Our Staff

High Desert Leapin' Lizards staff is comprised of more than 30 individuals, made up of administrators, site supervisors, teacher staff and program assistants, all of whom have a strong desire to make a positive difference in a child's life. Our staff are selected based on strict criteria, and go through professional background screening. Our staff are rigorously trained throughout the year. All staff are trained in first aid and emergency procedures.

Program Administration

Denise Allen - Program Director-in-Training

Denise Allen is our Program Director. As the Program Director for High Desert Leapin' Lizards, Denise provides administrative leadership and program oversight for 6 program sites that impact over 330 children in Ridgecrest. Denise has her Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University, as well as an Associates of Science in Child Development.

Kristina French

Kristina French has been the Program Director for High Desert Leapin' Lizards since July 2005 and has been working with the State Preschool Programs since 1999. Kristina is currently completing her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies from California State University of Bakersfield and holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Development with a specialization in Early Childhood Education as well as an Associate's degree in Child Development. During her professional experience, Kristina has worked at the State Preschool Programs as both a Teacher and subsequently as a Site Supervisor, developing and managing quality programs that prepare children for kindergarten. Most recently, Kristina has been a Program Director for State Preschool Programs for over 10 years.

Kristina is a leader in the field of child development and has dedicated her life's work to advocating for capacity building in our community. She currently serves on the Eastern Sierra Association for the Education of Young Children and helps provide many training's as well as making resources readily available for our community. Her work in the community has helped Ridgecrest secure resources for professional development and supported networking opportunities for all child development programs in Ridgecrest. Kristina has also presented at numerous conferences throughout California focusing on various areas of Child Development, including training on promoting contact between children and nature in the classroom and outdoors, strategic process for working with young children that display challenging behaviors, and literacy rich environment and activities in the preschool classroom. Kristina is passionate about advocating for children, families and early childhood education programs in the community by building capacity through improved performance, enhanced programs, and inspired systemic change.

Laura Coffee, Program Administrator

Laura Coffee has been working with High Desert Leapin' Lizards, supervising programs for over 10 years. She began her work in child development in 1992 and has worked as a Teacher Aid, Teacher, and Center Director, impacting both preschool and school age children through developmentally appropriate, quality programs for almost 20 years. Laura has an Associate's degree in Child Development and holds a Child Development Site Supervisor permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Laura is responsible for the planning, training and supervision of the State Preschool Program and Afterschool Programs all year-round.