Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool – July National Teacher of the Month

We are honored to work alongside such hardworking men and women who educate and inspire 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 July teacher of the month. The following teachers were nominated by their program directors and assistant directors for this achievement:

Michelle Green – Alpharetta

Courtney Irvine – Springfield I

Emilee Brown – Springfield II

Jessica Deal – Springfield III

Sylvia Kay – Colorado Springs

Parisa Amirazodi – Franklin

Brittany Padilla – Gilbert

Krysta Hawley – Granite Bay

Lauren Duke – Lakeway

Vandana Sharma – Leawood

Angela Barela – Littleton

Kat Vejil – Overland Park

Nicole Meese – Ozark

Maria Ruiz – Rogers

Angie Mendez – San Antonio

Heather Stork – Scottsdale

Dagmar Fernandes Melo – Southlake

Monica Sandefer – The Woodlands

Kristin Vargo – University City

Congratulations to all the nominees! We are very thankful for all you do for the children in your care everyday.

Our 2018 July Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Colleen Malo from our Willowbrook, IL location! Ms. Colleen is the lead teacher in Land of Oz, the infant classroom.

Colleen has a passion for working with infants and when asked what she loves most about it, she replied “I love watching them grow and develop new abilities. One day babies are just starting to roll over, and the next day they are crawling. It’s amazing that I get to help them and be a part their journey!”

We’ve had so many fun curriculum themes and projects this year – from learning about a “Heart Healthy Lifestyle” all the way to learning “Gardening and Horticulture”. Ms. Colleen’s favorite curriculum project so far this year has gone with our July’s curriculum, “Oceans of Fun”. Her classroom made an awesome bulletin board and each day, the babies added a new part to it. “By the end of the month, we had a beautiful and colorful bulletin board that showed off all of the hard work that had been done” said Colleen.

When asked who inspired her the most, Ms. Colleen responded “My co-teachers inspire me the most. I learn so much from the two of them and both push me to be the best I can be every day. Ms. Mesude has so much experience, and every day I learn a new technique that I can incorporate to make the babies happier. Ms. Jessica always makes sure everyone is positive and looks out for what each baby needs. I get inspiration from them every day and am so glad I get to work with them! Thanks girls!”

Here’s what an Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool family had to say about Ms. Colleen: “Starting daycare with a three-month-old baby can be nerve-wracking, but Ms. Colleen made us feel so comfortable and at ease with Olivia in her Care. She is so kind and gentle with all the infants. Olivia giggles and smiles when Ms. Colleen makes silly faces at her and loves when she holds her. She has helped Olivia with major milestones like rolling over and sitting up. We have been in the Land of Oz room and with Ms. Colleen for five months and it is so nice to have her take care of our little girl. We couldn’t be more grateful for all that she does!”

In her free time, Ms. Colleen loves to read and craft. She always has a new book in her hand or a project to work on. Painting, going to the movies and watching Netflix are some of her favorite activities as well. She also loves Broadway musicals and plays – so much so that she collects playbills from every show she goes to!

We are so proud to recognize Ms. Colleen as our July National Teacher of the Month!