Miss Janelle, Lead Teacher
Janelle joined our team in January of 2004 to help open room E in our infant program. Her nurturing and loving nature was perfect fit for our toddler program.
Janelle spent thirteen years with the Kansas City Zoo. Talk about fun! When it was time for a change, Janelle began working for the downtown airport for the next 13 years. She retired in the fall and began looking for work where she could make a difference and one that she would love!! Janelle has found that job. She loves working with children and says she's their "favorite toy."
Janelle has a grown daughter with 2 grandsons and a son with a granddaughter. Being a grandmother is life's greatest reward, according to Janelle. She also enjoys scrapbooking, reading and the great outdoors!
Miss Lee, Lead Teacher
Miss Lee began working for Spectrum Station shortly after we opened. There was a demand for someone caring and nurturing to lead our toddler classrooms in the afternoon and she was the right person for the job.
Lee graduated from Maple Woods College in 1999 with an Associates Degree in early childhood education. She has always felt seeing young children progress in their development is extremely rewarding. Miss Lee also has experience substitute teaching in the North Kansas City School District.
Along with working in childcare, Lee and her husband own and manage a restaurant in the downtown area. In her spare time (when she has any), Lee enjoys going to the gym and rollerblading. She does admit, however, that her favorite pass time activity is spending time with her two daughters (10 and 13). She loves going shopping, just the three of them!
Miss Lee has been a wonderful asset to Spectrum Station and we are so thrilled to have her as a part of our team.
Miss Lori
M, Teacher
Lori has worked with children for many years. She volunteered in her children’s
classrooms when they were small, and has been a preschool teacher for the past
six years at Hilltop in Liberty. When asked what her favorite thing about
working in early childhood education she said, "getting to witness firsthand the
marvels and wonders of their developing minds."
Lori graduated from CMSU in 1981
with Bachelor's Degrees in Psychology and Corrections, and worked in the
insurance field for many years prior to beginning in the childcare field. She
has been married for 23 years and is the proud mother of three, ages 21, 17, and
12. In her free time she loves to flower garden, read, and watch amateur sports,
especially wrestling, soccer, and fast pitch softball.
Miss Charlene, Lead Teacher
Charlene is well qualified for her position as lead teacher in the
preschool program. She has over twenty-six years of experience in
early learning and childcare. She has an A.A. degree in Early
Childhood Education and continued her studies in elementary
education at Webster University. She consistently demonstrates her
dedication and capabilities as a teacher in the classroom. She plans
developmentally- appropriate activities and lessons that stimulate
the thinking skills and readiness level of her students that help to
make the transition from preschool to the elementary school
environment.
Both of Charlene's parents were
professors at community colleges and influenced her love for
learning. She also learned the importance of early education and its
impact on the life of a young child. She has reflected these values
in the education and training of her own two daughters. Her desire
is to continue to have a positive influence on the lives of young
children for many years to come.
Miss Tamara, Lead Teacher
Tamara began her career in early childhood education and child care
by first becoming a mom. For years, Tamara dropped her children off
at the childcare center near her home. She began staying longer and
longer as she enjoyed being involved with young children. One day,
in 2000, the Temple Tottery Center offered her a teaching position.
Tamara has experience with all ages, but loves preschoolers the
best. She even taught preschool at Temple Tottery Daycare. Tamara
joined our staff in August of 2005.
Tamara has three boys! Schuyler (9),
Derrain (5), and James (3) keep her hopping all the time. It's one
of the reasons Tamara loves children so much. She says that every
day you can learn something new from a child. It's what keeps her
coming back every day. For fun, Tamara loves to cook and bake. She
loves Chinese food and anything fruity.
Miss Tammy, Lead Teacher
After graduating from Wentworth College with her AA degree in
education, Tammy spent the next 4+ years working the Excelsior &
Orrick school district as a substitute teacher. In 1997, she went
full time as speech and drama coach for the Orrick School district.
Tammy has continued to work toward her bachelor's degree from Park
University. In 2000, Tammy began working for the Richmond, Missouri
Head Start program as a center coordinator and teacher. In 2006, she
joined a small child care center as an assistant director and
teacher. From there, she became a director and a center in Richmond.
