Meet Our New Staff!

Josy Gootee

Hello, my name is Josy Gootee. I am so excited to be a part of the Ivy Academy West team. I have worked with infants/toddlers for 10 years now. I am happy this profession chose me, and I turned it into my career. I have studied Early Childhood Development at Tulsa Community College and earned my Associate’s degree. I am continuing my education with Northeastern State University to obtain my bachelor’s degree in early childhood. I am a Dewey graduate, and spent my Junior and Senior years of high school with Tri County Tech in the Early Childhood department. It was then that I was just beginning to like working with young children, and as I went on, that like turned into love.

I just recently moved back to Bartlesville with my husband after living in Owasso for the last 8 years and working with CAP Tulsa for the last 4 years. In my professional experience, I have learned how to strengthen my understanding of toddlers by practicing empathy. With empathy, I am able to understand their needs and wants. As an infant and toddler cannot yet speak, they communicate their needs to us by crying; and by teaching us how to listen to their cry, we can appropriately respond to them. This is a little piece of something I have learned about a young child’s brain development through my experiences and education. I love so much to keep learning about young children’s brains to teach myself and practice how to better guide them. I value my teaching practices as I am their guide, and they lead the way.

Angela Lein

My name is Angela Lein. I’m super excited to be working at Ivy Academy West as a Substitute Teacher. I have had a passion for working with children for as long as I can remember. I have worked in the church nursery since I was 12 years old, I babysat as a teenager, and I have worked at other child care facilities in the past. I have a 21 year daughter who will be graduating college in December. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my fur babies - I have two cats and two dogs. I love being outside; I like to camp, hike, and spend time at the lake. I’m also active in my church. I am thankful to have the opportunity to care for your children and look forward to meeting each of you!

Elizabeth Fentress

Hi, my name is Beth, and I am a substitute (Enrichment) teacher. I’ve worked with children for over two years, and I’m excited to be a part of Delaware’s team! I love to help kids learn and explore the world around them. In my free time I enjoy reading, spending time outside, and cooking.

Virginia Hemiterio

Hi, my name is Virginia. I am a support teacher here at Ivy Academy West. I go to each classroom throughout the day to provide teacher support for their breaks. I am currently going to college to get a degree to become an elementary school teacher. I love to make crafts and draw in my free time. {She also spends a lot of time running, chasing, and playing games with the kids}.