Staff
Staff members here are an integral part of each child’s education. Each lead teacher has a Child Development Associate (CDA) degree or higher. All staff members are certified in CPR and first aid and attend at least twenty hours of continuing education per year. The average tenure for our teachers is over five years. Many of our staff members have been with us over fifteen years.
Staff members take the initiative to insure that the children spend time in small and large group activities each day that may be self-directed or teacher-directed.
The teacher’s role in the classroom is one of facilitator, to offer insight for the parents on their child’s routine and developmental progress. Parents receive regular communications regarding the child and are strongly encouraged to participate in their child’s school life.
Like those in our program, our teachers come from diverse backgrounds and have a combined wealth of culture and tradition to share with you and your children. These photos and brief biographies help you get to know them.
Staff interests
My name is Vickie Waddell. I enjoy working with young children and want to get them started off right in their world of learning. I have been with Gethsemane for 24 years. I have a Child Development Associates Credential. I’ve been married for 34 years and have three grown children. My son the oldest is still at home. My oldest daughter is married and has three children. My youngest daughter is in Philadelphia doing a little mission work. I spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren. I want to make a difference for the ones who can’t speak for themselves.
Hello, I am Denise Lackey. I worked for GLCM as a substitute for 1 ½ years and then as a teacher’s assistant for 5 ½ years now. I have an Associates degree in business administration. I am married with 2 children in elementary school. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work here.
Hi, my name is Sandra Campos. I was born and raised in south Texas. I moved to Austin over 1½ years ago. I really do love living here. I’ve been working in childcare for over 8 years. I received my CDA (Child Development Accreditation) about 3 years ago while living in Corpus Christi. I have 3 children of my own; ages 10 yrs, 8 yrs. and 9 month old. I am very lucky to be able to bring the baby to work with me. I really enjoy being able to work with preschool children. Not only can they learn a lot from us, we can learn a lot from them.
Hi, I’m Jessica Lee Pharo. I’m the fifth child of seven. I’ve lived in Alabama, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Virginia and Spain. I love to sing. My passion is grace, truth, peace and above all – Love.
Hello, I am Ms. Doris. I am the Lead teacher in the toddler 2 classroom here at GLCM. I am a native Chicagoan (Go Cubs) mother of three (all boys) and grandmother of two (one of each). After being a teacher to my boys, I went in to the Tulsa Public Schools, as a substitute teacher, before my move here to Austin. I have been a childcare teacher here in Austin since 2003. I have received my CDA in child development, will receive my certificate this December, and am currently going for my Bachelors in child development. I believe children learn through play, and are great teachers themselves.
Hello, my name is Tania Galan. I’m the 2 year old lead teacher. I have had the pleasure to work with the 2 year olds for a very long time. I have three great children of my own. I have been able to watch them grow my twelve years here at Gethsemane.
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Cortez. I was born and raised with a big family in Austin, Texas. I reside in Pflugerville with my 2 children (Kristen 15 yrs old and Alyssia 10 yrs old). They both attended GLCM and loved coming here. I’ve been working at GLCM for almost 11 years. Hopefully your child or grandchild will be in my class one day. God bless you.
Hi, I am Paulette Thomas and I currently teach the three year olds which I find fulfilling for the following reasons. I get to see them start to articulate using good vocabulary words in social setting and to resolve conflict situation which helps them to develop and show confidence in self. They begin to write their names, identify individual letters of the alphabet randomly and much more. My educational background is in business management. I worked as a secretary prior to teaching. My training for teaching is from Austin Community College and I also have a CDA. Last but not least, I have two precious and handsome boys and a great husband.
Hello, I am Mrs. Leslie. I am the lead teacher for the Pre-School 4 (P4) classroom. I am originally from Missouri City, Texas and I graduated from Texas Lutheran University (go bulldogs….grrr!) with a B.A. in Fine Arts in 2003 and then returned to earn my early childhood through fourth grade teacher certification. I have been at GLCM since 2007. I love singing with my classes and the louder the better!
Hi! My name is Janie Rodriguez. I am married and have six children of my own and grandchildren too. I’ve lived in the Austin area most of my life, but was raised in the country until the age of sixteen. I’ve been working in the childcare field for 29 years. I attended classes at ACC and received my CDA and then my certificate in Child Development. I have been at GLCM 11 years. I love and enjoy what I do as a teacher. Look forward to many more years at Gethsemane working with so many wonderful children and families.
Hello. My name is Kathey Langham. I work as an assistant with Ms. Janie in the Pre-K class. I have been employed at GLCM since February 2009. I am married with two teenage children (Megan and William). I enjoy working with preschool age children, teaching and helping them learn and prepare for kindergarten and watching them grow in God’s Word. I enjoy riding with my husband on his Harley and going to the beach with my family.
My full name is Juana Graciela Jimenez. I am originally from Brownsville, Texas where I went to the University of Brownsville pursuing an Associate’s degree in Administrative Science. Now, I work as a teacher’s assistant/floater working in different classrooms at GLCM. This is a new complete job experience and I find it very unique because I work with infants, toddlers, and older children. Before I was hired, I worked as a bilingual teacher’s assistant in elementary schools for Child Incorporated and Headstart Programs approximately for 7 years. I also worked as a bilingual substitute teacher for Austin Independent School District for a few years. As a professional, my objective is to work in a position that best utilizes my skills and abilities with children, staff and parents.