MEET THE STAFF

the founder

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

VERONICA WRIGHT

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

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

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

JAMEA WILSON

Associate Teacher

Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 3 years

RINA TORRES

RINA TORRES

Associate Teacher

Education:
– Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
– CPR/ First Aid Certificate

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood for 5+ Years

Wobblers

Happy teacher Josephine at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

Josephine

Associate Teacher

Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– Certified Home and Health Aid

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years

Happy beautiful teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

FATOUMATA SYLLA

Teacher

Education:
– AA units (in school at present)
– CPR/First Aid Certificate

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 4 years

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

WALIME KONTOU DJERI

Associate Teacher

Education:
– Child Development Associate (CDA)
– Certified Home and Health Aid

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

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

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

Happy beautiful teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

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

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

Happy beautiful teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

FATOUMATA SYLLA

Teacher

Education:
– AA units (in school at present)
– CPR/First Aid Certificate

Work Experience:
– Early Childhood Teacher for 4 years

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

JACQUELINE NELSON

Lead Teacher Explorers

Education:
– Child Development Associate
– Interior Decorating Design

Work Experience:

– Early Childhood Teacher for 35 years

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

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

Happy teacher at a Preschool & Daycare Serving Washington, DC

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

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