All of our staff members are highly qualified professionals.

At least 75% of our Primary Teachers have an Associate or Bachelor degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a similar field. The other Primary Teachers have a minimum of 12 credit hours in Early Childhood and are encouraged and supported in continuing their education.

Our full-time Floating Teachers have at least an introductory course in Early Childhood Education and are encouraged to pursue additional coursework.

Prior to employment, each staff member was carefully evaluated to ensure a good match with our program philosophy.  This process included an in-depth interview with the administrators, reference checks, observation of the applicant interacting with children in a classroom, input from staff about those interactions, and a criminal background check through the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education.

CHDCC Primary Teachers

Sonia (She/Her)

Sonia has worked in the child development field for more than 20 years and has a BS in Child Development and Family Relations. She says that the best part about teaching is watching the children learn and grow.  She describes herself as cordial, sociable and happy spirited! Sonia enjoys watching movies, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Shantae (She/Her)

Shantae joined the CHDCC team with a Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Science from Ashford University and two years experience working with young children. She’s excited to be part of the team and looks forward to continuing to grow as an early childhood teacher. She enjoys being a stepping stone in children’s learning processes and says that the children inspire her to be the best teacher she can be. Her goal is to help each child grow and develop and prepare them for their next steps. Shantae describes herself as a team player who is highly motivated. She enjoys spending her free time serving in her church and singing in the choir.

Tracy (She/HEr)

Tracy has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood and 17 years of experience in the field. She says she enjoys children’s energy and watching them learn. In her downtime, Tracy likes to spend time with her family and friends and she enjoys traveling.

nahija (She/Her)

Nahija has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood in addition to the Bachelors Degree she earned while living in Bangladesh. She has been a part of the CHDCC team since 1999. She became an early childhood teacher because she likes children and enjoys spending time with them. She describes herself as cheerful, honest and loyal. Nahija makes learning fun by singing, dancing, and incorporating new, age appropriate activities and materials into the classroom frequently.  In her almost 20 years at CDHCC, she has found that the most satisfying part of teaching is seeing the children grow and learn. She enjoys gardening at home.

Chastity (she/her)

Chastity graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology from North Carolina A&T. She has experience working with school aged children as well as private nanny. Chastity plans to further her education by expanding her degree to become a child psychologist. She feels that working with young children will better help her to understand the development of young children giving her a different prespective when working in her chosen field. She enjoys reading, shopping and traveling when shes not hanging out with her fur-babies (Deuce, Dutch, Lola Belle and Sweater (Ask her how her dog got the name sweater).

Dyamond (she/her)

Dyamond is so excited to be apart of the CHDCC family. She has been teaching for about 3 years. Dyamond attended Johnson C. Smith University where she majored in Biology. We know that you are probably thinking how do you do from Biology to teaching? Dyamond first started teaching at a non-profit school that specializes in children with different developmental and intellectual disabilities. She fell in love with teaching after that. Dyamond states, “As a teacher I am able to empower children to discover their full potential and I am able to encourage them to be the best at whatever they put their minds to.” Dyamond feels that everyday is an opportunity to learn something new and she is looking forward to LOTS of learning and fun.

jolmar (she/her)

Jolmar's first child care experience was as a volunteer at CHDCC in the mid-1990’s, followed by teaching here for several years. She was welcomed back to our team in 2014. Jolmar has her Early Childhood Credential and more than 20 years experience. When asked what she likes about working with children, she replied, “Everything…their laughter, energy, curiosity, hugs in the morning and kisses at night.” In her spare time, Jolmar enjoys painting, drawing and spending time with family.

arya (she/her)

Arya’s first childcare experience was working in her moms in-home daycare center. Arya stated “I’ve always loved kids but once my mom opened her daycare I realized it was something I definitely enjoyed doing.” After that, Arya started to branch out into the school system and one other daycare center. In her free time she loves to do hair, listen to music and eat a lot. 

Montia (she/her)

Montia started in the childcare industry in 2015. She decided to enter into the childcare field because she felt that she could make a difference in children’s lives. Montia stated, “It always fascinates me how one day you could teach them something and their brains just absorbs it and keeps the knowledge.” She raised her two nephews that are now adults and she now has four children of her own. She loves to provide a loving and nurturing environment and watching children become the best they can be.

Rubia (she/her)

Rubia is from El Salvador. She has a degree in Legal Sciences in her country and she worked as a Pre-K teacher for 3 years there. She continued her career in ECE when she arrived in this country. She has been in the field for 6 years. Rubia stated, “I love working with children, because they inspire me to do my best.”

Jordan (she/her)

Jordan had been working with children since 2014 and is in the process of achieving her associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She started babysitting at an early age and began volunteering at different schools to start her teaching career. Jordan stated, “It brings me joy watching children grow, learn and develop.” Her hobbies are art, dancing, and enjoying nature. 

