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Our Full-Time Faculty
Executive Director
Since 1992, our director has been working to grow and improve the Friendship Children's Center. Originally as a parent with two children enrolled in the program, she was a member of the Board of Directors. In 1996, she became the full-time executive director. She has enjoyed putting her degree in Child Psychology and her background in management and administration to work at the Children's Center. In 2007, she received a Wish List Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Early Childhood Education from the Mayor's Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education for her efforts to expand the school and continue providing high-quality early learning experiences to families in Washington, DC. When she's not juggling the demands of running two schools, she is busy with her two sons, volunteering at their schools, cheering for them at sports events, and shuttling them up and down the East Coast as they compete in Soap Box Derby racing.
Communications Director In May 2009, this enthusiastic new member of our team joined us. She recently completed an MA in Psychology at American University, where she also completed her BA in Psychology and Journalism and was a member of the University's Swimming and Diving Team. She brings to the table a long and rich history teaching special needs populations and an unrivaled passion for child development. Furthermore, she has extensive management experience working in marketing for years and as the current director of the Curl-Burke Developmental Swim Program. Her business experiences, psychology background and familiarity with family life in the DC metro area have translated into early success as our Communications Director. Always on the go, when not in the office or in class, she is found in the pool, on the field or track, always working out and staying active.
Our Education Director joined our faculty in September 2009. She is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College and recently completed an MA in Early Childhood Education at the University of Phoenix. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Virginia, studying Educational Leadership. This vivacious member of our team joined us with ten years experience in preschool, childcare and after school care program in Maryland and Virginia. She was the director of the infant/toddler program at a large child care center in Baltimore, Maryland. Most recently she directed the SAC (School Age Care) program at a local elementary school within the Fairfax County Public School System. Furthermore, she has previously managed and implemented programs using the Creative Curriculum, the curriculum used at FCC. This fun loving director spends her free time with her many nieces and nephews.
Seahorse
The Seahorse lead teacher has worked with children of all ages. She spent five years working with infants and toddlers and has also spent a number of years in a preschool classroom. She enjoys observing the different stages of child development and finds working with infants to be both entertaining and rewarding. She earned her CDA in 2000 and actually spent two years in a very challenging EMT training program before settling in the classroom as a teacher. Apart from teaching, she enjoys shopping and styling hair, but above all she loves spending time with her young son, who she says has made the greatest difference in her life. She has been of the FCC faculty since September 2007. This active and caring member off our Seahorse teaching staff joined FCC as a part-time assistant teacher in early 2010. Originally, from Spain she enjoyed the opportunity to practice her English skills and work in her field. Prior to coming to the United States, she has seven years of experience as a preschool teacher in Madrid, Spain. She enjoys hiking, traveling, watching soccer (futbol, if you ask her) and volunteering her time to help underprivileged youth.
Starfish(Infant) Teacher
Working with FCC infants and toddlers since
September 2006, this assistant teacher has worked with children between
the ages of 3months and 3 years but has found her home in the toddler
classroom. When she
is not playing or reading a book with the Jellyfish, she is
attending school in the evenings and on weekends. Prior to
joining the Friendship Children's Center, she worked for two years with
2-year-olds and with 4-5 year olds for three years. In
addition to her classroom experience, she has two children of her own. Her hobbies include reading and enjoying the company of her
family. Starfish (Infant) Assistant Teacher Joining our team in February 2010 this Starfish Assistant Teacher graduated from Galludet University with a BA in Social Work. During her years in college she was a tutor at Galludet and interned at the National Children's Center. Here she found her passion for working with young children. She is fluent in sign language and often uses it with the children. In her spare time this happy-go-lucky staff member enjoys listening to music, doing art projects and working on elaborate puzzles.
Jellyfish(Toddler)
Teacher
This Jellyfish Lead teacher joins our staff with ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She studied Early Childhood Education at Alabama State University and most recently worked at a Lead teacher at a pre-school center in DC. When she is not in the classroom this joyful teacher enjoys relaxing at home with her daughter. Her hobbies include: watching tv, cooking and interior designing.
