Teachers
Ms. Susan – Infants
Ms. Susan is a certified Childcare Development Specialist and has been in child-care since 2002. She began working with children when her daughter was four years old, and her heart has been in this profession ever since. Working with children is her passion; it fills her heart with joy to watch children learn and grow. Susan has been with Bridges for 6 years and considers each day a blessing.
Ms. Makenna – Infants
Ms. Makenna has been teaching since 2016 and has worked with children aged 6 weeks – 5th grade. She has obtained her CDA, infant specialization, toddler and pre-school specialization, along with her Early Childhood Associates degree. She has also obtained her Registered Behavioral Certification and has experience working with children with special needs.
Makenna is a Bridges alumni and attended the school when she was just 3 years old, which makes teaching here all the more special.
In her free time, Makenna enjoys spending time with family and her beloved dog, as well as seeking out new adventures.
Ms. Donna – Infants
Ms. Donna is proud to have been working with the preschool since its inception in 1989. Her years of teaching at Bridges have encompassed all age groups. She has touched many lives over the years, and will proudly proclaim that some of her students have gone on to become professional athletes and television personalities. She loves what she does and feels blessed to have the opportunity to teach your children. Donna is married and has one son, Johnathan, a Bridges alumni who began attending the school at just 6 weeks old.
Ms. Pat – Assistant Teacher – Infants
Ms. Pat was born in Michigan. She is married with two adult children and three grandchildren. All three of her grandchildren attended Bridges Preschool. Pat became a part of the Bridges Staff in February of 2015. She has completed all of her Florida Child Care Training and absolutely loves caring for the children.
Ms. Melody – Toddlers
Ms. Melody has 15 years of experience in child care. She worked for Hillsborough County Schools from 2005-2012 as a Unique Needs & Kindergarten aide and has experience in A.B.A. Behavioral Therapy, P.E.C.S. (Picture Exchange Communication System), and Braille Communication.
Melody has also worked with C.A.R.D. at USF in presenting training concepts for Headstart and inclusive methods for children with developmental disabilities.
In 2013, she began teaching VPK and finds it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Melody has been with Bridges for 3 years and is passionate about preparing children for success in Kindergarten.
Ms. Deborah – Toddlers
Ms. Deborah is married and has six wonderful children. She became involved with Bridges in 2007 when her youngest daughter attended preschool here. She earned her CDA in 2009 and is passionate about working with young children.
Ms. Cecilia – Toddlers
Ms. Cecilia has over 20 years of experience in age-appropriate academic practices for the development of each child. She prides herself in having patience, kind words, and lots of tender loving care. Cecilia achieved her CDA. She is married with three children, the youngest being a former student at Bridges. Cecilia has been with Bridges for 24 years.
Ms. Paige – Toddlers
Ms. Paige earned her CDA and Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida. She has over 18 years of experience working with children, six of those years include working with children in the Exceptional Education Preschool program for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Paige is a proud wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
Ms. Lisa – Assistant Teacher – Toddlers
Ms. Lisa was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She is married and is blessed with one daughter (a Bridges alumni) and two stepdaughters. her daughter attended Bridges. Lisa started working at Bridges in August 2013 and has said that the opportunity could not have come at a better time. She feels blessed to be a part of the Bridges community.
Ms. Eunice – Assistant Teacher
I have a growing passion that involves taking part in the growth of children becoming independent individuals. That’s why being a teacher assistant at Bridges is such a privilege because they share a similar passion. Along with working at Bridges I am a Communication Science and Disorders major striving to be a future SLP. While school takes up a good portion of my time I also enjoy good coffee and frequent visits to the beach to watch the sunset.
Ms. Denise – Pre-K 3
Ms. Denise began working with Bridges in 2004 and has worked with various age groups at the school over the years. Denise obtained her A.A. degree at the University of Florida and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the University of Central Florida. She has also completed her CDA certification. Denise has three children, all of whom have attended Bridges.
Ms. Devika – Pre-K 3
Ms. Arleen – VPK
Ms. Arleen was born and raised in Tampa. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Arleen has been employed with Bridges since 2011 and is thankful to be a part of The Lord’s work at Bridges.
Ms. Thania – VPK
Ms. Thania obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of the Sacred Heart in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1978. She later went on to obtain her Teacher’s Certification from Salem State University, Massachusetts for grades K-12. She has 25+ years of experience teaching high school, elementary, and pre-school children. She began teaching at Bridges in 1998 after her son attended the school. Ms. Thania is a wife and mother to one son.
