Nicole Queen

Nicole Queen is the Center Director of the Watch Me Grow Child Development Center. She holds an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Montgomery College and has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Washington Adventist University. She has 21 years of experience in the early childhood education field. Nicole serves as an advisor for child care providers who are seeking certification through the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program. She is also a licensed trainer through the Maryland State Department of Education. Nicole currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for the Montgomery County Child Care Resource and Referral Center, and is a Vice President of the Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children. She is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Organization of Child Care Directors.

Nicole grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and her large extended family includes 11 brothers and sisters. Nicole has lived in the Germantown area for the past 12 years. In her free time she enjoys working out, swimming, traveling, reading and volunteering.

Bethany Cooper

Helma Shah Irving

Helma Shah Irving serves as the Educational Consultant for Watch Me Grow. Helma has her Master's of Science in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech University and obtained an Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is a certified expert in numerous child screening and training tools including the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE) and the Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (SEFEL) Modules. She offers a variety of MSDE Core of Knowledge trainings for child care providers throughout the state, including Positive Discipline, Art for the Fun of It, Music and Movement with Young Children, and Red Flags in Child Development.

Helma has been with Family Services since August 2000 and has held a number of leadership positions in Early Childhood Services. She currently serves as Program Manager for FSI's Early Childhood Education and Training department. She lives in the Olney area with her husband and two young children.

Amy Betts (A)

Nathalie Felix (A)

I have been in the Early Childhood field for over 10 years. I have worked with all age groups from 3 months to 4yrs. In my professional career I have been a Center Floater, Associate Teacher and a Lead Teacher at accredited centers. I have a Child Development Associate (CDA) and currently attending Montgomery College where I have 2 semesters left to attain my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Originally from Jamaica, I came to the states in my teens. I am the oldest of three children and the only girl. My brothers are 2 years and 16 years younger, so I am truly the big sister and enjoy every minute of it. In my spare time I look forward to spending time with my family, shopping, baking, reading, listening to music and going to the movies with my friends.

I have always thought it was my destiny to work with children. I was very fortunate to come from a family of teachers, and the heartfelt desire to work with children was passed along to me by my great-grandmother and grand aunt. What excites me about working with children is seeing them achieve their milestones, whether it's walking, learning something new, or writing their name. Knowing that I've had a critical part in helping children reach their successes is very rewarding to me.

Barbara Seaman (B)

I have two sons both of whom are currently in college and out to be wonderful gentlemen. I enjoy hiking camping and football - GO RAVENS!

Knowing the importance of a warm, nurturing relationship in the early years and giving all the children in my care that important foundation is close to my heart.

Jeannette Velazquez

Jennifer Lanigan

Jamesha McAllister

I have worked for Family Services for 4 years in their Early Head Start program with children 6 weeks to 3 years of age. I am excited to transition to the Watch Me Grow Child Development Center as a Leader Teacher in the Caterpillars Room. I have my 90 Hours Preschool Certificate and have a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for infant and toddlers and I am part of the Maryland Childcare Credential Program. I am attending Montgomery College in pursuit of my A.A.S in Early Childhood Education.

Just recently I had the pleasure of attending the Dual Language Conference in Washington, DC and the Bank Street College Infancy Institute Conference in New York City. Both of these experiences provided me with great information that I can use throughout my career as a teacher.

I enjoy working with children and being able to watch them figure things out for the first time. By providing them with high quality childcare in an environment as developmentally appropriate as the one we have here at Watch Me Grow, allows me to better achieve that goal.

Theresa Lui

I worked at the WEE Center in Rockville as a substitute assistant teacher for a year and have also taught Sunday school both in Hong Kong and here in the United States. Currently I am teaching Sunday school at the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland.

I like to teach children because I feel that they are our future. Encouraging children to do the right things and I believe that how and what we teach our children will bring out the natural joy of leaning. As much as I enjoy teaching children, I get even more of a delight by just playing with them and seeing them respond as a result of what they have learned.

Jeannette Ruiz

I am married with two grown child, both of which live in Florida. On the weekends I volunteer at church and enjoy helping others in need. In my car I love to list to classical music. Each day I come to working excited to find out what new and exciting adventures I am going to take with the students in my class. Thank you for sharing their lives with me.

Brianne "Brie" Manyette (A)

I've been working with children since I was in middle school and I have been in the Early Childhood Education for 5 years. I also enjoy volunteering for my Children's Ministry at my church and have been doing that for several years. I currently have my 90 hour certificate and my AA in Early Childhood Education from Montgomery College. My other educational background is nursing and paralegal.

The greatest pleasure I get from working with children is I love watching them as they interact and discover the world around them. Everything is so new and exciting, their joy is contagious

It has always been a dream of mine to work with children. I am currently enrolled at Kaplan University obtaining my Associates Degree. I relocated here from New York in July 2010 and now live in Urbana with my family, including my 2 wonderful children, Messiah age 10 and Andre age 5. I love working with children because they are so unpredictable and loveable.

Johanna Wilson (A)

Children always know how to put a smile on your face. They teacher us how to enjoy and treasure the simple things in life….they are a true blessing.

I have worked with children of all ages for over 18 years, in centers as well as in private homes. I received my Associates Degree from Montgomery College in May 2001. I live in Frederick with my husband Chris, my son Joey, and my 2 dogs. I enjoy spending time with my family, baking, scrapbooking and going to Bethany Beach. I am so excited to be a part of the Watch Me Grow team!

