Our Team
Becca Dunn
Born and raised in Lexington, Becca graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's in Art Education. She spent three years living in New Orleans, where she taught in an early childhood education program through the Academy of the Sacred Heart. During her time in Louisiana, she earned her Master's degree in Business Administration, allowing her to expand her knowledge of leadership.
She returned to Lexington to raise her daughter, Madelyn, alongside her partner, Michael, and their dog, Doug. She believes strongly in the value of play-based learning and allowing children to develop their sense of self and community through exploring the world around them. She believes the presence of community is critical to the development of children and families alike, and is always seeking opportunities to expand learning beyond the classroom.
DIRECTOR
Rachel Harden Hislope
LEAD TEACHER / WILLOW ROOM and ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Rachel graduated from Berea College in 2018 with a degree in child development and family studies. She has spent 6 of her 7 years in childcare working with infants. She is passionate about facilitating new growth and development for young infants and aims to provide a safe and nourishing environment for them to do so.
Rachel and her family are new to Lexington but are not unfamiliar with the city. Her husband is starting residency at the University of Kentucky and their 19-month-old daughter is a part of The Learning Tree family as well! In Rachel’s spare time, she loves spending time with her family and taking care of her many plant babies.
Jessica Rocha
Jessica has 9.5 years of experience in early childhood education, working with children from infancy through age five, as well as serving as an instructional aide for K-5 students. She is passionate about fostering curiosity, encouraging exploration, and promoting independence in young learners. She believes children thrive when given the freedom to ask questions, make discoveries, and take ownership of their learning. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband of nearly 10 years and their two wonderful children, ages 9 and 7.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/FLOATER TEACHER