Teaching Staff

Becky joined UF ECC on September 4th, 2014.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from St. Leo University. Becky has worked in education for 25 years, teaching age groups from infancy to second grade. She is proficient in American Sign Language, specifically with infants, and feels that this is the first language an infant can learn to get their needs met. One of her key focuses as a teacher is helping children learn and grow in an independent environment, while focusing on their social and emotional skills. Music is her love and she enjoys playing the violin and piano. In her free time, she loves exploring the outdoors and spending time with her family.

Lauren recently moved back to Florida from Chicago with her teenage son. She started her teaching journey in 2010 and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Arizona Global Campus in early childhood education. She has worked with infants through 3rd graders as an assistant, lead, and co-teacher. She loves the 3-5 year old age group and seeing them have those “ah-ha” moments. She also loves letting their creative juices flow through the arts

Lisa joined Baby Gator in October 2009. She holds a CDEA degree. Lisa has worked with infants and one year-olds for over 15 years. She is passionate about the children learning to talk, use silverware, and become independent.

Hope joined Baby Gator in August 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University. She has over 20 years of experience in childcare, teaching music to children between the ages of 3 and 12 and teaching Early Childhood Education to children between 2 and 4 years old. Hope enjoys creating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math centers to engage the natural curiosity in science and nature that appears evident in preschoolers.

Savannah joined UFECC in July 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University. Savannah worked with grades 9th through 12th for two years until she changed to preschool age. She is passionate about seeing the children discover new things and loves making an impact in a child’s start on their educational path. In her free time she enjoys watersports, horseback riding, hanging out with my family and dogs.

Adrian Klempert joined the Baby Gator Team on August 7th, 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in instructional leadership. Her passion to help young children establish a foundation for learning that will last a lifetime. Adrian has worked with children, ranging from two weeks to nine years of age, for over 8 years. When it comes to children, she is inspired by their imagination and creative thinking. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and gardening.

Jamie joined Baby Gator in December 2018. She holds an Associate Degree in psychology. Jamie has worked with toddlers for four years, and has worked with preschool children of all age groups for six years. She is most passionate about helping young children blossom into the distinctive individuals that they are, as well as allowing them to each positively express themselves and share their feelings in their own unique way.

Angela joined UF ECC in July 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art with specialization in Photography from City College of New York. Angela has been in Early Childhood Education for the past 19 years, ranging from infants to early elementary. Angela believes that children make the most of class lessons when they can take the lead in all provided activities. To help students Angela offers them plenty of time so that they can solve problems on their own and, make their own discoveries. She is passionate about early childhood education, and Angela strives/encourages children to explore their creativity and curiosity for the arts. In her free time, Angela enjoys photography and painting, riding her bike, going to the beach, and most of all spending time with her family.

Fariha joined Baby Gator in August 2016. She is an AMS and NCME certified Montessori teacher and is in the process of continuing her education. She has worked with children aged 3 to 6 in Montessori schools in NJ and has been teaching overall for the last 11 years. Fariha is passionate about teaching because she believes it is her calling. She believes in the children’s individual potential and believes that children see the world through a lens that adults cannot. She believes that every child’s truth is their reality and she loves that she gets to be a part of that reality as an educator.

Haley joined UFECC in August 2020. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. Haley has worked with children ages 1 to 4  for 6 years in a preschool setting and such capacity. She enjoys reading books and doing puzzles. She loves working with children and enjoys helping them discover their interests and learning their sense of independence. 

Isamara Orama Soto joined UFECC in June 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science. Isamara has taken care of children from birth to preschool age. She is passionate about teaching and helping children grow. She enjoys interacting with children of all ages. During her free time she loves spending time with family and friends. She is very excited to be part of a wonderful team of teachers at UFECC.

Ariana Pernalete joined UFECC in December 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ariana has 15 years of experience working with children 4-12 years of age. She is passionate about making their first experience the best of many more to come their way.

Cathy joined UF ECC in May of 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, director credential, and has worked with young children and families for over 20 years. She also enjoys her role as a mentor to new UF ECC teachers. Some of her favorite things to do with children are encouraging an interest in the natural world, helping them learn to navigate their emotions, and engaging in meaningful play experiences. Outside of the classroom she spends time with her husband, preferably at Disney or in the mountains. She is also very passionate about supporting and advocating for foster/adoptive families.

Maris Smith joined Baby Gator in August 2015. Maris has worked with children from infants to 5 year olds and currently works with the younger one year olds as a teacher. She loves watching them grow and enjoys developing them into unique individuals. Additionally, Maris enjoys witnessing the interaction of the children with their diverse backgrounds and their involvement with their classmates. Maris came to the United States from Cebu Philippines in 2008. She presently is working on her National certificate. As a mom of a Baby Gator graduate, she feels her child was greatly influenced by the wonderful atmosphere of Baby Gator.

Karen joined UFECC in June 2022. She holds a Florida Child Care Staff Credential. Karen has worked with 1-2 years old children for 2 years in a preschool setting. She is passionate about children feeling safe and comfortable to grow and explore.

AJ joined UFECC in June of 2020. She holds an MBA in Public Relations. AJ has worked with two- and three-year-olds in both childcare centers and in-home care centers. She is passionate about seeing children accomplish new independence milestones and expand their world with new learning experiences each day.

