- buttercuphill@gmail.com
Our Teachers
The staff at Buttercup Hill combines top education with years of early childhood experience to provide an exceptional learning environment for young children.
Sarah Reichle
Director
Teaching at Buttercup since 1994
-BS Business and Management, U of P
-MAT Early Childhood/Elementary Education, George Fox University
Buttercup has been part of Sarah’s life for as long as she can remember. Her mother, Gloria Rice, founded the school, and Sarah grew up alongside it. Today she carries that legacy forward in a school that has been part of the Salem community for more than 55 years. Making sure every child’s learning needs are met is one of her top priorities and deepest passions.
Outside of school, Sarah spends time with her husband, three sons, and dog. She loves just about anything outdoors, including gardening, running, hiking, biking, skiing on water or snow, and backpacking. When there’s a Ducks or Beavers game on, you’ll find her in the stands.
Jami Nelson
Transitional-Kindergarten
Teaching at Buttercup since 2013
-MS Human Development and Family Science, (Minor: Childhood Development) OSU
-MAT Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Concordia University
Jami grew up in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Oregon after college, where she met her husband. She has been pouring her heart into Buttercup’s classrooms ever since.
At home, Jami and her husband are raising two kids and a labradoodle. She volunteers at her children’s elementary school and is happiest organizing something with a good podcast playing. The family loves exploring Oregon, road-tripping to Idaho to see family, and sneaking away to Disneyland.
Katie Goetsch
Transitional-Kindergarten
Teaching at Buttercup since 2019
Studied Early Childhood Devlopment at WSU, Pullman
Katie grew up on a small family dairy farm near Spokane, Washington. At Washington State University she met her husband, and his career set off a whirlwind of moves: Louisiana, Idaho, Wisconsin, Colorado, and British Columbia. They finally landed in Oregon, where they’re raising their two children, both Buttercup alumni.
In the classroom, Katie is a master of structure and routine. Her expectations are clear and consistent, and her students rise to meet them. Days in her room run smoothly, and children leave confident and ready for kindergarten.
Zoe Jundt
Transitional-Kindergarten
Teaching at Buttercup Hill since 2021
Zoe was born and raised on the Oregon coast, in North Bend and Newport. She and her husband, Chris, have two daughters, Paige and Molly, and two furry family members, Miller and Penny. They love the Salem community and feel lucky to have lots of family nearby.
Zoe gardens indoors and out, volunteers at her daughters’ school, and spends plenty of weekends camping, fishing, and hunting with her family.
Hannah Rice
Transitional-Kindergarten
BA in Liberal Studies/Business Management, University of Redlands
Hannah grew up in Portland and spent four years at the University of Redlands in Southern California, where she played on the women’s soccer team. She has run Buttercup’s summer camps for the past two years and is thrilled to now be teaching here.
Buttercup is a family affair for Hannah. She’s the granddaughter of founder Gloria Rice and the niece of director Sarah Reichle, and the school holds a special place in her heart. In her free time she loves running, hiking, skiing, grabbing coffee with friends, or curling up with a good book.
Linden Doxtader
Preschool
BS in Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University
Linden brings a big heart and a rich background in family support services, trauma-informed care, and early childhood education. She’s especially passionate about nurturing social-emotional growth through the arts, and she loves dreaming up creative activities that help her students thrive.
Outside of Buttercup, you’ll likely find her painting, sewing, cooking something delicious, or hiking with her partner, Abi.
Teaching at Buttercup since 2021
Allison Saucy
Music and Preschool
Teaching at Buttercup since 2021
BA in Theatre, Willamette University
Allie is a mom of three, wife of one, and human to four cats. Before joining Buttercup, she spent nearly a decade teaching early childhood music and movement classes to little ones and their grownups.
Now that her boys are old enough that she’s no longer driving them all over town, Allie spends her free time tending her houseplants and doing her best to read (or listen!) her way through the entire library.
Heather Gunter
Preschool
Teaching at Buttercup since 2021
Heather is originally from Southern Oregon, where she spent many years working with children of all ages, mostly as a reading specialist. Heather is originally from Southern Oregon, where she spent many years working with children of all ages, mostly as a reading specialist. Art is her specialty, and she loves bringing the natural world into her classroom, so leaves, pinecones, and backyard treasures often turn into the day’s lesson or masterpiece.
Heather is a loving wife and mom to one son, and she spends her time off walking her three dogs and tackling DIY projects.
Tiffany Perez
Preschool
Teaching at Buttercup since 2015
-MS Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, WOU
-BS Rehabilitation Services, FSU
Tiffany is originally from Florida but has lived in Oregon ever since college, so she considers herself a true Oregonian. She has a gift for play. She jumps right in alongside her students and sparks their imaginations, turning everyday moments into adventures.
At home, Tiffany and her husband have three daughters and two dogs, and the family loves spending time outdoors, especially at Ducks football games.