Teachers
Ms. Liessy – Infants
Liessy has a lifelong passion for working with children, finding joy in helping them grow, thrive, and feel loved and accepted. With extensive experience in childcare and education, she is deeply committed to creating nurturing and inclusive environments for every child.
Currently, Liessy is pursuing a degree in Sonography, with the goal of becoming a certified ultrasound technician. Inspired by a strong interest in the medical field, she is excited to deepen her knowledge and skills as she works toward earning her bachelor’s degree in this dynamic and impactful area of healthcare.
Ms. Donna – Infants/Toddlers
Ms. Donna has been a proud member of the Bridges preschool community since its founding in 1989. Over the years, she has taught across all age groups, making a lasting impact on countless children and families. Many of her former students have gone on to achieve great success, including careers as professional athletes and television personalities—something she shares with pride.
With a deep love for teaching and a genuine passion for early childhood education, Ms. Donna feels truly blessed to play a role in each child’s early learning journey. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and brings warmth, experience, and dedication to the classroom every day. Ms. Donna is a proud mother of Johnathan, a Bridges alumnus who started at the school as a 6-week-old infant.
Ms. Venessa – Teacher – Toddlers
Venessa brings a unique background in management to her role as an early childhood educator, combining strong leadership skills with a heartfelt passion for teaching. As a proud wife, mother, and grandmother, she understands the importance of nurturing and supporting children’s growth in a warm and caring environment.
Although new to teaching, Venessa has quickly won the hearts of children and families alike with her dedication and enthusiasm. She is committed to continuous learning and improvement, staying current with all teaching requirements and eagerly working toward earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Venessa is excited to be part of a team that values every child’s potential and looks forward to partnering with families to support their children’s early development and success.
Ms. Milenca – Toddlers
Milenca is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 10 years of teaching experience. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and continues to grow professionally as she pursues new learning opportunities and deepens her skills in the classroom.
Bilingual and passionate about education, Milenca brings warmth, patience, and a nurturing spirit to everything she does. She treats every child with the same care and respect she would give her own, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all learners.
Milenca finds great joy in watching each child grow and reach new milestones, and she is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the Bridges family.
Ms. Cecilia – Twos
Ms. Cecilia brings over 25 years of expertise in implementing age-appropriate academic practices tailored to foster the individual growth and development of each child. She is highly regarded for her patience, thoughtful communication, and genuine care, creating a warm and supportive learning environment where children feel valued and encouraged. Ms. Cecilia is passionate about instilling Jesus in our children’s heart and mind.
Holding a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, Ms. Cecilia has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in early childhood education. She has been a dedicated member of the Bridges team for 28 years, contributing her experience and passion to the school community.
Ms. Cecilia is married and proud to be the mother of three children, including her youngest, who is a Bridges alumnus.
Ms. Pat- Assistant Teacher
With over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Pat brings a deep love for children and a heartfelt commitment to helping each child learn and grow. She is passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired every day.
Ms. Pat stays current with all Department of Children and Families (DCF) requirements and continually seeks opportunities to improve and grow as an educator. Her dedication to professional development reflects her belief that learning is a lifelong journey, for both teachers and students.
Pat’s journey with Bridges began when her grandson attended the center years ago. She was so impressed by the care and quality of the environment that she decided to make it her professional home. Now, as a valued member of the Bridges family, she is honored to give back to the community that once supported her own family.
Ms. Suail – Pre-K 3
Suail is a passionate and enthusiastic educator who brings a love of language, culture, and learning into the classroom. Fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamentu, she is excited to introduce young learners to the beauty of multilingualism and cultural diversity. Through her growing YouTube channel, Suail has been sharing engaging language lessons and educational content designed specifically for children, and she’s eager to bring that same creativity and energy into her teaching.
Although new to the classroom, Suail draws from her real-world experience, strong communication skills, and deep love for early education. She is committed to fostering a warm, inclusive environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow.
Outside of teaching, Suail enjoys spending quality time with her two young sons, creating fun and educational content, and actively participating in her local community. She is excited to build meaningful connections with her students and their families as they begin this exciting school year together.
Ms. Iraida Pre-K 3
Iraida was born in Texas and raised in Venezuela. She has lived in Tampa for the past 27 years and is a proud mother of two young adults, Sean and Samantha.
With many years of experience in customer service, Iraida discovered her true passion in early childhood education in 2011. Since then, she has devoted herself to teaching and caring for infants and young toddlers, bringing warmth, dedication, and a nurturing spirit to the classroom. She also holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in early learning.
Iraida is excited to be part of the team at Bridges, where she looks forward to supporting each child’s growth and development in a loving and engaging environment.
Ms. Amber – VPK
Amber has dedicated over 16 years to the field of early childhood education, where teaching is truly at the heart of her work. Known for her patience and skillful approach to managing behaviors, she creates a calm and supportive environment that helps every child thrive. Amber is committed to nurturing each child’s individual development and growth.
She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and continuously strives to expand her knowledge and skills. Amber is also a proud mother and wife, bringing warmth and dedication to both her family and her classroom.
Ms. Cynthia – VPK
Cynthia is a passionate and dedicated early childhood educator who brings warmth, creativity, and a love of learning into her classroom every day. She delights in helping young children explore and grow through hands-on activities in writing, alphabet recognition, shapes, arts and crafts, science, sight words, language and literacy, music, and interactive learning centers.
Cynthia holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and believes strongly in a hands-on, nurturing approach that supports each child’s unique learning journey. Her classroom is a place where children feel encouraged, understood, and excited to learn.
Outside of the classroom, Cynthia is a proud mom to her amazing daughter, who is currently studying Interior Design at the University of Kentucky. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys family vacations, watching sports, and staying active in her church, where she volunteers and shares her Christian faith.
Other Staff
Jose Olivo – Maintenance
