Kiddie Academy of Daybreak

Kristina Sutherland

Director of Education

Nina Sutherland has dedicated over 20 years to Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Since beginning her career in 2006, she has served as an educator, leader, and advocate for young children, including as an anti-bullying leader and Future Woodring College of Education Program Scholar. As Director of Education, Nina brings expertise in supporting children of all abilities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education and is passionate about creating safe, nurturing learning environments while mentoring educators to become confident, effective classroom leaders. Outside of work, Nina enjoys spending time with her husband, their service dog Bear, and their four children. She also loves creative arts and visual arts. Her favorite children's book, Island of the Blue Dolphins, reflects the values she brings to her work each day: resilience, independence, lifelong learning, and a love of nature.

Lexi Bennett

Pre-school Curriculum Specialist

Hi! I’m Lexi Bennett, and I’ve been working in early childhood education for over four years. During that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with children of all ages, from infants to school-age, and I truly love helping them learn, grow, and discover the world around them. I joined Kiddie Academy of Herriman in 2023-24 as a toddler educator before moving into the preschool classroom.  As the Preschool program specialist, I am responsible for ensuring the highest quality preschool experience for children ages 2–5 by supporting educators in delivering engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences. I oversees curriculum implementation, lesson planning, and school readiness initiatives while coaching teachers to provide exceptional instruction. My aim is to create consistent, enriching preschool programs that foster academic, social-emotional, and lifelong learning success. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the Kiddie Academy family and helping children develop a lifelong love for learning everyday. 

Kelsi Hille

Infants and Toddlers Curriculum Specialist

I began my educational journey in 2019 at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe, North Carolina, studying Early Childhood Education. I recently earned my NAC certification as of February 2026.  I am dedicated to providing our youngest learners with the very best start in life. I work closely with our infant and toddler educators to ensure every classroom delivers nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and engaging learning experiences that support each child's cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development. By partnering with families and supporting our teaching team, I intend to consistently provide exceptional early learning experiences during the most important years of a child's development.   In my downtime, I enjoy reading, horseback riding, taking spontaneous trips with my spouse and baking. 

Bella Blackmer

Professional Development Coordinator

My name is Bella Blackmer. I have nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education, bringing a deep background as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), a Behavior Analyst Intern, and most recently, a Behavior Consultant. Across the 3 Utah Kiddie Academies, I ensure every educator is equipped to provide exceptional care and education from their very first day. I lead the onboarding of new team members, delivers ongoing training and coaching, conducts classroom observations, and supports educators in implementing Kiddie Academy's Life Essentials® curriculum and best practices. Partnering with Academy Directors and teachers, I assist in ensuring every child receives a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning experience. Originally from California, I relocated to Utah four years ago. My husband and I welcomed our first baby in December 2025. eing a new mother has given me an even deeper appreciation for the milestone moments that we celebrate here at Kiddie Academy.