Our Staff

HLC teachers are committed to a long-term career in early childhood. That is why they are treated as professionals and with respect for their craft. They are taken on annual retreats for team building and earn performance-based bonuses yearly. All have updated first aid and CPR training; and more than half of the teachers have college degrees and have been with our program for at least three years. So rest assured, if your child is one of the 36 children in our facility, they could not be in better hands!

What makes HLC teachers better?

[checklist]

  • Most have been with HLC for three or more years
  • Over half have earned at least an associate’s degree in early childhood. Most have a four year degree coupled with early childhood training and/or coursework.
  • Everyone has the opportunity to earn annual performance-based bonuses because of the quality care they provide.
  • Since 2014, HLC has had two teachers honored as finalists for the prestigious Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award, an honor that recognizes excellent early childhood educators in Durham, Orange and Wake counties.
  • A strong administrative team with more than 6 decades of combined earlier childhood experience to guide, coach and support staff. 

[/checklist]

[clear]

[acc title=”Administration”]

[tabs tab1=”Mrs. Lynette” tab2=”Mrs. Ginger” tab3=”Mrs. Ashley” tab4=”Mrs. Lashaunda”]

[tab]

Mrs. Lynette

Owner  [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  • BA Degree in Journalism and History – University of North Carolina
  • MA Degree in Early Childhood Education – University of North Carolina
  • Birth to Kindergarten License

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: Since 2003

Favorite activity: Planting herbs and flowers for children to watch be grown and harvested for the classroom.

Bio: Lynette is co-owner with her husband Donnell Mitchell. She is a former freelance writer and full-time journalist for major news organizations. A grateful Christian, Lynette is a breast cancer survivor and the mother of three wonderful sons. When she is not at Harvest — or thinking about Harvest – Lynette loves to read – mysteries, Christian-based self-help books and inspiring biographies and autobiographies. Her goal is to pen her own book.

[/tab]

[tab]

Mrs. Ginger

Director [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  •  BS Degree in Human Development and Family Studies – University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  •  AAS Early Childhood Degree
  • Early Childhood Education Credential
  • Early Educator Certification (EEC)
  • SIDS Certified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: Since 1998

Favorite activity: Arts and crafts

Bio: My name is Mrs. Ginger and I’ve worked at Harvest since 2006. I started out as a waddler teacher and then about a year later I moved to the preschool class. I am now the Director, overseeing a staff of 9 to 10 and assisting in all classrooms. During my nearly two decades in early childhood education, I have worked with all ages but preschoolers are my favorite. I love the opportunity I have at Harvest to utilized all of my talents throughout the center. I help our teachers provide more individualized care and attention. I earned my associate’s degree in early childhood at Vance-Granville Community College in 2012 and I am currently enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro working on my bachelor’s degree in early childhood.
On a more personal note, I am a married mother of three. I have two daughters and a son. All three of my children have attended Harvest. My oldest is in high school and my youngest is still a student at Harvest. We live in Stem. It is about 40 minutes north of Durham (no one has ever heard of it). I have lived there my whole life except for a few brief years. I enjoy reading, playing computer games, going to the drive-in and spending time with my family.

[/tab]

[tab]

Mrs. Ashley

Assistant Director [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  • BS Degree in Early Childhood Administration – Purdue University Global
  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • SIDS Certified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: since 2011

Favorite activity: Artwork with the babies

Bio: I am Ashley Martinez and I have been at HLC since 2011. I am the lead teacher in the infant room and obtained my bachelor’s degree in early childhood administration at Purdue University Global in
2019. I love doing artwork with the babies and seeing what creative works of art we can create together. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband, two daughters and young son. I also enjoy photography, bike riding, and I hold a deputy black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

[/tab]

[tab]

Ms. Lashaunda

Assistant Director [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  • Associate Degree in Applied Science, Certificate in Early Childhood Preschool – Stanly Community College
  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • SIDS Certified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: Since 2000

Favorite activity: STEM projects and art

Bio: I am LaShaunda “Dani” Rogers and I have been at HLC since 2013. I am a master teacher and am currently working towards my degree in early childhood administration. I am originally from Oxford, NC and now live in Elon with my truck driver/owner-operator husband, my beautiful and smart daughter, and my smart and athletic son. I have been apart of the HLC family since 2013 and I love to teach. I love seeing children take what they have learned and apply it to their everyday lives. In my spare time, I love to travel, cook and decorate.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

[/acc]

[acc title=”Infants”]

[tabs tab1=”Mrs. Ashley” tab2=”Ms. Alex”]

[tab]

Mrs. Ashley

Lead Infant Room Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  • BS Degree in Early Childhood Administration – Purdue University Global
  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • SIDS Certified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: since 2011

Favorite activity: Artwork with the babies

Bio: I am Ashley Martinez and I have been at HLC since 2011. I am the lead teacher in the infant room and obtained my bachelor’s degree in early childhood administration at Purdue University Global in
2019. I love doing artwork with the babies and seeing what creative works of art we can create together. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband, two daughters and young son. I also enjoy photography, bike riding, and I hold a deputy black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

