Staff

BCC is staffed by experienced, qualified professionals who continually develop their skills through training. There has been no turnover in key staff since 1997. 

Bonnie Spear, Director: Bonnie assumed responsibility for directing BCC in August 1997. She is currently pursuing a M.Ed. in early childhood education and has earned the Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential. She came to BCC with over 12 years of experience directing early childhood programs. She has received intensive training on the ITERS and ECERS-R at the University of North Carolina and TSU. Bonnie is active in the early childhood professional community having served on the boards of the local and state Associations for the Education of Young Children.  She currently serves on the boards of TAEYC and UMAP, United Methodist Association of Preschools. She has been a presenter at local, state and national professional conferences. She was a national validator for NAEYC and a trained mentor for students working towards a Child Development Associate Credential. Bonnie served on the taskforce that wrote the Metro Schools Pre-kindergarten Standards in literacy and math, was a trainer on the standards, and served on the Mayor’s Early Childhood Advisory Task Force. She is a past chair of the Nashville Chapter of Stand for Children, a national grassroots child advocacy organization. She is on the cutting edge of the positive changes taking place in childcare. Her responsibilities as BCC director include overall supervision of the curriculum, interaction with children, supervision of staff, fiscal operations, fundraising, community and family relations, and cooperation with the Board.

Geraldine Reynolds, Assistant Director/Teacher: Geraldine received her early childhood education at TSU and Trevecca Nazarene University. Before coming to BCC in August 1997, she was a lead teacher in two accredited early childhood centers. Bonnie and Geraldine had previously worked together, and both came to BCC to guide its growth and development. Geraldine’s professional involvement includes membership in local, state and national professional organizations, conference presentations, leadership roles in NAAEYC, serving as a mentor for TECTA, and a trainer for Metro Schools Pre-kindergarten standards.She currently serves on the board of the Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children.  Her responsibilities include planning and designing curriculum, observing and assessing children, assuming leadership in the absence of the director, supervising part-time staff, practicum and student teachers from local universities, and serving as a resource and communicator with families.

Barbara Dean, Child Assessment Specialist/Teacher: Barbara began working at BCC in June 1998. She received her early childhood education at Trevecca Nazarene University. Past experiences include lead pre-k teacher, assistant child care director, and assistant elementary school teacher. Barbara is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children, has served on its local board of directors, presented workshops, and is a mentor for TECTA. Her BCC responsibilities include orientation of new staff and volunteers, interactions with families, curriculum planning and teaching, and observing and assessing children. Barbara coordinates developmental assessments of children and is a resource for staff on child assessment.

.Sonya Burton, Afternoon   Teacher/Cook: Sonya has four years experience working with young children. She is a student at Nashville State Community College pursuing her Child Development Associate Credential. Her easy going personality and sense of humor make her a favorite with the children she cares for in the afternoons. Her classroom responibilities include planning and implementing afternoon curriculum and closing the center each day. As cook, Sonya plans and prepares nutritious meals and snacks for children and staff.

Margaret Cantrell, Caregiver:  Margaret has been a caregiver in the Maxine Cassety Infant/Toddler Program since it opened in 2008. She has many years experience in early childhood education caring for and teaching young children.Her responsibilities include participation in curriculum planning and implementation and observation of children's development. Margaret is a student at Nashville State Community College working toward her Child Development Associate Credential. Margaret is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children.

Meighan Giotta, Primary Caregiver: Meighan has a B.A. from Worcseter State College and is working toward a masters in Child Development and Family Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. She has been a primary caregiver in the Maxine Cassety Infant/Toddler Program since it opened in 2008.Her responsibilities include planning and implementing curriculum, observing and assessing children and on-going communication with the parents of the children in her primary care group. Meighan has eight years experience working with young children and families. She is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children. 

Eloise Hull, Teacher: Eloise, who has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a diploma in Christian/Religious education, has thirty-two years experience working with young children. Originally from the Amish Country in Pennsylvania, Eloise taught for thirteen years in Ann Arbor, Michigan before moving to Nashville in 1996. Her experience includes being a nanny, teacher and preschool director. Eloise has been a preschool teacher at BCC since 2007. Her responsibilities include planning curriculum and teaching, observing and assessing children and opening the center each day. She is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Educationf Young Children. 

Dorene Porter, Primary Caregiver: Dorene began her career in early childhood education at BCC with the opening of the Maxine Cassety Infant/Toddler Program. She is one of the primary caregivers for children six weeks to thirty months old. Her responsibilities include planning and implementing curriculum, observing and assessing children and on-going communication with parents about the growth and development of their children. Dorene attends Nashville State Community College where she has earned her Child Development Associate Credential, finished classes for the Technical Certificate and is working on her Associates degree. She is a member of the local, state and National Associations for the Education of Young Children.

Shereena Porter, Teacher: Shereena graduated from Hillsboro High School, in 2003, and attended Alabama A and M University for a year in Pre-nursing. She began working part-time at BCC as an assistant teacher and decided to change professions. Now a preschool teacher, she attends Nashville State Community College where she is earning her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her responsibilities include planning curriculum and teaching, observing and assessing children, and closing the center each day. She is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children.

Cara Redmond, Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator/Primary Caregiver: During her two and an half years at BCC, Cara has earned her Child Development Associate Credential. She will finish her Associate degree in Child Development and Family Studies in the spring of 2012 and plans to continue her education to earn a B.S. in Child Development. Cara is a caregiver in the Maxine Cassety Infant/Toddler Program from 9:30-3:30 every day and an afternoon teacher in the preschool from 3:30-5:30. In both programs she participates in planning curriculum, teaching and observing children. She has been Interim Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator and administrative assistant to the BCC director. She is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children.

Amy Smith, Teacher: Amy has been an early childhood education professional for twenty-three years. She has been a teacher, center director and board member of a child care center. She also helped start a new center.Amy's responsibilities include planning curriculum and teaching,observing and assessing children, opening the center each morning and greeting children and families. Amy has the Child Development Associate Credential and in May 2011 earned her A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education. She is a member of the local, state and national Associations for the Education of Young Children. 

 Pam Lindsey, Music  Specialist: September through May

Kidskills: Creative movement and gymnastics June through August