Meet our Teachers
Alyssa Lohe, 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.
Brena Cameron, Teacher
Camryn Ricke, Teacher
Camryn has been working in childcare since 2019 and is enjoying her time in the infant and toddler room. She is interested in child development and loves seeing the kids learn new things as they grow. Camryn loves how PBS offers multiple ways to help children learn and encourages social / emotional skills that help the kids communicate their needs.
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.
Jill Hutchins, Teacher
Lanae Jarrett, Site Director, Lead Teacher
Lanae moved to Lawrence in August of 2020. She’s been working in childcare since 2009, starting as a volunteer for an after school program and later as a classroom aide. Lanae has worked with all ages, newborn to school age. Lanae says toddlers are the most fun, as they have so much energy and say the funniest things. Lanae has a Child Development Associate degree, plus an abundance of professional development trainings and hands on experience. Coming from a similar background, Lanae feels a special affinity for the low income families we serve and hopes “to be a bridge and advocate for children and families when they need 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.
Shay Fox, Teacher
Stephanie Cullinane, Site Director
Rebecca Miller, Teacher
Rebecca has been working with children since 2009. She loves working with infants and toddlers and enjoys watching them grow and meet milestones. Rebecca is learning more about Positive Behavior Support each day and appreciates the way PBS can take children with a variety of backgrounds and find and bring out the best in them every day and help them express their needs in a manner that will help them later in life.