Preschool & Pre-K at INSPIRE
2026-2027 Programs
Where Performing Arts Meets Education
At INSPIRE Preschool, we are dedicated to preparing our students for Kindergarten by immersing them in a rich variety of performing arts, including music, dance, theatre, and tumbling. Our programs are designed to build character and confidence, ensuring academic and social readiness for school. Through engaging activities, children experience the joy and importance of learning, practicing, and performing.
Our structured learning environment encourages exploration and discovery through music, dance, and interactive centers focused on letter recognition, math, motor skills, reading, and art. Children also enjoy snack preparation, crafts, and group circle time, fostering a well-rounded educational experience.
Research consistently links music study to academic achievement and brain development. As schools increasingly remove arts from their curricula, INSPIRE is committed to reintegrating music, movement, and the arts into education, providing a strong educational foundation centered around creativity and expression.
Meet the Teachers
Julie Buckley
Preschool Teacher
Julie Buckley is happily married for 43 years with four boys and 6 grandchildren. Julie has taught the Preschool program here at INSPIRE for the past 5 years. Julie has 18 years of experience as an elementary instructional interventionist and teacher assistant in the Mesa Public Schools. She has worked in the Title 1 reading Lab with the most up to date researched techniques for reading development. She also has experience teaching Montessori preschool. She has certifications in Dibels Next State Testing; Phonemic Awareness; Group Comprehension and Fluency Strategies; and Diagnostic Intervention for Struggling Readers. She knows the importance of vocabulary and oral language in developing reading comprehension and math skills.
Julie has always had a love of music, gymnastics and art. As a youth she was in the Honor Choir, a State Gymnast, and Cheerleader. She grew up in Mesa and graduated top 20 in her class from Westwood High School. Julie has loved spending the majority of her life serving as a church primary music leader, teacher and choir director. She also was a Cub Scout den leader for 5 years. She performed for 16 years in a Community choir. Julie loves to sew, golf, play pickleball, sing, and play with her grandchildren.
She is a friendly and energetic teacher who enjoys helping children learn through music and movement. She loves to encourage her students with hands-on manipulatives while learning reading and math skills. As an educator and Grandmother, Julie is eager to guide your child in creative and fun ways so your child will beg to go to school!
Heather Morris
Preschool Arts Teacher
Heather has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She began her dance training at Campbell’s Dance Studio and raised her daughters in dance there as well. Heather is still teaching many Combo classes and is the most requested Combo teacher at INSPIRE due to her experience and patience with the littles. They all love Ms. Heather. She has helped hundreds of kids get their start in dance.
Heather is the INSPIRE Preschool Performing Arts Lead, as well as one of the Summer Camp Leads. She organizes many studio performances in those roles. She is a versatile teacher trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Music Theatre, Hip Hop, and Tumbling.
Heather is the Assistant Director of the INSPIRE Dance Academy which usually has around 70 kids ages 5-18. She oversees the Gilbert Days Parade performance every year and organizes many community performances as well. Heather is a hair dresser in her spare time, has 4 kids of her own, and her favorite thing is being a Grammie.
