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/Regional Executive Director
Dina Ford
Dina Ford has been a dedicated leader in the early childhood and early education field since 1997. With deep roots in Northwest Arkansas, she is well-connected with local resources, support systems, and collaborative partners who share her vision of equal education and opportunities for all children. Dina is passionate about creating a nurturing, home-like environment in every center she oversees, where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.
As Executive Regional Director, she not only leads with compassion and vision but also mentors her staff, encouraging growth and resilience as they face the ever-evolving challenges of the early education industry. Outside of work, Dina enjoys practicing yoga, listening to live music, cooking, and traveling. Her greatest joy comes from her family—her children, Tanner, Lauren, and Carson, and her beloved grandchildren, Asher and Everleigh.
WILD Director
Kaitlyn Taylor
Kaitlyn is our Director at WILD. She has worked in Early Childhood Education since 2011, and has been on the WILD team since 2014! Kaitlyn has her CDA certification in Early Childhood Education and is currently working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at Arkansas State University. 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
Ashton Pillstrom
Ashton serves as the Assistant Director at WILD, 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!
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WILD Assistant Director
Raegan Salmonsen
Raegan is the Assistant Director. She 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, 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 husband and two boys, Todd and William. Raegan is passionate about forming meaningful, long-lasting relationships and is excited to continue growing within the WILD organization.
WILD Nutrition Specialist
Sabreena Scott
Sabreena is the Nutrition Specialist at school. She moved from Georgia to NWA in 2022 with her husband, her son Enzo, and all their pets! She loves to go camping, biking, and floating. She began working for WILD in May of 2022 as an Assistant Teacher. She then took a leap of faith and transitioned into the Nutrition Specialist role, and has rocked it ever since! She is Serv-Safe certified and looks forward to making yummy meals for your littles each day!
Walker Lead Teacher
Caitlynn S.
She is a proud boy mom and excited to be welcoming a baby girl to our growing family. Her passion for early childhood education comes from a love of helping children learn, explore, and build confidence every day. Outside of the classroom, She enjoys cooking, baking, concerts, shopping, and making memories with her family. She is grateful to be part of your child's early learning journey.
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Walker Lead Teacher
Vanessa N.
Vanessa is passionate about helping young children learn, grow, and discover the world around them. She loves watching children master new skills and gain confidence through hands-on experiences and creative exploration. Art is one of her favorite ways to encourage self-expression and learning in the classroom.
Outside of school, Vanessa enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, attending concerts, and making memories with family and friends. She believes that every child is unique and is dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging environment where children can thrive, learn, and have fun every day.
Walker Lead Teacher
Madi H.
Madi has a deep love for nature, animals, and helping children discover the world around them. She enjoys incorporating her passion for the outdoors and all living things into daily learning experiences, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and a love of discovery. An avid reader, Madi believes books open the door to imagination, learning, and meaningful connections.
When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and appreciating the beauty of nature. Madi is dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Her favorite part of teaching is watching her students develop new skills, gain confidence, and reach exciting milestones along their learning journey.
Walker Lead Teacher
Lexus G.
Lexus Jr. is a dedicated Pre-K Lead Teacher and Team Lead who is passionate about providing young learners with a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate educational experience. Having earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Lexus is committed to supporting children's social, emotional, and academic growth through hands-on learning and meaningful interactions.
As a Team Lead, she works collaboratively with fellow educators to foster a positive learning environment and promote excellence in early childhood education. Since joining WILD in 2019, Lexus is married to her amazing husband and is the proud mother of her daughter, Willow. She and her family enjoy spending time outdoors and making memories together. Their family also includes two beloved dogs, Gunner and Nova.
Walker Lead Teacher
Brenda P.
Brenda is the Pre-K 1 Lead Teacher and a valued member of the WILD family, where she has dedicated more than 10 years to nurturing and educating young children. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, she brings a wealth of knowledge, patience, and compassion to her classroom each day.
In her free time she loves to visit Civil War artifacts.
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WILD Teacher Assistant
Dani G.
Dani is the Infant Lead Teacher at WILD and is passionate about providing a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for the youngest learners. She is dedicated to supporting infants through their earliest stages of development, focusing on building trust, meeting individual needs, and encouraging healthy growth and milestones.
With a gentle and caring approach, Dani creates a calm and comforting classroom where babies feel secure, loved, and supported each day. She values strong communication with families and works closely with parents to ensure each child receives the best possible care during this important stage of development.
Dani takes pride in being part of each child’s early journey and finds joy in watching them grow, learn, and reach new milestones.
WILD Teacher Assistant
Caroline W.
I am currently on summer break-see you this fall!
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WILD Teacher Assistant
Emerson. H
I am currently on summer break-see you this fall!
WILD Teacher Assistant
Kadense M.
Kadense is a caring and dedicated educator who absolutely loves working with children and being part of their everyday growth and discoveries. She is passionate about creating a fun, safe, and loving environment where children feel happy, secure, and encouraged to explore the world around them. For Kadense, there is nothing more rewarding than watching little minds bloom and helping children build confidence as they learn new skills.
With three years of childcare experience, Kadense brings patience, creativity, and compassion into everything she does. She is committed to supporting each child's social, emotional, and developmental growth while fostering meaningful relationships with children and families.
Outside of work, Kadense enjoys spending time with her family, including her fiancé and their two children, ages 3 years and 9 months. Her experiences as both an educator and a mother help her bring warmth, understanding, and genuine care to the children she works with every day.
WILD Teacher Assistant
Katya M.
Katya is a passionate educator who loves helping children learn, grow, and explore the world around them. She is dedicated to creating a positive and engaging classroom environment where every child feels supported, encouraged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Katya is currently a student at the University of Arkansas and NorthWest Arkansas Community College, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Art Education while also working toward an associate degree in Business. Her love for art fuels her creativity and allows her to bring imaginative, hands-on learning experiences into the classroom.
Outside of teaching, Katya enjoys anything related to art and creativity. She also has a love for animals and enjoys spending time baking. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and caring nature help make learning both fun and meaningful for the children in her care.
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WILD Teacher Assistant
Karleigh G.
Ms. Karleigh is a valued member of the WILD team who enjoys floating between classrooms and helping wherever she is needed most. With two years of childcare experience, she loves building relationships with children of all ages and creating positive, engaging experiences throughout the day. Her caring nature, flexibility, and enthusiasm allow her to support both students and teachers across the center.
Outside of the classroom, Karleigh has a passion for photography and creativity. She owns and operates a small photography business and enjoys expressing her artistic side through crafts and creative projects. After graduating high school, she plans to pursue either a career in the military or continue her education through trade school to become a welder.
Karleigh is also a dedicated animal lover and enjoys spending time with her many cats and dogs at home. She brings her creativity, energy, and love for working with children into everything she does, making her a wonderful part of the WILD family.