Dawn Duncan (A)

Eugenia "Nita" Juarez (A)

I was born in Washington, DC but grew up in Frederick where I still live with my family. I come from a huge family and spend lots of time with them. I enjoy listening and making music. Laughing is one of my favorite things to do.

Sonal Parekh (B)

Patricia Barkley (B)

I am working towards my AAS in Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College. Currently, I have my 90 hours Preschool Certificate and 45 hours Infant and Toddler Certificate. I am originally from Peru and graduated as an Administrator at "San Ignacio de Loyola University." I immigrated to the States 8 years ago and found my passion was working with children of different ages from newborns to 12 years. As a teacher I enjoy the challenge of working with children and the unconditional love they have to give. I am happily married and have a son and daughter. Family is a priority to me and I spend most of my free time with them.

I received an AA degree from Montgomery College and have my Infant/Toddler and Preschool certifications. I have taken many courses on subjects from healthy habits for children to childhood illnesses. I am married with 2 children and one grandchild. I love cooking/baking, hiking, reading mystery novels and spending time relaxing at home with my husband.

I love the reward of watching children learn. With preschoolers it is easy to see when they understand what we are teaching them and I love that they ask LOTS of questions.

Jocelyn Molina (A)

Michelle Mercado (B)

Hola! My name is Michelle Mercado and I will be one of the Lead Teachers in the beautiful Butterfly Room. I have my 90 Hour Preschool Certificate and the 45 Hour School Age Certificate. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education at Frederick Community College. Throughout my professional career, I have worked as an aide and senior staff with infants, toddlers, two's and three's. I am very excited to begin working with the butterflies, molding them to succeed and grow in life.

Currently, I live in Frederick, MD with my fiancé Brian and my daughter Alexia…and I can't forget my puppy Bullet! My daughter will also be attending the Watch Me Grow Child Development Center and will be in the Grasshopper Room. I am a very outgoing and loving person, strongly believing in family and caring for others. I love the beach and hearing the waves as they break on the shore. I have such a fondness for the beach that I collect sand from all over the world. Some of my collection comes from places like Mexico, El Salvador, California, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and of course Maryland.

I am so fascinated with my profession because I love being able to make a difference in the lives of children. To know that I have played a part in helping a child learn certain things like writing their name, tying their shoes or how to communicate openly and with confidence is such an important and rewarding part of my job. I am privileged to be given the opportunity to help mold children's lives.

Hello, my name is Kenny Mills and I am one of the lead teachers for the Butterfly B Room. I have been in the Early Childhood field since 2004, but began my teaching career with Baltimore County Public Schools as a teacher aide, full time sub/intervention specialist and Para-educator for 4th and 5th Grade Adaptive Special ED in 1999. I have earned my 90 Hour certification and have been an Infant/Toddler- Pre-K floater, a Kindergarten Readiness lead teacher and both and have had the pleasure of being and Assistant Director and Director of other Early Childhood Learning Centers.

I have my Associate Degree in General Studies and Bachelors in History from UMBC, MD Model for School Readiness Certification, 45 Hour Administration ECE and 45 Hour ECE for Infant/Toddler. I currently live in Mt. Airy and enjoy being the Head Varsity Volleyball and Indoor Track coach for 10 years at Mt. DeSales Academy in Catonsville, MD. I enjoy reading, playing recreational sports and hanging out with close friends and family.

Teaching is a Priceless Career. It is indescribable and beyond anything a few words truly can explain. Two mottos that motivate me everyday are "Making a difference comes first" and "Work hard, everyone will Notice!" I believe it's not what you teach but how you teach. When given the opportunity, children big and small will learn and grow through the experiences we as parents, teachers and mentors can offer on a regular basis. Guidance helps develop and create success through all aspects of life, especially education.

Nancy Bazille

Hello! My name is Nancy Bazille and I am very excited to be working as one of the school floaters for WMG. I have worked in child care for 6 years and love watching children grow and develop in front of my eyes. I have taken the 45 Hour Infant and Toddler Certification course and plan this to complete my 90 Hour Preschool Certification.

I was born in the Philippines. I have one daughter who is currently taking courses towards a criminal justice degree. In my free time, I spend a lot of time volunteering at church and love to read my bible. The infants are my favorite group of children to work with because I am able to nurture them and even spoil them...just a little bit.

Brittany Brooks

Hi! My name is Brittany Brooks and I am one of the school floaters here at WMG. I have two sisters one older and one younger which makes me the middle child. I enjoy shopping, baking and watching my two nephews that attend WMG. I currently attend Montgomery College where I am planning to obtain my 90 hour Preschool Certification and then my 45 Hour Infant and Toddler Certification.

The greatest joy I get from working with children is giving them all the love and attention they need. It brings me joy to see them grow and learn from the activities that I bring to the classroom.

Maria Claros

Cecily Foreman

I have been in the Early Childhood field for 7 years. I attended the Professional Development Institute where I received my diploma in Professional Child Daycare. I also attended Quality Care Early Services and received my 90 hour certificate in Early Childcare Development. What I love about working with children is when you teach them something new and the smiles that they get on their face when they have accomplished what they have learned.

Erin Hand

I am 24 years old and live at home with my dad, brother and sister. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. I love being at the beach in my Florida house and I like to snowboard in the winter time.

I was a nanny for six years and I have always loved children. I hope to make a difference in their lives. Everyday is a new adventure with each child and it makes my life fun and also my job fun.

Emily Luce

One thing I love most about working with children is putting a smile on their faces. I love to watch them learn and grow each and everyday.