ABOUT THE INEZ MARTIN STAFF:
Christine Patterson (Director): My career in early childhood began 30 years ago when I started my in-home child care program in Maryland. I relocated to the Florida Keys with my family in June of 1995, and began my career with Wesley House in July 1995 as the Assistant Site Director of the Wesley House Child Care program (today known as Inez Martin). In 1996, I left Inez Martin, but continued working for Wesley House in the Child Care Services department. During this time, I earned my BS in Management from Barry University in Miami, my Department of Children and Families Director’s Credential and my FCCPC certificate. In October 2006, I became the Child Development Centers' Director where I am responsible for the operations of both Centers. I worked closely with the architect and contractor throughout the renovation of the Inez Martin Child Development Center. I believe in the mission of Wesley House -- we do great things for children!
Gladys McClendon (Assistant Director and Teacher): Twenty-one years ago I taught one-year-olds at the original Wesley House child care program. Today, I am the lead VPK teacher and Assistant to the Site Director at Inez Martin Child Development Center. I have my Director’s Credential and FCCPC certification. I also am current with all of the state-mandated trainings. I enjoy the challenge of working with different types of children and making their lives better.
Loretta Hall (Teacher): I have worked for Wesley House since 1987 in the position of a child care teacher for various ages of children. I have my FCCPC certificate and am current with all the required trainings required for VPK. I love my job! I love teaching children new ideas in preparing them for kindergarten. Some of the children I first taught are now parents in our program, and I am teaching their children!
Elizabeth Bunting (Teacher): Being a mom of five children, it was easy to decide my career. I have been in the Early Childhood field for over 15 years and with Wesley House since February 2009. I love the idea of working with parents in raising their children to be our future leaders of tomorrow.
Maria Heimer (Teacher): I love to work with children! I have a BA degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota. My past child care experience includes helping my mom with running an in-home daycare, providing a nanny service, and working as an infant-toddler teacher for a child care program in Minneapolis. Minnesota was my home for 20 years, but after college I decided to move and experience a new place. I am enjoying my life in Key West and working with Wesley House!
Sury Caridiad (Teacher): I came here from Cuba and enjoy my work with the children. Currently, I am a mom to a two-year-old girl and working on my Florida Child Care Professional Certification. I have been working with the children from Wesley House for almost two years and love knowing I make a difference!
Lucie Pierre (Teacher): I have been employed by Wesley House since 2008 in the position of teacher for children from infants to five years of age. I have completed all of the Department of Children and Families trainings, and am waiting to enter the next Florida Child Care Professional Certification class. I am here to make a child’s life as smooth as possible by teaching them life skills, and daily I give it my all.
Yunieski Cordero (Teacher): I came here from Cuba and am a mom to a nine-year-old. I enjoy teaching the children. This year I began working on my Florida Child Care Professional Certification and hope to be done by December 2009. Everyone wants to make a difference in a child’s life and I love working at Wesley House in a safe and healthy environment.
Tina Andrade (Teacher): I earned my FCCPC certification last year through Wesley House. I decided to come to work for the agency in May 2009. I have been working for three years in child care, and love to work with kids!
Venecia Villar (Teacher): I have more than 28 years of experience working with children. I have been with Wesley House since September 2007 as a child care teacher working with pre-school children. I love my job!
Sharon Rohdin (Teacher): I am very passionate about children and I love what I do!
Wade Russell (Cook): I love to cook for kids!