Kiddie Academy of Herriman

Bella Blackmer

Professsional 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. 

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. 

Ms. Stephanie Kanagaratnam

Academy Director

My name is Stephanie Kanagaratnam. I have been in the early childhood education field for over 15 years and both of my children grew up in the setting. I began as an Academy Director about 10 years ago as I completed my associate and bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education. This includes opening and operating a brand-new Goddard school in Las Vegas. I take pride in bringing quality education to our students during this critical time of development by creating a positive school culture of consistency and routine. Seeing children learn and thrive is a passion that drives me every day as I do what I love. My children and I relocated to Sandy, Utah a year ago from Las Vegas, NV with my children. I enjoy weightlifting at the gym, reading, and creative writing to reset each day.

Diana Vidarte

Director of Education

I am originally from Colombia and have been a resident of Utah for the past 11 years. I am deeply committed to supporting young children during the most critical stages of their development. My experience as a kindergarten teacher has strengthened my passion for early education and has allowed me to foster children’s academic, social, and emotional growth while building their confidence and love for learning. I have worked in early intervention and special education, providing support to children with diverse needs and collaborating closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams. I am dedicated to creating positive, inclusive environments and to strengthening partnerships with both families and staff to ensure that every child receives the support necessary to thrive.Children are the driving force behind my work. My professional goal is to contribute to nurturing, learning communities where children, families, and educators can succeed and together.