leading with smarts and heart

I have been working at DPCC for 5 years in our three day two year old class. My DPCC experience began in 2008 as a parent. As a mother of 2 daughters, I knew instantly that DPCC was a special place and that my children would not only grow and learn here, they would be loved here. Prior to working with children, I worked as a City Planner working with local governments and Community development programs throughout Georgia. Its exciting to be a part of the DPCC team and to work in a loving positive environment “Where Play is Child’s Work”.

I have lived in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur for 13 years with my husband, daughter and son. I started my journey with DPCC in 2011 when my children started attending DPCC. The teachers were so loving and giving. I loved being a part of this special community and never wanted to leave! Before becoming a mom, I worked as a Consumer Relationship Manager. I later served on the Board of DPCC for 4 years. I am thrilled to now be a teacher for this amazing preschool and to be able to give to these children all the love, growth and knowledge the school provided for my own children.

Amy Wilson has been a teacher at DPCC since 2011. After her 3 boys ‘aged out’ of DPCC, Amy wasn’t ready to leave the nest and has been lucky to experience the school from the other side of carpool line…as a teacher. She absolutely loves helping the sweet 2’s grow from babyhood into full-fledged little kids! In her life before kids and DPCC, Amy studied Art History and Business and worked for many years as an event planner.

Claudia Hernandez grew up between Arkansas and Chicago, then married and moved to Atlanta where she’s become a mother of five. Her skillfull creativity and energetic connection with children make every day a fun adventure in the room. She and her family have been part of the DPC community for years, where her husband Juan is a member of the church staff.

This is Mary Lynn’s 6th year at DPCC. She lives in Oakhurst with her husband and 2 daughters- both of whom are proud DPCC alum. She gained valuable teaching experience working with kindergarten and 1st graders in the Gwinnett County Public School system. Before having children, she taught 5th graders at Kings Ridge Christian School. She feels honored to be a part of the DPCC team and looks forward to coming to school each day.

Christy Hancock is excited to be working as the lead teacher in the 5 day 3s. This is her third year at DPCC, after moving to the North Druid Hills area with her husband. She has six grown children and one grandchild.  Christy has been working with young children for over 20 years and loving every minute of it.  In her free time she loves playing tennis, watching football and spending time with her husband/family.

LaQuita Holmes has 15 years of experience working with children of all ages. First Grade Teacher, Tutor, Nanny, After School Counselor, Substitute Teacher, and Nursery Volunteer are some of the roles in which LaQuita has served, in and around Decatur. LaQuita believes that working with children is a part of her life’s purpose and that it is God’s will for her to help cultivate a spirit of Care for Self, Care for Others, and Care for Things within each child. LaQuita has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, from The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs)!

Cristin Davis is excited to be working as the lead teacher in the pre-k room. This is her 12th year working at DPCC. She has worked in the Young Twos and Three Year Old classrooms and with PMO. She fell in love with DPCC when her two children, Riley and Brady, began in the two day 2’s class all the way through Kindergarten, and they are teenagers now! Cristin has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Reading and Comprehension. Before having children, she taught 12 years in public school as a Pre-K teacher, First Grade teacher, and Reading Specialist. More recently she worked as an instructor and supervising coach in the MAT program at Georgia State, training and supporting new teachers.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity teach at this wonderful school. After taking three years to stay home with my son Charlie (who attended two years here), I am excited to return to the classroom for my third year at DPCC. I discovered DPCC in 2019 when looking for a preschool, and within minutes of entering the building, I recognized it as a loving community that prioritizes nurturing the whole child. I have a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University and have taught grades K-3 since graduating from Samford University in 2007. I love teaching and could not picture myself in any other profession.

An Atlanta native, Mrs. Weathers has been working at DPCC for 29 years. Her love for children led her to become a preschool teacher. She especially enjoys working with the four year olds through fun and engaging educational activities, to prepare them for kindergarten. Mrs. Weathers has three grown children of her own and four grandchildren, all of whom she equally adores. Her favorite author is Dr. Seuss.

I live in Decatur with my husband, three children, and three cats.  My younger two children attended DPCC after being stuck at home for a year during COVID, and they had a magical experience here!  This is my first year teaching at DPCC and I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful school.

I grew up in Decatur, and returned after college.  I have degrees in Fine Arts and Psychology from College of William and Mary, and before staying home for 4 years with my children, I worked at a law firm and as a studio potter.  I enjoy art, music, gardening, travel,  and exploring the woods with my family.

This is my 14th year teaching Kindergarten and my 18th year at DPCC. I taught the 3 day 3’s for 2 years before landing my favorite job as the lead Kindergarten teacher at DPCC. I graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. I taught Kindergarten, First, and Second grade for 8 yrs. in the Archdiocese of Atlanta (St. Thomas More and St. Peter Claver). I am married and have two teenagers who attend Decatur High School. We also have a very spoiled Westie, named Snowy who becomes the subject of a lot of our stories in Kindergarten! I have enjoyed working with young children for as long as I can remember. I believe there is no better job than seeing the world through a 5 year old’s eyes. It is so fun to be able to engage children in meaningful and creative ways. Every year is a new big adventure! It is such a gift to be a part of the wonderful community of DPCC!

Katie Coleman is excited to be full time at DPCC. With a degree in Marketing from UGA she worked in various marketing outlets.  Her three daughters all attended DPCC and soon after Katie started substituting at the preschool.  After being a stay-at-home mom for 11 years, Katie is thrilled to be working alongside Ms. Putman in the Kindergarten class.  She is married to Sean and her three girls are in Elementary school.

Miche Baskett, a native of Decatur, lives a half-mile from DPCC with her husband (a professor at CSU), twin boys (students at DHS), Nando the Superdog, and twin kitties named by their boys after soccer stars, Lio (Messi) & James (Rodriguez). She learned Spanish from living, traveling, and studying abroad. Señora Baskett has over twenty years teaching experience, with eight of those years at DPCC. She was a founding member of the City Schools of Decatur Spanish team, as a certified teacher, developing the curriculum for all the elementary schools, while teaching students in kindergarten through third grade. She did graduate work in Early Childhood Education, as well as Spanish Language Education at the University of Salamanca in Spain. She truly enjoys spending time with the children at DPCC, witnessing their growth and learning, and she especially loves to share her enthusiasm for the Spanish language! You can read a lot more about Sra. Baskett on her website “Spring Into Spanish.”

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Laura Schiener is so excited about being in our DPCC community as the new dedicated art teacher. Laura has always had a passion for working with children. She spent 13 years coordinating inpatient special events, donations and volunteer community programs at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and Scottish Rite. Most recently has loved her time teaching art classes for 4-7 year olds at Clubhouse Kid & Craft here in Decatur. Laura lives in Decatur’s Lenox Place neighborhood and is married with 2 kids (Isla & Ian who have both been students at DPCC!) and a dog named Maisie.