Bethany Bell has lived near a children's museum most of her life and is thrilled to co-found one here in Twin Falls. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, specializing in child development, from Brigham Young University. She loves volunteering as an “art mom,” cooking for family and friends and dreaming up exhibits for the museum. She moved to Twin Falls in the fall of 2016 and lives here with her four rambunctious children and equally-rambunctious husband, Trevor. She is a member of the Women’s Giving Connection of Southern Idaho and serves on the grant committee.
Tennille Adams saw a need within our community and was eager to co-found the children's museum. Her three children have enjoyed visiting children's museums to get the wiggles out and learn while they travel. She earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in School and Community Health and Sport Science from the University of Idaho. She moved to Twin Falls in 2008, when her husband, TJ, began teaching for the Twin Falls School District. She was eager to get involved within the community and served on the Twin Falls Parks & Recreation Commission for 7 years. After staying home while her children were young, she now works as an Online Coordinator at a Middle School. She is also serving on the Idaho Association of Museum’s Board of Directors.
Judi Baxter is an Idaho native and resident of Twin Falls for over 45 years. She was an elementary teacher in the Twin Falls School District for 20 years and formerly owned a small independent bookstore on Main Street. She currently works part time at Rudy’s. She is thrilled to be part of the project to bring a children's museum to our area!
Jeremy Gooding is a Certified Public Accountant, who was born and raised in Twin Falls. He holds a BBA in Accounting from Boise State University. He is currently the owner and CEO of Stevens Pierce & Associates, CPAs. Jeremy and his wife, Heather, have 5 children with ages ranging from 9 to 17, and when they are not busy at the office, spend a good deal of time on family matters. Jeremy is excited to be able to contribute to making the Children’s Museum of Magic Valley a success!
Paula Weeks has an entrepreneurial spirit and is always looking for ways to get involved in community service opportunities. She is a local business owner with her husband, Carl, and they have three beautiful children through the blessing of adoption. Prior to opening their fitness centers as a personal trainer, she was a career pediatric nurse and therefore has always played a part in enhancing the lives of children’s education and their healthy growth. Paula and her husband, spent six years heavily involved with other local charities benefiting children and their well-being.
Lisa Hymas is a South Carolina native but has lived in eight states across the country and been able to visit many children’s museums. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Idaho State University. She has always had a passion for community service from volunteering in college at Portneuf Regional Medical Center and Zoo Idaho, to school PTA’s in Ohio and Florida, to serving on Alachua Habitat for Humanity’s interfaith build committee. In 2015 she and her husband, along with their four children, moved to Twin Falls for her husband's job at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center as an interventional cardiologist. Lisa is a member of the Magic Valley Arts Council and the Women's Giving Connection of Southern Idaho. She is currently enrolled at the University of Florida working on a graduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialization in Public Interest Communication. She believes the children’s museum to be an essential entity for the community that gives children access to positive lifelong trajectories and creates lasting social impact.
Diane Van Engelen taught for 10 years and is now celebrating 20 years as Director of the Twin Falls Public Library Foundation. She sees creating the “Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley” as a perfect connection between discovery through reading programs (at the library) and discovery through interactive play (at the children’s museum). After experiencing an exceptional children’s museum in the Phoenix area with her grandchildren, her goal for the children of the Magic Valley, including her toddler grandson living here, is to provide this unique educational opportunity for our youngsters.
Michael Whitehead is a local mental health professional with a dedication to providing early interventions for children and families. He received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University, and his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Michigan State University. In addition to providing therapy to his clients, he provides trainings, teaches at the University level, and writes research articles. He recognizes the power of play in early childhood development and is excited to offer his research and clinical expertise to developing and supporting programs for the Children's Museum.
Christina Kun grew up in Illinois but has lived in five other states before settling here in Twin Falls, Idaho. She has a bachelors in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood and a minor in Lutheran teaching as well as a Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Chris has four grown children, two stepchildren and a 4 year old daughter still at home as well as 2 granddaughters. She has worked at Lutheran churches caring for young children as a teacher and director. She currently works with IdahoSTARS as a Child Development Specialist. During her time as a mom and educator she has been to Children’s Museums in various states and loves exploring them as much as the children! She can’t wait for the opportunity to show the Magic Valley how fun, educational and engaging a Children’s Museum can be!
Michelle Reinke was born and raised in the Central Valley in California. She graduated from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and her multiple subject teaching credential. Michelle relocated to Twin Falls Idaho in 2015 with her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Gabi, to be closer to family and to enjoy the feel of a close community. Michelle recently retired after 29 years teaching. She now sells homes with Equity Northwest Real Estate and is a member of the Optimist Club. When she is not selling homes, Michelle can be found cheering on her daughter at her volleyball games, walking the trails along the Canyon Rim, playing pickleball or curled up on the couch reading a favorite book. She is excited to join the Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley as an Outreach Educator!
Ashlie Pierre grew up in Arizona, California, and Idaho. After serving a mission in the Dominican Republic, she returned to teach children science and math for a non-profit school. She received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University, while also studying Spanish and playing scrum-half for Women’s Cougar Rugby. She was excited to move back to Idaho in 2018 as she has deep family roots in Twin Falls and Meridian. Currently, she is working on her Masters to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Ashlie and her family have loved exploring Children’s Museums whenever possible and are thrilled to have one coming closer to home. As an Education Outreach Assistant, Ashlie enjoys bringing mobile exhibits to children all over the Magic Valley; experiencing the curiosity of children is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role.
