Our Roots Family
Aysha Carter
Owner/Director & Lead Guide
Career Highlights: Aysha has demonstrated multifaceted leadership prowess across diverse domains, including metalsmithing, art education, and childcare business advocacy. Her unwavering passion is to infuse the world with a profound sense of wonder and boundless optimism. She has notably served as a lead parent educator for Gentle Parents Unite, where her sphere of influence extended to a community exceeding 70,000 members. Leveraging her K-12 Art Education teaching license, Aysha has delivered art education at various schools within the Gallatin Valley. As the secretary and Vice President of the MSU Metalsmithing guild, she meticulously curated numerous art shows and exhibitions, alongside spearheading a myriad of independent art showcases and trade exhibitions. Over the past decade, Aysha has steered Roots as a lead educator and a certified Infant/Toddler and Preschool teacher within the Gallatin Valley.
Special Skills: Aysha epitomizes the versatility of a "jack of all trades," channeling her exceptional skills with unwavering intent to address any challenge that arises. Her diverse skill set encompasses tasks ranging from constructing and repairing fences to imparting calming techniques to agitated toddlers, crafting uniquely designed cakes to brighten a child's day, and crafting bespoke creations within her wood shop and metals studio. Each endeavor reflects her commitment to instilling joy and laughter in the lives of those fortunate enough to cross her path.
Passions: Aysha's fervor extends to volunteering and metaphorically extending the table to accommodate all. She is dedicated to nurturing a deep appreciation for art solely for its intrinsic value, fostering mental health, championing play-based education, and advocating for the therapeutic power of art.
Free Time Activities: During her leisure moments, Aysha revels in exploring quaint towns and distinctive geographic locales with her children. She is an avid traveler, with a particular penchant for basking in the tranquil ambiance of beachfront destinations.
Childhood Pursuits: In her formative years, Aysha cherished bonding with family over culinary endeavors. She fondly recalls adventurous camping trips, tending to gardens, casting lines for fishing, and embarking on daring swims towards the heart of Koocanusa Reservoir, occasionally punctuated by amusing trepidation of encountering a mythical Loch Ness monster.
Personal Philosophy: Aysha's guiding ethos is intricately woven with Linda Ellis' poignant poem, "The Dash." She believes that the essence of one's life, represented by the dash between birth and departure dates, is comprehended solely by those whose lives have been profoundly touched and transformed through personal connections.
Alexa Noriega
Lead Infant Guide
Career Highlights: Lexa is driven by an unwavering passion for childcare, with a specialized focus on nurturing infants and young toddlers. Her daily satisfaction is derived from witnessing the radiance in the eyes of these tiny individuals as they encounter the world under her guidance. Lexa's most fulfilling work revolves around facilitating their self-discovery journey and fostering an understanding of the world that surrounds them.
Special Skills: Lexa possesses an innate ability to connect with young children on a deeply personal level, offering them invaluable one-on-one interactions, especially during challenging moments. Her approach is holistic, considering the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of each child. She demonstrates a remarkable capacity for making informed decisions regarding environmental adjustments that facilitate their holistic growth.
Passions: Outside of her professional pursuits, Lexa devotes her time to her cherished daughter, sharing a profound love for outdoor adventures and embarking on invigorating hikes with their beloved canine companion.
Childhood Pursuits: During her adolescent years, Lexa reveled in the simple joys of spending quality time with her siblings. Summer breaks at the pool and splash park were eagerly anticipated, with shared cans of soda, diligently scrounged from loose change found throughout the house, creating cherished memories of their best days.
Personal Philosophy: Lexa's life philosophy revolves around appreciating every moment and valuing the relationships that reciprocate love. She understands the significance of not taking anything for granted, emphasizing the importance of nurturing bonds with those who hold genuine affection for us.
Alicia Dyogi
Preschool Guide
Career Highlights: Alicia embarked on her educational journey by pursuing an undergraduate degree in art education and French, with a distinct emphasis on psychology. During a brief hiatus from her studies, she dedicated herself to cultivating her unique artistic techniques and styles. Alicia's career has been marked by her leadership in a childcare classroom at a prominent facility in Bozeman, before joining our close-knit Roots Family. Her professional trajectory also includes a stint as a media consultant and representative for her sorority, where she actively engaged with children in various educational roles.
Special Skills: Alicia boasts fluency in the French language, a proficiency she has honed since her initiation in 7th grade. Her lifelong passion for the language and overseas studies has enriched her linguistic aptitude.
Passions: Alicia's heart is firmly rooted in community service. She seamlessly integrated volunteering into her upbringing, and this commitment continued to flourish during her college years, where her involvement in her sorority provided numerous avenues for community engagement.
Free Time Pursuits: In her leisure moments, Alicia finds solace in the realms of literature, creative expression, music appreciation, and immersive game playing. Her penchant for relaxation often leads her to the gentle sway of her hammock, where she can be found "swinging life away."
Childhood Pursuits: From a young age, Alicia exhibited a creative spirit by crafting her own books and magazines. Her fascination with the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" ignited a passion for fashion, prompting her to create fashion magazines on the Barbie website. She even persuaded her mother to accompany her to the corner store for the sole purpose of printing her creations.
Personal Philosophy: Alicia's guiding principle is a belief in the inevitability of destiny: "Everything that is meant for you will eventually find you."
Madison Godfrey
Supporting Guide
Career Highlights: Prior to her invaluable role within the Roots family, Madison's career path included the distinguished roles of Aquatics Director in Washington State and Assistant Aquatics Manager for the city of Bozeman. Her expertise in aquatic management has been a cornerstone of her professional journey.
Special Skills: Madison possesses a unique talent for combining singing and dancing with the art of baking cookies. While she modestly describes the outcome as less than aesthetically pleasing, she insists that the experience is exceptionally enjoyable.
Passions: Madison is a fervent advocate for water safety and the invaluable skill of swimming. She firmly believes that swimming is a life-saving skill and is dedicated to imparting this knowledge to others. Her passion extends to her role as a mother and her genuine desire to assist those in need.
Free Time Pursuits: During her leisure hours, Madison finds solace in savoring a cup of coffee, delving into the pages of a good book, embarking on scenic drives, and immersing herself in the great outdoors.
Childhood Pursuits: In her formative years, Madison's zest for the outdoors was evident as she enthusiastically embraced activities such as biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, camping, boating, and even dancing in the rain. Any opportunity to connect with the natural world held immense appeal for her.
Personal Philosophy: Madison's life philosophy is beautifully encapsulated in the following mantra: "Accept what is, Let go of what was, Have faith in what will be." This unwavering belief in embracing the present, releasing the past, and placing trust in the future is a guiding principle that resonates throughout her life.