We are blessed to have an amazing staff whom we also call family. All are thoroughly screened by the FL Department of Children & Families; FDLE; & the FBI as free of abuse or neglect charges and previous criminal record. All are DCF/OEL/CCEI trained, CPR/FA certified. We have a combination of teachers who hold a CDA, an AA, or BS in Early Childhood Education and Social Work. All are required to complete continuing education in-service hours yearly.
It is our policy that under no circumstances will a potential candidate or staff member be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, individual needs, socioeconomic status, appearance, religion, or cultural background. All employees are treated equally in the hiring process and throughout daily operations.
It is our policy that under no circumstances will a potential candidate or staff member be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, individual needs, socioeconomic status, appearance, religion, or cultural background. All employees are treated equally in the hiring process and throughout daily operations.
OWNERS & DIRECTOR: Miss Lisa and Mister Craig
Lisa Gladwell was born in WV, but grew up in OH. Lisa has over 35 years experience as a Preschool Teacher; Head Start Teacher; Public School Teacher in OH (all grades); as a Daycare Director in both TN and MI; as a Regional Coordinator, Adult Instructor, and Instructor Assessor of the WV Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist program, a statewide training opportunity for early childhood teachers; as a FL Child Welfare Protective Investigator; and as a Family Services Counselor/Case Manager. Lisa completed an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education at Lorain County Community College (Elyria, OH); a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Cleveland State University); and a Masters License in Early Childhood Special Education (Cleveland State University), specializing in Autism. Lisa has served on several professional development advisory boards; university articulation agreement boards; on the WV ACDS Executive Council; and has co-chaired the WV ACDS Cabell County Local Council. Lisa has been published several times and has an avid interest in writing for children. Lisa has also lived in NY and MI. Native Michigander, Craig Gladwell, is retired from retail and restaurant chain management. Lisa and Craig enjoy traveling to South Lake Tahoe to spend time with daughter Lindsay and grandson Mason. Lisa and Craig also enjoy motorcycle riding, a friendly MS vs. OSU/Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns/Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians rivalry, and are the parents of 4 silly "fur" children: Beulah, Birdie, White Kitty, and Jesse.
Lisa Gladwell was born in WV, but grew up in OH. Lisa has over 35 years experience as a Preschool Teacher; Head Start Teacher; Public School Teacher in OH (all grades); as a Daycare Director in both TN and MI; as a Regional Coordinator, Adult Instructor, and Instructor Assessor of the WV Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist program, a statewide training opportunity for early childhood teachers; as a FL Child Welfare Protective Investigator; and as a Family Services Counselor/Case Manager. Lisa completed an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education at Lorain County Community College (Elyria, OH); a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Cleveland State University); and a Masters License in Early Childhood Special Education (Cleveland State University), specializing in Autism. Lisa has served on several professional development advisory boards; university articulation agreement boards; on the WV ACDS Executive Council; and has co-chaired the WV ACDS Cabell County Local Council. Lisa has been published several times and has an avid interest in writing for children. Lisa has also lived in NY and MI. Native Michigander, Craig Gladwell, is retired from retail and restaurant chain management. Lisa and Craig enjoy traveling to South Lake Tahoe to spend time with daughter Lindsay and grandson Mason. Lisa and Craig also enjoy motorcycle riding, a friendly MS vs. OSU/Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns/Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians rivalry, and are the parents of 4 silly "fur" children: Beulah, Birdie, White Kitty, and Jesse.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Miss Debbie
Debbie Lowery is an Air Force brat who was born in Washington, while her family is primarily from Boston. Debbie graduated 4th in a class of 12 at a High School in Labrador, Canada. As a military wife, Debbie has also lived in various other places, such as Africa and Spain, as well as nearly every US state . Debbie has 5 wonderful children: Danielle; Jeremy; Robert; Chris; and Hunter. She also has 7 grandchildren! Debbie's teaching experiences includes teaching both younger children and VPK. Debbie loves teaching; in particular she enjoys seeing the children's faces light up they learn something new. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys spending time with all of her children and grandchildren, crocheting, and she is a talented charcoal artist! She also has an avid interest in essential oils and spends a good deal of free time teaching others about the health benefits. Debbie's "fur babies" include a blue male Beta Fish named Violet and a pet rock named Clyde!
