Here at Smarty Pants Preschool our program nurtures the whole child—helping little learners grow not only in early math and literacy, but also in social-emotional, physical, and cognitive skills that encourage confident communication, curiosity, and creative thinking.
Hello! My name is Ms. Dawn, and I am the owner and teacher at Smarty Pants Preschool. Teaching young children has been my passion for over 20 years, and I feel so lucky to do what I love every day.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Early Childhood Development from Southern Utah University. Throughout my career, I have spent the majority of my time teaching preschool and kindergarten, where I focus on creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for every child.
I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Utah for college, falling in love with the West and deciding to stay. Outside of the classroom, I am married and the proud mom of four amazing kids. I enjoy group exercise, walking, traveling, trying new recipes, organizing, and—most of all—spending quality time with my family.
"At Smarty Pants Preschool, my goal is to help each child feel safe, confident, and excited to learn, while building strong academic and social foundations that will last a lifetime."
Thoughtfully designed to prepare children for kindergarten by supporting whole-child growth—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Each student begins with individual assessments across multiple domains, aligned with Utah Core Standards. This allows us to meet children where they are and intentionally guide their growth.
Children learn best through play. We use a strategic, play-based learning approach where play is intentionally woven throughout our day to spark curiosity.
Our students learn fundamental math concepts such as:
We focus on phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds—which is one of the strongest predictors of future reading success.
Our instruction is hands-on and multi-sensory. Children learn through movement, songs, stories, and games. This helps children develop strong listening skills and early decoding skills without pressure.
Children are immersed in a print-rich environment where books, letters, and words are naturally woven into the day.
Social and emotional learning is a daily focus. We are intentional in teaching these important life skills:
We believe learning should be meaningful. Homework is designed to support family time rather than replace it. Students are offered a choice board of activities, allowing children to select tasks that interest them most.
For students who are developmentally ready, a take-home reading program is available with appropriately leveled materials. We also encourage tracking shared reading minutes at home to foster a lifelong love of books.
At Smarty Pants Preschool, our classroom is bright, clean, and thoughtfully organized to create a welcoming space where children feel comfortable and inspired to learn. Every corner is designed to encourage curiosity.
Flexible class options designed to meet the needs of families.
A one-time supply fee of $85 is required at enrollment. This fee secures your child’s spot and helps cover classroom materials and supplies used throughout the year.
Smarty Pants Preschool follows the Alpine School District Calendar for holidays and breaks.
Tap the "Download PDF" button above if the calendar doesn't appear on your phone.
"We feel grateful to have found Ms. Dawn for our daughter. Ms. Dawn is such a wonderful teacher and her experience and passion for teaching makes her so special. My daughter loved her time at school and I knew she was in the best care. My daughter thrived in her class. I would choose her preschool program again and again."
- Bradley Wilson
"Ms. Dawn is one of our favorite teachers! She has taught 2 of my kids (one for kindergarten and one for preschool) and both have absolutely loved her. She is very sweet with the kids and communicates well with the parents. The classroom is very clean. My preschooler attended Smarty Pants preschool last year and the start of this school year until we moved. We absolutely loved all the fun field trips and class parties. The curriculum is age appropriate and my daughter felt so proud to learn to write her name and also choose her own “homework” activities. I would recommend Ms. Dawn to anyone looking for a preschool."
- Kellee Ika
"Ms Dawn’s preschool is the perfect place for your preschooler. Her curriculum is the perfect blend of play, hands-on skill building, and learning. No one is more qualified to prepare your kiddo for Kindergarten than Ms Dawn because of her experience as a kindergarten teacher. My little boy built a great academic foundation, made so many friends, and looked forward to the local field trips every month! Ms Dawn creates the ideal social and learning environment at her preschool for a seamless transition to kindergarten!"
- Kimber Rodeback
"I wholeheartedly recommend Smarty Pants preschool program. Now in our second year with my daughter, we’ve watched her grow in an environment that strikes the perfect balance for this age. Dawn is great at blending thoughtfully designed activities, play, and crafts into a perfect introduction to school—exactly the kind of experience I hoped for. The program gives opportunities for learning beyond the classroom and offers ways for parents to stay involved. It has been such a positive journey that I have already enrolled my son for next year. Highly recommended!"
- Laura Tom