teachers
Jessica Aldridge
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Laura Bradley
From: Austin, TX
Education: ACC and DCCCD
Teaching: Three years total, just under one year at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: Science and Art
Susy Franklin
From: Dallas, TX
Education: Bachelor of Arts in French from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA. She also has a Master of Liberal Arts from SMU. She has a certificate in Language Therapy from Scottish Rite Hospital. She has a lifetime teaching certification through TEA in K-8.
Teaching: 30 years total, 6 ½ years at the CSPC
Teaching Favorite: Susy’s favorite subjects are reading and art.
Eizabeth Galente
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Amy Griffiths
From: Dallas, TC (Originally from Oregon)
Education: Studied education at Oregon State University before pursuing a career in the airlines business. Amy attended the Air Academy and worked at Frontier Airlines before deciding to raise a family. Amy was a flight attendant and gate agent as well as holding various positions with the airlines. She was able to travel with her position.
Teaching: 15 years total, two years at CSPC
Amy Amy enjoys being around children of different ages. She loves watching how fast they learn and grow. Amy feels that every day is amazing and that every child has their own special personality emerging and it is wonderful to be a part of their daily growth.
Nancy Hunt
From: Dallas, TX
Education: Child development classes at Mountain View College
Teaching: Twenty-eight years total, three years at CSPC
Nancy started working at Texas Instruments and attended technical school in the area of making Collin Radios. She decided to pursue education when she had young children of her own so that she could work and be close to her children at the same time.
Linnet Jebaraj
From:Dallas, TX (Originally from India)
Education: University of Madia and has a Bachelor degree in Arts and Education.
Has an Early Childhood Certificate of Christian Teaching from Concordia University in Austin, TX.
Teaching: Fifteen years total, 5 ½ at CSPC
Linnet loves working with children and her favorite thing about teaching is she gets job satisfaction.
Brenda Kneip
From: Arkansas
Education: University of Arkansas, BSE and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). Additional study in Special Education, English as a Second Language, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education.
Teaching: 10 years total, 5 years at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: “ I love being with children. I love sharing in the excitement with children when they learn new concepts.”
Kara Lowery
From: Snyder, TX
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Gretchen Luedtke
From: Dallas, TX
Education: BA from Stephens College. Also attended William Woods University and University of North Texas
Teaching: Four years total, 1 1/2 years at CSPC
Teaching Favorite:“I enjoy working with the preschool age, as everyday brings on new challenges. I especially like working one on one with each child to assist them with creative ideas and solutions. I also believe that introducing them to abstract thinking and letting their little imaginations evolve is very important at the preschool age.
Nazia (Nikki) Mazhar
From: Seattle and Dallas
Education: BA from the University of Karachi; teacher training workshops for child development, child psychology. Additional training in Montessori Cirriculum apparatus – objective for practive uses for subject as sensorial, launguage, mathmatics, and culture. Workshop for early learning techinique for child. Certificate course on introduction to special education.
Teaching: “This job demands dedication, responsibility, and understanding with parents and of course – immense love for children, As a teenage I have always admired young children. Once I became a mother my passion increased. Teaching and taking care of young children make me happy and contented.
Teaching Favorite: I am always energetic and feel great to be with my little angles. My little sweethearts bring sunshine in my life and I always try to bring the same in their lives.
Karen Neil-Brown
From: Chicago, IL
Education: Kennedy-King College (Chicago, Illinois); Bethel College (Mishawaka, Indiana); St. Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Indiana). Certification and additional study in CPR, biology, early childhood and religion.
Teaching: Seven years total, 4½ at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: “I was first a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed teaching my own child. I volunteered in school throughout her education. I learned that I enjoy educational environments and felt natural guiding young minds. I love seeing young minds develop as well as witnessing their unique personalities and independence unfold. Ultimately, having a child to nurture led me to discover my broader love of teaching. I really LIKE and enjoy children. Likewise, I appreciate the way they respond and relate to me. I especially love the hugs I get from my group after reading them a story. We have a great time together. I feel my work with children is valuable and important.”
Marcela Nieto
Place copy
Courtney O’Reilly
From: Westwood, Massachusetts
Education: BA Cultural Anthropology, Minor focus in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs. Minor focus in Spanish.Southern Methodist University
Teaching: 3½ years at CSPC
"I have worked with children in some capacity starting at age 14. I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching—specifically early childhood education.
