| "At
A Great Start Preschool, it is our primary goal and purpose to provide a
Preschool environment in which teachers and students experience an
enthusiasm for learning and accomplish successes. We promise to
provide the children with ample opportunities to grow socially,
physically, emotionally, intellectually, and creatively in our child
centered environment."
With the faith and support of a wonderful team of
staff, as well as encouragement from many preschool families, colleagues, and
friends, my husband and I founded A Great Start Preschool, Inc. in July
2004 and found a home in Hope Church. When I first put
together a business plan, I optimistically expected to start our first
year with 40 children. After all, it was July, and with classes
beginning in September, many children had already been enrolled at
another school. But thanks to word of mouth referrals and blind
faith, we started the school year with twice as much! Our second
year in business we added afternoon sessions and grew a
whopping 55%! By the time the school year drew to a close in May
2006,
we were serving 136 children. We had an astounding 153 children
enrolled for
the 2006-2007 school year, and, after adding an additional classroom
this summer, we are pushing full capacity for the 07-08 year at over 185
children! Due to this growth and success of our school, we will be
adding three new teachers to our staff for the 07-08 school year.
Thank you so much for your continued
support and referrals!
A Great Start Preschool is a non-profit,
501 (c)(3) corporation. We are licensed by the State of Ohio Department of
Job and Family Services.
We have been blessed with the opportunity
to house our program in Hope Church. The Church Staff and Church
Members have been very supportive and welcoming. In exchange for a monthly usage
fee, we occupy five classrooms (Rooms 101, 103, 105, 114, 131). The
Director's office is in Room 108. From each classroom, there is
close access to the large, fenced playground. On days of
inclement weather, we have use of the Hudson Hall (Fellowship Hall) for
gym and large motor activities. We also use the Kids Church room
on a daily basis for Music and Movement Activities. Each classroom is
decorated with hand painted murals which are pleasing to children.
Classrooms are arranged in learning center areas including Home Living,
Library, Art, Science, and more. Our rooms have quick access to
child size restrooms; many classrooms have restrooms directly adjacent
to
them. The facility is air-conditioned. Each room has
thermostats which can adjust the heat and air for that classroom as
needed. Classrooms and restroom are cleaned daily. A Great Start Preschool
has no affiliation with the Church, and therefore any comments,
questions, concerns or compliments should be directed to the Preschool
Director.
We are honored to provide your
children with a great start on their education!
About Our Staff
Ms. Christina Miller, Preschool Director
Office Hours: Monday through Friday
8:30-2:30
Summer
Office Hours by Appointment
My name is Christina
Miller and I am the Founder of A Great Start Preschool and the Preschool
Director.
My husband and I live in
Centerville
with our two children, Liz who is 12 and in the 7th grade at
Watts
, and Kyle, who is 9 and in 4th grade at John Hole.
I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a
Bachelor's degree in Human Services Administration. In June 2007,
I earned a Master's of Education Degree in Educational Leadership.
I also hold a State
of
Ohio Teaching License
in Pre-Kindergarten Education. Throughout my
educational career, I have become dedicated to educating the
community about the long-term benefits of participation in a quality
preschool program prior to entering kindergarten. Children are our
future...if we teach them well, they will lead the way.
Ms.
Stephanie, Teacher’s Aide
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
AM&PM
Stephanie
is our Teacher's Aide on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I have had the pleasure of
working with Stephanie for eight years, and she has been with A Great
Start since we opened. Stephanie has a Bachelor's degree in
Psychology, with special training in Child Development, and has earned a
State of Ohio Certificate of Training in Early Childhood
Education. Before
working as a Teacher's Aide in
Ohio, Stephanie was a Preschool Director for over ten years in her hometown
of Chicago.
Ms.
Diane, Teacher’s Aide
Tuesdays and Thursdays, AM&PM
Our
Tuesday, Thursday Teacher's Aide is Diane. This is Ms. Diane's
Ms.
Beth, SmartStart and KinderStart
Teacher, Room 131
Monday through Friday AM&PM
It is my
privilege to introduce you to Beth. I have had the opportunity to work with Beth for the past
ten school years. In addition to teaching the KinderStart
Program, Beth will be teaching the SmartStart
program at A Great Start Preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Beth has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and a degree in
Early Childhood Education.
