| "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 for our school 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 in
2007, we hit 200 children during the 2007-2008 school year. Due to this growth and success of our school,
we have hired new staff, bringing the total number of staff members to
12, and we now serve over 200 children. 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 six classrooms (Rooms 101, 103, 105, 114, 116, 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, Computer, Blocks, 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. Our
facility is safe and secure, with a door code entry system to enter the
preschool. 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 14 and a freshman and Centerville High
School, and Kyle who is 11 and will be in 6th grade at Watts Middle
School.
I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a
Bachelor's degree in Human Services Administration, and 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 since 1999, 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
sixth year at A Great Start Preschool. She has a Master's degree
in Business, and has earned a State of Ohio Certificate of Training in
Early Childhood. Ms. Diane keeps busy, actively participating in
Centerville Baseball, Girl Scouts, Academic Volunteers, and more!
Ms.
Peggy, Smart Start Teacher, Room 101 and Room 114
Tuesdays and Thursdays, AM
and Monday Wednesday, Friday PM
Ms. Peggy began her employment with A Great Start Preschool as a
substitute teacher in 2008. Peggy has an Associates Degree in
Early Childhood Education, and has been experience as a Preschool
Teacher, Assistant Director, and Director.
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
since 1998, and she has been with AGSP since we opened. 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 fifth year at A Great Start Preschool. Originally
hired as substitute teacher for us, Kerri has been teaching one of our
Preschool Plus classes. 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.
Amy, Smart
Start
Teacher, Room 105
Tuesdays,
Thursdays AM&PM
This
is Ms. Amy's second year at A Great Start Preschool! Amy has a Bachelor's
degree in Elementary and Special Education and has worked in the public
school system with children with learning disabilities, with middle
school students, and as a substitute teacher. After taking a few
years off to be with her four children, Amy is excited to be
teaching.
Ms.
Pam, Little Learners Teacher,
Room 101
Mondays through Fridays, AM
and Tuesday, Thursday PM
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
in a preschool setting since 2001. Pam
has earned over forty five State of Ohio In-Service Training Hours,
earning
a State of Ohio Certificate of Training in Early Childhood
Education.
Ms.
Dawn, SmartStart Teacher, Room 103
Tuesdays, Thursdays AM&PM
This is Ms. Dawn's
third year at A Great Start Preschool. 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.
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
will be returning to teach a
KinderStart class in the mornings, and
a
Preschool Plus class in the
afternoons. This is Ms.
Sharon’s fourth year at our school.
She is 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 Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary
Education and has many years experience working with preschoolers as
well as teaching kindergarten.
Ms.
Melissa, SmartStart and Preschool Plus Teacher, Room 116
Monday through Friday, AM&PM
This is Melissa's third year at A Great Start
Preschool. 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 a lot of experience
working with children through Church groups, as a Reading Tutor, Center
Helper at a local elementary school, and as a Nursery worker.
Prior to working at AGSP, she was employed as a teacher of three year olds at a
children's program (similar to Hope's Parent's Morning Out
Program). Melissa has earned over 45 State of Ohio Inservice
training hours in child development and other related fields.
Substitute
Teaching Staff
From time to
time, our teachers may need a session off. To continue to provide your children
with quality 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. Erica, Ms. Julie, and Ms. Eileen.
Ms. Eileen holds a B.F.A. degree and has attended State of Ohio
Inservice Training Classes. Ms. Eileen has been a substitute
teacher with A Great Start Preschool since 2006. Ms. Erica has
been a substitute teacher for A Great Start Preschool since January
2007. She attended University of Toledo for two years majoring in
Education, and her youngest child attended our school for two
years. Ms. Julie has a BSBA degree and has been active in the
Academic Volunteers Program within Centerville Schools, and her youngest
child attended our school for two years.
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