Meet Our Educational Team

Zarabeth Davis

Executive Director

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.

Ashly Kennedy

Toddler Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love sharing my love of books, learning, and nature play!

Education: BS, elementary education - K-6

Experience: I worked for over ten years in a classroom and as a professional nanny.

Hobbies: I love finding cool items at the thrift store, strolling through the farmer’s markets, and reading books.

La'Dejah Jackson

Toddler 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.

Kayla Richardson

Infant Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? Children's minds are so complex and I love seeing them progress and fostering their perceptions of the world.

Education: BS, criminal justice and psychology

Experience: I worked as a Special Education and Olympics volunteer, a substitute teacher, 3 years as a church pre-kindergarten director, and 4 years as a nanny.

Hobbies: I like traveling, my truck, and fishing.

Nina Adams

Infant Educator

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? They always have the best energy and say the funniest things. I also love seeing their creativity and learning from them.

Education: BA, Spanish, Lipscomb University

Experience: I worked in a preschool, and I volunteered at a therapeutic riding center where I helped kids with disabilities ride horses.

Hobbies: I love traveling, taking care of my plants, and reading.

Nicole Frizzell

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? Every day with children is different. Their developing minds are innovative and unpredictable, which makes no day look the same.

Education: BS, developmental psychology and communication

Experience: I worked for 2 years as an early childhood teacher's assistant and over 7 years nannying.

Hobbies: I enjoy painting, playing the ukulele, reading, and most outdoor activities.

Naomi Little

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love to create an educational foundation for young learners and watch them grow.

Education: BS, early childhood education, Trevecca Nazarene University

Experience: I worked over 5 years in a nursery and as a nanny.

Hobbies: I enjoy drawing, painting, and reading.

Rachael Hall

Preschool 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: BA, 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.

Riley Sue

Music Educator & Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love seeing young children experience the world for the first time. They are so creative and always a joy to be around.

Education: BS, music therapy and psychology

Experience: I have 4 years experience working in childcare and 7 months as a music therapy intern in special education classrooms.

Hobbies: I enjoy soccer, rock climbing, scrapbooking, playing guitar, and baking.

Maya Curry

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I want children to view school as a safe, comfortable space. I enjoy watching them grow, and I hope that my work with them at this young age has a positive impact on their future.

Education: Veterinary Assistant Certification

Experience: I have over 10 years of experience working with children and as a substitute teacher at Rockwern Academy.

Hobbies: I enjoy photography, gaming, music, and art.

Odalys Perez Ruiz

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I believe making a change in this world starts with caring for our kids. You never know the positive impact you can have in a child’s life.

Education: AA, Cumberland University
Currently pursuing a BS, child education K-5, ESL endorsement, Trevecca Nazerene University

Experience: I’ve been nannying for my family since I was in high school. I also have siblings that I have helped care for through their early years.

Hobbies: I enjoy working out, nature walks, dancing and trying new foods!

Izi Witt

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I enjoy seeing kids learn and witnessing their minds develop. I also adore the fact that they develop a sense of safety with me.

Education: AA, child development and family relations
Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree

Experience: Before joining Little Wonders, I was an assistant teacher at another daycare.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, movies, and spending time with my family and friends.

Elizabeth Gerken

Substitute

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? From my youngest years I wanted to be an early childhood educator because watching kids learn, succeed and grow brings me great joy! My high school math teacher encouraged me to pursue engineering instead, but I am so glad to have a chance to work with children at this point in my life.

Education: BE, Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University
MBA, Vanderbilt University

Experience: I volunteer with the Salvation Army and St. Luke’s in childhood classrooms in Nashville. I also worked with at-risk teenagers via a housing non-profit in Boston.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, walking, traveling, and trying new restaurants in Nashville.

Molly Hinson

Floater

Bio

Why do you love working with young children? I love returning to children to get a fresh perspective on the world. Their answers are nearly always better than adult ones!

Education: BGS, University of Dayton
M.Div, Vanderbilt University

Experience: I started babysitting when I was 11 years old, and I've cared for children ever since — in a classroom, in someone else’s home, or for my own two (now in middle and high school).

Hobbies: I like audio books, traveling, movies, hiking, and swimming in really, really warm water.