Celebrating Educator Excellence: Presenting the 2025 Growing into Greatness Winners

We're thrilled to announce the much-anticipated winners of our third annual Balanced Family Academy Growing into Greatness Awards! This initiative was created to honor the exceptional educators who consistently go above and beyond, demonstrating a profound passion for teaching, a deep understanding of child development, and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.

Thanks to your enthusiastic nominations, we received an incredible outpouring of stories highlighting the dedication and impact of our amazing teachers across all 18 Balanced Family Academy franchise locations. The selection process was truly inspiring, revealing the profound difference our educators make every single day.

Join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals!

Infant Teachers

Overall Winner

Sammy Cameron
Academy: Upper Arlington Treehouse

Sammy, who is 24 years old, has been a cherished part of the BFA team for just over three years. She absolutely loves taking the time to connect with each child and build wonderful bonds with new families. Sammy truly enjoys making learning new things fun and creating a joyful atmosphere in her classroom. When she's not at BFA, you can often find her going to concerts, crocheting, or hanging out with her 14 beloved pets!

First Runner Up

Brooke Lauter
Academy: Clintonville

Originally from Cleveland, Brooke brings over five years of experience working with children, including two dedicated years focusing on infants and toddlers in childcare. She is deeply passionate about fostering a nurturing environment that truly encourages growth, learning, and celebrating each child's individuality. In her spare time, Brooke loves listening to music, watching football, exploring nature on hikes, and spending cherished moments with her family and "fur babies"! She is so excited to bring her love for exploration and creativity into the classroom, making sure every child feels valued and wonderfully supported on their unique learning journey!

Second Runner Up

Amber Johnson
Academy: Harrison West

Amber has been a wonderful member of the Balanced Family Academy family for about 11 years. She has primarily worked with infants and adores watching them grow and reach exciting new milestones. It's incredibly rewarding for her to care for them as infants and then see them blossom all the way through to graduating from preschool. In her free time, you'll always find her enjoying quality moments with friends and family. Amber is so thankful for the opportunity to care for your children!

Older Infant Teachers

Overall Winner

Gabby Fregozo
Academy: Grove City

Gabby Fregozo joined Balanced Family Academy in 2023 and has since provided care at our Upper Arlington and Gahanna locations, and most recently, Grove City. With a natural ability to build strong, loving connections with both the children and their families, Gabby brings warmth, reliability, and enthusiasm into every classroom she steps into.

Gabby’s creativity and passion truly shined during our “We Grow Together Week,” where she went above and beyond to plan engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflected both learning and fun. Gabby worked on a theme of “Traveling Babies” where she brought various travel-worthy areas of the U.S. to her Tiger classroom! No matter where she is, Gabby leaves a lasting, positive impact—something we’re incredibly grateful for!

First Runner Up

Quinn Krannitz
Academy: Hilliard

We are so proud to celebrate Mr. Quinn, who has been a wonderfully valued member of the BFA Hilliard team for the past year. Mr. Quinn is deeply committed to building truly meaningful connections with each of his students. He places a strong emphasis on consistent and caring communication with families, ensuring they feel informed and comfortable throughout the day as he lovingly cares for their child. Always eager to grow, Mr. Quinn regularly seeks feedback and asks thoughtful questions to ensure he is providing the very best environment for his classroom. His dedication, initiative, and genuine care make him an outstanding and cherished asset to our team.

Second Runner Up

Iyanna Childs
Academy: New Albany

Iyanna has been nurturing children in childcare for four years. She's always striving to make a positive impact and build genuine connections with every family and all her amazing co-workers. BFA has truly become her "home away from home," and she couldn't have asked for a better place to welcome her soon-to-be babies in 2026! Her favorite part of every day is creating individual connections and making super fun art! She absolutely loves watching all of her children grow into these beautiful little humans, finding it such a rewarding job that she wouldn't trade for the world! When she's at home, Iyanna is usually crafting or spending quality time with family, and she's also a big hockey fan—Go Blue Jackets!

Young Toddler Teachers

Overall Winner

Eryka Osborn
Academy: Upper Arlington Clubhouse

Say hello to Eryka, a wonderful member of our BFA family who has dedicated over seven joyful years to childcare, with almost three of those years spent right here with us! She absolutely loves having the chance to move around and connect with children of all different ages. Eryka has always had a passion for working with kids and truly feels so lucky to call it her job! For her, there's just nothing better than being a child's safe space away from home. When she's not at BFA, you'll find her happily spending time with her husband and their sweet baby boy, or exploring new places and visiting cherished family!

