Growing Into Greatness: Meet BFA's 2026 Award-Winning Teachers
Every great childcare experience begins with a great teacher.
At Balanced Family Academy, we believe the educators in our classrooms are the heart of everything we do — and every year, our Growing Into Greatness Award is our chance to say thank you in a big way.
We are proud to announce our 2026 Growing Into Greatness Award Winners — 20 exceptional early childhood educators across our Central Ohio locations who have gone above and beyond for the children and families in their care.
These teachers were nominated by their peers, directors, and families for demonstrating the values that define BFA: warmth, dedication, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping every child grow.
Scroll down to meet each of this year's honorees — and the incredible work they bring to their classrooms every single day.
Clintonville
Grace Blower
Miss Grace joined BFA Clintonville nearly a year ago as an infant teacher and quickly stepped into a lead toddler teacher role — a transition she made with grace and confidence. Her calm, nurturing presence fills the classroom with love, laughter, and meaningful connections each day. Families deeply appreciate the kindness and care Miss Grace and her team bring to every child in their care.
Ari Avant
Miss Ari has been a beloved part of BFA Clintonville for over two and a half years. Each day, she welcomes her Beaver friends with contagious energy, creativity, and a genuine excitement for learning. Miss Ari brings a love of music and imaginative play into the classroom, creating a fun and engaging environment where children feel inspired to explore, discover, and grow.
Dublin and Powell
Lindsey Perryman- Bradenton
Lindsey has been a dedicated presence at BFA Dublin/Powell since August 2020, bringing consistency, creativity, and heart to her classroom year after year. She is passionate about being a positive role model for young minds and loves sparking confidence and creativity in every child she teaches. Outside of the classroom, Lindsey enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her family — a love of life that shines through in everything she brings to her students each day.
Amy McCarter- Bradenton
Amy has a true passion for making learning fun, engaging, and full of heart for every child in her care. As a Bunny teacher, she is dedicated to ensuring each child feels loved, supported, and safe during their earliest learning journey. Amy is a mother of two and is thrilled to soon become a grandmother — experiences that give her a deep appreciation for the trust families place in their child's teacher. Her enthusiasm, warmth, and genuine love for the children she works with make her classroom a truly special place.
Andy Paul-Powell
Andy approaches teaching as a meaningful opportunity — a short but powerful moment in time he shares with his students and refuses to take for granted. He is passionate about instilling positive values that build strong character, encouraging children to be kind, to think for themselves, and to believe that no problem is unsolvable. What Andy loves most about teaching is watching his students grow into thoughtful, selfless little human beings who genuinely care for the people around them. That transformation is what drives him into the classroom every single day.
Gahanna
Emily Hamric
Emily is a caring and nurturing teacher who brings warmth and positivity to her classroom every day. She builds genuine connections with the children in her care — and it shows. Her students adore her and are often right by her side! Emily is dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences through thoughtful curriculum implementation and consistently goes above and beyond in her classroom responsibilities. Her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and deep love for the children make her a truly valued member of the BFA Gahanna team.
Skyy Blomgren
Skyy is an exceptional teacher who embodies BFA's core values in everything she does. She is always eager to welcome new team members into the building, offering guidance and support to help them learn and succeed. Skyy's warm smile and positive attitude brighten the day for children and staff alike — and the way her students light up when they see her speaks volumes about the relationships she has built. It is clear that Skyy is making a lasting, meaningful impact in her classroom every single day.
Grandview
Rae Willis-5th Ave
Miss Rae is an irreplaceable part of the Bunnies classroom at BFA 5th Avenue, consistently going above and beyond to ensure every child in her care feels loved, supported, and seen. The enthusiasm with which children greet her — calling out "RaeRae!" the moment they walk through the door — speaks to the incredible bonds she has built. For Miss Rae, creating a warm and welcoming environment where families feel completely at ease leaving their little ones is not just a priority — it's her purpose.
Shadimon Harrell-5th Ave
Miss Shadimon brings creativity, love, and a whole lot of heart to her classroom each and every day. She has built deep bonds with the children and families in her care, creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and celebrated. Miss Shadimon has a gift for weaving fun and imaginative crafts into learning that makes her students genuinely excited to discover something new. Her joyful spirit and creative energy make her classroom a truly special place to be.
Brandy Hickman-GVX
Brandy has been a dedicated member of the BFA team for several years, bringing over nine years of childcare experience and a deep love for early childhood education to her role. She has worked across multiple BFA locations and age groups, with a special expertise in toddler care that families have come to know and trust. Brandy's favorite part of teaching is forming genuine bonds with the children in her classroom and watching them grow — milestone by milestone. Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her three-year-old son and exploring new places on family vacations.
