Preschool Educators Mt Pleasant | Quality Preschool Education Mt Pleasant
With the Director in place, the hiring of teachers and other staff has begun in earnest. Check back every now and then to see who else has joined the team.
Chris Marino will serve as Director of the school. Chris holds a master’s degree in elementary education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and has more than 10 years of classroom experience. Chris was raised in a home where education was always a priority, and his decision to serve as Director of The Children’s Center is a win-win for all involved. As a father of three young children, Chris knows first-hand the kind of expectations parents have for the school environment where kids spend their days. As a trained educator, Chris understands how critical the early years are in terms of getting children ready for elementary school, identifying trouble spots that may require attention and creating a sense of community where kids can be kids, have fun and be successful.
Chris lives in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Lisa, and their three young children.
The front desk will be your first and last points of contact each day at the pre-school. The front entrance is the only point of entry into the pre-school and all parents, students, employees and visitors will come and go through the front lobby. The school’s two-step security measures require that Melissa first recognize you and then release the electronic locks on the doors that lead into the class room hallways. During the first few days of school, and on special days when your children are released to other family or friends, Melissa is required to ask for photo identification. This security procedure is in place to keep the children and employees safe at all times. Please be sure to carry your picture ID with you into the building for the first few days as Melissa learns who you are, tries to keep track of which child is yours AND remembers your name.
Melissa Staggs
Account Manager
Melissa was raised in South Florida and came to the Lowcountry to get back to the coast after working in the non-profit world in Atlanta for several years. Melissa worked at the South Carolina Aquarium as the manager of major gifts before coming to The Children's Center. She and her husband have a little boy named Reed. She is a huge Gators fan too!
Kathy Sanders is the school’s Business Manager. She comes to us from the South Carolina Aquarium where she has worked the past several years in their finance department. Kathy has a keen eye for the details and demonstrates the kind of organizational and fiscal management skills required to meet the requirements for NAEYC Standard 10: Leadership and Management.
Jill McKay is our Finance Manager. She is a Certified Public Accountant who has re-joined the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom. We are very excited to have her on board to keep all of our finances in proper working order!
Steve Marino is our new Food Services Manager. Mr. Steve has two Masters Degrees and has a passion for cooking!
Steve is responsible for all aspects of the allergy-safe food service operation at the pre-school. He will create weekly menus in keeping with NAEYC standards and USDA guidelines, using fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits to prepare healthful, nutritious snacks and meals. As part of the curriculum at The Children’s Center, all snacks and meals are served family style in the classrooms and teachers will work with the children as they learn to set the table, perfect their table manners and serve themselves.
To maintain an allergy-safe environment, food may not be brought into the classrooms from outside the school’s kitchen*. For children who want to celebrate with friends during the school day, the pre-school offers a “Birthday Package” for an additional charge. Mr. Steve will prepare the child’s choice of four different flavored cup cakes and provide a platter of cheese and seasonal fruits. Drinks, Mylar balloons, and all paper products are included in the package price.
The Children's Center Teachers
Daniele Arrendale and Crystal Wottowa teach the Pre-Toddlers in the Tadpoles room.
Candice Young and Shirley Washington teach the Pre-Toddlers in the Caterpillars room.
Sarah Bussard and Kelsey McLellan teach the Pre-Toddlers in the Minnows room.
Lara Hoey and Cori Durban teach the Younger Toddlers in the June Bugs room.
Laura Brown and Brittany Turlington teach the Younger Toddlers in the Dragonflies room.
Rachel Thomason and Camila Sousa teach the Older Toddlers in the Grasshoppers room.
Andrea Meacham and Chris Waggoner teach the Three Year Olds in the Sea Gulls room.
Kim Fabian and Mindy Robertson teach the Three Year Olds in the Cardinals room.
Carole Carroll and Jennifer Keaton teach the Four Year Olds in the Starfish room.
Corrie Curran and Georgette Millican teach the Four Year Olds in the Geckos room.
Denise Irelan and Carolyn Wagers teach the Half Day Two and Three Year Olds in the Owls room.
Jen Mason teaches the Half Day Four Year Olds in the Sea Turtles room.
To contact any of these teachers directly, you may email them using their first initial last name @childrenscentercp.com