Meet the Staff

Founder/Administrator & Educator

Alena Phillips was born and raised in Osceola, IA. She has always had a passion for educating children. In 2014, she graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in early childhood and reading. She taught at Clarke Elementary for 7 years. She also works for Mosaic, a nonprofit that serves adults with disabilities. Alena is married to Ryan Phillips and they have two children, Aria and Cain. Alena and her family love to spend time on their farm, watch the Iowa Hawkeyes, go camping and boating, and travel to warm places.

Founder/Administrator & Educator

Jamie Porter graduated from Simpson College in 2010 with a degree in Elementary Education and completed her Master's Degree in Education from Graceland University in 2015. She taught kindergarten for 11 years in the Clarke Community School District. She loves hands on learning and promoting the love of learning within students. Jamie and her husband, Chance, live in Osceola where they were both born and raised. They have three children, Brynnley, Brecken and Brenten. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, spending time with her extended family, and cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones and the Minnesota Vikings.