While this Jellyfish assistant teacher comes from a background in Human Resources, specifically as a staffing and classification specialist, she has always had a love and passion for children. After her son was born four years ago, she decided to pursue her dream and work with children. She is currently working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to the stories she loves reading to her toddler class, she also enjoys writing and listening to poetry at poetry readings.
Jellyfish (Toddler) Assistant Teacher This joyful and caring assistant teacher joined our staff in the spring of 2010. She brings to FCC 9 years experience as a nanny for young children in the DC area. Prior to moving to DC she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at The Phillippine Women's University. This cheerful teacher brightens our classroom with her singing and smiles. In her spare time she enjoys playing and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Jellyfish (Toddler) Assistant Teacher The newest member of our Jellyfish teaching staff joins us with ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She currently holds a CDA in preschool education and is working toward her second setting CDA. Always singing and laughing this teacher brings joy to every minute of the day. She is an avid reader and spends the weekends at DC Public libraries, shopping and doing her nails.
Guppy (Junior Preschool) Teacher This Guppy lead teacher brings her warmth and humor into the classroom every day. She loves to act silly and make her students laugh. Beginning in 2003, as a part-time aide during high school, this Guppy lead teacher has worked as both the toddler assistant teacher and the junior preschool since 2006 and obtained her CDA. She is currently working on her Second Setting CDA and has studied sign language in the past, and often uses it with the children. She also likes to read and listen to music. A little known fact about this teacher is that she went to the World Series of Softball in 2006 as a pitcher and was voted Gatorade Player of the Year. This Guppy assistant teacher joins FCC with more than seven years experience in Early Childhood Education. She possesses a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Special Education from her native country, the Philippines. Most recently she has worked as a certified preschool teacher in New Mexico and Washington, D.C.. Her warmth and care is instantly felt when she walks into the classroom.
Guppy(Junior Preschool) Assistant Teacher This friendly assistant teacher, joined the FCC staff in 2008. She has excelled in various positions here including pre-school assistant teacher, pre-k assistant teacher and full-time floater, before settling in her role as the Guppy assistant teacher. She studied Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College and was a dance teacher prior to joining FCC. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys dancing and spending time with her friends and family. Her hobbies include fashion and music.
Guppy(Junior Preschool) Assistant Teacher Always smiling, this happy member of the Guppy teaching staff joins FCC with six years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her experiences range from volunteering at her church's daycare to working as a teacher at local childcare centers. She is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College. When she is not at FCC she enjoys spending time with her daughter.
Dolphin (Preschool) Teacher In August 2009, this energetic teacher relocated to Washington, D.C. and began working at FCC in our Guppy classroom. In January 2011, she transitioned to the lead teacher position in our Dolphin classroom. A recent graduate of the Univeristy of Florida this energetic teacher has a Bachelor of Arts in speech-language pathology. While studying at UF she worked at the Baby Gator child care center and also tutored school-aged children through the Alachua County Library system. She is currently working on a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is happy, active and not afraid to get dirty whether its finger paint or sandbox.
Dolphin (Preschool) Assistant Teacher After
spending many years working as a pediatric care assistant, and a
paralegal, this Dolphin assistant teacher finds working with preschoolers much more satisfying and fun. She loves going to the park and taking
walks around the neighborhood. She also likes reading to the children
and for her own enjoyment. She has one son who is beginning his
freshman year in college. He has inspired her to go back,
herself, to study Early Childhood Development. She spent the last two years as an assistant in our
Jellyfish (toddler) classroom and is excited to begin working with older
children.
Whale (Pre-Kindergarten) Teacher
Whale (Pre-Kindergarten) Assistant Teacher The newest member of our Whale teaching team joined FCC in January 2011. He comes to us with an extensive background in education. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and is currently pursuing a Master's at American University. Prior to joining FCC he completed service the with AmeriCorps VISTA program in his hometown of Indiana, traveled to China to teach English to Chinese students and assist with the foreign language curriculum at Tishani College.
©2009 Friendship Children's Center |