First Runner Up

Rae Willis
Academy: Grandview 5th Ave

Meet Miss Rae, a truly dedicated educator, who brings with her a genuine love for early childhood education and a strong commitment to helping children feel safe, loved, and completely understood. With 14 years of experience in the field, she has a deep understanding of child development and what it takes to build strong, nurturing relationships with little ones and their families. Miss Rae holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s Plus in Special Education from Ashland University. What Miss Rae loves most about being part of the BFA team is the constant encouragement to grow, try new things, and become the very best version of yourself as a teacher. Outside the classroom, you can often find her happily reading or spending time outdoors with her family.

Second Runner Up

Lori Short
Academy: Clintonville

Meet Miss Lori from BFA Clintonville! In her spare time, Lori loves to spend time with her four children and (very handsome) grandsons. She also enjoys watching drag racing! She never initially intended for childcare to be her career, thinking it was just temporary, but here she is over 20 years into her fulfilling childcare journey. Lori has genuinely found that there is nothing else she would rather do!

Older Toddler Teachers

Overall Winner

Andrea Kaiser
Academy: Hilliard

We are so excited to highlight Ms. Andrea, who has been a wonderfully dedicated member of the BFA Hilliard team for just over a year. Her compassion and commitment to her students shine through in everything she does. Ms. Andrea forms strong bonds with each of her students, and it's always a bittersweet moment when it’s time for them to transition to the next classroom. She brings so much creativity and enthusiasm to her teaching, often incorporating fun, hands-on activities that truly engage and inspire her students. As a devoted educator and team member, Ms. Andrea consistently goes above and beyond in her role. We are so grateful to have her as part of the BFA Hilliard family!

First Runner Up

Keaton Carpenter
Academy: Harrison West

Mr. Keaton is currently in a gap year, having attended Ohio University for two years. His favorite part of teaching is joyfully watching the children grow into their own unique personalities. He also really enjoys connecting with each child and every family he meets! In his free time, he loves collecting vinyl records and going on hikes. He absolutely LOVES BFA!

Second Runner Up

Dana Bradford
Academy: Upper Arlington Treehouse

Miss Dana has been a part of the BFA family for two joyful years. She is a loving mother of five children, and tragically, her 19-year-old son Dustin passed away suddenly on June 16, 2023. She cherishes spending her days with her four remaining children, including her daughter Daijah in the Kangaroos room, and her three dearly loved grandchildren! Miss Dana has a rich background across various career fields, including banking, office administration, nursing, and of course, teaching, to name a few! Miss Dana wholeheartedly enjoys teaching from her core, believing that as a child, you can achieve anything you set your mind to with discipline and structure. She absolutely loves her job and enjoys coming to work to see the smiles on her kids' faces and all the love she receives from them —it truly makes her day! In her free time, she enjoys shopping, eating delicious cuisines, traveling when possible, and spending time with the people who matter the most to her.

Preschool Teachers

Overall Winner

Cassidy Snapp
Academy: Gahanna

Miss Cass has been a valued member of the BFA team since August 2025. From the moment students walk through her classroom door, she is fully engaged, bringing enthusiasm, care, and a deep sense of pride to everything she does. Before joining BFA, Miss Cass worked as a professional cake decorator. Her artistic background shines through in the classroom, where she inspires creativity and encourages her students to let their imaginations run wild. And yes—she still decorates cakes on the side, so keep her in mind for your next sweet celebration!

One of the values Miss Cass holds dear at BFA is teaching children the importance of empathy—not only for their peers, but also for themselves. She is passionate about helping children navigate their emotions in a healthy, constructive way, always offering gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. Miss Cass is a bright light in our community, and we are so lucky to have her!

First Runner Up

Chris Simpson
Academy: Grandview 5th Ave

With 6 years of experience in early childhood education and coursework in both college and early childhood development, Mr. Chris brings creativity, energy, and a love for learning into the classroom every day.

Mr. Chris’s favorite part of teaching is watching children grow and explore new experiences. He is passionate about creating a classroom environment that encourages curiosity and supports each child’s unique journey. He also values the strong friendships and sense of camaraderie shared among the staff at Balanced Family Academy.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Chris enjoys playing tabletop games and even creating his own languages—adding a fun and imaginative twist to everything he does.

Second Runner Up

Bhagya Amanana
Academy: Powell

Bhagya has been a dedicated Assistant Teacher at our center since December 2021. She brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for working with children, always eager to engage with them through play and learning. Bhagya is married, and her husband works with TCS. Together, they are proud parents of two children—one in 11th grade and another in 5th. Outside of the classroom, Bhagya enjoys cooking a variety of dishes and dreams of exploring new places around the world. Her caring nature and joyful spirit make her a cherished part of our team.

