Meet Our Teachers
Abagail Hemelrick, Site Director, Lead Teacher
Billy Miera, Teacher
Mr Billy, as the kids call him, moved to Lawrence in 2020. PBS is actually his first child care employment, but he quickly discovered his affinity for the job. Billy is currently working with both toddlers and PreK, and says he “enjoys their energy. I love watching children grow and use the skills they have learned in the classroom to help find solutions for themselves. I love creating close bonds with each child and having games and conversations that are special to each individual.” Billy stays with PBS because the work of helping children from all backgrounds be successful is so important, and he plans to continue training in order to serve the children and their families to the very best of his ability.
Crystal Bell, Teacher
Dani Gonzalez-Dotti, Teacher
Dani started working in childcare as an assistant at a Montessori school, primarily in the infant and toddler classrooms. She has also completed assistant montessori training for infants and toddlers. Dani is currently a student at the University of Kansas, majoring in psychology and minoring in applied behavioral science. Her goal is to work in mental health counseling for children and adolescents. Dani believes that to be a good support for children, it is important to understand how children think, act, and play outside of a clinical setting. She also believes that in a pre-kindergarten classroom it is important to build good academic skills but to also prepare them emotionally and creatively to thrive in their future.
Deanna Roberts, Site Director, Lead Teacher
Deanna has been working in childcare since August 2021. She’s worked with every age, but 3 to 5 years is her favorite. Deanna is currently working on her CDA and plans to keep furthering her education in childcare. As a teacher and a mother, Deanna’s goal is “to be a safe place for each child in my care.” Deanna is passionate about advocating for children and is SO excited to be a part of the good work of Positive Bright Start.
Gwen Pennewell, PBS Coach
Gwen has been working in early childhood education since 2004, starting out volunteering for a high school credit in child development. Discovering then her love for the early childhood classroom, after graduation, Gwen became a classroom aide. Since, Gwen has taken over 130 hours to learning new ways to understand childhood development and social emotional development. She feels passionate that all children should be loved, supported, and cheered for, even when they don’t have the language to express it.
Margaret Grove, Early Childhood Program Administrator
Originally from Pennsylvania, Margaret, or Meg, found her passion for early childhood and teaching while working as a day camp counselor in high school. Meg has been working in childcare and pursuing her degree here in Kansas since 2016, and hopes to continue expanding her knowledge. Meg has just recently, in 2022, transitioned to a new role at Positive Bright Start as Program Administrator. She oversees all our early childhood classrooms for everything from licensure to staffing.
Vivian Moriarty, Teacher