Debbie Lowery is an Air Force brat who was born in Washington, while her family is primarily from Boston. Debbie graduated 4th in a class of 12 at a High School in Labrador, Canada. As a military wife, Debbie has also lived in various other places, such as Africa and Spain, as well as nearly every US state . Debbie has 5 wonderful children: Danielle; Jeremy; Robert; Chris; and Hunter. She also has 7 grandchildren! Debbie's teaching experiences includes teaching both younger children and VPK. Debbie loves teaching; in particular she enjoys seeing the children's faces light up they learn something new. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys spending time with all of her children and grandchildren, crocheting, and she is a talented charcoal artist! She also has an avid interest in essential oils and spends a good deal of free time teaching others about the health benefits. Debbie's "fur babies" include a blue male Beta Fish named Violet and a pet rock named Clyde!
Debbie before working in childcare.
INFANT TEACHER: Miss Joni
Joni Ortiz' native country is Guam. She has also lived in Dover, DE. Joni and husband Elfego, who is from Mexico, are the proud parents of Destiny, Giovanni, and Selena. Joni has 1 sister and an abundance of extended family. Joni has traveled to NJ, PA, MD, GA, and LA; someday she would love to take the children to Guam and Mexico to share with them the family roots and culture. Her family has 1 White Sucker Fish named Messi after the famous soccer player. Joni has earned an AA in General Education as well as a national Child Development Associate Degree. Joni is currently working on obtaining a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and a Directors Credential. Joni has over 13 years experience in childcare, but has also taught Religious Education since 1996. As her family is busy, Joni is very involved in their school programs, church youth programs, and the Tiger Point Sports Association. In the rare chance that she has free time, Joni enjoys relaxing at the beach, crafting with her kids, and cheering and celebrating them with sports, clubs, and church events. What Joni loves most about teaching is being able to love, nurture, and watch the children learn and develop. She is amazed that "there is so much that they learn within the 1st year of life" and she appreciates being able to be a part of those first experiences. |
TODDLER II TEACHER: Miss Rachael
Rachel Clayton is a native Pensacolian, but has also lived in the Raleigh/Durham, NC area, as well as in the Dothan/Atmore region of AL. Rachael is married to "the most wonderful husband and father ever," and they have 2 beautiful daughters, E.J. and Riley. Miss Riley rules our older toddler group. The family enjoys spending quality time together, especially going to the beach! Chris and Rachael are also the parents of 2 dogs, RueDawg and Jessie; 1 cat, Callie; and 1 turtle, Mikey. Rachael has been trained in all age groups and has over 2 years experience working exclusively with toddlers. Rachael completed a national Child Development Associate Degree in October 2018. Rachael's passion is that she loves to see children learn and grow. Rachael looks forward to the day that she can retire, play all day, and travel to Italy! 
|
TODDLER I
TEACHER: Miss Janet Janet Lake recently moved to FL from Kalamazoo, MI. She is the youngest of 9 with 4 brothers and 4 sisters. She and her wonderful husband Ken are still newlyweds. Janet has 1 daughter in college back in MI; 2 cat babies Hurley and Dex; and Max, the dog, who is perhaps the biggest baby! Janet has traveled mostly in the US, but would love to travel to Paris and London. She would love to just take off and go traveling from place to place someday; to see and experience new places would be very exciting. In the meantime, Janet loves exploring her new surroundings with Ken and going to the beach. She spends hours hunting for shells for her art work. Janet has previous daycare experience in MI, in addition to coordinating a Girls Club at her church and other church activities. Janet plans to complete a CDA soon. Janet enjoys being with children because of their sense of adventure and always wanting to learn. She also loves to hear their opinions because "you never know what they are going to say!" |
PreK TEACHER: Miss Bri Bri Girao is also a Cleveland and Detroit native, so she has this love/hate thing going on in regard to the Browns and the Lions.. She has over 12 years of childcare experience, primarily as a PreK/VPK teacher. Bri completed a nationa Child Development Associate Degree in October 2018. Bri and husband Gery have 2 sons, Gery and Alex. They are also the parents of fur baby Bolt, a 3-year-old Boxer, who is "the best dog ever." What Bri enjoys most about working with children is that they are innocent and honest. When she is not loving on our babies, Bri enjoys reading, crocheting, and "crushing that candy!" Her travels include Peru, and after attaining her longtime dream of "Candy Crush Queen" status, Bri would like to go on a month-long Mediterranean cruise! 
