Administration

I have been a member of the Auraria Campus and the AELC community for almost 18 years. Starting at the Center in August 2003 as a student employee, I graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2007 and joined the Center full-time, first as a Supervising Teacher in the Toddler Program and then as a Young Preschool Teacher. 

As a member of the staff at the AELC, I love our community, the culture, the diversity, my colleagues, and feel like it is exactly where I belong. Throughout my career at the AELC, I have expanded my education, earning my Directors Qualification, married the love of my life, and had two children, both of whom went through the program at the Center. In March 2021, I had the opportunity to lead the place that inspired me to continue the path of early childhood education and became Director of the AELC. 

I enjoy cooking and creating new recipes with my husband and kids—we love the kitchen! I also enjoy bringing those I love together by hosting parties and large gatherings, listening to podcasts, crafting, and reading a good book. 

Hi, my name is Rachel Ruiz, and I am the Assistant Director at the AELC. I started at the Center in 2014 as a Supervising Teacher, moved into Operations Coordinator, then Program Coordinator before becoming the Assistant Director. My love for education began at an early age when I first worked as a nanny and eventually started teaching. I received my bachelor's degree from University of Colorado Denver and then went on to earn a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and in Educational Leadership, both from Grand Canyon University. I enjoy working on the Auraria Campus and love our community at the AELC! I am a Colorado native, and enjoy all the mountains have to offer! I love to go camping, fishing, hiking, and bike riding with my family, or staying home and watching a good movie or reading. 

Hello! I am Emily Milbauer, the Program Coordinator at the AELC. I have done a little of everything in early childhood before finding my way here. I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Elementary Education and Studio Art. I fell into school age before/after school and summer programs after graduation and haven’t wanted to work in a school district since. I have experience with children from birth to twelve years old, in large and small communities, at for-profit and nonprofit centers, where I have served as a lead teacher and a supporting teacher. I am also a parent myself. Somewhere along my career path, I discovered a passion for leading staff, teaching other teachers, and working with parents, which led me to the AELC. I love to read and sew in my free time, and I am almost always taking some continuing education courses. 

Hi there! My name is Amber Eddy-Martinez, the Operations Coordinator at the AELC. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Development and Education and a specialization in Infant and Toddler Development from The University of Connecticut. During my studies, I volunteered with non-profit centers and had the chance to student-teach at UConn’s child lab. Following graduation, I started my career as an Infant/Toddler teacher at Dartmouth College’s child care center. After relocating to Denver, I taught at a few private preschools before finding my way to AELC.

Originally from Southern California, I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in all sorts of outdoor activities here in colorful Colorado. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family, listening to music from around the world, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.