MEET OUR STAFF
We have a great staff at our Early Learning Center and can’t wait to meet you and your child!
About OUR STAFF
Our hiring practices meet and exceed licensing requirements. Each staff is individually interviewed and three (3) references are checked and documented; and experience working with children is preferred. All staff have a background check and their fingerprints are run through a national database. All staff meet state licensing education requirements and the Paths to Quality requirements. All staff complete at least 20 training hours per year. They are CPR/FA certified and are trained in Universal Precautions. Other trainings include Child Abuse and Neglect, Safe Sleep and CACFP Nutrition/Meal Service. All staff continue education on the newest information concerning Early Childhood Education. The Y constantly searches for new ways to keep our staff informed and educated about the most up-to-date ECE practices. We also participate in T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Indiana which enables full-time staff the opportunity to earn certificates and/or degrees in Early Childhood Education.
A Word
From Our DIRECTOR
“We are honored that you have chosen to partner with us in the healthy development of your child. The YMCA ELC has been providing high quality care and support to families for over 30 years. We take this role very seriously and commit to providing your child with opportunities to explore and learn through developmentally appropriate activities in a safe, nurturing environment.”
– Carmen Eltringham
MEET OUR TEAM
Continued education and training is an essential part of our commitment to offering the highest quality of care and the finest education.
Anita Keeney
Lead Teacher
Anita's Bio
Anita has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 30+ years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Anita likes to draw and do puzzles.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “Brenda Gant. She loves the Lord and likes to cook. She loves to feed people.”
Becky Owings
Cook
Becky's Bio
Becky has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 20 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Becly enjoys reading and walking.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My grandma. She always told me to just be myself!”
Carmen Eltringham
Director
Carmen's Bio
Carmen has an AS in Early Childhood Education and has 39 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Reading, doing puzzles, watching NFL football, and going to KHS and Bobcats basketball games.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Dad. He had an awesome work ethic and a kind heart.”
Darlene Dorsey
Assistant Teacher
Darlene's Bio
Darlene has a High School Diploma. Darlene is currently enrolled at Ivy Tech and has 5 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Bowling and playing with my dog.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Grandmother. She has always been a strong and independent woman. I want to be just like her.”
Darlene Graves
Lead Teacher
Darlene's Bio
Darlene has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 30+ years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Shopping with my girls.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. She was the most honest and caring person.”
Gabbi Samuel
Receptionist
Gabbi's Bio
Gabbi has a High School Diploma and 5 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Baking and reading.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. She raised 7 kids by herself while going to school and working. She’s worked very hard to get where she’s at.”
Hallie Diaz
Lead Teacher
Hallie's Bio
Hallie has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 2 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Hallie likes to go Kayaking.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Dad. He has overcome a lot of struggles that I can relate to.”
Jackie Studebaker
Assistant Teacher
Jackie's Bio
Jackie has a High School Diploma and 2 months experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Camping and being outside with family and friends.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My mom. She was always happy and stayed positive about everything and was always smiling.”
Janet Nelson
Lead Teacher
Janet's Bio
Janet has a Child Development Associate and over 50 years of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Reading and researching new things.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “Jesus. I want to be like Him. My mother. She set an example of how we should be.”
Jenny Davis
Lead Teacher
Jenny's Bio
Jenny has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 30+ years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Spending time with my grandchildren and attending their activities.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Dad because he was a big supporter of the Y and its mission.”
Juliana Corrales
Assistant Teacher
Juliana's Bio
Juliana has a High School Diploma and is currently enrolled in CDA (Child Development Associate) program. Juliana has 6 months of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Going for walks and fishing.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. She is sweet and kind..”
Katie Farris
Lead Teacher
Katie's Bio
Katie has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 2 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Raising children, coloring and arts and crafts.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Grandpa, Stanley Greer Hoadley. He has been a huge role model in my life. He gave me opportunities to grow and is always there when I need him.”
Katrina Kuntz
Lead Teacher
Katrina's Bio
Katrina has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, BA in Elementary Ed/Spanish, MS in TESOL (Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages). Katrina has 29 years of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Reading, scrapbooking, and cooking
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My husband. He helped raise my 3 children from my 1st marriage. It takes a special person to raise another man’s children like they are your own.”
Layla Samuel
Assistant Teacher
Layla's Bio
Layla has a High School Diploma and 1 year of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Reading
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. She’s a single mother of 7 children. No matter what none of us ever went without.”
Michelle Page
Assistant Teacher
Michelle's Bio
Michelle has a High School Diploma and has 13 years of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Baking and decorating my home.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. I admire her because she has always been there for me and she’s the type of person I strive to be.”
Missy Markley
Assistant Director
Missy's Bio
Missy has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and 28 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Missy enjoys DIYs and crafting.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Mom. She has been through a lot and her strength and positive attitude speaks volumes to me. She always encourages me through every situation and knows who her strength comes from.”
Monica Brown
Lead Teacher
Monica's Bio
Monica has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialand 30 years of experience teaching children.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My Dad. He worked midnights and farmed during the day while providing a home for his family.”
Morgan Fearnow
Lead Teacher
Morgan's Bio
Katrina has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has 8 years of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Going to concerts.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My parent. For demonstrating and teaching me a strong work ethic.”
Peggy Alter
Substitute
Peggy's Bio
Peggy has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has 49 years of experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Going camping.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “Charlotte Levi. She was a wonderful mentor when I worked at the City Day Care Center.”
Penny Salinas-Sparling
Assistant Teacher
Penny's Bio
Penny has a high school diploma and 7 years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Penny enjoys Crocheting.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My sister. She’s kind and caring and loves all people.”
Sara Hunter
Lead Teacher
Sara's Bio
Sara has BA in Elementary Education. Minor in special education and 10+ years experience teaching children.
What are your favorite hobbies?: Knitting, cooking, and baking.
Who is someone you admire, and why?: “My husband. He is such a hard worker and takes care of all us. He spoils us by taking us on awesome vacations. All because he works so hard!”
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