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Staff spotlights: late spring 2026
Meet three of our amazing staff members!
Meet Emily B., assistant teacher in Bungalow D
How did you get into the field?
EB: I first got involved in early childhood right out of college: my summer internship was working as an editorial assistant at Redleaf Press where I was copyediting and proofreading multiple books about early childhood in a week and absorbing the content about child development. I eventually moved into a different publishing job but began coaching soccer to children ages one through five on the weekends and absolutely loved it. After about five years I decided to make the switch from publishing to full-time work in early childhood. I graduated from the University of Minnesota's MEd in early childhood program in 2024 and began working full time at CDLS immediately after.
What keeps you in the early childhood field?
So many things keep me in the field! Of course the children, but also the creativity the job requires, the coworkers and the families, the ability to be moving around and outside throughout the day.
What do you love about CDLS?
The people! The relationships I've built over the years, the passion everyone here has for early childhood education, and continuing to learn and build my skills from the wonderful teachers and staff at CDLS.
What is your favorite season?
I like when the seasons change and I get to be excited about the change in weather.
What are some of your favorite activities with children?
I love talking with children about everything throughout the day, especially when we get to laugh and joke. I also love singing and playing instruments with children.
Please share a fun fact about yourself.
I have two cats, 10 fish, and more shrimp than I can count.
Emily B.
Meet Camille W., assistant teacher in Bungalow C
I was born and raised in Minnesota, where I grew up with my older sister, younger brother, and parents. I still go back home most Sundays for dinner with my parents and brother; my older sister lives in New York City.
I graduated with my undergraduate degree in developmental psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2023, and I just completed, a few weeks ago, my first year of graduate school. I am studying applied child and adolescent development with a specialization in infant and early childhood mental health here at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development. I am working towards becoming a licensed professional clinical counselor focusing on supporting children birth to five years old and their parents! I will graduate in the spring of 2028.
In my free time, I love to spend time outside, I love baking and crafting, and I cherish spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones. Every summer for the past seven summers, I've been going to a different national park with my childhood friends; this year we are staying more local and going up north to Voyageurs National Park. Some of my favorite parks that I have visited are Banff, Glacier, and Zion.
I love being an early childhood educator. I have worked in early childhood and with children for 13 years. I love working at CDLS—the children and the families, the staff, and my teaching team make my days so bright!
Camille W. and her family
Meet Ashley Y., infant teacher
My name is Ashley Yang, though I also go by Teacher Ashley. I use she/her pronouns. I am Hmong-American and grew up on the East Side of St. Paul. I now live in South Minneapolis with my husband. Some of my proudest identities are being a daughter, a big sister, and an aunt, and those relationships deeply inspired my journey into working with children and education.
I hold a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Minnesota K–6 teaching license. Over the past decade, I have worked in education through teaching and academic advising, but it was my journey into early childhood education that truly felt like home. Working with infants and toddlers has taught me to slow down, celebrate small moments, and recognize just how capable, curious, and brilliant young children are.
My journey at CDLS began in December 2024 as an assistant teacher in the younger infant classroom. Before CDLS, the youngest age group I had worked with was 18 months old, so joining the infant room was a meaningful learning experience that quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my career. In May 2025, I transitioned into a co-lead teacher role in the same classroom. There is something so special about nurturing growth in its earliest stages and building trusting relationships with children and families over time. Each day, I strive to bring joy, tenderness, curiosity, patience, and grace into the classroom.
One of my favorite quotes is, "To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." And I believe that has a great impact on my growing life philosophy: to pass on the power of love and kindness, and make genuine human connections. When we lead with care and compassion, we help build strong communities where people feel safe to be themselves and supported as they grow.
Ashley Y.