Meet Our Educational Team

Management Team

Colleen Melchiorre | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Colleen (Coco) Melchiorre

Interim CEO

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 | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare Center

Zarabeth Davis

Chief Program Officer

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.

Brandy Freeman | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Brandy Freeman

Site Director (STEM)

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.

Infant Educators

Bre Adcock | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Bre Adcock

Infant Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love seeing children grow into themselves and seeing who they become.

Education: BS, family and consumer science, concentration in child development and family relations

Experience: I worked for 5 years in child care and 1 year as a nanny.

Hobbies: I like watching movies and TV.

Katy Sue Pillsbury Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

KatySue Pillsbury

Infant Educator

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!

Natalie Karabin Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Natalie Karabin

Infant Educator

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

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.

Taylor Markley Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Taylor Markley

Infant Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love watching children grow, learn, and find themselves everyday.

Education: High School, pursuing B.A in Early child education with a focus on elementary education

Experience: I have been working in childcare for 7 years..

Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, softball, running, and the gym

Topanga Adams | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Topanga Adams

Infant Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love working with young children. Watching them grow and achieve certain milestones is a joy. Especially in their first year of life, the growth and changes happen so quickly!

Education: Associates, Medical Assistant, returning to school for a Bachelor's in Education at Austin Peay University

Experience: I’ve worked with young children for over 7 years in various capacities. I also spent a year working at another center with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I especially enjoy educating infants.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading and walking my dog.

Jennifer Coins | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Jennifer Coins

Infant 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.

Toddler Educators

Rachael Hall | Nashville Preschool Teacher

Rachael Hall

Toddler Educator

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.

Sherry Brown | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Sherry Brown

Toddler 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!

Neasha Gray | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Neasha Gray

Toddler 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: Accounting Student at Tennessee State University

Experience: I've been a floater at Little Wonders from August 2023 until May 2024.

Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, cooking, listening to music, and reading.

Jessica Marks Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Jessica Marks

Toddler Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love watching children grow and learn. Watching them develop and grow into their personalities is very fun!

Education: MA in Education- University of North Alabama

Experience: Middle school English teacher and 2-3s teacher. 3 years experience.

Hobbies: Reading and playing Nintendo!

DyRiah Pickens | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

DyRiah Pickens

Toddler Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love working with children because I have a big family with a lot of small children, and I have a huge interest in child development. I enjoy watching children smile and learn!

Education: BS in Psychology, South College.

Experience: I have over 5 years of childcare experience as an individualized family care and classroom support teacher.

Hobbies: I love watching TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy, spending time with loved ones, and reading!

Alissa Meade | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Alissa Meade

Toddler 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.

Preschool Educators

Patricia

Patricia Yarbargo

Preschool 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.

Maddie Justice Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Maddie Justice

Preschool Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? Young children are inspiring in their passion for learning and excitement in everyday life! I enjoy learning to see the world from their perspective and I love watching their faces light up as they explore the world around them.

Education: BS from Lipscomb University in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies

Experience: I have about 10+ years of experience working and volunteering with children as a babysitter/nanny, camp counselor, sunday school teacher, and daycare worker..

Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, playing board games, sewing, and scrapbooking.

Anastasia Teel | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Anastasia Teel

Preschool Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? Young children are the best of us human beings! I learn so much from spending time with very young people and am reminded how important fun is to daily life. So much is new to young children and it’s incredibly special to get to be a part of so many firsts.

Education: BBFA in Musical Theater, Western Carolina University

Experience: I’ve had the privilege of spending the last 13 years as a teaching artist with local non-profit children’s theater, The Theater Bug. I was an assistant Kindergarten teacher at University School of Nashville for two years and spent several years as a nanny in NYC.

Hobbies: I love seeing local theater, practicing yoga, reading, and trying new coffee shops.

Dayana Rodriguez | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Dayana Rodriguez

Preschool Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? Working with children is the most beautiful thing there can be. Seeing their world develop at each stage of their life, giving them love, trust, and understanding is the best experience you can live.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in early education and Master’s degree in educational planning

Experience: I have 17 years of experience as a classroom teacher and at the same time holding the position of substitute director. I was also the general coordinator of an institution and for the last 5 years I was a classroom teacher with special needs children in the RD.

Hobbies: I like to travel, sing, and make crafts.

Music Educators

Isabel Beaudry | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Isabel Beaudry

Music Educator & Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love the creativity and excitement young children bring to learning. They make me smile and laugh everyday, and remind me how precious the little things in life can be. I feel so lucky to be able to watch their personalities develop and see them thrive.

Education: Bachelors in Music Composition from Berklee College of Music; Singer-songwriter preparatory program at Interlochen Arts Academy

Experience: I have been a music teacher for over 6 years and play five instruments. Since graduating college, I’ve led interactive music and movement classes that integrate classroom curriculum, instrument exploration, and songwriting.

Hobbies: I love playing instruments, songwriting, and making jewelry.

Youstina Takla Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Youstina Takla

Music Educator & Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love playing and singing to young children, bringing joy and smiles to their faces through song.

Education: Bachelor of Arts

Experience: I have served as a Youth and Children's Choir Leader for various churches and a Teacher Volunteer since 2011. Additionally, I worked as a Private Elementary English Teacher for three years in my home country of Egypt.

Hobbies: I love singing Christian hymns, staying connected with my relatives in Egypt, spending quality time with my husband and kids, and watching movies.

Supporting Educators

Nicole Frizzell | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Nicole Frizzell

Floater

Odalys Perez Ruiz | Nashville Daycare Teacher | Little Wonders

Odalys Perez Ruiz

Floater

Meme Nelson | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Meme Nelson

Floater

Maya Curry | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Maya Curry

Floater

Izi Witt Little Wonders Nashville Daycare

Izi Witt

Floater

Kaety Perry | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Kaety Perry

Floater

Deja Thomas | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Deja Thomas

Floater

Kimora Cunningham | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Kimora Cunningham

Floater

Kimmeca McGinnis | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Kimmeca McGinnis

Floater

Cori Raack | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Cori Raack

Floater

Shelsea Canaca | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Shelsea Canaca

Floater

Zoie West | Little Wonders | Nashville Daycare

Zoie West

Floater

Caycee Goodman | Little Wonders | Nashville Preschool

Caycee Goodman

Floater

Little Wonder Early Learning Center Nashville

Kayla Richardson

Floater

Little Wonder Early Learning Center Nashville

Kierstyn Williams

Floater