Amanda Forbes, Center Director

Bio:

Connie Schyan-Cusato is the Center Director. She started with KinderCare in January 2005 as the Assistant Director in a Maryland center. She also has experience teaching children ages 16 months through age four. Connie has her degree in Teacher Education and is currently enrolled to continue her education in the Early Childhood field. She has over 13 years experience in Early Childhood. Connie’s biggest strength is her compassion and dedication to her families and staff at her center. She strives to provide the utmost quality care for all children. Each day, she looks forward to seeing the children’s smiling faces and eagerness to learn.

Quote:

Working with children has always been my passion. The fact that I get to know families personally and help them with their childcare needs is a huge honor. I love the relationships I build with families. They are the key to my success. The amount of trust families have in me touches me in a way nothing else could possibly touch me. Watching children come into the center with smiles on their faces is by far the biggest gift I could ever ask for in life.

Amanda Forbes-Lankford, Assistant Director

Bio:

Amanda is the Assistant Director. She began her career at KinderCare in 2009. She has five years experience in Early Childhood Education and holds her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is originally from Massachusetts. Ms. Amanda’s compassion and dedication to KinderCare and specifically Minor Lane is evident the moment she speaks to families. The children love Ms. Amanda and shows their excitement every time she enters their classroom.

Quote:

I love being able to teach children something new and seeing how excited they get.

Ms. Senait, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Senait started KinderCare in October 2012. She has several classes and workshops under her belt. She is continuing her education to enhance her Early Childhood knowledge. Ms. Senait loves to work with the babies. She interacts with them at their level and helps them develop and master specific milestones. The babies smile and laugh as soon as they see Ms. Senait in the afternoons.

Quote:

I love everything about teaching. I love watching children grow and develop and help them learn.

Ms. Qaisra, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Qaisra is a very compassionate and dedicated teacher. She is the face our parents see every morning upon drop off. She prepares the room for the day and welcomes the parents as they come in and assures them that their baby will have the utmost quality care and nurturing experience. Ms. Qaisra is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate's credential and is constantly looking for ways to better herself and her career. Ms. Qaisra is an advocate for Early Childhood Education and promises nothing but the best care possible for all children.

Quote:

I like seeing the children’s’ happy faces and watching them grow. I love working with the children and for me it is like coming home to another home.

Ms. Muli, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Muli has been working at KinderCare since January 2009. She is originally from Ethiopia and is fluent in Amharic. Ms. Muli has seven years of childcare experience and is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. Ms. Muli is versatile and can work in any classroom but, infants are her heart and soul. Her energy and enthusiasm is over the top. Her love and affection towards all children is evident in every interaction. Ms. Muli’s dedication and compassion about teaching is shown everyday when she walks through the door.

Previous Experience:

Before joining KinderCare, Ms. Muli was an infant teacher.

Quote:

When I see the children it brings happiness. It moves me in a way that makes me happy and I love my job everyday.

Ms. Pat, Toddler Classroom

Bio:

Mrs. Pat started at KinderCare in November 2000. She has her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and 14 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. Mrs. Pat is originally from Thailand and is fluent in Thai. Ms. Pat’s Toddler class is her passion. She is very dedicated and devoted to her children in her classroom. The children in Ms. Pat’s classroom fall in love with her soon after their first meeting. Ms. Pat’s unbelievable attentiveness and awareness of children’s needs doesn’t go unnoticed.

Quote:

When I see the children it brings happiness. It moves me in a way that makes me happy and I love my job everyday.

Ms. Omima, Infant and Toddler Classrooms

Bio:

Ms. Omima worked for KinderCare from July 2004 to November 2007 and came back in July 2012. She has 11 years of childcare experience and has her Child Development Associate certificate. Ms. Omima is originally from Sudan and is fluent in Arabic. Her desire to teach children is evident in every way. The infants and toddlers immediately gravitated to Ms. Omima on her first day. She has brought a new ray of sunshine in our Infant and Toddler room.

Quote:

The children inspire me to come to work. I love them all. I love to work with children and watch them develop. I give them love and care for them all.

Ms. Samira, Toddler Classroom

Bio:

Mrs. Samira started at KinderCare in August 2004. Ms. Samira has 11 years of Early Childhood experience and is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. She is originally from Sudan and is fluent in Arabic. Ms. Samira is a dedicated teacher. The toddlers in her class are her pride and joy. She works well with them and they respond to her in a way that is indescribable. The toddlers love Ms. Samira and she loves them just as much.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Samira has taught children of all ages before working at KinderCare.

Quote:

What inspires me is when the children come hug me and when they are happy to see me.

Ms. Tong, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Tong has been working at KinderCare since September 2012. She has nine years experience in the Early Childhood field. She holds her Master's of Education in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Tong is originally from Thailand. She works in the Discovery Preschool room in the afternoon. When the children see her their faces light up with excitement. The children love Ms. Tong and Ms. Tong loves the children.

Quote:

The best part of my job is hearing the children laugh; it is music to my ears.

Ms. Tierra, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Tierra started with KinderCare in May 2007. She is has five years of Early Childhood experience and is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. Ms. Tierra is originally from Virginia. Ms. Tierra welcomes the Discovery Preschool children in the morning with her big smile and generous hugs. The children and parents adore Ms. Tierra. Her laugh and smile is contagious, especially amongst the children.