We had the good fortune of having her join our team as a lead
teacher in the preschool program in July of 2007.
Preparing preschoolers for school is
a primary goal for Tammy and watching them strive to reach their
potential a joy. Tammy has a teenage son, Kyle, and a preschool
goddaughter, Caitlyn, who lives with them. Caitlyn attends our
center. Kyle, Caitlyn and Tammy live on 5 acres and love spending
time outdoors. Other hobbies include going to the theater reading
and working in the yard. Tammy also enjoys playing basketball with
her kids!
Miss Catina, Teacher
When Catina walked into the director's office back in August of
2004, Jan knew instantly that she would do a great job in the
preschool program. Catina graduated from Slater High School. Catina
was a nanny for a family of three. She is also a dutiful aunt and
cares for her 7 nieces and nephews whenever their families travel.
Early childhood education became
even more important in August of 2003, when Catina's son, Draven was
born. Catina is engaged and her fiance works at the Olive Garden
while attending school. Her mom works at the Behavioral Institute
and her Dad works with the National Guard.
Catina loves to read and mystery
novels are her favorite. Shopping and movies occupy some of her
spare time. She has a huge family where she and her son spend lots
of time. Catina also has a very large collection of Mardi Gras
masks.
Miss Christy Y., Lead Teacher
Joining the Spectrum Station team in June of 2006, Christy
immediately knew she'd found a job she could stay with. A 2003
graduate of Oak Park High School, Christy attended Maple Woods
Community College on an A+ Scholarship. After graduating from Maple
Woods with her associates degree, Christy went on to Missouri State
University for the 2005-2006 school year. Christy is majoring in
education, but is taking some time off.
Like many teachers, Christy began
very young by babysitting children for friends and family. Christy
has always enjoyed working with children, so early childhood
education seemed a perfect fit.
Christy lives at home with mom,
Connie, dad, Dale and little sister Cindy (19). Also part of the
family are Dam and Waggles, the family's two dogs. Christy is a
self-proclaimed football enthusiast and it comes as no surprise that
her favorite seasons are Fall and Winter! She loves to camp and
spend time with friends.
Miss Tonya,
Lead Teacher
Tonya began working at Spectrum Station in July of 2003. She received her
Associates of Art Degree from Highland Community College in May of 1995. In
January of 2002 Tonya opened a childcare center in her home which was a Licensed
Group Daycare. When she made her move to Kansas City, she had to close. Despite
the move, Tonya still wanted to continue working in the childcare field, which
brought her to us.
Tonya's husband, Ted is the head
athletic trainer at UMKC. They have two children, Bryton and Lauchlin. In her
spare time, Tonya loves spending time with her family.
Miss Diana,
Lead Teacher
Within just a few minutes, we knew we wanted Diana on our team. Her dedication
and enthusiasm was very evident in our first meeting. Diana joins us with our 20
years in early childhood education. She worked in the Independence school
district for the past 12 years as a lead teacher, with the last 3 as the lead
teacher for the head start program. Diana has completed 2 years of college where
she earned her CDA credential in early childhood education. As well as teaching
school during the week, Diana has worked in the nursery at her church for the
last 10 years.
Diana has 2 grown children, Heidi and Nick.
Diana welcomed her first grandchild in the spring of 2007. She enjoys all
sorts of hobbies and crafts, meeting new friends and participating in her
church.
Miss Val,
Kindergarten Teacher
Val joined the Spectrum Station team in May of 2005. Val received her
bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is certified to teach kindergarten
through 8th grade. However, Val found her true calling to be early childhood
education. Val has spent 13 years in the early childhood education field with
children birth through 5 years. For the past 11 years, Val has focused her
attention on a pre-kindergarten program, preparing four and five year olds for
kindergarten.
Val has two daughters and a son.
She also has 3 grandchildren who keep her very busy. She loves to read and
scrapbook. Her favorite place to visit is Disney World and she has been lucky
enough to visit it 11 times!
