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Staff
We
have an exceptional staff of teachers who love to see children grow and
succeed!
A Higher Standard
All of our teachers have "Highly Qualified"
teaching licenses from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
They hold at least a Bachelor's degree from a four-year institution and have demonstrated competence in each of their core academic subject areas.
These teaching licenses are not to be confused with the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) for Lead Teachers, which is issued by the North Carolina Division
of Child Development. These credentials require only four semester hours of
community college work, and they are the typical standard at many child care centers
and preschools.
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Sheree Johnston
CEO, Director, and
Teacher
Motivation is at the core of all learning, so I want to create an environment at
Storybook Safari that excites children about reading and learning. I taught first
grade for six years and enjoyed watching my students grow passionate about reading. When I became a stay-at-home mother, I became more aware of how important it is
for parents to help establish their child's interest in reading at an early age.
If they have this foundation before they enter elementary school, they may be more
inclined to be a self-motivated reader and learner.
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Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education,
The University of Alabama
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Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Elementary Education (K-6)
- Elementary teaching experience at a N.C. School of Excellence, including
3 years on the Literacy Team and 3 years on the Leadership Team
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Flame for Learning Award from Johnston County Schools, April 2001
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Steve Johnston
President and COO
My wife Sheree and I share a vision to make Storybook Safari a wonderful place for children to lay their educational foundation. My goal is to use my technical and administrative skills to help make our dreams become reality. As
a parent, I
know how important it is for children to have the desire to learn. That's
why I want to create a unique educational atmosphere at Storybook Safari that is
fun and exciting.
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, The University of Alabama, Summa Cum Laude
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Marsie Papa
Assistant Director, Teacher, and Party Coordinator
Children who are inspired
to become confident and motivated readers will have doors opened for them to all
kinds of new worlds. Reading is the key to all
learning, and I aspire to build a young reader's confidence, positive attitude,
and passion for reading through creativity and imagination.
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, The Ohio State University, honor graduate
- Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Grades
Language Arts, and Middle Grades Social Studies
- Elementary teaching experience in Wake County Public School System
- Graduated from the The Ohio State University's "Literature in the Curriculum" (LINC)
program, studying ways to integrate children's literature in all disciplines of
the curriculum
- Accepted a special assignment with Wake County Public School System as an "Advanced
Reading Teacher," teaching children
who had advanced reading skills and needed a greater challenge
- Developed reading curriculum for Cleveland, Ohio YMCA
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Heather Barbour
Senior
Teacher (with Sign Language specialty)
Having taught preschool for several years, I firmly belive the most important thing
we can do is equip children with the skills to read. I have found that the best
approach for accomplishing this is through hands-on experiences and working directly
with the child. I love working with preschoolers because if affords me the opportunity
to be as creative as possible to give them those experiences and help them to grow
as children and students.
- Masters of Elementary Education, Salem State College (Salem, MA), Magna Cum Laude
- Bachelor
of Science in Deaf Education,
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Elementary Education (K-6)
- Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Hearing Impaired Education (K-12)
- Elementary/deaf teaching
experience
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Amy Mullis
Teacher
I am thrilled to be part of the team at Storybook Safari. In my
past teaching experiences, I made it my top priority to make learning a fun adventure.
Integration was a practice that I focused on while being a classroom teacher. I
enjoyed how all subject areas could be integrated while focusing on the literacy
component. I feel that integration leads to creative and effective experiences for
children.
- Bachelor of Science in Child Development Education, Meredith College
- Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Elementary Education (K-6)
- Elementary teaching experience at a N.C. School of Excellence and Blue Ribbon School
in Wake County Public School System
- 3 years of Student Support Team experience
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Stacey Hill
Teacher
There is nothing more rewarding than watching a child fall in love with reading
and learning. Whether they are listening to a story or reading for themselves, the
doors that these adventures open up for them is amazing. That is why it is important
to let children learn in the way that is most conducive to them as an individual.
Making sure all children are able to experience these new worlds is what led me
into teaching in the first place, knowing that I can change the world for even one
child is what makes me stay.
- Bachelor of Science in Human Science/Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Education, North Carolina Central University
- Currently enrolled in the Master's Degree Program in Reading and Literacy, Capella
University (Minneapolis, MN)
- Highly Qualified North Carolina license in Elementary Education (K-6)
- Elementary teaching experience in Wake County Public School System
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