A N N A

B A - Early Childhood Education, University Missouri St. Louis

I have worked at CECC since April 2013 and am currently the lead teacher in the goldfish room. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends in my spare time.

ANNA

B E T H

B. A. - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY

I’M THE LEAD TEACHER IN THE CARDINAL ROOM AND HAVE BEEN WITH CECC SINCE 2017. I HAVE BEEN IN MANY POSITIONS WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN INCLUDING AS A TEACHER ASSISTANT, NANNY, AND AU PAIR. ABOUT ME, I HAVE FOUR CATS, LOVE BEING NEAR THE OCEAN, AND PLAY ROLLER DERBY!

BETH

C A R L O T T A

Early Childhood Major - Forest Park community College

i have been a teacher assistant at cecc since jauary 2018. I love what i do and have a passion to be a teacher to young children.

CARLOTTA

D I A N A

B A -ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

I AM THE LEAD TEACHER IN THE OWL ROOM. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING FOR over 25 YEARS, PRIMARILY WITH THE PRE-K AGE. IN MY SPARE TIME I ENJOY COOKING, GARDENING, SHOPPING, DECORATING, WATCHING SPORTS, AND SPENDING TIME WITH MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER AND POMERANIAN, FLOYD! I LOVE CHALLENGING MYSELF AND THE CHILDREN I TEACH!

DIANA

k h a l i s h a

I have been with the center since 2021.

KHALISHA

M A R G A R I T A

i have been with cecc since 2017 and am currently the lead teacher in the frog room. i worked 19 years at st. mary’s preschool prior to joining cecc. i worked primary with two-year-olds, before TRANSITIONING to three and four-year-olds. in my spare time i enjoy dancing, and spending time with my two sons and husband.

MARGARITA

M A R Q U I T A

C D A - forest park community college

MY NAME IS MARQUITA, BUT EVERYONE CALLS ME QUITA. I HAVE BEEN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR for over 30 years and am currently the duckling lead teacher. I HAVE TAUGHT MANY AGES BETWEEN INFANCY AND PRESCHOOL AND HAVE LOVED THEM ALL. I ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. I ENJOY DESIGNING CAKES AND SINGING IN MY CHURCH CHOIR. i always try to REMEMBER on the other side of challenges are reward.

MARQUITA

P E N N Y

M A - EARLY CHILDHOOD ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

i have been working at clayton early childhood CENTER since january 2018 and currently the turtle room lead teacher. i have been caring for young children for over 35 years in a VARIETY of capacities. i TAUGHT at the university of MISSOURI-columbia lab school, did consulting work for the child day care association, and helped implement the t.e.a.c.h missouri early childhood scholarship the one and two-YEAR-OLDS are my favorite age to work with. in my spare time i enjoy a variety of crafts including sewing and photography. i spend almost every saturday helping a pet shelter from salem, missouri adopt out cats and dogs. i enjoy fostering many of the cats and dogs. one of my favorite things is cheering on the local sports teams, ESPECIALLY the blues!

PENNY

T R A C Y

b a - elementary education, course work early childhood education lindenwood UNIVERSITY

I am the lead teacher in the Butterfly room! I’ve been working at CECC since December 2012. I have enjoyed teaching children of all ages and watching them grow and learn in my years here. I am proud to be a part of this CECC community and love my time spent in the classroom. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with my family.

TRACY

V I C K I

b a - elementary education, minor early childhood education central missouri state UNIVERSITY

I AM THE LEAD TEACHER IN THE CATERPILLAR ROOM. I HAVE BEEN with THE CENTER for over 30 years. i WORKED WITH THE PRESCHOOL FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO WORKING WITH THE INFANT/ TODDLERS. SINCE ALL CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL, IT HAS BEEN VERY REWARDING TO WORK WITH THE INFANTS DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR AS THEY GROW AND MEET THEIR MILESTONES DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR OF LIFE! SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THOSE I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TEACHING. in my spare time i enjoy traveling to south carolina, being with family and friends, cooking and playing with my dog, cleo.

VICKI

 

FULL-TIME ASSISTANT TEACHERS

a d a

i have been at cecc since early 2021.

ADA

A S H L E Y

I have been with the center since 2022.

ASHLEY

C A R M E N

I HAVE BEEN AT THE cENTER since 2007 AND HAVE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE. I LOVE WORKING WITH ALL AGES, BUT MY PASSION ARE INFANTS AND TODDLERS. THEIR EAGERNESS TO LEARN AND EXPLORE THE WORLD IS TRULY AMAZING. FOREMOSTLY, MY SPARE TIME IS SPENT WITH MY FAMILY. IN ADDITION, I LOVE TO COOK FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I ENJOY READING A GREAT BOOK, AND GOING TO THE MOVIES. FAMILY IS FOUNDATIONAL AND BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH PARENTS AND THEIR LITTLE ONES IS AN HONOR FOR ME.

CARMEN

C H R I S S Y

certificate of PROFICIENCY in early childhood education meramec Community college

I have been working in Early childhood education for over 20 years. in my spare time i ENJOY shopping, spending time with my family, and going to the movies.

CHRISSY

C H R Y S T A L

i HAVE BEEN TEACHING AT CECC SINCE 2023.

