Our Team
Meet the highly qualified staff that make up the Children’s Center of Mercer County
Becky jones
Position: Executive Director
Becky is the Children’s Center new director as of June 2022. She graduated from Edinboro University with a degree in Elementary Education and master’s degree in Curriculum and Technology. After working with the Mercer County Head Start Program and teaching her preschool students in the back of our building, Becky found herself moving up to the front of the building to work with the staff and children of the Children’s Center of Mercer County!
“Hakuna, Matata, It Means No Worries” - Timon from the Lion King
Stephanie Vellente
Position: Administrative Assistant
Stephanie is the heart and soul of CCMC. She has dedicated the last 25 years for the children and staff at the center. She holds a current Child Development Associates Certificate and always offers a smiling face or helping hand when you walk in the front door.
“Everyday is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile, and start again.”
MISS Gayle
Position: Fiscal Manager
After retiring from the Mercer County Head Start Program Gayle came out of retirement to help the Children’s Center stay on track with our grants and funding. Her love for our children keeps her smiling and coming every day to watch over us all.
MISS Chrystal
Position: Classroom Teacher Toddlers 1
Chrystal came to the Children’s Center after working with the Mercer County Head Start Program as a Classroom Assistant. She enjoys working with our Toddlers but can easily float to cover in our preschool rooms when needed. She holds a CDA - Child Development Associates Certificate and is excited to work with all the children here at the Children’s Center!
MISS Lori
Position: Classroom Assistant Infants
Lori comes the Children’s Center after working in the Health Field as a CNA. She always comes to work with a smile and is ready to jump in wherever she is needed to help the classroom and children to successful. She has found her place in the Infant Room taking care of the precious little ones and we are all so happy to have her as part of our team.
Miss micki
Position: Afterschool Teacher (School Age) / Classroom Asst.
Micki joined the CCMC team in September of 2022 as a substitute and then decided to come on full-time. Micki comes to us with a collected background of childcare experience proving that no one is ever truly retired and once you enter this world you can never leave the children. We are glad to have Micki on our team.
miss devinn
Position: Toddler 2 Assistant
Devinn is a mother of 2 beautiful children who are part of our center already. She was excited to finally have a job that allows her time to spend with her children and not have to choose between work and them. She has been a wonderful addition to the toddler program, and we are so glad that you are joining our team.
Mrs. Alexis Robich
Position: Pre-K Teacher
Alexis joined the CCMC team in August of 2022. She comes to us as a graduate from Slippery Rock University and a wonderful background in teaching Preschool and Early Childhood Education. She is a proud mother of a beautiful daughter who has helped her get ready for this new school year. We are glad to welcome her to our team and look forward to the many adventures she will take our students on.
Miss Diane
Position: Classroom Teacher Toddlers 2
Miss Diane is excited to join our team after working at the Kid Zone. She has a degree in Occupational Therapy and is ready to work with our toddlers and help them develop into future preschoolers. We are excited to add Ms. Diane to our team and look forward to all the fun and exciting activities she will do with our toddlers.
Miss Lexi
Position: Classroom Assistant 3’s
Miss Lexi will be working with Ms. Sam in our new 3-Year-Old room addition to the center. She is a proud mother of two beautiful little girls and wants to share that love and compassion with our little treasures coming into the center. She participated in the Early Learning Education Program through the Mercer County Career Center and is ready to put all that knowledge to work as a member of our team.
MISS STEPHANIE
Position: Classroom Floater
Stephanie has been working here at the Children’s Center for since 2018. Her position as a floater allows her the opportunity to work with all the classrooms to help out wherever she is needed. She enjoys interacting with children of all ages.
Miss “z” Zaineb
Position: Toddler Classroom Aide
Miss Z is a mother of 2 awesome boys who both came through our Pre-K program. Now that they are both in Elementary School, she wanted to start working and decided to join our team. We are so glad that she wanted to become part of our team. We can’t wait to see how much fun she brings to the classroom.
Miss Julia
Position: Preschool Teacher
Miss Julia is our Preschool Teacher. She graduated from Grove City College with her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has an excitement for teaching and working with younger preschoolers and we are excited to have her as a member of our team. She has new lessons and projects and to share with our preschoolers and we can’t wait to see all the fun and exciting adventures she takes our preschoolers on.
Miss paige
Positions:
Classroom Teacher 3’s
Miss Paige is excited to join our team. She earned her Assoicate degree in Early Childhood Education from Bulter Community College. After she started her teaching career at the Sweet Pea Patch and is now on our team. We can’t wait to see all the new lessons and activities that she has planned for the classroom.
Miss Robin
Position: Toddler 1 Assistant
Miss Robin joined our team in September of 2022 after closing the pool at the Buhl Park for the Summer and helping her lifeguards end their summer positions. She comes to the center after working for the Mercer County Head Start program where she worked as a classroom aide with Ms. Chrystal in 2021. Now the two are reunited again in the Toddler Room. Miss Robin has wonderful background of working and teaching children that we are so excited to welcome her and see what she can do with our children.
Mrs. jones
Position: After School Teacher (Preschool)
Mrs. Jones joins the CCMC team in September of 2023. After 23 years teaching for the Brookfield School District as their Librarian and 2nd grade teacher. Mrs. Jones thought she was ready for retirement, but no one ever really retires from working with children. We are excited to have her join our team and we know that our children will enjoy her story times and bringing her experience to the center.
Miss kristen
Position: Infant Closer
Miss Kristen has a definite love for the infants and couldn’t wait to join our Infant Room. She joins our team with years of experience behind her and a great willingness to hold our babies close and make sure they are taken care on her watch.
Miss ROxy
Position: Classroom Teacher Infants
Roxy has always had a special place in her heart for children. She has worked at the Children’s Center for the past 19 years. She earned a CDA ~ Child Development Associates Degree for infants and toddlers at Penn State.
“One kind word can change someone’s entire day.”
Miss Holly
Position: Pre-K Classroom Assistant
Miss Holly is excited to join our team. She comes to the Children’s Center after working for the Mercer County Head Start program for the past 7 years. She is a mother of 3 wonderful sports minded children who keep her quite busy. She loves working with children and has wonderful ideas and lessons to share with her co-teachers. We are excited to have Holly join our team and can’t wait to see what adventures she is willing to take them on to help them explore their learning.
Miss Diane
Position: Preschool Assistant
Miss Diane is excited to join our team. She comes to the Children’s Center after working for the Mercer County Head Start program for the past 6 years. Her lover for working with children shines through in the ideas and lessons she shares with her co-teachers. Diane is a wonderful gardener who has a great green thumb to share with our kiddos and we are so excited to have her join our team.
Miss Chris
Positions:
Before School Teacher / Substitute
Chris has been working here at the Children’s Center for the past 23 years. She holds a current CDA ~ Child Development Associates Certificate and her love for children has kept her with the center.
“Living the dream”
Miss Sharene
Position: Toddler Closer
Sharene comes to us after her day job of a Classroom Assistant with the Mercer County Head Start program. She helps us in the evening as a Closing Teacher to help watch over our Toddlers until they are all picked up for the evening. We are so excited to have Sharene with us we appricate all her help.