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The ELM Team
Kandy Dicken: Owner/Executive Director
Executive Director/Owner
Kandy began Early Learning Matters in 2005 and remains the sole owner. She currently serves as the Executive Director and leads the teaching staff at ELM. Her past professional experience includes public school teaching in grades ranging from Kindergarten through 6th. Kandy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development from Warner Pacific College. She later received a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Pacific University in Forest Grove.
She has served as a certified facilitator for Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and the 7 Habits Signature Program for adults. Kandy’s passion is creating an environment where strengths are discovered and nurtured. She currently serves as an Ambassador for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and is a certified functional medicine practitioner.
Kandy resides in Hillsboro and her hobbies include traveling, photography, hiking, group fitness classes, dancing, and spending time with her family.
Kim Helmer-Dias: Director of Operations
Kim joined Early Learning Matters in 2016 and has recently transitioned to the role of Director of Operations. Her journey with ELM began as a classroom volunteer and substitute teacher while her sons attended the program. Kim's passion for early childhood education ignited in 2007 when she volunteered at a chimpanzee sanctuary, where she delivered educational presentations to Girl Scout troops and elementary schools.
From 2018 to 2022, Kim served as Lead Teacher in the Sequoia Room, where she applied her knowledge from various courses on the 7 Habits, NAEYC seminars, along with High Scope and the Core Curriculum framework, which enriched her approach to teaching both at ELM and in other classrooms during the sanctuary educational presentations. Prior to her teaching experience, and currently, Kim works as a Certified Veterinary Technician and holds an Associate of Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from PCC.
In her new role, Kim will oversee enrollment, administrative tracking, outreach, parent support, and collaborate for smooth day-to-day operations at ELM. She is excited to partner with the team to continue improving and growing the school.
Kim lives in Hillsboro with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Her hobbies include crafting, traveling, camping, visiting the coast, and participating in local activities. She also spends much of her time on the sidelines of baseball fields or in a snack shack while supporting her kids' teams. Kim feels grateful to be part of the ELM community and looks forward to nurturing the young minds within it for years to come.
Lynsey Matykowski: Creative Curriculum Specialist & Kindergarten and Pre-K Teacher
Lynsey joined Early Learning Matters in 2006 as an Assistant Teacher and was promoted to Lead Teacher in 2009. Today, Lynsey serves as ELM's Creative Curriculum Specialist and Pre-K/Kindergarten Teacher. In this role, she oversees the planning and implementation of the Creative Play space while continuing to teach in the classroom.
Lynsey graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Liberal Arts and spent 12 years working in special education before joining ELM. She brings more than 20 years of teaching experience to her role.
She is passionate about creating safe, supportive learning environments where children can learn through exploration, discovery, and meaningful relationships.
Lynsey lives in Hillsboro with her two children. She maintains strong ties to her family and church community, where she volunteers in the choir and serves as a deacon.
Honiwell Inocencio: Preschool Teacher
Honiwell joined Early Learning Matters in 2022 as Lead Teacher in the Sequoia Room, serving Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten students. She recently transitioned to the Preschool classroom.
Her educational career began in Hawaii, where she worked as an Assistant Teacher for seven years. After relocating to Oregon, she spent four additional years as a Lead Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Teacher.
During the pandemic, Honiwell served as a Distance Learning Lead Teacher, overseeing programming across three schools. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and brings extensive classroom experience, flexibility, and enthusiasm to her role.
Honiwell lives in Hillsboro with her husband and dog. She enjoys concerts, comedy shows, sporting events, thrifting, theme parks, adventure sports, and visiting family and friends in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Damaris Bezares: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Damaris joined Early Learning Matters in 2017. She serves as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in the Elderberry Room. Prior to ELM, she served as a Pre-K Teacher in Middleton, WI for 8 years. Damaris has a B.S. in Office Administration from the University of Puerto Rico. In addition, she has taken many classes and trainings in Early Childhood Education. Damaris is fluent in Spanish and has specialized in working with dual-language students. She loves unraveling the uniqueness of each child and would not trade teaching for anything.
Damaris lives in Beaverton with her husband, two daughters, and Chispi (the family dog). She loves taking her family to the park, to the beach, swimming, and exploring new places. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Her hobbies include spending time with friends, cooking, baking, and travel.
Nicole Schnell: Preschool Teacher and ELM Party Coordinator
Nicole has served as a Preschool Teacher at ELM since 2018. She recently assumed the position of ELM Party Coordinator and handles all of ELM’s birthday parties from start to finish. She is also leading mini camps in areas of her passion, such as gardening and art.
Prior to joining ELM, Nicole worked as a Managing Partner at Sunset Lanes and KingPins Portland, where she was responsible for staff development, customer relations, and employee communications. Nicole worked closely with Sunset Lane’s teenage staff to develop leadership skills, along with preparing and training them for promotions and other career opportunities. Nicole is known for her volunteer work, especially her dedication to the arts and the Special Olympics. Throughout the last 15 years Nicole has volunteered for SMART reader, The Boys and Girls Club, and has worked closely with the Special Olympics and their annual bowling tournament. After working in her children’s co-op preschools and teaching Art Literature at her local elementary school, Nicole knew early education is where she belongs.
You can often find Nicole in her backyard gardening, spending quality time with family, chasing one of her pups, or corralling her chickens. Did we mention that Nicole loves animals? Nicole also enjoys crafting and loves to spend her free time making gifts for her friends, along with selling them at local community markets.
Taylor Hert: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Taylor joined Early Learning Matters in 2022. In addition to teaching at ELM, she serves as a cheer coach at Legacy Athletics. Taylor has lots of experience working with children of all ages in a variety of settings. She has coached ages ranging from 5-18 over the past 5 years. She has also served as a nanny, providing care for 3 children. She is a graduate of Glencoe High School and a USASF Certified Coach.
Taylor lives in Hillsboro with her family, their dog Walker, and their chickens. She spends her free time with family and friends, exploring new places, baking, and reading. She also loves making arts and crafts whenever given the chance.
Mary Gildenmeister: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teacher
We are excited to welcome Mary to the ELM staff this year. She will be serving as a Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teacher. All three of her children attended ELM and the last just graduated. Mary holds an Oregon Teaching License. She has a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies focused on Early Childhood-4thGrade. In addition, Mary earned an M.A. in Reading. She has taught in both public and private schools in Oregon and Colorado. In addition, Mary serves in the children’s ministry at her church.
Mary lives in Hillsboro with her husband and three kids. Mary enjoys being active with her family and exploring the PNW through running, hiking, camping, and fishing. She also enjoys a good cup of coffee or tea and curling up with a good book. Mary enjoys being creative and crafting.
