2022-2023 Faculty Team

Assistant Director 

Alissa began working in Early Education 17 years ago, when she found a true passion for teaching young children and sharing her own joys in the classroom. Alissa's favorite thing about working with children is witnessing them take the humble beginnings of ideas, questions, and exploration, and watching them achieve understanding and accomplishment from their own successes. Alissa appreciates the remarkable effects that patience, kindness and mindfulness create in our classrooms and always strives to apply these not just at school, but in her personal life too.

Over her career, Alissa has had the privilege of working in a variety of capacities; she taught in some very small centers, served in state-run programs, and in a Headstart within the Indiginous community. She loved creating Pre-K programs at larger private schools, and most recently, Alissa was a Co-Director of a center of 130 children in Washington state. Alissa has always operated as an emergent learning teacher with a serious lean into the arts, so she is very excited to be a part of a Reggio Inspired school where this is a way of life!

Alissa and her husband, Kevin, moved to Georgia from Seattle in 2021. Their grown children live at opposite ends of the country, and they are excited to live closer to her husband's family in Florida, as well as working towards their personal goals. Every once in a while her Canadian slips out with an 'eh'. She comes by it honestly as she was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. This isn't her first stay in the south, though, Alissa lived in Florida for a couple years and loves some of the great things here - the storms are her favorite!

In her personal time, Alissa is an avid reader and enjoys researching a variety of topics. She loves to garden and grow, and she and Kevin are known to wander off into the woods quite regularly.

From Alissa: Watching children learn and accomplish their goals is a truly amazing process to be a part of, and I am grateful to be in a position which allows me to connect with families in such a meaningful way. I am so happy to join the SOWJS team, and this school, where I have the opportunity to share in some beautiful values! I look forward to getting to know you and your family and working together through happy days and fun learning!

Atelierista & Teacher 

Annika is an Artist, Teacher and Life Coach trained in NYC. Originally from Hawaii, and educated in the Waldorf Schools, she has a deep interest and reverence for Cultures, and Nature. 

Annika holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Parsons School of Design and has continued her own art education through other various art programs. Annika has been a homeschool educator to her own children, has taught art to students at a Friends' School,  and held an internship with Art Start, in which she taught art to children in a homeless shelter.

Annika has designed a thoughtful and beautiful studio space (atelier) for the children at Seeds of Wonder Journey School, incorporating everything from up-cycled goods to natural materials, from fabric to beads, from clay to wire and so much more! Each class meets with Annika for a weekly art class, as well as open-studio time in the afternoons for our older children!

Having arrived in GA in 2020, Annika arrived dragging along a wild bunch: Three kids and a husband (Drummer/Author)!  

Judaics Coordinator & Teacher 

 Kendall grew up in Covington, GA and has been living in and around Atlanta since college. Kendall holds a BA in Jewish Studies from Emory University and a Master’s in Community Counseling. 

In addition to her experience as a group and individual behavioral health counselor, Kendall has 16 years of experience teaching and working with children, including as a nanny, a homeschool tutor, teaching the Kindergarten class for her congregation's Hebrew school and for Jewish Kids' Group, including in their full day program. 

Kendall is excited to support the SOWJS community, where the days are filled with growth and discovery. 

In her spare time, Kendall enjoys reading nonfiction, crocheting gifts for family and friends, or exploring the woods with her child.

Teacher

Shawn is currently completing her PhD in Psychology with a focus in criminal justice. She earned two Master's Degrees - one in Education and one in Special Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University in San Diego, California. She also obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Workforce Education and Development at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  

 Shawn taught at SOWJS before the Covid pandemic, until she left to pursue her PhD. During the last two years, in addition to her studies, Shawn has been a paraprofessional in the Cobb County School District, as well as staying connected to the SOWJS community by returning from time to time as a substitute teacher whenever her schedule allowed.  We were so excited to welcome Shawn back to SOWJS in the summer of 2022!  Shawn has more than 20 years of teaching experience, including more than 10 years in Reggio-Inspired programs, and has worked with children of all ages.  Her passion is working with children birth to five years of age.  

 Shawn enjoys watching movies, spending time with her friends, traveling, and going to dinner with her family.  

From Shawn: I am looking forward to growing with the children, families, colleagues and the entire school community Seeds of Wonder Journey School!

Teacher

 Nadine is beginning her second year teaching at SOWJS. She was born in Montreal, Canada.  Her family moved to South Florida in 1991.  She finished high school in the United States and attended Florida Atlantic University.  Nadine graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999.  In 2000 Nadine’s preschool career began.  For the past 20+ years Nadine has taught in a few schools in South Florida and started teaching in Atlanta in 2005. Throughout her teaching career she has taught art, Judaics, and children of all ages. In addition has remained current in continuing to pursue her own education and professional development classes.