Grove City
Megan Esselburn
Megan has been part of the BFA family for over two years and brings a genuine passion for early childhood education and relationship-building to her role every day. With more than four years of childcare experience, she finds great joy in forming meaningful connections with the children and families she serves. Megan holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master's degree in Regional Planning — a background that reflects the thoughtful, big-picture approach she brings to everything she does. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, thrifting, watching movies, and spending time outdoors.
Michele Rice
Michele is a seasoned early childhood educator with an extraordinary 38 years of experience working with children from infancy through Pre-K. She joined BFA four years ago, adding to a long and dedicated career that began in 1988, and holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Columbus State Community College. Michele brings a lifetime of knowledge, patience, and genuine love for children to her classroom every single day. When she's not with her preschool friends, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and collecting vintage vinyl records.
Hilliard
Tiffany Evans
Tiffany is known for her calm, nurturing presence and her ability to create a safe and supportive environment for every child in her care. She builds strong, trusting relationships with both children and families through consistent communication, comfort, and reassurance. Tiffany is especially valued for her ability to help children navigate challenging transitions and for partnering closely with families to ensure each child feels secure and confident. Her compassion, patience, and dedication make her an invaluable member of the BFA Hilliard team.
Adrianna Simmons
Ms. Adrianna is celebrated for her warm, welcoming personality and her commitment to creating a positive environment for children and families alike. She builds authentic relationships through open communication, genuine care, and a deep desire to help every child feel valued and loved. Ms. Adrianna goes above and beyond to keep families connected to their child's day through thoughtful updates and takes great joy in celebrating each child's growth and milestones. Her kindness, reliability, and dedication to strong family partnerships make her an irreplaceable part of the BFA Hilliard team.
New Albany
K'Miyah Harrington
K'Miyah brings creativity, dedication, and a genuine passion for early childhood education to everything she does at BFA. A former dance team captain, she developed the leadership, discipline, and creative energy she now channels into her classroom every day. K'Miyah joined BFA because she truly believes in the importance of helping children grow and discover beyond their home environment. She is passionate about creating a fun, nurturing space where every child feels supported and encouraged to be themselves.
Amy Hoke
Amy is a compassionate, loving, and patient teacher who brings a wealth of life experience to the BFA New Albany family. As a mother of four and a grandmother, she has a deep, personal appreciation for the trust families place in their child's teacher. A returning BFA team member with three years of prior experience, Amy is driven by her love of watching children hit milestones and grow. Her warmth and genuine care for every child in her classroom make her a wonderful part of the team.
Upper Arlington
Dana Bradford- Treehouse
Miss Dana is a passionate educator who believes wholeheartedly that every child learns differently — and she embraces that by bringing a wide variety of teaching approaches into her classroom. As a mother of five and grandmother of three, she brings a personal warmth and depth of care that children and families feel the moment they walk through the door. Miss Dana loves coming to work each day and is continually energized by the smiles, love, and joy her students bring. Making a real difference in children's lives is not just her job — it's her calling.
Skylar Schorling- Greenhouse
Miss Skylar has been a proud member of the BFA team for four years, bringing both academic knowledge and genuine passion to her classroom every day. She holds an undergraduate degree in Neuropsychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati — a foundation that informs her thoughtful approach to supporting children across all areas of development. Miss Skylar is especially committed to fostering kindness and a love of learning in every student she teaches. Outside of school, she enjoys walks, adventures with friends and family, movies, and keeping things organized.
Nautica Wooten- Greenhouse
Nautica has worked in childcare for six years and has cherished every moment of it. As a mom herself, she understands firsthand how important it is for children to feel safe, supported, and cared for — and she brings that perspective into her toddler classroom every day. Nautica loves building strong connections with both children and families and feels grateful to be present for so many special milestones. Her goal is to create a classroom that feels loving and fun while nurturing each child's natural curiosity, independence, and growth.
Eryka Osborn- Clubhouse
Miss Eryka has had a heart for children for as long as she can remember and considers it a true privilege to call early childhood education her career. She is passionate about helping children learn and grow, and pours her whole self into being a home away from home for every child in her care. Watching her students develop new skills and gain confidence brings her endless joy — and that dedication shows in the love she gives her classroom each and every day.
Congratulations to all 20 of our 2026 Growing Into Greatness honorees. We are endlessly grateful for the heart and hard work you bring to BFA families across Central Ohio.