Terrie H
Director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry
My name is Terrie and I am so excited to be the Director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry! I have been in Early Childhood Education for nearly 30 years! I have been an in home provider, Infant Toddler Director and spent nearly nineteen years as a Director/Regional Director of family owned facilites licensed for children ages 2-12 years. I have worked as a Consultant and then Director for Center Grove School Corporation in which I helped with the design of new child care facility for Center Grove staff. I worked closely with licensing in preparation of opening the new center. Bright Beginnings Early Learning Academy opened in January of 2015.
My passion is working with children and I am eager and excited to help Bethany Early Learning Ministry reach out to as many families as possible to provide the best Early Childhood education experience to guarantee a successful start in Kindergarten. Building relationships with families and staff has always been one of my top priorities. I love planning family involvement activities and creating ways to bring staff and families together. Some of those activities have been a Family Dance in February, muffins with moms, donuts with dads and a yearend family picnic celebration!
I have lived in Greenwood Indiana, most of my life. I graduated from Center Grove High School. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Education with a minor in Family Life Education from Indiana University (Bloomington). I am married to Chris and we have 3 grown children, Nathan, Ethan and Chloe. Nathan has been married to Casey for 4 years. Ethan will marry in August of 2017. Chloe is an ABA therapist in Greenwood and currently works part-time at BELM.
We are empty nesters but are very blessed to have our children living within a 2 mile radius! We have one fur baby, Ruby, a Yorkie she keeps us very busy. We attend Saint Francis and Clare Catholic Church. I love to travel, love football, especially the Cleveland Browns and IU Basketball! I enjoy entertaining and love spending as much time as possible with family and friends!
Paquita B
Assistant Director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry
Paquita B. is Assistant director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry. She has over twenty five years’ experience working with children in various positions including: children church teacher, Kindergarten, and second and third grade teacher and Pre- Kindergarten teacher at Joy Tabernacle Christian Academy. She was awarded their Teacher of the Year in 2003.
Beginning in 2010, Paquita worked as Pre-Kindergarten lead teacher at KinderCare Learning Center for six years, where she also trained and motivated co-workers. In May 2011, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Martin University.
She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at eighteen years of age. She has been a member of Harvest Prayer Center for twenty-one years. The ministries Paquita exercises are: intercessory prayer, armor bearer and liturgical dance.
Paquita is the mother of four sons and grandmother of five. About her ministry at Bethany, Paquita says, “I have a passion working with children we are shaping, molding, and setting a foundation for the next generation.”
Gladys C
Pre-K Teacher
Gladys C. is a CDA certified, Pre-K Teacher. Gladys has been working in Early Childhood Education for 9 years! She is the mother of 5 grown children, 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family.
Kelly S
Lead Teacher - 2 Year Olds
Kelly S. has taught preschool for over 20 years! She has a Sociology Degree from Marian University and plans to go back to school for her Masters Degree! Ms. Kelly currently is the Lead Teacher in the Two year old classroom. Ms. Kelly has two wonderful children, Evan and Paige, as well as soon to be step children, Tyler, Madison and Taylor. Kelly loves spending time with Tony, her fiancé and her blended family, going to Church, and running outdoors. Ms. Kelly’s favorite books are: To Kill a Mockingbird and Green Eggs and Ham!
Penny B
Pre-Kindergarten
Penny B. is a mother of 6 children and a grandmother of 6! She has been a teacher at Bethany Early Learning Ministry for 9 years! She started working here in the one year old classroom and has taught every age group in the Center, including infants and school-agers! Penny has been the Pre-Kindergarten Teacher for 5 years! Penny has worn many hats, she has worked in kitchen and helped plan and develop the playground. Educating children is more than a job to her, it is a calling!! Bethany is more than her place of employment, it’s her 2nd home!
Brittany H
Lead Teacher - Pre-schoolers
Brittany H. is 31 years old and she has been at Bethany Early Learning Ministry for 2 years. She has been consistently in the 3 year old room as the Pre-school Lead Teacher! Ms. Brittany is currently working on her Associates in Early Childhood Education at Indiana Wesleyan University. She will be completing her Degree in early 2018. Ms. Brittany comes from a big family, 4 brothers, 2 sisters and a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins! Ms. Brittany has been caring for and teaching children since she was 15 years old. She is an active member of Rock Community Church and formerly taught Children’s Sunday School. Ms. Brittany loves children and loves watching them grow and learn new things daily. She firmly believes a child’s education begins in infancy, and she is honored to use her knowledge to nurture that learning and growth.
Lawonner Y
Infant Teacher
Lawonner Y. is the Infant Teacher at Bethany Early Learning Ministry. She is blessed with caring for the littlest of God’s work! Lawonner studied at Southern University for 2 years and has had experience working with special needs children. Lawonner has worked as an Office Assistant for 20 years at a Middle School and High School. Lawonner was born in Shreveport, La., she is a mother of two and grandmother of 3. She enjoys reading, music and bike riding.