Pre-K Teachers

Overall Winner

Ellen Lightfoot
Academy: Grove City

Meet Ellen from Balanced Family Academy of Grove City! Ellen has been happily married for 25 years, and is a proud mother to four grown children and two sweet grandchildren! She is truly passionate about teaching, and it brings her immense joy to see a young child's eyes light up with excitement over learning something new. Ellen absolutely loves teaching and deeply cherishes being a part of the BFA family!

First Runner Up

Jasmine Chaffins
Academy: Clintonville

Jasmine Chaffins has been with BFAC for four years. She started in the Kangaroos, then moved to Monkeys, and is now the proud lead Lions teacher! She began her journey in childcare when she was just 19 years old with the wonderful idea of molding kiddos into little adults. Since then, she has joyfully seen kids grow, thrive, and flourish! Simply put, it completely "fills her cup to fill theirs".

Second Runner Up

Banicha Howard
Academy: Grandview Crossing

 Banicha has been a cherished part of the BFA team since 2018! She holds her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has wonderfully worked in both of our Pre-K classrooms at BFA! Her favorite part about teaching is being able to be silly and have so much fun with her kids! She believes this helps them build their confidence and lets them know that they can truly be themselves in her classroom! In her spare time, she absolutely loves spending time with her husband, children, and twin grand-babies!

K-Pathways Teachers

Overall Winner

Chelsea Casale
Academy: Grandview 5th Ave

Miss Chelsea brings 14 years of invaluable experience in early childhood education and a passion for forming truly meaningful connections with both children and their families. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s Plus in Special Education from Ashland University. At Balanced Family Academy, Miss Chelsea most embodies the core value of Connection, and she treasures the opportunity to build strong, trusting relationships with the children in her care. Her favorite part about teaching is joyfully watching her students grow and thrive, knowing she’s played a wonderful part in their journey. She absolutely loves being part of the BFA team because of the inspiring environment that constantly encourages teachers to try new things and grow in ways they never thought possible. Outside the classroom, you can find Miss Chelsea happily enjoying the outdoors or getting lost in a good book with her family. We’re so incredibly lucky to have Miss Chelsea as part of our Monkey Room family!

First Runner Up

Kate Dye
Academy: Upper Arlington Clubhouse

Meet Kate Dye, the dedicated lead teacher and center trainer in the Clubhouse Monkey room. Kate graduated from the University of Dayton Honors College in the spring of 2023 with a degree in Education and Allied Studies. She brings valuable experience as both a support and lead teacher in preschool classrooms at the University of Dayton’s Bombeck Center and Ally ChildCare in Centerville, as well as from student teaching in a Kindergarten classroom. Kate has always been interested in working with children and making a positive impact on their lives. She has a specific passion for trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning, aiming to help all children feel safe and reach their greatest potential. Outside of work, Kate loves to sew, stay active, plan her wedding, and enthusiastically "obsess" over anything related to Taylor Swift!

Second Runner Up

Lindsey Perryman
Academy: Bradenton

Lindsey, who grew up in the charming small town of Minster, Ohio, made her way to Columbus in 2017 to earn her degree in Art Education at The Ohio State University. After graduating, she joyfully discovered her true passion—nurturing and teaching young children—and has been a proud pre-kindergarten teacher ever since! Nearly five years later, she still finds so much joy and fulfillment in the classroom every single day. Lindsey shares her home in Columbus with her wonderful husband, their beautiful daughter Rory, and their two very lovable cats, Macaroni and Ravioli. Their home is truly full of laughter, creativity, and plenty of cozy cat cuddles!What Lindsey loves most about being an early childhood educator is the incredible opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on young learners. She passionately strives to spark a lifelong love for learning by creating a classroom environment brimming with encouragement, curiosity, and pure joy. One of the most important lessons they focus on is the power of yet—helping children understand that they might not be able to do something yet, but with practice, patience, and perseverance, they can truly accomplish anything!

Kindergarten Teachers

Overall Winner

Lauren Hopper
Academy: Upper Arlington Greenhouse

Hi, I’m Miss Lauren and I’m the BFA Kindergarten Teacher! I started working for Balanced Family Academy in August of 2022 as a preschool teacher in the Playhouse and have been in the Greenhouse since May of 2023. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Before my time at BFA, I was a dance teacher for seven years and taught from all age groups. My favorite teaching subject is Phonics and Math. I am passionate about creating an engaging and inclusive classroom environment and can’t wait for you and your child to be apart of it!

First Runner Up

Jennifer Wolfe
Academy: Dublin

Born and raised in Ohio, Jennifer earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Youngstown State University. She began her teaching career in the Columbus Public Schools, where she taught first grade and gained valuable experience working with children of all preschool ages. Jennifer is also a proud mom of three daughters and a son. She's thrilled to be starting her fifth year in the Kindergarten classroom at the BFA's Innovation Campus and looks forward to another wonderful year of learning and growth!