Nadine Resides in Roswell with her Husband Barry and son Tyler.  Outside of work, Nadine is a “Soccer Mom”, is a big Atlanta United Fan,  loves doing activities with her family, enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time in her at home studio painting or creating with clay. 

Nadine believes she was born to be a teacher.  When she was a young girl she loved playing school with her dolls and taking care of her little brother, she started babysitting as a young teen, and worked at camps before starting her teaching career.  

From Nadine: Teaching is in my heart and is my passion.  I love watching children smile and cheer as they learn something new.  I am so excited and feel totally blessed to now be part of the Seeds of Wonder family. 

Teacher  

Jasmine was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Austin Peay State University. Jasmine currently attends Liberty University, where she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family counseling.  

Beginning her third year at SOWJS, Jasmine has been working in early childhood education for 8 years. Her primary focus is working with Infants and Toddlers. 

Ever since Jasmine was a child she always knew that she wanted to work with families and children.  In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending as much time as possible with family and friends, well as giving her time to her energetic puppy, Oreo.  

Teacher 

Gisel was raised in Miami, FL and is beginning her third year at SOWJS. Before joining our faculty team, she worked in childcare for over 10 years through mentoring programs, summer camps, after school programs, nannying, children’s homeless shelters and as a preschool teacher. Gisel uses healing tools such as painting, crafting, dancing, meditation, yoga, affirmations, and journaling to lead empowerment workshops in her community, including for the SOWJS faculty team during our professional development days and faculty retreats, where she is always the highlight of the day! 

Gisel's passion to inspire children grew deeper while at the children’s homeless shelter where she was given the opportunity to facilitate empowerment workshops which helped the children heal though mindfulness.  She has a deeply rooted gift in helping others, especially children. Her goal is to continue expanding the minds of our youth through creative mindfulness. 

Gisel enjoys working on her home apothecary, crafting products, dancing, painting, meditating, hiking and simply being out in nature. Gisel's company is https://www.giselsharmony.com/

From Gisel: It brings me much joy to witness children evolve and find beauty within the simplest, often forgotten or unnoticed things, like a leaf falling from a tree. 

Teacher 

Bailee was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Bailee holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Child Development from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Bailee has been working with children for the past 10 years in various settings such as nannying, summer camps, preschools, daycares, and as an elementary school teacher’s aid. 

Before joining the SOWJS faculty team in 2020, Bailee worked at a childcare corporate office as the Director of Quality Assurance and Education, where she mentored teachers in areas such as best practices, interactions, challenging behaviors, assessment and documentation, and NAEYC accreditation. Bailee’s experience with the Reggio Emilia philosophy began in college at the preschool lab on campus, and she brings that philosophy into every setting. Bailee’s interests include playing flute in a classical, concert band setting and hiking with her rescue lab/pit Albus Dumbledog. In LA, she and her husband were part of a non-profit charitable adult cheerleading team which raises money and awareness for HIV/AIDS organizations in the area. Bailee and her husband are in the process of starting a sister team in the Atlanta area. 

 From Bailee: I am ecstatic to work in a preschool which exudes such an amazing philosophy towards child development! I look forward to fostering growth and learning alongside your children in a loving, respectful setting.  

Teacher

This is Danielle's third year teaching at SOWJS. She was born and raised on the beachy shores of Sarasota, Florida. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen College and she currently attends Brenau University, where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

Danielle has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education since she moved to Georgia thirteen years ago. Danielle has experience working with all age-groups, infants through PreK, and has focused most of her professional career centered around Infants, Toddlers and Two's. 

Danielle's free time is devoted to her three lovely children. They are always trying to find their next adventure. Danielle and her family enjoy Glamping and just exploring the outdoors!

Teacher

While Hailey has been working in preschools  and  daycares since 2017, she started working with children 11 years ago, including as a private nanny. Hailey studied Early Childhood Education at Lanier Tech, and received an "expert" level in her building relationships with young children assessment. She has a keen instinct and lovely teacher-child interactions.

She and her wife Katy enjoy spending time together indoors and out with their fur baby, a black lab mix.

From Hailey:  I love what I do, and I know I am called to be with children. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, but also enjoying the beautiful things that nature has to offer. Listening to good music is something I do constantly. I cannot wait for my own children one day, and until then I hope to bring light and love into your children's lives.