OUR TEAM | wildnwa.org

Meet Our Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

At WILD About Learning Academy, we pride ourselves on our dedicated and loving childcare professionals who pour into your children day in and day out.

CEO/Owner & Regional Director

Dina Ford

Dina is a native to Northwest Arkansas and has lived here for over thirty-two years. Dina has been in the Early Childhood industry since 1997. Dina is passionate about her role within the community and strives to provide excellent customer service and mentorship to her team. Dina is a mother to three children; Tanner, Lauren, and Carson, and her children are her world. Her newest joy is her twin grandbabies; Asher and Everleigh. In her free time, Dina enjoys practicing yoga, instructing group fitness classes, spending time with her grandchildren, decorating, traveling, and listening to live music.

Assistant Regional Director

Lauren Easley

Lauren is the Assistant Regional Director at WILD & West. She grew up roaming the halls of WILD as a little one. She is now walking them assisting and supporting the teams across both locations. She has always looked up to her mom, Dina, and has found a passion for helping the families within our community, just like her mom! Lauren graduated in 2024 from the University of Arkansas with her Bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in Human Development & Family Sciences. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors, traveling to new places, and doing hot yoga/pilates at Nooma.

WILD Director

Kaitlyn Taylor

Kaitlyn is our Director at WILD. She has been with us since October of 2014! Kaitlyn has completed her CDA certification in Early Childhood Education. She has lived in Northwest Arkansas for most of her life, meeting her husband in 2014 and then marrying in 2018. She has two busy boys, Casen and Stetson. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and finding new hidden gems in our community. Children and education are both her passion and she feels lucky to be able to combine the two and serve all of our families in Northwest Arkansas.

WILD Assistant Director

Bailey Hollingsworth

Bailey is our Assistant Director at WILD. She and her family moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2023. She graduated in 2017 with her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Human Resources. Bailey has three beautiful girls- Charli, Blakelee, and Harper. In her free time, she enjoys working out, reading and spending time with her family. She has a passion for Early Childhood Education and can't wait to foster a relationship with your family!

WEST Assistant Director

Ashton Pillstrom

Ashton serves as the Assistant Director at WILD–West, bringing dedication and heart to the families of Northwest Arkansas. Since joining WILD in 2021, she has worked across both campuses and built strong connections with many in the community. Ashton is currently a senior at Harding University, majoring in Elementary Education. Ashton has three children Collyns, Charleston, and Shepherd. She balances a full and busy life with grace. When she finds free time, she loves making memories with her family. She looks forward to welcoming and supporting your family!

WILD Nutrition Specialist

Sabreena Scott

Sabreena is the Nutrition Specialist at our WILD campus. She has been in Northwest Arkansas since 2022. Sabreena has worked for WILD since May of 2022. She started as an Assistant Teacher and then moved her way up into the Nutrition Specialist role. She is Serv-Safe certified and looks forward to making yummy meals for your littles each day! Sabreena moved to NWA from Georgia with her husband and son, Enzo, as well as all of their pets! She loves to go camping, biking, and floating.

Team Lead

Lexus Griffin

Lexus is our Team Lead at WILD. She has lived in Arkansas for most of her life, but has also lived in Washington State twice. Lexus has been a part of the WILD team since 2019. She completed her CDA credential at the beginning of 2024. In her free time, she enjoys helping her husband build his race car and going to the drag strip to watch him race. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family! Lexus has a passion for Early Childhood Education and she she can't wait to form a relationship with your family!

WEST Team Lead

Raegan Salmonsen

Raegan is the Team Lead at WILD–West and has been a valued part of the WILD family since 2019. Over the years, she has served in a variety of roles, gaining a deep understanding of our program and building strong connections with the families we serve. In 2025, Raegan completed her Child Development Associate credential in 2025, further equipping her to support the children and families of Northwest Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending quality time with her family. Raegan is passionate about forming meaningful, long-lasting relationships and is excited to continue growing within the WILD organization.

Mobile 1 Lead Teacher

Caitlynn Stouder

Caitlynn is the Lead Teacher in our Mobile 1 classroom at WILD–West and has been working in the childcare field since 2019. With years of hands-on experience, she brings passion, consistency, and a nurturing spirit to the classroom each day. She is the proud mom of her “mini,” Greyson. Outside of work, Caitlynn enjoys spending time with family, shopping, and cheering on her favorite football teams—Go Hogs and Chiefs! She’s currently working toward her Child Development Associate credential to continue growing as an educator and better serve families across Northwest Arkansas. Caitlynn values the deep bonds she builds with both children and their families and is committed to creating a loving, supportive learning environment.

Toddler 1 Lead Teacher

Madison Hopper

Coming Soon!

Toddler 2 Lead Teacher

Makayla "Lady" Rhodes

Coming Soon!

Jr. Pre-K 1 Lead

Macie DePeel

Coming Soon!

Pre-K 2 Lead Teacher

Brenda Pockat

Brenda is our Lead Teacher in Pre-K 2. Mrs. Brenda has been employed at WILD since 2016. Before coming to WILD, she worked for Evergreen

Children's Academy as a teacher and Assistant Director. She received her CDA credential while working at ECA. Mrs. Brenda has been in Early Childhood Education for 30+ years. She really enjoys getting to know your littles and watch their success as they learn and grow. She plays a huge role in prepping her students for Kindergarten by utilizing Kindergarten Prep curriculum. She looks forward to meeting and building a relationship with your family.