Maria Navaratne BEd(Hons): Director of Play 

Maria has been teaching since 1992 when she graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, UK with BEd(Hons) in Education Studies and Art.  Maria began her teaching with Grades 3 and 4; Year 6 - 9 in a school for children with Moderate Learning Differences, followed by managing the Special Needs provisions in Elementary schools in Essex, UK.  Maria opened e11 as a Reggio Emilia inspired Preschool in her home, in January 2009 with 2  pupils, having discovered the book, "The Hundred Languages of Children".  Maria and her husband have since discovered the " Teaching for Artistic Behavior" movement and also guide Elementary aged children in an afterschool program.  Maria is the Director of Arts14, the afterschool arts program in Manitou Springs School District 14.  Maria and Alain have been 'dancing partners' since 1995 and they have 2 children, Agnes who is 19 years old studying Multimedia Design at PPCC and Jules who is 13 years old and attends Manitou Springs Middle School. 

Alain Navaratne BA(Hons): Artistic Director

Alain graduated from Middlesex University with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art: Sculpture.  Alain is responsible for the beautiful environment that the children enjoy everyday at E11.  Alain also assists in Preschool and Afterschool.  Alain is part of the Outerspaces design and construction team behind The Earthroom at Manitou Springs Elementary School along with Daniel Romano and Wendy Fay of the Manitou Springs Arts Academy . Alain loves to play classical guitar, cook food from his father's homeland of Sri Lanka and mother's homeland of France, paint, print and make stuff, and be with his family, preferably all at the same time!

Dale Mueller-Smith: Preschool Lead Teacher

Dale received her BS in Elementary Education and her MA in Child Development (birth to 12 years) long before she received her BA in Visual Arts: Concentration Fiber Art.  She has served many large educational arts-based local organizations in management positions and started many programs for young children. Dale loves being Sarah's mom, working at e11 with young children, being a conceptual artist (contemporary fiber art) and hiking in the mountains.

Ellie Emerich: Director of Afterschool creativeFREEchoice 

Ellie is a recent arrival from Atlanta, Georgia, where she has worked as a teacher in multi-sensory inclusion classrooms for over 16 years.  Ellie grew up in Wisconsin, surrounded by a musical and whimsical book-loving family.  Her hobbies include singing, knitting, banjo playing, and chess. Her current artistic passions include creating fibre art, experimenting with handspinning, natural dyes, and felting techniques. She dabbles in papermaking and bookmaking, glass flamework, beading with all sorts of beads and natural materials, as well as upcycling found objects and recyclables into art projects.  Ellie enjoys incorporating hands-on exploration of a variety of sensory materials into everyday teaching experiences, and serving as a guide in drawing out innovation, experimentation, and expansion of ideas with children during art encounters.  

Safietou (Dallo) Goudiaby: Preschool creativeFREEchoice Assistant Teacher 

I was born in the village of Thionk Essyl in the southern Casamance region of Senegal, West Africa.  I grew up there living a traditional Diola life, fishing in the river, growing rice, gathering fruit and wild food in the forest.  Dance is a central part of my culture.  Every major event in the lives of our people is celebrated with dance.  In early 2010 I began teaching weekly classes at the Casa Verde Common House near downtown Colorado Springs, and I have offered monthly dance workshops at the Marmalade studio at the Smokebrush.   I have performed at several events on the Colorado College campus, for the Imagination Celebration and the “What If” festival. I love teaching African dance because it allows me to share the beauty of my culture with others.

Dallo also teaches African drumming and dancing at UCCS , Colorado College and for ARTs14 in Manitou Springs School District.