[/tab]

[tab]

Ms. Alex

Infant Room Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:  

  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified
  • SIDS Certified

[/checklist2]

Bio: Hello, my name is Alexandra Osada and I am 20 years old. I graduated high school in 2019 and went to Durham Technical Community College for one year. I plan to return in the Spring of 2023 to complete my early education course and finish my general education classes. Before I started working at Harvest Learning Center, I worked at my parent’s restaurant for five years as a cook. During my last year working for my parents, I decided I wanted to work somewhere where I could grow into who and what I wanted to do career-wise. I wanted to become a teacher because I love the idea that I can be able to help children grow into whoever they want to be and have an impact, however small, on their lives.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

[/acc]

[acc title=”Waddlers”]

[tabs tab1=”Mrs. Kimberly” tab2=”Ms. Amariah”]

[tab]

Mrs. Kimberly

Lead Waddler Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:  

  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified
  • SIDS Certified

[/checklist2]

Bio: My name is Kimberly Wilson. I graduated from high school in 2014. I recently received my early childhood credential at Durham Tech. I hope to further my education in early childhood. In my spare time I enjoy making candles and doing diy projects.

[/tab]

[tab]

Ms.  Amariah

Waddler Teacher [checklist2]

  • Lead Teacher Qualified

[/checklist2]

Bio: My name is Amariah and I am a recent graduate of Eastern Alamance High School in Alamance County. I am working as an assistant teacher in the waddler classroom. I have learned a lot from my mom over the years and have developed a love for working with children. I like getting the students to learn concepts through the games we play and I really enjoy dancing with them. In my spare time, I love traveling and drawing. I also enjoy doing charity work with my mom.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

[/acc]

[acc title=”Two’s and Three’s”]

[tabs tab1=”Ms. Dawn” tab2=”Ms. Brianna”]

[tab]

Ms. Dawn

Lead Two’s and Three’s Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:  

  • NC Early Childhood Teaching Credentials
  • CPR/First Aid Certified
  • SIDS Certified

[/checklist2]

Bio: I’m Dawn Colley and I am the lead teacher in the 2/3 class. I have been at Harvest since February 2022. I have worked with two-year-olds for 15 years. I love working with this age group the most because I get to help them grow and learn new skills. The excitement in their little faces when they master a new skill is the best reward for doing this job. I love walking into Harvest every day and seeing the little ones and getting all the hugs and love we get from them. I am also a wife and the mother of two adult children. My hobbies include reading, watching and attending UNC sports events and I am also a fan of the Carolina Panthers.

[/tab]

[tab]

Ms. Brianna

Assistant Two’s and Three’s Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications: 

  • Enrolled in EDU 119
  • CPR/First Aid Certified
  • SIDS Certified

[/checklist2]

Bio: Hi, my name is Brianna Cooper. I am 26 years old and I have two beautiful little boys. One is 14 years old and the youngest is eight months old. He will turn one on June 19th. I am originally from Ohio and moved here in August of 2022. My passion is cooking and working with children. I absolutely love working with children and watching them grow. One day I hope to own and operate my own childcare center. My favorite activities are reading, cooking and doing puzzles.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

[/acc]

[acc title=”Preschool”]

[tabs tab1=”Ms. Lashaunda” tab2 =”Ms. Nikki”]

[tab]

Ms. Lashaunda

Lead Preschool Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:

  • Associate Degree in Applied Science, Certificate in Early Childhood Preschool – Stanly Community College
  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • SIDS Certified
  • CPR/First Aid Certified

[/checklist2]

Childcare Experience: Since 2000

Favorite activity: STEM projects and art

Bio: I am LaShaunda “Dani” Rogers and I have been at HLC since 2013. I am a master teacher and am currently working towards my degree in early childhood administration. I am originally from Oxford, NC and now live in Elon with my truck driver/owner-operator husband, my beautiful and smart daughter, and my smart and athletic son. I have been apart of the HLC family since 2013 and I love to teach. I love seeing children take what they have learned and apply it to their everyday lives. In my spare time, I love to travel, cook and decorate.

[/tab]

[tab]

Ms. Nikki

Preschool Teacher [checklist2]

Education / Certifications:  

  • Lead Teacher Qualified
  • CPR/First
  • SIDS Certified

[/checklist2]

Bio: Hi, my name is Nikki Colley and I am 21 years old and a Pisces. I am a Chapel Hill native which comes with being a UNC fan. I graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 2019 and I am currently attending Alamance Community College for Early Childhood Education with the hope of eventually teaching in grade school. My inspiration for working with children came from my mom who also works at Harvest in the 2/3 class. One of my strengths is creativity and classroom design. I love helping to creative a warm and inviting space for my students. I also have two wonderful fur babies which fuel my giant love for dogs.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

[/acc]

[clear]

Blog Home