Bright Beginnings Child Development Center
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Information | Location | Staff |
Information
Parent Handbook (pdf)
Accreditations: Two Star Facility, NAEYC
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 | Pre K | 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 Co-Teacher
Email Angela
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.
Catha Ashepak ,
Infant Room Co-Teacher
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I am one of the Master Teachers here in the Infant classroom. I have worked at Bright Beginnings since we opened in August of 2009.
My husband Sam and I, have 4 children of our own. I received my degree in Early Childhood from NSU, and have worked in the childcare field in every age group possible since 1989, including teaching Kindergarten for 5 years. Each age group has things that I love, but babies have always been a passion of mine (note the 4 children) and I am blessed to have the job of my dreams to come to each day.
I look forward to each new milestone and spending every day with the Infants.
Kathi Stark, Toddler 1 Teacher
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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 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.
Joy Rhinehart , Toddler 2 A Teacher
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I live in Claremore and all my children live here also. I have 3 boys, 1 girl and 1 adopted boy.
Before starting my career working with children, I went to Business Office School and obtained a Surgical Technician License in Kansas. Also, I have a Bachelors Degree in Science/Human Service Management from the University of Phoenix. I will have my Masters Degree in Liberal Arts/Psychology from Southern Nazarene University in May 2011. Later, I want to get my Doctoral Degree in Theology. Throughout my educational journey, I have also attended many classes for Early Education for behavioral needs and general CDA classes. This is my third year to work directly with children.
Currently, I volunteer for CASA, church missions, and for the Red Cross Crisis team. I am eager to put my education and experience to good use as the Toddler 2A teacher. I look forward to sharing this time with you and your children.
Karey Young , Toddler 2 B Teacher
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I am the master teacher in the Toddler 2B classroom. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2009.
I worked at different centers during college and began my career here at Bright Beginnings in June of 2010 when I moved back from Norman to Claremore. I am also the current Sunday School teacher at my church located in Claremore.
I love working with children and I enjoy watching the children grow and learn in everything that they do. I believe that all children are capable of learning and have something meaningful to contribute to the other children in the class. My belief is that children learn through play and active discovery. We will use this to guide our curriculum in our class.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have about your child. I am excited to get to know each one of the children in my class.
Misty Underwood, Preschool Teacher
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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.
Bridget Taylor , Pre K Teacher
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I am the Pre-K teacher at Bright Beginnings Child Development Center. I believe that I was called to be a teacher. I am certified to teach grades Pre-K through grade 8. I have been working with children for as long as I can remember.
I graduated from Oklahoma State University in the spring of 1987 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. I have a current Oklahoma teaching certificate in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I have taught both elementary and early childhood grades for the last 23 years.
I am married to a wonderful man named Don and we have two beautiful children, Hannah and Ashleigh. We are active with our children in our local 4-H and Cloverbud program. Both of my children share my love of reading. I believe that one of the greatest gifts you can give to a child is the gift of reading.
Elyse Winters , Child Care Center Cook
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I am the nutrition specialist at Bright Beginnings Child Development Center. I am a graduate of the Culinary Arts Program from Northeast Technology Center and have been in the food industry for more than six years.
I have competed in two state and three local competitions. I have cooked for as many as fifteen hundred people to as little as four judges on a panel. I have experience both running a kitchen at McDonalds and hosting extravagant banquets for five hundred plus people. I have had jobs as small as cashiering at Long John Silver’s to bakers assistant/short order cook at the Hard Rock Casino & Resort.
With as many kitchens as I have been in and as many diverse groups I have cooked for, I have found nothing as fulfilling as cooking for such a wonderful group of children and working for such a heartfelt company. I work diligently to find new ways to promote heart healthy diets in our children’s nutritional meals every day.
I promise to uphold a safe and clean environment for food preparation as well as a pleasant, professional, and positive attitude while I represent the wonderful establishment that is Bright Beginnings. My name is Chef Elyse, come by and get to know me!