Leadership
Nicole has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas, and a 13-year history in early childhood education, beginning at La Petite Academy and Princeton Children’s Center in Lawrence, where she worked as Program Assistant Director and Assistant Director, respectively. She then moved to Wichita to open the Wichita Princeton Children’s Center as its Program Director. And most recently, she taught Early Childhood Education courses at Community Care College in Tulsa.
Nicole returned to Lawrence in 2010 and has been at One of a Kind since May, 2010.
Nicole has a young son.
Melissa joined our team in January 2011, after graduating from the University of Kansas in December 2010, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education/Intervention.
Her passion for and experience working with children started when she was in high school and became a babysitter for multiple families. During these years, she realized she wanted to work with children as her career. Early childhood education is her focus because she believes this is a crucial learning and developmental period for every child and aids and allows the healthy and strong progression to each aspect in the child’s life.
She has strong ECE work experience from working at the Educare preschool at KU as a Teacher for two semesters and as a Shift Supervisor for one semester. She has also worked as an Extended Care Teacher, from September 2009 to December 2010 at St. John Elementary School in Lawrence.
She was born and raised in Kansas, where most of her family lives and she resides in Lawrence.
Staff
The staff members at One of a Kind truly are "one of a kind!" They come from a variety of backgrounds and all share a love for children. Many of our teachers are university students studying various subjects; others have chosen early education as a career.
Each teacher receives specific training from the classroom’s Lead teacher and Director that is appropriate for the children under their care. In addition, staff development training is held regularly. All teachers/staff are educated on: symptoms of illness, signs of abuse and neglect, and first aid.
Each classroom has a Lead Teacher, Assistant Teachers, and Afternoon Lead (departure) Teacher. The Lead Teacher is in charge of structuring your child’s day using age appropriate lesson plans. The Afternoon Lead and Assistant Teachers help carry out the lesson plans.
