was drawn to the Sun Valley area. Linley came to Big Wood Preschool in 2006 and immediately knew she had found her calling. She continued her education working towards a Masters in Elementary Education. She currently teaches the Ladybug Class and loves everyday she gets to spend with all their wonderful personalities.   Linley and her husband Cam have two awesome kids, Hayes and Jennings.  They like to spend their time doing anything outside! They love to ski during the winter and camp during the summer. In all her years of teaching, she has clearly found her passion. Every day she spends teaching is filled with love, exploration, and magic!

Grace Yrastorza, Afternoon Teachers’ Aide and Kids’ Club Counselor

Hi everyone! I am new to Sun Valley, having moved from San Diego in September, so this is my first year at Big Wood. I am so happy to be here! In San Diego I had an LLC providing private Educational Therapy for students with learning disabilities. I finished my Master’s of Education in Educational Therapy from Southeastern University earlier this year and have had three years of teaching experience as an aid, both in pre-k and elementary settings. I have also enjoyed nannying kids of all ages on and off for more than 10 years.  I love working with and learning from kids and am so excited to have found such an awesome community here! When I am not working, I love reading, playing pickle ball, spending time in/near the river, hanging out with friends and family, and traveling. I’m so glad to be a part of the Big Wood team this year! 

Charlotte Monke, Afternoon Teachers’ Aide

Hello, my name is Charlotte and I’m thrilled to join the Big Wood School community as a teachers’ aide! While I originally hail from Clovis, California, my heart has always been in the mountains, particularly Sun Valley where I’ve spent my winters skiing. In September 2023, I made the amazing decision to live in the valley full-time. 

I graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Media Studies and Business in 2020. Following my time in Colorado, I moved to San Diego to pursue a career in Public Relations, but have always had an affinity for childcare. Over the years, I’ve garnered substantial formal child development experience, primarily at Gold Arrow Camp, where I spent many summers working with children full-time, helping to nurture young minds into resilient, compassionate leaders in our small camp community and beyond. I am so excited to be working with kids again as a career! In my free time, I love to play pickleball, go on runs and hikes, ski, cook and try new restaurants.

Jessica Conover, Tiny Turtles Lead Teacher

Hi there, my name is Miss Jess. I have lived in this Valley for over 20 years. I am passionate about early childhood education, I strive to be the biggest cheerleader for your child while they spend time here at Big Wood School. This will be my 3rd year at Big Wood but I have been a part of the Big Wood family since my daughter, Rosalie started as a Chipmunk with Miss Candace. Rosalie is now in 3rd grade at Hemingway. My husband Matt and I also have a little curly blonde-haired dude, Wyatt, who is completing his last year at BW in the Pre-K program. When we are not working, we love to enjoy our private Idaho.

Witchuta McCann, Tiny Turtles Teacher’s Aide

My name is Witchuta and I am an assistant teacher for the Tiny Turtle class. I am native from Thailand. I moved to America in 2005. Back in my country, I went to Silpakron University and graduated with degrees in Architecture. I have been married to my husband, Galen for over 15 years. In 2008, we moved to Idaho and decided to start our family here. We have 2 children. My first born child is Mauricio, he is a playful boy. Four years later, we had our little lovely gin, Yada.

This is my fifth year working at Big Wood School. Before I started working here, I worked for Playschool Kids Camp and Kindercare in Sun Valley Resort for 11 years. I enjoy working with children. Especially, age 2 to 5. I love their imagination, curiosity and excitement. They always make me smile when I see how much they get excited about the new things they are learning. I love arts and crafts. I believe imagination and art are very important for young children development and it helps them learn and develop other skills. I am so excited to be a part of your children journey.

Bertha Mejia, Butterflies Lead Teacher

(not pictured- Miss Rosmery, Butterflies Teacher’s Aide)

I am Bertha Mejia and this is my 5th year working at Big Wood, but my 1st as a lead teacher in the Butterflies class. I have always been passionate about kids since my early years, specifically little ones that are so curious, loving, and full of energy.

I am originally from Lima, Peru and I have been living in this beautiful valley for almost 2 decades. My husband and I have 2 girls. They are 7 and 5 years old. We also have 2 adorable boxers.

I love reading, camping, and Fall is my favorite season. I can't wait for this school year to start and make core memories with my Butterflies.

Natalie Heurkins, Little Llamas Lead Teacher

(not pictured- Miss Nancy, Little Llamas Teacher’s Aide)

Natalie moved to the Wood River Valley in 2012 after working in Yellowstone National Park for the summer. She grew up in Southern California, where she attended Long Beach University. Although she always felt that she would have a future in childcare, she graduated with a BA of science in Hospitality. Natalie started nannying for local families shortly after moving to the valley. She has worked with children of all ages. One of her biggest passions is coaching youth volleyball. Natalie currently coaches a 14 and under travel team and is the head high school coach at Sun Valley Community School. In her spare time Natalie loves to travel the world, snowboard, hike and spend quality time with friends and family. One of her biggest joys during the school day is singing songs with the children about the love of Jesus.

Candace Stonebraker, Chipmunks Lead Teacher

(not pictured- Miss Maira, Chipmunks Teacher’s Aide)

I am Candace Stonebraker, the lead teacher of the Chipmunks 18 Month-2 Year Old Class.  My husband, Jimmie, and I moved to the Wood River Valley June of 2008 to be near family.  We have 2 handsome grandsons and love going on walks with them and to the amazing parks in this area.  I am excited for the new adventures we will have in our Chipmunk class!  This year will be great!

Miss Candace has been a teacher at Big Wood School since 2010. She currently is the Lead Teacher of the 18 months - 2 year olds in the Chipmunks class. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement Area. Candace and her husband moved to Idaho from Tennessee in 2008.  Prior to that, she retired from teaching in Tennessee with 30 years of service, with 23 of those years teaching Kindergarten. She says being a teacher keeps her young and she loves to watch her little ones learn and grow! She also enjoys hiking, hanging out with her grandsons, and spending time with family and friends. One of her favorite things about our school is that she gets to introduce Bible Lessons to our little ones and relate them to their lives.