Staff

Adele Matthe Melnick
Director
I live in Basalt with my husband and two children ages 9 and 6 years. I was born and raised in South-Africa and moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2001. I have been the Director for Growing Years in Basalt for 12 years. I have over 17 years of experience working in Early Childcare. I am currently involved with the Cradle to Career initiative through the Aspen Community Foundation, The Basalt Elementary School Accountability Committee, and the Basalt Childcare Coalition. I served on the board for the Roaring Fork Association for the Education of Young Children (RFAEYC). I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Early Childhood through Colorado State University, Fort Collins. The best part about my career is working with children, families and seeing how children learn and grow. During my spare time, I play tennis, enjoy camping, snowboarding, hiking and spending time with my family.

Betty Morales
Toddler Teacher
I was born and raised in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. I spent the majority of my childhood being raised by my grandparents. I moved New Mexico when I was 15 years old. After graduating and getting married, my husband and I moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2004. I have worked in Early Childhood Education for 10 years. When not working, I enjoy hiking, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Susie Arbaney
Preschool Teacher
I first started working with kids in 1988. I found out that it was and is my true calling. I started taking classes through CMC in 1998. Through the years I have continued to take classes through CMC and trainings that have been offered through Kids first and from the state of Colorado for home childcare provider. I started my home childcare in 1990 and continued 5 days a week from 7:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the afternoon. Until 2002 when I closed my childcare and went to work for Columbine Kids where I worked until 2006 when they closed. At this time My granddaughter was enrolled at Blue Lake and I went to work there. I found that I missed my childcare and opened again and was lucky to have both of my granddaughters come and share their day with me and children who there are still friends with. I spent 2 years taking care of my mother-in- law but was lucky once again to be able to come to work with a great group of teacher at Growing Years. I have now been here for 6 years. I enjoy being with children each day. They are learning at such a fast rate and come up with some great ideas. I hope to be able to have many more years of enjoying my coworkers and the children in our care.

Jojo Burkholder
Infant Teacher
I was born in California. I graduated from Basalt High School in 2010. I am married and I have two kids – my son is 7 years old his name is Aidan and my daughter is 9 months old and her name is Isabella Marie. I have a twin sister, Ms.Gigi. I been working at Growing Years for 2 years. I enjoy spending time with my family and go shopping and swimming.

Rosy Robison
Infant Teacher
I was born in Veracruz, Mexico and came to Colorado in 2000. I have been at Growing Years for 2 years. I am married, have a daughter and one granddaughter. I loved hiking, shopping, and going to church.

Gigi Salvatierra
Infant Teacher
I was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Basalt, Colorado. I graduated from Basalt High School in 2010. I am a mother of two Ilihana, 7 years old and Santiago, 1 year old. I have been working for Growing Years for 2 years. I love to capture beautiful moments with my family, barbecues, going swimming, and scrapbooking.

Sue Hankinson
Infant Teacher
I am a New Yorker at heart, but I moved to the Valley in 1997 and now call Colorado Home. My husband Scott and I have 4 grown daughters living in Colorado, California and Michigan so I really appreciat the time I get to spend with the children here at Growing Years! My family and I enjoy rafting local rivers as well as back country rafting trips, hiking, camping and just enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.
I started my early childhood career at Solara Preschool in 2004, worked at Basalt Elementary School as an Aide to special needs children from 2007 – 2010 and then came to Growing Years in August of 2010.