Children find such joy in learning—their enthusiasm and curiosity is truly contagious. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience,which has taught me a lot in return."
Teaching Favorite: The special relationships that are formed with my students throughout their time in my classroom, and seeing their growth and development over the course of the year.
Megan Slagle
From: Kilgore, TX
Education: University of Texas at Tyler, B.S. in Sociology
Teaching: 7½ years total, 1 year at CSPC
Megan began teaching because she wants to make a positive and direct impact on the future. As she says, “Children represent our hope for a better world.”
Teaching Favorite: “My favorite part of teaching is the experience of watching each child develop their own personality, Also, the hugs and smiles are very rewarding!”
Allyson Stark
From: Pasadena, CA
Education: BA in English, Southern Methodist University
Teaching: One year at CSPC total
"It is very rewarding to help children learn new things, in new ways. It is fun to be creative in the ways you help children learn through art, singing, reading and playing."
Teaching Favorite: Getting to see the children grow, see them learn. Hearing them start talking for the first time is so special.
Emily Utkov
From: Dallas TX
Education: Highland Park High School
Teaching: “I have one mother and father, one brother (married with two little girls in Austin), and one younger sister that lives here in Dallas. My sister is 10 years younger than me, so I got babysitting experience early. I enjoy working with children and I enjoy working at the Community School. The staff is very nice and is fun to work with. I look forward to seeing your children everyday.“
Kristina Zaydler
From: Russia
Education: Master, Begorod State University, Russia. Post-graduate degree research in children's language in the speech of adults (in English and French languages).
Teaching: Two years at CSPC, four years of teaching total.
Teaching Favorite: “When we first came to the U.S., we put our daugher, Karina at The Community School of P.C. I liked the atmosphere of this place so much and being around kids, seeing them smiling, making first steps, and it made me happy. I like to learn something new and share it with the children I'm teaching, help them in building the pyramid of knowledge and skills.”
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Laura Bradley
From: Austin, TX
Education: ACC and DCCCD
Teaching: Three years total, just under one year at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: Science and Art
Susy Franklin
From: Dallas, TX
Education: Bachelor of Arts in French from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA. She also has a Master of Liberal Arts from SMU. She has a certificate in Language Therapy from Scottish Rite Hospital. She has a lifetime teaching certification through TEA in K-8.
Teaching: 30 years total, 6 ½ years at the CSPC
Teaching Favorite: Susy’s favorite subjects are reading and art.
Eizabeth Galente
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human RelationsTeaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Amy Griffiths
From: Dallas, TC (Originally from Oregon)
Education: Studied education at Oregon State University before pursuing a career in the airlines business. Amy attended the Air Academy and worked at Frontier Airlines before deciding to raise a family. Amy was a flight attendant and gate agent as well as holding various positions with the airlines. She was able to travel with her position.
Teaching: 15 years total, two years at CSPC
Amy Amy enjoys being around children of different ages. She loves watching how fast they learn and grow. Amy feels that every day is amazing and that every child has their own special personality emerging and it is wonderful to be a part of their daily growth.
Nancy Hunt
From: Dallas, TX
Education: Child development classes at Mountain View College
Teaching: Twenty-eight years total, three years at CSPC
Nancy started working at Texas Instruments and attended technical school in the area of making Collin Radios. She decided to pursue education when she had young children of her own so that she could work and be close to her children at the same time.
Linnet Jebaraj
From:Dallas, TX (Originally from India)Education: University of Madia and has a Bachelor degree in Arts and Education.
Has an Early Childhood Certificate of Christian Teaching from Concordia University in Austin, TX.
Teaching: Fifteen years total, 5 ½ at CSPC
Linnet loves working with children and her favorite thing about teaching is she gets job satisfaction.
Brenda Kneip
From: Arkansas
Education: University of Arkansas, BSE and MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). Additional study in Special Education, English as a Second Language, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education.
Teaching: 10 years total, 5 years at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: “ I love being with children. I love sharing in the excitement with children when they learn new concepts.”
Kara Lowery
From: Snyder, TX
Education: Sul Ross State University, BA in Theatre and Communication in Human Relations
Teaching: 4½ years at CSPC
“I did not choose a career in early childhood, it chose me. When I graduated college I only wanted to teach junior high or high school theatre. I had been teaching early childhood while going to school and decided to continue until I found a position teaching theatre. However, the longer I stayed, the more I loved it and realized that this is where I belong. Having an autistic child has given me a lot of patience and insight into challenging children that not many people have. I do feel like I have been called to do this and love doing it every day.”