Branlyn (she/her)

Branlyn was born in Fayetteville and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. In 2023, she graduated from high school and that is when she discovered her love for children. She worked as a nanny and a camp counselor at the YMCA, while in school. After high school, she applied to Durham Tech and enrolled in Business Management. She plans to continue to pursue her studies along with Early Childhood Education and Certified Nursing Assistant. Branlyn stated, “Growing up, I have always been around a lot of children and working with them comes natural to me.” In her spare time she likes to hangout with her family and she enjoys living everyday like it is her last.

Tianna (she/her)

Tianna has a Bachelors in English from NC A&T. She worked as a Registered Behavioral Technician assisting children with autism. She is also has her certification in Infant in Toddler Care. Tianna has worked with children in a multitude of capacities since 2017 through volunteer work or through her career. She stated, “I am passionate about bettering my community and environment and strive to implement this in my daily life.” Tianna has two cats Bagheera and Harvey (whom are both named after cartoon movies/shows.) In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling and trying new foods, whether it’s baking/cooking or going to new restaurants, she is always happy to try it.

aviona (she/her)

Aviona is a native of Durham NC. She got into childcare 5 years ago and since than she has loved it. Aviona stated, “I’ve always watched my family members when I was younger so I thought I would get into the childcare field.” She has worked at summer camps, as a nanny, and she has worked at two other licensed facilities. Outside of work she likes to read, workout, and take time for herself and have self care days.

Yashaswini (she/her)

Yashaswini has a Bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance from India. She is a mother of two teenagers and loves traveling and cooking. Yashaswini moved from upstate New York, where she worked as a substitute teacher for elementary school. She stated, “I always loved being around kids, as a passionate warm and caring teacher I always want all children to be successful learners.” Yashaswini loves to create a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, and adaptive to the varied needs of students.

Jamie (she/her)

Jamie is from a small town in North Carolina called Roanoke Rapids. It’s not too far from Lake Gaston. But she grew up in Chapel Hill. Go Tar Heels! Jamie has worked with children for 12 years and have experience working with all ages. She also has training in how to properly assist children with disabilities. Currently, Jamie working towards her Associates in early childhood. Jamie stated, “I love helping kids express themselves through art and music and this has been a great teaching method for me as well.”

CHDCC Floating Teachers/Other Staff

Gloria (She/her)

Gloria has worked in childcare for some years now. She received her Early Educator Certification and she is a Level 4 qualified teacher. Gloria stated, “The reason I wanted to get involved in childcare was to have an opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives by helping them grow and develop in each of their domains.”

Ebony (she/her)

Ebony has worked with children since she was 13. She started off volunteering with her mom and grandmother in a home daycare that they owned. She really enjoyed it. Since than she has worked with all different age groups from toddlers to high school children. Ebony is very loving, caring and compassionate about children. She stated, “Children are our future and if you teach and nurture them they will develop into amazing people of the world.” Ebony also enjoys cooking. Currently, she works in the kitchen at CHDCC and she looks forward to making an impact on your children each and everyday.  

Flo (she/her)

Flo graduated from Western Michigan University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Emphasis minor. Flo has over thirty years teaching experience which includes pre-school and kindergarten instructions. In 2018, she received her Masters Degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in General Education. Her hobbies include reading, singing and shopping. Flo stated, “My favorite past-time is spending time with my husband and two daughters.”

Clare (she/her)

Clare was born in Wisconsin but grew up in Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of Carrboro High School. Currently, she attends Alamance Community College. Clare has completed the certificates in Child Development for Birth to 2 and for Preschoolers. Clare also works part-time at Southern States in Carrboro. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing sports, and doing puzzles.

Rebecca (She/her)

Rebecca has an associates degree in Human services and three years experience in childcare . She is currently working on her CDA certification. Her ultimate goal is to get a Masters in health education. She wants to be a health educator and teach children about physical wellness. Rebecca stated, “I love children’s imagination and how naturally loving they are.” In her free time she likes to write and listen to music.

steven (He/him)

Steven is the cook at CHDCC. His love for cooking began when Executive Chef Mike Fahey gave him two bags of potatoes. As he took on the challenge of cutting and shaping the potatoes, he discovered that by carefully pushing a cylindrical piece halfway through and then using a paring knife to cut until it separated, he could create a beautiful mushroom-like shape on one side and a ring-like shape on the other. Steven stated, “I was inspired and astounded by how beautiful and visually appealing the potatoes looked and I realized food could be transformed into art or a captivating story.” After completing that accomplishment, Chef Mike Fahey taught Steven a wide variety of dishes, diverse recipes, and unique methods for preparing meals. The chef also recommended that he pursue his certification in supervision, sanitation, and nutrition at Wake Tech Community College. Steven finished his education at Harrison University known as the Chef Academy in Morrisville. This experience allowed him to travel globally, participating in food shows and even attending a prestigious event in Florida, where he had the opportunity to showcase his cooking skills at social gatherings. Steven stated, “It was a great honor to prepare meals for esteemed guests such as George Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and numerous celebrities during these events.” In his free time, Steven likes playing pool, participating in culinary arts, strength training, traveling, fishing, swimming, watching movies, and spending quality time with his children.