Lindsay Cooper joined UFECC at Baby Gator in June of 2024. She holds a master’s degree in arts in Medicine from the University of Florida. Lindsay has been teaching children ranging from sixth month of age to six years of age. She began her journey into early learning as an enrichment teacher for two years. She was an assistant and lead teacher for over two years while working on her graduate degree and raising her five-year-old son.

Her primary focus in early education is creating a space centered around wellness and learning through creative expression and child-led play. Outside of teaching, Lindsay loves being outdoors, swimming, photography, and handmaking wearable art. She is inspired by the natural world around her and the imaginative minds of her young students.

When it comes to teaching, Lindsay finds that creative freedom through art and child led play opens the doors for growth, learning, understanding and appreciation for the world around us. She is passionate about instilling empathy and compassion for others all while encouraging her students to learn and thrive in their own creative abilities.

Rene joined UFECC in September 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education. Rene has worked with children and youth between the ages of 2 and 18 for five years. Her experience includes being a summer camp assistant, mentor, and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). She is deeply passionate about working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, supporting them as they defy the odds stacked against them.

Amanda has been working in a preschool childcare setting for over nine and a half years. She has her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, and is completing her Bachelor of Science in summer of 2022. She also has her Director’s Credential, Staffing Credential, VPK certification and is First Aid / CPR certified. When not at work you can find Amanda helping out at Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation educating visitors about the animals there.

Katie joined UFECC in June 2015. She holds an Associate of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Katie has worked with one to four year olds at A Child’s Academy and at Baby Gator. She is passionate about watching children learn and grow daily and seeing their progressions throughout the year.

Cherish joined UFECC in May 2018. She is currently working towards completing her Associates of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Cherish has worked with children from infants up to 8 years of age. She is passionate about teaching and helping children mature. Nothing makes her happier than knowing she is making a positive impact in a child’s life.

Ashley joined UFECC in June 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Idaho. Ashley has worked with all ages of children for 3 years in Idaho, for her last year of school she was a co-teacher to a preschool age classroom. She is passionate about high quality early childhood education and social-emotional education. The children she works with inspire her everyday with their eagerness to learn.

Mary McLendon joined UF ECC in September 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education. She has been working in early childhood education for 14 years, mainly with children 2-3 years of age. Mary is deeply passionate about teaching and guiding young minds to reach their fullest potential and succeed in life. Seeing her students learn and acquire new skills makes her inspired knowing that she is a part of that foundation . She loves to travel and play mini golf with her family. 

Irma joined UFECC in May 2017. She holds a CDA and is now going to start on her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children ranging from birth to 5 years old, children with special needs and as a homeschool teacher for about 10 years. She loves working with children because they are enthusiastic, loving and bring something new to her everyday. In the end, the children are the ones who inspire her.

Alba Orozco joined UFECC in April 2023. She has a degree in Art and Graphic Design. Alba has worked with children between the ages of 3 and 4 years of age as a preschool teacher for over a year. She is passionate about educating and teaching children through art, play, and music.

Sydney Ray joined UFECC March of 2021. She will be completing her Associates of Arts Degree in the summer term of 2021. Sydney has worked with children from ages 2 months to 5 years for the past three years, working mostly with 2-year-olds. She is inspired everyday by the joy and imagination of the kids she works with.

Katiria Rivera joined UFECC in July 2022. She holds a degree in Radiologic Tecnology. Katiria has worked with children aged from birth through three years old. With 5 plus years of experience working in this field. Her being bilingual ignites her passion to teach in Spanish, and she also loves to learn about other languages and cultures. She is passionate/interested in loves/ enjoys is inspired by helping children working on their fine and gross motor skills, and social emotional skills. I really enjoy and love to work with children.

Danisha Smith was a previous UFECC employee back in 2016, and has been recently reinstated this past April of 2021. She currently holds a Child Development Associates and has been working with infants to 2 year old’s for over 6 years. Her teaching style is that of nurturing, caring, and loving children as if they were her own. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, eating, and sleeping. One of her favorite places is the beach. Getting to see each child’s development, and learning first hand as they grown and flourish under her care is what in spires her to go to work everyday.

Angel Szczech joined UF ECC in July 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. She has worked with preschoolers/kindergarten ages from 3-6 years old for a year and a half. She enjoys working with kids and is interested in contributing to their growth and development by supporting their needs and interests. She likes to travel to other countries and experience different cultures. She is positive-minded and resilient.

Maria Torres joined UFECC in October 2021. She has an Associate’s degree in early childhood education. Maria has worked with preschoolers for over 15 years, helping her students acquire the skills they need to be successful in the future. Maria is very passionate about helping her young students master their academic and social skills. Her student’s energy and determination inspires her. Maria is aware that early childhood education is the cornerstone for future success and is more than happy to be there for her students as they overcome challenges and barriers.

Catherine Witt joined Baby Gator ECC in July 2024. Originally from France, she holds an AA Degree in Tourism. Catherine relocated from Orlando where she worked as a toddler lead teacher for the last 10 years and she is excited to be an infant’s teacher at UF ECC. She feels fulfilled each day when she gets to take care of and spend time with young growing minds. In her spare time, she likes to swim, play music and travel to discover the world.