The role of the educator in this setting is that of guide, researcher and learner. We believe that every individual in the school community is actively engaged in learning. It is the educator’s responsibility to open the doors to knowledge, to observe and pay attention to details, to listen to and consider children’s ideas – even the ones that are not “true” or “correct.”
Administrative/Pedagogical Staff
Founder / Executive Director
Teresa became interested in early childhood education in the capacity of parent volunteer at her children’s preschool. While being involved there, she developed an understanding of what wonderful early childhood education could and should be. Progressing from volunteer to President of the Board of Directors and ultimately Director of Operations at the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool, Teresa discovered her passion to broaden the availability of these experiences to more families and children.
In 2011, Teresa opened The Nest Nursery School with two co-founders in the Ormewood Park neighborhood in southeast Atlanta. Several years later, Teresa extended her experience to the City of Decatur in the form of a new center for infants and young children – The Willow School. The Willow School will offer to its families a unique environment inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.
Teresa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting from University of Phoenix and is pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado. She has been on three study tours to Italy to deepen her knowledge and understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach. These inspiring visits shape the philosophies and practices that Teresa brings to childhood education: respect for the learning process, a love of children, and a passion for advocacy for the causes of the very young.
Teresa lives with her husband, Adam, in Grant Park. They are the proud parents of five wonderful children, two grandchildren, and a stubborn but loving dog.
Director
Keli Jackson, also known as Mrs. Keli, is a founding member of the Willow School Team! She has been working with infants and toddlers since 2008 and has enjoyed every minute. Before becoming an early childhood educator, she worked as a full-time opera singer. She holds a B.A. in music from Spelman College and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Walden University.
Keli has been married 16 years to her incredible husband Santana, and they are the proud parents of a magical daughter.
Each day Keli is inspired to make a difference in the lives of children and families. It is her goal to make each day a great day for every child. She became a teacher because of her love for children and loves to get messy and explore! Working with young children, Keli realizes how important these early years are and the positive impact that early childhood educators have on their growth and development. It is these things that make this job so rewarding.
Enrollment and Family Engagement Coordinator
Melissa Godbee is the Administrative Assistant for the Willow School.
Atelierista
Amy Fields moved from Great Britain to the United States in 2011 and is now settled with her husband and three children ages. She gets regular shipments of tea from England, but is loving family life in Decatur.
Amy’s degree is in Social Science and Drama, Film and TV. She also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She has taught ages 3 to 16 years of all abilities and from varied backgrounds, some of whom had specific disabilities and some with incredible talent. Amy has a passion for discovering and helping the children fulfill their true potential.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys traveling, cooking, having casual dinner parties and tea parties with friends, singing, craft projects and reading stories with the kids. She is often found curling up in front of an open fire with her cats and a good book, going for a stroll in the park or the woods with her children or going for sushi and a movie with her husband.
Atelierista
Amanda Espinosa has been an early childhood educator since 2010 and has worked with young children for more than 15 years. She holds a bachelors of fine arts degree from the Art institute of Atlanta, and believes that children approach learning with creative minds. She especially enjoys linking school lessons with the creative arts. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, and sewing.
Administrative Assistant
Dale has been happily married for almost 37 years, is a mom to 4 adult children and has 4 grandchildren as well as two fur babies. She loves spending time with family and friends. Having come from a large family, she has been around and/or taken care of children most of her life. She worked in the medical field for almost 30 years but made a change due to health reasons. When she returned to work, it was at The Willow School in 2018 as a chef because her son decided it would be a great idea to work with him, and a spot was available. She’s so happy she made that choice! She loves the Willow Community! She worked as a chef until March 2020, and then returned back to Willow as Administrative Assistant.
Support Staff
Facilties Caretaker
Infant Educators
Toddler Educators
Toddler Teacher
Vinccetta has been working in Early Childhood Education for more than twelve years. She is super excited to be a part of your child’s journey and provide them with a safe, fun environment to learn, play and grow. There are a lot of milestones that happen in our classroom which she loves to see. She has three beautiful children whom she loves and adores: two boys and one girl aged 8,12, and 14.
Toddler Teacher
Kimberly is originally from Savannah, Ga. She moved to Atlanta, Ga in 2021. She has earned a Bachelors of Arts in English with an emphasis in Communicative Arts from Columbia College (SC), She also earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Design from American InterContinental University. She has served in education for fifteen years. Kimberly began working at the Willow School in 2022 as a support teacher in the Preschool department. She has moved up to Co-teacher in the Toddler 2 classroom.
Twos Educators
Preschool Educators
Forest Class Teacher
Cadesha Harrison-Howell has been with the Willow School for over 5 years. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from Brenau University and a degree in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. She has a passion for learning, gardening and for pets. She is a member of: Georgia Association of Educators, The National Education Association, The Community Emergency Response Team, and also a Member of the Dekalb County Emergency Management Agency. She is trained in working with children with ADD, ADHD. She is very excited to be a part of The Willow School.
Early Preschool Teacher
Straight from Virginia, Andreia knew early childhood was the field fit for her. Andreia spent her high school career doing internships and student teaching, which helped bring her career journey to light. Andreia graduated from Georgia Piedmont College with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Andreia really enjoys teaching and wishes to become an elementary school teacher in the future.
Toddler Teacher
Vinccetta has been working in Early Childhood Education for more than twelve years. She is super excited to be a part of your child’s journey and provide them with a safe, fun environment to learn, play and grow. There are a lot of milestones that happen in our classroom which she loves to see. She has three beautiful children whom she loves and adores: two boys and one girl aged 8,12, and 14.
Georgia Lottery Pre-K Educators
Preschool Teacher
Rashida (pronouns – she/her) was born and raised in Georgia and currently resides in Atlanta with her children Chloe(19), Lee(15), and her pets. When not working she enjoys spending time with family, going to the movies, reading, skating, thrifting, researching astrology and (most of all) traveling. She has worked in Early Education for 9 years, studying at Atlanta Metropolitan College and currently holding a Child Development Associate Degree. She has taught with many different curriculums and the Reggio Emilia approach is her favorite. She really enjoys working here at the Willow school!
Forest Class Educators
Support Teacher
Drew is an Atlanta native who spends his free time gaming and reading. He has always been involved in watching his younger cousins and siblings, but it was the birth of his nephew in 2008 that really sparked his passion for children.
Though this is his first job in education, he finds great joy in learning alongside children, watching them grow and seeing them enjoy the nutritious meals he helps to prepare. Drew is currently planning to go back to school and is looking forward to everything a career in Early Childhood Education could possibly offer.
Classroom Support Staff
