Little Wonders Early Learning Center | Meet Our Teachers

Meet Our Educational Team

Leadership

Colleen Melchiorre

Dr. Colleen (Coco) Melchiorre

Chief Executive Officer

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
As the daughter of an early childhood educator I have witnessed the development and joy that exists in children of every age my whole life. They are remarkable beings that are growing and honest, funny and fascinating, and always full of wonder.

Education:
Ed.D, Leadership and Professional Practice, MS., Higher Education, BSW, Social Work. Certifications: Personalysis, Design Thinking, Instructional Design

Experience:
I have spent 20+ years in leadership roles working with companies and organizations of all sizes and types. I have been particularly drawn to cause based businesses and have been fortunate to help many people bring their beautiful visions to reality.

Hobbies:
I enjoy practicing yoga, teaching pilates and barre, hanging out with my big family and volunteering at church.

ZaraBeth Davis

Zarabeth Davis

Founding Executive Director

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love watching kids’ minds at work! They take in so much about the world around them and make sense of it in creative and brilliant ways.

Education:
BA, Muhlenberg College
PhD studies, Vanderbilt University (early childhood literacy)

Experience:
I have 9 years experience teaching in a classroom (PreK, K, 1st), 8 years as a teacher coach, curriculum designer, and in professional development, and 5 years doing doctoral studies and education research.

Hobbies:
I enjoy singing, puzzles, reading, and movies.

Little Wonders Early Education - Samuel Murray

Samuel Murray

Site Director - Nashville Prep

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
It’s an incredible honor and a privilege to be a part of the learning process, to get to witness those “aha!” moments and first successes. There is such excitement involved in every part of early childhood, when everything is new, and it reminds me to find the joy in all I do as well.

Education:
BA in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University

Experience:
Over 19 years of professional experience in ECE. I started as a floater and have since worked as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant director, and director. This is the third center where I have been the director.

Hobbies:Reading, cooking, concerts, hiking with my dog.

Brandy Freeman

Brandy Freeman

Site Director - STEM Prep

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love to see children discover new things and explore the world around them.

Education:
Preschool BS from MTSU in Child Development and Family Studies

Experience:
I have over 10 years of experience in an Early Childhood Education setting, including Pre-K teacher, Program Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Director.

Hobbies:
I love watching tv shows and movies. Some of my favorites are Grey’s Anatomy, Harry Potter, and Mean Girls. I also love to spend time with my dog, Nydia.

Little Wonders Early Learning Center | Elizabeth Ayton

Elizabeth Ayton

Site Director - Aventura

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
Children are the purest form of what is good in the world. They are inquisitive, loving, explorative, and so hilarious.

Education:
Bachelor’s in Music Education from Belmont University. Working on a Masters in Organizational Leadership at MTSU.

Experience:
8 years of teaching experience with children 6wks-5 years, 3 years of teaching experience in a Nashville middle school (charter), 5 years of Administrator/Director experience at Belmont Weekday School.

Hobbies:
singing, acting, extreme couponing

Little Wonders Early Learning Center - KatieSue Pillsbury

KatySue Pillsbury

Associate Network Director

Bio


Why do you love working with young children?I love getting the opportunity to help them discover the world and see them learn and grow.

Education:
Highschool, TECTA, Infant/Toddler Specialization

Experience:
10 years as nanny, 10 years as a preschool teacher

Hobbies:
Reading, cooking/baking, hand crafts, and finding all the best coffee shops!

Teacher Leaders

Kiyler-Dowdy-Web

Kiyler Dowdy

Teacher Leader

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
It has always amazed me the way our mind works. There’s no better way to witness that than caring for our little ones. I love to watch children grow and express themselves.

Education:
BA in Social Work

Experience:
My background in adolescent mental health has taught me that there’s better place to start caring for young minds than now! I have more than 10 years of experience working with children 0-21 in various settings (school, daycare, residential, group homes, day programs). My primary focus lies with Adolescent mental health and underrepresented communities.

Hobbies:
Hiking, Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Netflix Movie Nights, Candle Smelling, Trying different Foods, Dad Jokes and Thrifting. I LOVE thrifting.

Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Jennifer Samalca

Teacher Leader

Little Wonders Early Learning Center - Bre Adcock

Bre Adcock

Teacher Leader

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love being able to experience the joys of childhood alongside children. Being able to witness the excitement of exploration and learning and navigating through life brings me so much joy.

Education:
Preschool Certification from Central Carolina Community College.

Experience:
I have 10+ years of experience working with children. I have nannied for two families and taught preschool for four years.

Hobbies:
Painting, polymer clay crafts, wire wrapping, and reading.

Madelynne Beck

Madelynne Beck

Teacher Leader

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
Children are amazing, seeing the spark in their eyes every time they learn something new or teach me something, warms my heart. That spark is why I love working with young children. The simplest things have the biggest,happiest impacts.