CHRYSTAL

d e n i s e

i have been at cecc since 2022.

DENISE

E L L I E

I have been with the center since 2023.

ELLIE

J E A N N E

C D A - FLO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I have been with the center for over 30 years. I’ve worked with all age groups, but I mainly work with the two-year-olds. in my spare time my husband and i enjoy seeing movies, going out to eat, and going for walks.

JEANNE

K A T I E

c d a - MERAMEC COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I’ve worked at cecc since 2017 with 1-2 year-olds. in my free time i like spending time outside, reading, shopping and spending time with friends and family. i have always loved working with kids and i hope to for many more years.

KATIE

K E L L E Y

i have been with the center since 2021.

KELLEY

LEAH

J A S M I N A

i HAVE BEEN AT CECC SINCE 2023

JASMINA

L I N D S E Y

MERAMAC, FOREST PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I HAVE WORKED FOR CECC since 2015. I STARTED OFF PART-TIME, THEN MOVED TO FULL-TIME. IN MY FREE TIME I LIKE TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

LINDSEY

L U C Y

i have been working with cecc since 2012 as a ‘floater’. i get to work with children (and babies) of all ages, which i really enjoy! i love working with children of any age because i get to watch them grow and develop. i also enjoy working with all of the teachers at the center, we make a great team. when i am not working i enjoy spending time with my infant granddaughters (twins!), going to piloga and the muny, and reaching, CROCHETING, baking, and COOKING!

LUCY

M A R

i have been with the center since 2022.

MAR

M E L I S S A

I have been with the center since 2023.

MELISSA

M O R G A N

I HAVE BEEN WITH cecc SINCE 2022.

MORGAN

N I E S H A

i HAVE BEEN WITH cecc SINCE 2024.

NIESHA

P A M

i have been with the center since 2014.

PAM

P A T R I C I A

I HAVE BEEN WITH CECC SINCE 2022.

PATRICIA

P A R I S

I have been with the center since 2020.

PARIS

 
 
 

PART-TIME ASSISTANT TEACHERS

ANNA

GENNA

DILYNN

HALEY

HEIDI

KRISTINA

MACY

REBECCA

SAMANTHA

 

SUSAN

 

TSIGE

 

ADMINISTRATION

A N N E

i’ve been a part of the administration team at the center for over 30 years. i enjoy meeting and getting to know all of the families. it’s a joy to see the children thrive and grow at our school. in my spare time, i like spending time with my two daughters, center alumni, and my husband. i also enjoy shopping, hiking and watching hgtv.

ANNE

K E R I

KERI

M E R E D I T H (M E R I)

b a - eLEMENTARY EDUCATION DEGree, webster UNIVERSITY

my name is meredith, but most all the students know me as meri. i am born and raised in st. louis. i joined the clayton early childhood center community in 2013 as a teacher in the preschool rooms. after working for a number of years in the classroom, i transitioned to the role of PRESCHOOL program coordinator. when i’m not working with our teachers and students, i’m usually in the kitchen trying to pursue amateur baker status or walking the aisles of a craft store.

MEREDITH

S I E R R A

Bachelor of social work, UNIVERSITY MISSOURI -ST. LOUIS

Hello I am Sierra! I have always had a passion for educating and caring for young children. I was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, MO. I studied Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. I believe that my enthusiasm for supporting those who are vulnerable lead me to CECC. I began my journey with CECC in 2017 as a Teacher Assistant. In this role I gained knowledge and understanding of the CECC Program. In 2020 I shifted into the supportive role of the Infant and Toddler Program Coordinator. In this role I support our teachers, our students, and our families. When I am not in the classrooms or in front of the waitlist, I enjoy taking long drives. I am truly committed to enriching every child’s life to promote courageous students, life-long learners, and compassionate leaders.

SIERRA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

B R I G I D

Brigid joined the cecc community in 2020 when her son started in the caterpillar infant room. Brigid has 15 years of sales and client development experience and is currently leading sales at Chapman & Co., a local leadership consultancy.

BRIGID

C H A L L I S

Challis Kinnucan is a developmental psychologist and works as an assistant professor at Saint Louis University. As a former preschool teacher, her work and service now focus children’s socialization and the roles that parents, teachers, and mentors play in promoting effective problem-solving, critical thinking, and civic engagement throughout childhood and with college-age students.

CHALLIS

L A U R ALaura is a mom to two active boys - Matthew and Michael. She has worked for Anders CPAs + Advisors for 10 years. Laura is an audit manager and specializes in not-for-profit clients and co-leads the firm’s not-for-profit niche.

L A U R A

Laura is a mom to two active boys - Matthew and Michael. She has worked for Anders CPAs + Advisors for 10 years. Laura is an audit manager and specializes in not-for-profit clients and co-leads the firm’s not-for-profit niche.

LAURA

M E G H A N

Meghan has been part of the CECC community since her oldest daughter (who is now in elementary school) started in the infant room. Between her two girls, Meghan has experienced many of the classrooms and wonderful teachers at CECC. Meghan has been a practicing attorney for more than 10 years, previously at two law firms and currently as in-house counsel for a large financial institution.  

MEGHAN