Meet Our Staff
Michelle Carroll
Director / Teacher
Michelle brings 25 years of teaching experience working in Early Childhood Education as a Head Start Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, First Grade Teacher, Before and After School program leader, Summer Camp leader, Summer Arts program teacher, Childcare Center Lead Teacher and In-home Childcare Provider. She has a BS degree in Child Development and MA degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology. She currently holds a Professional Teaching License in Colorado and is Large Center Director qualified through Colorado Shines.
Congo Paul
Director of Drums for Diversity Music Program/ Teacher
Congo is the Founder of Drums for Diversity and Director of our music and culture program. He has been a professional percussionist for over 25 years. He has worked with Grammy award winning artists throughout his career. He has 20 years of experience working in schools hosting drum workshops and performances. He is sharing his skill and passion for the African and Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz diasporas and World Beats Percussion with our students and their families. He will be teaching the basic rhythms of the congas, bongos, claves, cajon and many other instruments including the history of where they came from. He provides all of the instruments for a full hands-on approach to learning.
Silvana Zavala
Teacher
Silvana is a native of Lima, Peru. She is excited about sharing her culture and the Spanish language with the kids. She holds a BS degree of Applied Science Hospitality Administration from Southern Hampshire University and is currently pursing a career in Early Childhood Education with Pikes Peak State College. Travel is one of her passions in life. After visiting almost 150 cities and 35 countries, she started her most important journey when she became a mother of her son, Liam. She now lives in the Westside neighborhood and her son will be joining United Hearts this Fall.
Samantha Miller
Teacher
Coach Sam is a Colorado Springs native and grew up on the Westside and Old North End of town. She attended Buena Vista Elementary, West Middle and Coronado High School - finishing her schooling at UCCS with a Bachelor in Arts Degree. She has a socially creative 7yr old son and a diverse family life that has led her to teaching a kids art class at the Westside Community Center and being a part of the Colorado PTA. Being Indigenous Native and Hispanic, she brings the love of cultural awareness and inclusivity, as well as understanding that children need a sense of community. Sam has coached sports from ages 3 - 13 years of age and encourages creativity whenever possible. Sam believes that creativity is a mindset that everyone can inhabit and makes a point to not let financial, social, or educational rules dictate our "creative genius" in any subject matter or skill level.
Chocuba
Teacher
Chocuba is a singer, song writer, and guitarist in Colorado He is known for his Neo-Sol, Indie, and R&B style music. His fans refer to him as the “Space Angel” because of his soft, harmonic, and enchanting voice. Check out his released and soon to be released music in all platforms.