All KidSpace staff members are trained in first aid, CPR, Communicable Disease and Child Abuse and Neglect. In addition, each staff member is required to obtain 10 hours of child development trainings per year. All classroom lead teachers have bachelor’s degrees in education or related fields and all assistant teachers either have degrees or are in the process of obtaining their degree. All staff members have been trained in Creative Curriculum and are knowledgeable in how to created developmentally appropriate activities for the children at various age levels.

Meet Julie Neely, Director of KidSpace
Julie holds her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Akron. She has 12 years experience in working with children ages birth to twelve years, but finds that she has most experience with infants and toddlers. Julie joined the KidSpace family in 2008, where she began as our Coordinator. Julie’s office hours are 7:00am – 3:00pm.

Meet Samantha Jackson, KidSpace Coordinator
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Akron with a minor in Child and Family Development. She is certified in teaching Parent Education and holds courses 5 times per year. She is currently working on her Master’s degrees in Community Counseling and School Counseling. Samantha has been part of the KidSpace family since 2008, where she began as the Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher. Samantha’s office hours are 9:00 – 5:00pm.

Meet Miss Valerie, Lead Young Infant Teacher
Valerie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Malone University. She has been working in childcare for the past 5 years and finds her calling with the young infants. In addition to caring for our babies at KidSpace, Valerie also teaches a specialized art class for the preschoolers and toddlers each week. Valerie joined the KidSpace family in 2009.

Meet Miss Kerry, Assistant Young Infant Teacher
Kerry is a previous nanny, mother of two and has been working with children since 2000. She is known for keeping a smile on the babies faces and keeps the staff laughing. She has been with KidSpace since the beginning in 2007 where she began as a toddler teacher.

Meet Miss Kate, Lead Older Infant Teacher
Kate holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Toledo. She is a previous nanny and has years of experience with children. Kate has been with KidSpace since the very beginning in 2007.

Meet Miss Carla, Assistant Older Infant Teacher
Carla has been working in the Child Care field for 17 years. She has worked with children of all ages, but has a knack with the little ones. Carla has been with KidSpace since even before the beginning, back when KidSpace was still just an idea. She is definitely KidSpace’s most dedicated staff member.

Meet Miss Angie, Assistant Young Toddler Teacher
Angie is currently enrolled at The University of Cincinnati and is in the process of obtaining her degree in early childhood education. Although she has three children of her own, she still finds it calming working with our toddlers at KidSpace. Angie joined our KidSpace family in 2008.

Meet Miss Sediah, Lead Older Toddler Teacher
Sediah is a recent graduate of The University of Akron and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development. She first came to KidSpace as an intern in the beginning of 2010, and officially joined the family in May 2010.

Meet Miss Veronica, Assistant Older Toddler Teacher
Veronica comes to us all the way from California! Veronica is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology at The University of Akron. She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Child Development Associates. She has worked in the child care field for the past seven years as a teacher and a nanny. She is wonderful with all age groups and is a great with our toddlers. Veronica joined our KidSpace family in May 2010.

Meet Miss Stevi, Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Stevi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Akron. She began at KidSpace in 2008 as an intern with the young toddlers. Since then she has worked as our Lead Older Toddler Teacher, but has found her niche with the three to five year old class. Stevi was Collegiate National Champion for the hammer throw in 2009 and is currently ranked fourth in the United States. She is currently training for the 2012 Olympics that will be held in London.

Meet Miss Antoinette, Assistant Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Antoinette came to us wanting to pursue a degree in nursing. Since beginning here in 2009, she has changed her mind and found that her calling was children. She is now pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at The University of Akron and is excited to become a first time mommy in December 2010.

Meet Miss Rachel, School-Age Summer Teacher
Rachel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Akron. She currently works for the Rittman School District as a first grade teacher, but returns to KidSpace each summer to teach our summer program. In addition, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Education. Rachel joined the KidSpace family in the summer of 2009.