Our Storyland Staff

The following group of dedicated staff members make up the team of individuals that care for your child day in and day out.

What makes them unique?

They are dedicated individuals who have a passion for children and an eagerness to teach and serve. Their dedication along with their educational attainments, training, and experience make them one of Amarillo's premiere child care teams.

Here is our amazing team.

The Administrators

Karissa Ellison, Owner/Director

Name: Karissa Ellison

Employed Since: April 2005

Birthday: September 28

Favorite Snack: Salty snacks

Favorite Drink: Waterstill Water

Hobbies/Interests: I love True Crime documentaries!

Tell us something about you: I love being at home with my hubby. We enjoy playing games and hanging out with family and friends.

Justine McDonald, Assistant Director

Name: Justine McDonald

Employed Since: February 2012

Birthday: June 29

Favorite Snack: Dark Chocolate covered fruit

Favorite Drink: Waterstill Water

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, baking, crafts, outdoors.

Tell us something about you: I am a Mom of 4! I have 3 boys that are all about dirt, bugs, worms, sports, and trucks, and a baby girl who has us all wrapped around her finger!

Mayra Gallegos, Assistant Director

Name: Mayra Gallegos

Employed Since: October 2020

Birthday: June 21

Favorite Snack: Hot Funyuns

Favorite Drink: Waterstill Tea

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, arts & crafts, planning events, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family.

Tell us something about you: I have 2 beautiful girls. I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and I am a shopaholic.

Keitha Ratliff, Food Manager

Name: Keitha Ratliff

Employed Since: July 2005

Birthday: September 15

Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky

Favorite Drink: Water

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts, camping, & hot summer nights!

Tell us something about you: I married my high school sweetheart, and we have 2 kids.

The Teachers (Listed in Order of Employment Seniority)

Rose Bilderback

Name: Rose Bilderback

Employed Since: March 2017

Birthday: September 25

Favorite Snack: Ranch Veggie straws

Favorite Drink: Sweet tea & Lemonade

Hobbies/Interests: I like to watch TV and eat snacks

Tell us something about you: Married 39 years, 3 boys, 5 grandchildren.

Brittany Gomez

Name: Brittany Gomez

Employed Since: August 2017

Birthday: December 6

Favorite Snack: Hot fries w/ranch

Favorite Drink: Sweet tea

Hobbies/Interests: Going to the lake, game nights with my family.

Tell us something about you: I collect crosses

Audiana Ellison

Name: Audiana Ellison

Employed Since: July 2020

Birthday: April 17

Favorite Snack: Cashews

Favorite Drink: Water

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, anything artistic, puzzles

Tell us something about you: I'm super smart & pretty...JK! LOL!

I love my family and spending time with them is my favorite thing to do.

Nikki Hargrove

Name: Nikki Hargrove

Employed Since: October 2020

Birthday: May 19

Favorite Snack: Sour cream & cheddar chips

Favorite Drink: Sweet mint tea

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking & Baking

Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my kids. I have recently started reading more books! Crime and murder books are my favorite kind of books!!

Shaquila Gomes

Name: Shaquila Gomes

Employed Since: May 2021

Birthday: August 17

Favorite Snack: Cheese Chex Mix

Favorite Drink: Water

Hobbies/Interests: Painting

Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my family and my wonderful Storyland kiddos.

Stephanie Rocha

Name: Stephanie Rocha

Employed Since: January 2022

Birthday: April 14

Favorite Snack: Sunflower seeds

Favorite Drink: Ice water, Sweet Tea

Hobbies/Interests: Planting, painting, reading, shopping, cooking, coloring, card games.

Tell us something about you: I love to spend my extra time with family & close friends or just relaxing outside with my animals. My fav books to read are romance/rom coms.

Christa Orsborn

Name: Christa Orsborn

Employed Since: June 2022

Birthday: April 26

Favorite Snack: Reece's (Fast Break, Any kind of Reece's!)

Favorite Drink: Coke, Dr Pepper, Pepsi, Lemonade

Hobbies/Interests: Coloring, singing, going on walks with my dog.

Tell us something about you: I love playing with my pitbull! My favorite colors are blue, grey, pink. I like staying home watching movies.

Kelli Evans

Name: Kelli Evans

Employed Since: June 2022

Birthday: January 25

Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos or Takis

Favorite Drink: Root beer

Hobbies/Interests: Plants and antiquing.

Tell us something about you: I'm about to get married, I have 2 dogs & 2 cats. I love traveling.

Analicia Ellison

Name: Analicia Ellison

Employed Since: July 2022

Birthday: July 10

Favorite Snack:

Favorite Drink: Dr. Pepper

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping.

Tell us something about you: I love hanging with my family and friends.

Michelle Gonzalez

Name: Michelle Gonzalez

Employed Since: May 2023

Birthday: November 28

Favorite Snack: Beef Jerky

Favorite Drink: Water or tea

Hobbies/Interests: Jigsaw puzzles, reading, binge watching Grey's Anatomy.

Tell us something about you: I am an old lady at heart. I want to learn how to knit and crochet.

Isannah Riggins

Name: Isannah Riggins

Employed Since: August 2023

Birthday: June 27

Favorite Snack: White cheddar Cheez-Its

Favorite Drink: Alanis

Hobbies/Interests: Missionary work, hair, exercise

Tell us something about you: I love planning, reading my Bible, and reading science fiction.

Andrea Cote

Name: Andrea Cote

Employed Since: October 2023

Birthday: May 30

Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos, Honey Buns

Favorite Drink: Root beer, Sprite, Tea

Hobbies/Interests: Church, reading, coloring, running.

Tell us something about you: I love Jesus. I like murder/crime/romance books. My favorite color is Emerald Green.

Susan Matheson

Name: Susan Matheson

Employed Since: November 2023

Birthday: December 17

Favorite Snack: Sugar free candy, cheetos, almonds

Favorite Drink: Water and unsweet tea

Hobbies/Interests: Reading and spending time with my family.

Tell us something about you: I love spending time with my family (2 sons, 1 granddaughter, 1 daughter in law & husband) I love being with the babies at Storyland.