Academy of Little Learners (Child Care - Lehigh Valley, PA)

Diane A. Nordquist - Center Director; Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (AM)

Diane has an associate degree from the University of Toledo, majoring in Social Work.

She spent 3 years as a case worker working with families of neglected children.

She spent 6 1/2 years working as an office manager at Capital University helping adults who were returning to college.

She spent 9 1/2 years working at an elementary school as an administrative assistant. She worked with children with special needs and was part of a tutoring program after school.

While moving to the next Keystone Star level, she has completed the additional 15 hours of training for her Director's diploma. Diane received the diploma in May, 2010.

She has been the director of Academy of Little Learners since July, 2001. Her experience working with children and families has enhanced the care and education of the children at Academy of Little Learners.

Briana Burkholder - Group Supervisor; Lead Pre-School Teacher (AM); Lead Pre-School Teacher & Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (PM)

Briana has a BS degree from Kutztown University. She dual majored in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.

Briana has student taught in a Kindergarten Classroom and in a First Grade Classroom.

She has always had a passion to teach. Briana is excited to be joining the family at the Academy of Little Learners.

Alysia M. Fulmer - Lead Toddler Teacher

Alysia has completed 600 hours of training and practical experience in Early Childhood Education through the Lehigh-Carbon Technical Institute.

She is our Toddler Caregiver where she works tirelessly on toddler development as well as loving care.

Alysia's creativity and her fun-loving personality endear her to the children in her care.

Melissa Ann Herber (Missa) - Lead Infant Teacher

Missa has been working with infants and toddlers for 12 years. She has completed a 3 year course in Occupational Child Development during her high school career.

She has is a proud first time parent of a son born in December, 2009.

She greatly enjoys working with children and feels that her job is very important for the enrichment and development of young children.

Missa looks forward to being a part or your child's development in their first year.

Natasha Kline - Pre-School Teacher (AM); Pre-School Teacher & Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (PM)

Natasha has met national guidelines for expertise in early childhood education and has been awarded her CDA (Child Development Associate) certificate.

She has is the proud parent two young school age boys.

She greatly enjoys working with children and feels that her job is very important for the enrichment and development of young children. She has over 3 years of experience working in child care.

Annielyz Sayre - Pre-School Teacher (AM); Pre-School Teacher & Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (PM)

Annielyz has 4 years of experience working with YMCA. She has worked with the before and after school programs at their child care facility in Bethlehem, PA.

Annielyz has earned many credits towards her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is looking forward to completing her degree.

Annielyz is fluent in both English and Spanish.

She and her husband are the proud parents of a young son. Annielyz enjoys working with all ages of children and being involved with their learning and development.

Gabrielle Georgantas - Floater (AM); School Age Teacher (PM)

Gabrielle has completed all but 12 hours towards her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.

She has 3 years experience working in a child care setting, two of which are at the Academy.

She is the mother of a 5 month old daughter.

Melissa Helmer - Lead, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (AM); Lead, Kindergarten Teacher & Lead, School Age Teacher (AM & PM)

Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in another field. She has completed 9 hours of college classroom training towards her Early Childhood Education degree.

Melissa co-taught the Pre-K program for 6 years and is now the lead teacher for that program.

She is responsible for the Before/After School Year Program and the Summer School Age Program.

Melissa has taught at the Academy for 7 years.

She has a 5 year old daughter and an 8 year old son attending the Academy.

Erica Kelly - Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (AM); School Age Teacher (PM)

Erica has been part of the Academy of Little Learners for 5 years. Two of those years she spent as a volunteer and 3 years on staff. She is a gifted teacher who is highly respected by the school age students in her care.

She is currently a junior at Kutztown University majoring in Education with a concentration in math.

She works with our Before/After school Year program and with the Summer School Age Program.