Teaching Favorite: My favorite part about this job is knowing that I have a direct and positive impact on each child’s life, community, and our world. Knowing that makes each dirty face wiped on my shoulder a joy.
Gretchen Luedtke
From: Dallas, TX
Education: BA from Stephens College. Also attended William Woods University and University of North Texas
Teaching: Four years total, 1 1/2 years at CSPC
Teaching Favorite:“I enjoy working with the preschool age, as everyday brings on new challenges. I especially like working one on one with each child to assist them with creative ideas and solutions. I also believe that introducing them to abstract thinking and letting their little imaginations evolve is very important at the preschool age.
Nazia (Nikki) Mazhar
From: Seattle and Dallas
Education: BA from the University of Karachi; teacher training workshops for child development, child psychology. Additional training in Montessori Cirriculum apparatus – objective for practive uses for subject as sensorial, launguage, mathmatics, and culture. Workshop for early learning techinique for child. Certificate course on introduction to special education.
Teaching: “This job demands dedication, responsibility, and understanding with parents and of course – immense love for children, As a teenage I have always admired young children. Once I became a mother my passion increased. Teaching and taking care of young children make me happy and contented.
Teaching Favorite: I am always energetic and feel great to be with my little angles. My little sweethearts bring sunshine in my life and I always try to bring the same in their lives.
Karen Neil-Brown
From: Chicago, IL
Education: Kennedy-King College (Chicago, Illinois); Bethel College (Mishawaka, Indiana); St. Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Indiana). Certification and additional study in CPR, biology, early childhood and religion.
Teaching: Seven years total, 4½ at CSPC
Teaching Favorite: “I was first a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed teaching my own child. I volunteered in school throughout her education. I learned that I enjoy educational environments and felt natural guiding young minds. I love seeing young minds develop as well as witnessing their unique personalities and independence unfold. Ultimately, having a child to nurture led me to discover my broader love of teaching. I really LIKE and enjoy children. Likewise, I appreciate the way they respond and relate to me. I especially love the hugs I get from my group after reading them a story. We have a great time together. I feel my work with children is valuable and important.”
Marcela Nieto
Place copy
Courtney O’Reilly
From: Westwood, Massachusetts
Education: BA Cultural Anthropology, Minor focus in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs. Minor focus in Spanish.Southern Methodist University
Teaching: 3½ years at CSPC
"I have worked with children in some capacity starting at age 14. I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching—specifically early childhood education.
Children find such joy in learning—their enthusiasm and curiosity is truly contagious. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience,which has taught me a lot in return."
Teaching Favorite: The special relationships that are formed with my students throughout their time in my classroom, and seeing their growth and development over the course of the year.
Megan Slagle
From: Kilgore, TX
Education: University of Texas at Tyler, B.S. in Sociology
Teaching: 7½ years total, 1 year at CSPC
Megan began teaching because she wants to make a positive and direct impact on the future. As she says, “Children represent our hope for a better world.”
Teaching Favorite: “My favorite part of teaching is the experience of watching each child develop their own personality, Also, the hugs and smiles are very rewarding!”
Allyson Stark
From: Pasadena, CA
Education: BA in English, Southern Methodist University
Teaching: One year at CSPC total
"It is very rewarding to help children learn new things, in new ways. It is fun to be creative in the ways you help children learn through art, singing, reading and playing."
Teaching Favorite: Getting to see the children grow, see them learn. Hearing them start talking for the first time is so special.
Emily Utkov
From: Dallas TX
Education: Highland Park High School
Teaching: “I have one mother and father, one brother (married with two little girls in Austin), and one younger sister that lives here in Dallas. My sister is 10 years younger than me, so I got babysitting experience early. I enjoy working with children and I enjoy working at the Community School. The staff is very nice and is fun to work with. I look forward to seeing your children everyday.“
Kristina Zaydler
From: Russia
Education: Master, Begorod State University, Russia. Post-graduate degree research in children's language in the speech of adults (in English and French languages).
Teaching: Two years at CSPC, four years of teaching total.
Teaching Favorite: “When we first came to the U.S., we put our daugher, Karina at The Community School of P.C. I liked the atmosphere of this place so much and being around kids, seeing them smiling, making first steps, and it made me happy. I like to learn something new and share it with the children I'm teaching, help them in building the pyramid of knowledge and skills.”
