Bright Beginnings Child Development Center
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Information | Location | Staff |
Information
Parent Handbook (pdf)
Fees
Newsletters
Location
2550 Holly Road
Claremore, OK 74017
Map
Phone: 918.342.6100
Fax: 918.342.2465
Staff
Director | Infant Room | Toddler 1 Room | Toddler 2 Room | Preschool 1 | Preschool 2 | Part Day Preschool |Cook
Christina Horton, Director
Email Christina
I would like to introduce myself as the Director of Bright Beginnings. My name is Christina Horton and I live here in Claremore with my husband and 3 children. My credentials include an Associate Degree in Early Education, a Bachelor Degree in Organizational Leadership, and a Gold Level Director’s Credential. I have over 5 years of experience teaching all ages in early childhood settings. Likewise, I have 6 years of experience directing early childhood programs. I have directed two large, accredited, three star programs in Edmond, Oklahoma, and a small, non-profit, program serving low income families in Tulsa. I have a strong philosophy regarding the importance of family structures, no matter how diverse they may be. Similarly, I have a high regard for the individuality of people, especially children, which drives me to treat each one with respect and empathy. I believe that a child’s abilities are only measured by the opportunities set before them. My role, as Director of Bright Beginnings, is to offer support and encouragement to staff and parents/guardians through clear communication and positive relationships so that the opportunities for your child’s success will be endless.
Please know that I welcome you to discuss with me any concerns or questions that you may have at any time. I am so grateful for this chance to serve you and your family.
Angela Gardener ,
Infant Room Teacher
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My name is Angela Gardner and I am the Infant Room teacher this year at Bright Beginnings. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I have worked with children in many different facets. Prior to my job here, I served as an assistant teacher at the childcare center at Rogers State University in Claremore for 4 years. I believe that all children can learn, no matter where they come from or how young they are. I am confident that by working as a team, the school year will be a great success in building foundations for your child’s development of lifelong learning skills.
Kathi Stark, Toddler 1 Teacher
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Hello! My name is Kathi Stark and I am the master teacher in the Toddler 1 room. I have worked with children since 1999. I have been employed with the Delaware Child Development Center since 2004 and recently transferred to our Bright Beginnings facility in Claremore. I received my Child Development Associates (CDA) in 2004 and I am working toward an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. I believe children learn best through play, and the curriculum we use is "Creative Curriculum". This curriculum pulls the pieces of developmentally appropriate practice together and offers a framework for understanding early childhood theory and research. This is essential in order to know what children think and feel, and how you can help them become caring people and joyful learners. I love working with children because it brings joy to me to watch them grow and develop on a daily basis.
Ashley Hunter, Toddler 2 Teacher
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Hello, my name is Ashley Hunter. I graduated from Rogers State University with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Soon, I will further my education to pursue a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in child care for about two and half years, and I am so happy to be working at Bright Beginnings. I love the people that I work with and especially love the children that I teach. It’s exciting to come to work and see the smiles on the children’s faces every day. I am happy to say I will be working in the Toddler One classroom. As a toddler teacher, I look forward to helping the children discover basic concepts of learning, such as colors, shapes, and some numbers. I will teach the children that my job is to keep them safe and their job is to help keep our classroom safe. We will master many sign language expressions and self-help skills. When it’s time for our one-year-olds to graduate to Toddler Two, they will be ready!
Mary Galloway, Toddler 2 Teacher
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Hello! My name is Mary Galloway and I will be taking on the Terrific Two’s! I am currently studying early childhood education and will eventually be obtaining my Bachelor’s degree. Until then, my plan is to acquire my CDA within the next year. Outside of school I enjoy anything to do with art. My favorites include photography, painting, and drawing. I enjoy just about anything crafty, which I will apply with the children as we grow and explore through play and teacher guided activities. My classroom goals are to have a safe and stimulating place for the children to learn and interact socially and emotionally. I want to create an open environment with great communication, so feel free to discuss any concerns or questions you have about your children. I am so excited to be able to work with such an amazing age and outstanding group of children. We are going to have a fantastic year!
Catha Ashepak, Preschool Teacher
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My name is Catha Ashepak and I am the Preschool teacher here at Bright Beginnings. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern State University in 2001. I have worked with young children in a variety of facets since 1989. I have taught all ages and in many different types of Early Childhood programs such as preschools, drop in centers, and Sunday schools; I currently serve as the Nursery Ministry Team leader at my church. I also have my Oklahoma teaching certificate and have had the opportunity to teach Kindergarten for five years. I believe each child is a unique creation and should be treated like one. Every child learns, develops and loves in his or her own special way. It is my job to determine the best of these things in each child and help them to be successful and to enjoy life and learning. I am honored to learn with your child each day and I am very grateful to have a job that I love so very much. I have been married to Sam since 1993 and we have been blessed with 4 children: Samantha, Wyatt, Liberty, and Catie. They are the love of our lives. We enjoy spending time together as a family, going on nature hikes, hanging out at the zoo, going on picnics, road trips, and TU football and basketball games. My life is full of children and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Misty Underwood, Preschool Teacher
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Hello, my name is Misty Underwood and I am the Preschool teacher. I have lived in Green Country my entire life and have made my home in Inola since my middle school years. I am married and have two wonderful daughters. I spend the majority of my free time doing typical family activities.
I’ve been working in Early Childhood Education for five years. Within those five years I have taught all age groups from infants through school age and have directed a center. My favorite place to be is in the classroom. I have completed my Certificate of Mastery and hope to graduate from TCC in the spring of 2011 with my associates in Child Development. Then, I will transfer on for my bachelor degree in Child and Family Services.
My philosophy is that children learn through play. I believe that their social and emotional growth is the foundation for success throughout their childhood years. I purposely manage the preschool classroom to build that foundation for children. Every day we are learning through play, interaction, and discovery. Through these methods, our knowledge of language development, science and math will explode! I look forward to serving as your child’s teacher.
Dawn Reed-Sallee, Part Day Preschool
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I am pleased to introduce myself as one of the newest members of Bright Beginnings. My name is Dawn Reed Sallee and I will be in the Part Day Preschool classroom. Claremore has always been my home and I feel blessed to have most of my family in the Claremore area as well. I have one sister and her family live in St. Louis, whom I miss terribly. I am married and have three wonderful children. When I am not spending time with your precious children, I enjoy going to sporting events with my children, husband, hanging out with my parents, and watching my children grow into responsible, little people. I earned my bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education in 2000 and have spent the last 10 years in the public school system. I am so very excited to be teaching pre K students as they prepare to make that bridge to the kindergarten classroom. My classroom is set up to be a safe atmosphere in which children are able to learn through discovery, direct instruction, and social emotional bonding. As an early childhood teacher my main goals are safety, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and trust. These factors are key in relation to the success of a strong foundation of education. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have about your child.
Mary Hodge , Child Care Center Cook
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My name is Mary Hodge, and I truly enjoy being the cook here at Bright Beginnings Child Development Center! My love of planning and preparing healthy meals for children started quite a while ago when I began my journey with the Broken Arrow Public Schools (in 1996). I worked at the high school for over 4 years advancing my skills through various workshops and certification courses. My husband's job relocation put us in Texas, where I continued my journey until February 2008, when we were able to come back home to Claremore! My experience with 3 different school districts has given me a wonderful outlook on the ways to make healthy meals for your children.
My husband of 25 years and I have two grown children. Heather is 23, and our son Heath is 21. Heath is married, and has made us proud grandparents of a 13 month old little boy!
Here at Bright Beginnings nutritious meals are serves with a happy smile, and a loving heart!