February 2018 LSP National Teacher of the Month

We are honored to work alongside such hardworking men and women who educate and love on our students day-in and day-out! The process of choosing just one passionate teacher each month is tough, but we are lucky to have so many to choose from for recognition as our February teacher of the month. The following teachers were nominated by their program directors and assistant directors for this achievement:

Claudia Nicolai – Alpharetta
Jessica Staley – Springfield I
Kristin Struckhoff – Springfield II
Keeley Deal – Springfield III
Amanda Reeves – Franklin
Ari Ferrin – Gilbert
Christine White – Granite Bay
Nadeen Rodriguez – Lakeway
Caitlin Wheatley – Leawood
Richelle Walton – Littleton
Easton Smith – Overland Park
Patience Deines – Ozark
Lacey Fowler – Rogers
Jessmarie Rivera – San Antonio
Toto Saleh – Scottsdale
Christie Montgomery – The Woodlands
Bethany Meyer – University City
Jennifer Gavin – Willowbrook

Congratulations to all of these nominees! We are very thankful for all you do for the children in your care every day.

Our 2018 February LSP National Teacher of the Month is Mrs. Teresa Obert from our Southlake, Texas location! Mrs. Teresa is the lead teacher in Neverland, the pre-kindergarten classroom.

Teresa has been in Early Childhood Education for almost 40 years! While in high school, she was an aide in an elementary school and absolutely loved it – it’s what set her career path in teaching and mentoring young children! What Teresa enjoys most about Little Sunshine’s is the flexibility to expound on lesson plans and the freedom to provide open-ended and natural materials that broaden a child’s experiences.

When asked what inspires her Teresa responded, “Truly the spark of light that comes from the eyes of a small child when I connect with them. Even as a child, I knew I would be a teacher. When I look at a child and I see their heart smile, it erases all of my woes!”

Here’s what Southlake Co-Program Director, Emy Cervantes had to say about Mrs. Teresa “Her creative and Reggio inspired activities to keep her children busy AND learning for hours at a time. She is so devoted to her classroom and children and it truly warms my heart to see. She comes in an hour before her shift usually and works way past her shift, as well. Her dedication is admirable and many of our teachers go to her for advice and ideas, as she also spent a lot of her career doing Teacher training.”

Even when not at Little Sunshine’s, Teresa said she spends most of her time outside of work reading and researching natural strategies that she can incorporate into her classroom. Teresa is also in the midst of finishing her first children’s book!

“We adore Mrs. Teresa and enjoy getting to see her children come in every day EXCITED to see what they’ll be working on that day,” Emy said. “We are confident that her kiddos are on the right path to be successful in Kindergarten!”