Education:
High School Diploma

Experience:
Seven Years Teaching ages 2 to 6

Hobbies:
Writing, reading, hiking, family game/movie nights

Rachael Hall

Rachael Hall

Teacher Leader

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love watching children explore and discover new things as they work in the classroom. I love to see children play together and build relationships that teach them to love the world and those around them.

Education:
I have a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

Experience:
I have been in the field for over ten years and have worked with all ages in many different roles. .

Hobbies:
I love to hike and explore in the woods. I love being with my children and exploring new places whenever we can.

Little Wonders Early Learning Center - Natalie Karabin

Natalie Karabin

Teacher Leader

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
Young children are, in fact, “Little Wonders”. It is a privilege to see the world through their eyes and to watch them grow in confidence as they explore and experiment. I just love their innate sense of wonder and curiosity!

Education:
1 year of early childhood education, gentle parenting training, some Montessori training.

Experience:
2 years as a pre-K teacher, 2 years as a toddler teacher, 7 years as a professional nanny, 3 years as a homeschool co-op teacher, archery instructor for k-9, children’s grief guide, and a mom

Hobbies:
Reading, traveling, true crime, spooky movies, Disney, all things nerdy, and relaxing with family and friends.

Little Wonders Early Learning Center | Neasha Gray

Neasha Gray

Adminstrative Coordinator & Support Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I’m the eldest of 6, so I’ve always been the one to enjoy being around little ones. I love caring for children and watching them learn and grow so quickly!

Education:
Junior Accounting Student at Tennessee State University

Experience:
Floater at Little Wonders from August 2023 until May 2024

Hobbies:
Dancing, cooking, listening to music, reading

Patricia Yarbargo

Patricia Yarbargo

Bilingual Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
It is a pleasure to be able to understand and help children in their internal conflicts, both emotionally and intellectually, so that they are happy with solid foundations of values and love.

Education:
Graduated in Early Childhood Education from the “Enrique Guzmán y Valle” University of Lima, Peru, studied learning problems.

Experience:
23 years of experience working with 6-year-old children as a teaching role in my country and 2 and a half years of experience working with children in Nashville.

Hobbies:
My hobbies are sharing recreational activities with my family, taking care of my plants.

Paola Rodriguez

Paola Rodriguez

Bilingual Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love working with young children because it gives you the opportunity to make a difference in their lives by helping and teaching them to face life's challenges, and seeing them overcome obstacles is incredibly rewarding.

Education:
Marketing Technologist

Experience:
I have worked in childcare settings for 8 years.

Hobbies:
I love doing word searches, going to the movies, and spending time with my family.

Little Wonders Early Learning Center - Jennifer Coins

Jennifer Coins

Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love watching them grow and seeing their unique personalities bloom. They have such a sense of joy and curiosity and I love experiencing those moments with them.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Johnson and Wales University

Experience:
I have worked as a child care cook and floater. I've also taught a variety of cooking classes to young children.

Hobbies:
I love being in nature, traveling, live music, spending time with family, and baking.

Sherry Brown | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Sherry Brown

Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love working with infants and toddlers because in the first two years of their lives, we get to experience big milestones of development. It's very special to be a part of a family sharing so many first experiences.

Experience:
I’ve worked with children since I was 14. Infants and toddlers have always been my speciality. I’ve worked as a teacher of all ages and a director. I’m very excited to be taking on the lead teacher role for Toddler A.

Hobbies:
I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren, watching crime/horror/supernatural movies, and crafting. I love my Cricket!

Little Wonders Early Learning Center - Deja Thomas

Deja Thomas

Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
It is a new experience everyday, we don't just teach children , they teach us as well an I am grateful to be apart of their development.

Education:
Tennessee state university, earning a bachelors in political science, with a concentration in early childhood education.

Experience:
caretaker, babysitting and daycare floater, assistant teaching.

Hobbies:
speech and debate, poetry, nature walks.

Alissa Meade

Alissa Meade

Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children?
I love being able to facilitate learning through play and help them find their own interests. I am passionate about being able to make a positive impact in their learning and development during these crucial early years.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Youth and Community Studies with a focus in Early Childhood, University of Texas at Austin

Experience:
I have worked in daycare settings for three years during high school and college. I worked at the Texas School for the Blind for two years. I have three years experience as a lead teacher in preschool classrooms.

Hobbies:
In my free time, I enjoy painting, crocheting, and hiking.

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Madasan Thornton

Educator

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Neveah Cameron

Support Educator

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Kenya Farris

Support Educator

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Millerlandy Diaz

Support Educator

Caycee Goodman

Caycee Goodman

Support Educator

Meme Nelson

Meme Nelson

Support Educator

Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Danis Polo

Support Educator

Youstina Takla

Youstina Takla

Music Educator & Support

Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Jakayla Morris

Support Educator