Ms.
Kerri, Preschool Plus
Teacher, Room 105
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays AM&PM
This
is Ms. Kerri's third year at A Great Start Preschool. Originally a
substitute teacher for us, Kerri taught the Preschool Plus program last
year, and is very excited to return to the same program this year.
Kerri is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with
a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has experience working with
preschoolers in several capacities, including Assistant Director, Case
Manager, and Kid Fit Aerobics Instructor.
Ms.
Traci, Smart
Start
Teacher, Room 105
Tuesdays,
Thursdays AM&PM
Please
welcome Ms. Traci to A Great Start Preschool! Traci has a
Bachelor's of Science in Health and Human Services from Ohio University,
and most recently has been a substitute teacher in Centerville City
Schools. Traci has enjoyed her opportunities to sub at Centerville
Preschool, in the Young Five's classes at CKV, and in first grade
classrooms. Traci is also an active volunteer at her children's
elementary school. She is very excited to join us this year!
Ms.
Pam, Little Learners Teacher,
Room 101
Mondays through Fridays, AM
Pam is our Little Learners
teacher. Ms. Pam has been teaching toddlers for many years, in a
private preschool setting as well as at her Church Sunday School and
Vacation
Bible
School.
Pam has been with A Great Start Preschool since we opened our doors,
and I have had the honor of working with her for over six years. Pam
has earned over forty five State of Ohio In-Service Training Hours,
earning
her a State of Ohio Certificate of Training in Early Childhood
Education. and is also CPR certified.
I look forward to a year of fun with Ms. Pam on our team of
dedicated teachers!
Ms.
Dawn, SmartStart Teacher, Room 101
Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays, PM
Please welcome Dawn to
our staff this school year. Dawn has a Bachelor's of Science
degree in Elementary Education, and has completed some graduate
coursework in education. In Dawn's public school teaching
experience, she was a classroom teacher for an inclusion
classroom. Dawn is to excited to rejoin the workforce this year,
and we look forward to getting to know her!
Ms. Jackie, Preschool Plus
Teacher, Room 103
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
AM&PM
Jackie
has been with A Great Start Preschool since we opened our
doors. She is a graduate of the National Nursery Examination Board (a
British teaching degree equivalent to Early Childhood Education) and has
earned a certificate in Montessori Education. Ms. Jackie has a wide
range of teaching experience, including serving as a private nanny, and
serving on the Children’s Cooperate Preschool Advisory Board in
Centerville.
Ms.
Sharon, KinderStart and Preschool Plus Teacher, Room
114
Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays AM&PM
Sharon
joined our staff last school year as a Smart Start teacher.
This year,
Sharon
will be teaching a KinderStart class in the
mornings, and Preschool Plus in the afternoons.
Since Sharon moved to Ohio about five years ago, she has become involved in the Academic Volunteer
and Literature Circle Program at Stingley, and is also a volunteer for
the Centerville Coed Junior Dance Team.
Sharon
has a Bachelors of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary
Education and has many years experience working with preschoolers and
also has experience teaching kindergarten.
Ms.
Melissa, SmartStart Teacher, Room 114
Tuesdays and Thursdays, AM&PM
It is my privilege to
introduce you to Ms. Melissa.
This is Melissa's first year at A Great Start Preschool, and she will be
teaching in our new classroom. Melissa earned a a Bachelor's of
Science degree in Business, but soon thereafter discovered that her true
passion was working with children. Melissa has lots of experience
working with children through Church groups, as a Reading Tutor, Center
Helper at a local elementary school, and as a Nursery worker. Most
recently, she has been employed at as a teacher of three year olds at a
children's program (similar to Hope's Parent's Morning Out
Program). Melissa has already begun attending State of Ohio
In-service Training Classes over the summer.
Substitute
Teaching Staff
From time to
time, our teachers may need a day off. To provide your children
with the same quality of education, we have a
qualified team of substitutes to ensure a smooth day. Sometimes
teachers who work on an alternate schedule may substitute. Our
other subs include: Ms. Cara, who has a Master's of
Education and has previously been a Preschool Plus teacher at A Great
Start Preschool, and Ms. Eileen, who hold a B.F.A degree.
Ms. Eileen's child attended A Great Start Preschool, and she was added
to our substitute list last school year.
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