|
|
ASSISTANT & SUBSTITUITE TEACHERS: Miss Julia, Miss Cameron, Miss Jessica R., Miss Jessica M., Miss Bettina, & Miss Heather
Julia Conover is a Navarre native and a 2018 graduate of NHS. She came to us from the High School's Teacher Education Prep Program. Julia has one older sister. She has also lived in New Jersey and has traveled to Georgia and North Carolina. She would like to visit Alaska and New York. Julia loves spending time with her 5 dogs: Hurricane, Flower, Destiny, Nala, and Kiara. Julia has a passion for photography and dreams of taking pictures while exploring nature all over the world someday. Julia is considering her options for college while gaining teaching experience. She loves working with children because she believes they have an interesting perception of the world.
|
Cameron Walker is also a MI native ad loves the Redwings! She is a 2018 graduate of NHS and also came to us from the Teacher Education Prep program. Miss Cam is a prankster and loves to scare the dickens out of everyone! Her sneezes also break the sound barrier! Cam enjoys working with little people because they are innocent and sweet. She has an especial fondness for the babies. 
|
Jessica Romero is initially from Alaska and has also lived in Georgia, Japan, and England. As a child, she traveled so much that now she just plans to "stay put" to raise her family. Jessica is Jessica and veteran husband James were high school sweethearts and are the proud parents of Paisley and Ryleigh. Her single-most important goal is to raise and teach their kids to make a difference. Jessica is partially finished with an Early Childhood Education degree. Jessica has been an in-home care provider; church preschool teacher; and VPK teacher. For Jessica, it is fun to see the world through young children's eyes; it is rewarding to see children master a new concept whey they have so much to learn about the world. Jessica's hobbies include drinking coffee, cooking for friends, hanging out with her husband, anything outdoors, pinning things on Pinterest that she will never actually do, playing guitar and drums. Jessica's family is completed by 3 dogs: Jackson, June, and Sadie. Oh, yeah, and in their spare time, the James' also own local company, Absolute Dustless Blasting.
|
Bettina Dennison was born in Romania but spent most of her growing up years in Heidelberg, Germany. She has also lived in England and San Antonio. She has traveled to Italy, Spain, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Holland, and Austria, and someday intends to tour Japan. Bettina and husband Kevin are very dedicated to family life and their 2 children, Erik and Isla. Their family is completed by 2 guinea pigs, Sushi and Butterscotch. Bettina did teach full time with us but has recently stepped back concentrate on her children's education. As one of our substitute teachers now, she is still a very valuable asset to our team! In addition to volunteer experience at a German daycare, Bettina's professional background includes Public Business Administration in Europe. Her hobbies include drawing, swimming, and board games. What she loves about working with children is that they are smarter than adults in many aspects. :) 
|
|
Kimberly Folse is from right here in Navarre. She graduated from PJC with an Associate of Science and also attended VWF studying Environmental Science. Kim has been to Costa Rica and would love to travel more, in particular to the West Coast to see the Redwoods. Kim enjoys spending time at her family mountain house in NC. Kim and husband Dan have a combined family of 5 children and now 5 grandchildren. Their family is also completed by Morrison the Pig; 10 chickens (that Kim calls "Crazy Birds"); 3 dogs; and 4 cats. What Kim loves best about working with children is the things that they say! She also appreciates the satisfaction of knowing when she has taught them something new.
|
Heather Stewart comes to us from Brookhaven, MS. The farthest she has traveled so far is to Canada in 2015. With Chad, Heather is devoted to helping to raise her 3 stepchildren, Caleb, Celtsie, and Chayse. Her family also includes 2 dogs, Baylor and Jack. She would love to take the fam and travel all over the world. Heather has completed a national Child Development Associate Degree and recently obtained a Directors Credential. She has over 13 years experience in this field. Heather wants to make a difference in the lives of children and believes that they all just need a little extra love. In her free time, Heather loves reading and "getting her tan on at the beach!"
|