MEET THE STAFF
the founder
MARCIA ST. HILAIRE FINN
Managing Owner
Education:
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Director Certificate
Work Experience:
– Registered Nurse for 25+ years
– Managing Owner of Bright Start Bilingual Center for 17+ years
Motto: “Embrace every child and foster their uniqueness“
Leadership Team
Natalie-Rae Jefferson
Director
Education:
– Master of Education at Johns Hopkins University
– Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Morgan State University
Work Experience:
– 2 years as Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools
– 2 years as Kindergarten First grade ELA and Math Specialized Instruction Inclusion in DC Public Schools
VERONICA WRIGHT
Education Director
Education:
– Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
– MS classes in Early Childhood Education
Work Experience:
– 40+ years as Preschool Director/Assistant Director
– Taught in DC Public Schools and Early Childcare
Motto:
“If I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain”
“Hail to the REDSKINS”
DEXTER STOWE
Program Coordinator
Education:
– Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Work Experience:
– Project Management NYC Construction
– Client Account Manager
LUCY WATSON
Operations Manager
Education:
– Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dual Concentration in Developmental and Social Psychology
– Minor: Elementary Education
Work Experience:
– Education Program Specialist (OSSE)
– Early Childhood Coach
– Pre K Teacher
Pooh Nursery
JOSELYN CASTELLANOS
Lead Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
– Associates of Arts in Early Childhood (AA)
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 10+ years
CHERYL ST. HILAIRE
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for over 5+ years
JAMEA WILSON
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 3 years
RINA TORRES
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 5+ Years
Wobblers
Josephine
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– Certified Home and Health Aid
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years
FATOUMATA SYLLA
Teacher
Education:
– AA units (in school at present)
– CPR/First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 4 years
WALIME KONTOU DJERI
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– Certified Home and Health Aid
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years
RONNECE MARTIN
Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for over 4 years
Wobblers
GABRIELLE WHITAKER
Lead Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
– Associates of Arts in Early Childhood (AA)
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 2 years
JESSICA SNYDER
Lead Teacher
Education:
– AA Elementary Education & Special Education
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 5+ years
Maria Angelica Soliz
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 5+ years
BRITTANY SMITH
Associate Teacher
Education:
– AA Early Childhood Education
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– 10+ Years of Classroom Experience
– 10+ Years of Customer Service
– 4 Years of Admin Support
ILEANA TORRES
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 12 years
KIRTLEY LUANNE SANSANO
Preschool Teacher, Innovators 1 Class , Pre-K
Education:
– Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 3 years
Motto: “Every child is special.”
Discovery
Betelhem Vesili
Lead Teacher
Education:
– Associate of Arts in Early Childhood (AA)
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
Work Experience:
– Early childhood teacher for 10+ years
EVELYN GARCIA
Lead Teacher
Education:
– AA units (in school at present)
– CPR/First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 5+ years
ILEANA TORRES
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 10+ years
KIRTLEY LUANNE SANSANO
Discovery, Pre-K
Education:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 5+ years
Motto:
“Every child is special.”
LONNELL CARTER
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 5+ years
NATHALIE GONZALEZ DIAZ
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Bachelor in Social Communication
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Preschool Teacher Aide for 2 Year
Explorers
NICANORA ODILAO
Lead Teacher Explorers
Education:
– Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education
– Master of Professional Studies in Educational
– Management; Licensed Teacher
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years
– Secondary Teacher for 27 years
FATOUMATA SYLLA
Teacher
Education:
– AA units (in school at present)
– CPR/First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 4 years
JACQUELINE NELSON
Lead Teacher Explorers
Education:
– Child Development Associate
– Interior Decorating Design
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 35 years
ARLENE CAPERS
Associate Teacher
Education:
– Child Development Associate
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 35 years
Explorers
JACQUELINE NELSON
Lead Teacher Explorers
Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– Interior Decorating Design
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 35+ years
Innovators
ELMER SISON
Preschool Teacher, Innovators 1 Class , Pre-K
Education:
– Bachelor in Psychology
– Master of Arts in Special Education 30+ Units
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 20+ yrs.
Motto: “Dream Big and Go for it!”
LAURENCE SANSANO
Preschool Teacher, Innovators 2 CLASS, Pre-K
Education:
– Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
– Master of Arts in Teaching English and Math
Licensed Teacher
– Certificate in Special Education
Work Experience:
– Preschool teacher 10+ years
– Elementary Grades 20+ years
Motto: “Children must be taught HOW TO THINK,
Not what to think.”
Support Staff
HANNA WOLDEMARIAM
Support for Wobblers & Pooh
Education:
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Customer Service 5 Years
PIDENAM CECILE KADJA
Support Staff Kitchen
Education:
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Ana
Support for Pooh & Wobblers
Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years
Chefs
ANNIE AARON
Head Chef
Education:
– Certified Food Manager
– CPR/First Aid Certificate
Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 5 years
– Chef for 5 years
Ablavi Guedou
Sous-Chef
Education:
– Food Handlers Certificate
– CPR certification
Work Experience:
– 5 years
Jasmine Tracy
Head Sous-Chef
Education:
– Food Handlers Certificate
– CPR certification
Work Experience:
– DCPS Chef 10+ years
our programs
Infant
Pooh Nursery
0 - 12 Months
Younger Toddler
Wobbler
13 - 18 months
older Toddler
Discovery
2-3 year olds – 19-24 months
Young Preschool
Innovators
2-3 year olds
24-36 months
preschool
Explorers
3-5 years
Before & After School
3-8 years
Summer Camp
3-12 years
