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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 pursuing certification as a functional health 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 & Preschool Teacher
Lynsey began her career at Early Learning Matters in 2006. She started as an Assistant Teacher and was promoted to Lead Teacher in 2009. In 2014, Lynsey was promoted to Assistant Director and continued to maintain her role in the classroom. She recently accepted the challenge of the role of Creative Curriculum Specialist and will be planning and overseeing the Creative Play space, as well as continuing to teach in the Preschool classroom. Lynsey graduated from Oregon State University with a Liberal Arts Degree. She worked in special education for 12 years prior to joining the ELM team. Lynsey brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her classroom.
She lives in Hillsboro with her two children. Lynsey grew up in the Portland area and maintains close ties with her family and church. She volunteers in the choir and is a regular deacon. She is passionate about maintaining a safe and loving environment where children learn through exploration and discovery.
Honiwell Inocencio: Pre-K & Kindergarten Teacher
Honiwell joined Early Learning Matters in the Kindergarten and Pre-K Sequoia Room in 2022. Earlier in her career she worked as a Teacher in Hawaii for 7 years. Following her move to Oregon, she worked as a Lead Preschool and Pre-K teacher for another 4 years. During the pandemic Honiwell had the unique opportunity to serve as a Distant Learning Lead Teacher, overseeing three schools. She holds an AS degree in Early Childhood Education.
Honiwell lives in Hillsboro with her husband and her dog. She enjoys attending concerts, comedy shows, thrifting, and sporting events. Theme parks and adventure sports are right up her alley! Whenever she gets the chance, she enjoys visiting friends and family in her hometown in 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.
Beatriz Musnicki: Floating Teacher and Administrative Assistant
Beatriz works with all the teachers and students at ELM as a floating teacher. She adds support to the Creative Play Space and helps with administrative projects. Her enthusiasm for learning and her ability to be flexible and productive makes this the perfect fit for Beatriz.
Beatriz had her youngest at ELM served as a volunteer and substitute teacher in the classrooms during this time. She was later hired at ELM as an Assistant teacher and served in this capacity for a few years. She has multiple years of experience volunteering in her older son’s school.
Beatriz has lived in Oregon for the past 10 plus years. She and her husband have two sons together. She loves the outdoors, hiking, fitness, and supporting her family in all their many endeavors.
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.