Quote:

What I love most about teaching is seeing the look on a child’s face when they finally get the answer to a question right.

Ms. Nada, Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Nada has been working at KinderCare since January 2012. She has 13 years of Early Childhood experience and currently holds her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Preschool Education. She also has her Child Development Associate. Ms. Nada is originally from Ethiopia and is fluent in Amharic. The children light up when they see Ms. Nada walk through the door. The attention and respect Ms. Nada gives the children is remarkable. Her love and devotion shines through her teaching tactics.

Previous Experience:

Prior to joining KinderCare, Ms. Nada taught infants and prekindergarten-age children.

Quote:

Teaching children is my passion. I love watching children light up when something new is introduced to them.

Ms. Medina, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Medina has been working at KinderCare since May 2007. She has 10 years experience in Early Childhood Education and she currently holds here degree in Science. She is originally from Ethiopia and is fluent in Amharic. Ms. Medina’s heart and soul is her Discovery Preschool class. Although, her children are only two years of age they know Ms. Medina loves and cherishes them. The quality of care that Ms. Medina delivers each day is spoken loud and clear by the smiling children.

Quote:

What I love most about teaching is when I am able to make the children smile. When I teach, I like to see the response from the children. The end result of the children learning makes me love my job.

Ms. Jessica, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Jessica began working for KinderCare in 2003-2006 and came back to us in December 2011 to co-teach the Prekindergarten class. She has 11 years of Early Childhood experience and is currently in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Early Childhood Education. She is originally from Virginia. Ms. Jessica’s ambition to teach shows every time she steps into the classroom. Her energy and dedication speaks volumes. The children love her and the parents adore her. The love and support she has for the children in her class is apparent at first sight.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Jessica has taught infants through prekindergarten prior to joining KinderCare.

Quote:

I love my job because of the little things such as, the child who is quiet saying ‘Good Morning’ to me, when a child runs back in the classroom to say goodbye to me and they love me, and the child who knows little English saying my name for the first time. For these reasons, I love my job.

Ms. Shanell, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Shanell has been working at KinderCare since June 2005. She has 17 years of Early Childhood experience and is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. She is originally from Virginia. Ms. Shanell’s desire to teach shows in the children’s development. The prekindergarten class comes to life when Ms. Shanell is teaching. The inspiring words and encouraging phrases Ms. Shanell delivers to the children is uplifting. The children and parents love her dearly.

Quote:

Knowing that children love to learn and that I am a part of their development inspires me to teach.

Ms. Christine, Enrichment Specialist, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Christine began working at KinderCare in June 2010. She has six years experience working with children ages two years old to six years old. She is currently in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. Ms. Christine is originally from Virginia. Ms. Christine is our Enrichment Specialist. The children get so excited when it is their time for Learning Adventures. Ms. Christine developed the Sign Language Adventure at our center. She also teaches, Phonics, Reading, Math, Science, Music Cooking and Spanish. In the afternoon Ms. Christine co-teaches in the Prekindergarten room. The energy and excitement Ms. Christine exhibits is euphoric. She brings happiness and excitement to the classrooms.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Christine has experience teaching two year-olds through Kindergarteners.

Quote:

My favorite part of teaching is acting silly with the kids and making them smile.My favorite part of teaching is acting silly with the kids and making them smile.

Ms. Tiffany, Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Tiffany began working at KinderCare in August 2009. She has three years experience teaching children ages three to twelve years old. She currently holds her Bachelor degree in Leisure Studies and is in pursuit of her Child Development Associate. Ms. Tiffany is originally from Virginia. Ms. Tiffany is currently our School age teacher for Summer Camp. She enjoys going on field trips and having fun in the classroom. All the children love Ms. Tiffany and give her bear hugs and high fives everyday.

Previous Experience:

Prior to joining KinderCare, Ms. Tiffany taught preschool through school-agers.

Quote:

I love knowing that I have helped a child learn something new and that they will take with them forever.

Ms. Hillary, School Age Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Hilary began working at KinderCare in December 2010. She has two years experience teaching children ages 3-12 years old. She is currently enrolled in school to pursue her degree. Ms. Hilary is originally from Virginia. She is currently our School age teacher for our after care program. The children look forward to seeing Ms. Hilary in the afternoon. She helps them complete their homework and joins them in activities. The children love Ms. Hilary.

Quote:

I enjoy laughing with my kids and seeing them grow each year. I love seeing their excitement when they solve a problem.

Ms. Benita, Cook

Bio:

Ms. Benita began working at KinderCare in September 2005. She has 24 years experience in cooking and seven years experience in the Early Childhood field. Ms. Benita is originally from Bolivia. Ms. Benita makes sure each child is fed nutritious meals each day. The children absolutely love Ms. Benita. Ms. Benita will step in any classroom and interact with the children. The children’s energy spills over when Ms. Benita comes in.

Previous Experience:

Ms. Benita has experience teaching for other childcare centers.

Quote:

I love providing the children with healthy meals everyday and seeing how excited they get when I serve them.