About Us
Let me start with: I have four children, now two adults, one teen, and a pre-teenager! When I started working in early childcare with my first daughter, I immediately saw a need to advocate for teachers. As a parent, it was easy to see how much work truly goes into taking care of just one child. I respected teachers and how they gave so much to so many children every day. But, I was stunned by the expected deliverables of teachers from parents, administrators and licensing systems. Ever since, I’ve made it an integral part of my career as an early childcare professional to advocate for teachers. Early childcare has certainly come a long way since I started more than 20 years ago, but the stress remains unchanged. My ECE experience began with teaching in a mixed preschool classroom and then as a lead infant teacher. Soon after, I moved into administration as a Director. After a few years, I progressed into child care resource and referral, diving deeper into training and development. All of these positions gave me insights, resources, patience, and perspectives focused on how to make the world of teaching less stressful. I saw a foundational need that I am passionate about filling: social emotional wellness for teachers!
Staci Hemlinger
Lanie Grammen
I started my journey in early childhood education in the fall of 2016. Throughout my time as a teacher, I worked with infants through pre-k and spent the majority of my time in a classroom with four and five year olds. I’ve filled many classroom roles, such as assistant and lead teacher, which has given me a diverse understanding of being on a team. Like most teachers, I have a deep passion for working with children and love getting to be part of the early stages of their education journey. However, I quickly saw (and experienced first hand) the pressure that is put on teachers, whether from ourselves or outside sources, that has a big impact on our mental health. Being present and showing up as your best self for the kids each day is no easy feat. We all have outside stressors that can affect how we function in the classroom. Early in my career, I learned the importance of creating a space of support for my teammates and self. Over the past 7 years, I have experienced the highs and lows that come with being an educator. I am thrilled to be part of the C.A.R.E.S for Teachers team whose goal is to make a positive impact in the day to day lives of educators.
I started working in early education in 2000. I'm from Raleigh, NC, and currently reside in Washington, DC. I am the Infant, Toddler, and Two's Program Director at Merritt Academy. What started out as a focused interest I needed to graduate, turned into a passion. I hold a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Early Childhood Education. I worked in the classroom as a teacher for 11 years before becoming a Director. My original plan was to become a child psychologist, however, I felt that I would be more helpful in the class where students had my care and attention 5 days a week. As an educator, I know how hard we all work to provide a safe and educational environment for the little ones we look after, but I also know that it is important that we provide ourselves and our fellow educators with a safe and socially emotional healthy environment too. I love what I do and I can't imagine my what my life would be like in another field. I look forward to providing the resources I have gained over the years to help any teacher or director feel supported and effective in their passions too!
Latoya Braddock
Susan Pfister
Working in childcare for 40 years, I understand the importance of providing a safe environment for children to grow, learn, and reach their potential. Being a part of children’s early development and exploration of the world has been a wonderful part of my journey. I have helped children at all developmental levels reach unexpected potentials. I strive to teach more than just basic education, but life lessons of kindness, understanding and empathy for others by connecting with parents and supporting the entire family. Oftentimes, even in attendance at school meetings for IEP’s with the families…because it makes so much sense to communicate thoroughly and essentially bridge that potential gap to ensure best success for every child.
Having a family home childcare is hard work and can be challenging. I have experienced the unique situations and stressors that you probably feel as a childcare provider. There is a definite need for support to help discuss challenges and create action plans for challenging situations with children and parents. Having been in the field for decades, it is my passion to offer unique experiences and solutions to so many struggles to help you along your journey.
Courtney Harrison
I have been working with children since I nearly was one myself, with over a decade of early childhood education experience. I am particular enthusiastic about working with late PreK transitioning into Kindergarten, and introducing academic life to new elementary schoolers. With experience in both management and curriculum creation, I am comfortable working to support the classroom as well as work within in. Throughout all of my teaching and education related positions, I have learned that consistent, honest, and empathetic communication is the key to building healthy and successful professional relationships. As a teacher, this is a foundation of my classroom management style as well. When speaking both to my students and their parents, I endeavor to remember that all people respond better to being treated with dignity and respect, even (and especially) in times of conflict.
Keri Fansher
My path began with a degree in Early Childhood Education, which led me to a rewarding role as a preschool/Pre-K teacher at a childcare center. There, I gained invaluable hands-on experience working directly with young children and their families. As my career progressed, I took on roles as a curriculum specialist and in administration, where I was able to contribute to the development and management of early childhood programs. These experiences deepened my understanding of educational frameworks and the importance of effective program delivery. I then transitioned into a Child Care Resource and Referral Office as a coach. In this role, I supported administrators and teachers through one-on-one coaching, helping them enhance their skills, address specific challenges, and improve their overall quality. I also led a wide variety of group training and development sessions, sharing best practices and strategies to elevate early childhood education across various settings. Working with a variety of administrators and teachers gave me a firsthand look at the day in and day out struggles people in the early childhood field are experiencing. I am particularly committed to the social-emotional wellness of both children and the professionals who care for them. I believe that supporting childcare employees is crucial for creating a positive and nurturing environment, which ultimately benefits the children they serve. By focusing on these aspects, I aim to foster environments where both educators and children can thrive.
Outside of my professional life, I’m a devoted spouse and a mother to four wonderful children. Balancing my career with family responsibilities is both challenging and rewarding, and it fuels my dedication to making a meaningful impact in the field of early childhood education