PHLpreK Provider Advisory
The PHLpreK Provider Advisory is a community of Early Childhood Education leaders who provide vital input and give feedback on policies, strategies, technical support, and overall priorities of the PHLpreK program.
Kia Jones
Past Your Bedtime
Childcare Center LLC
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Samiyyah Hanible
Director/Operator
Beginning Moments
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Carletta Parlin
Provider/Owner
Computer Kids
Day Care Inc.
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Shari Gold
Preschool Director
Casa del Carmen
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Alyssa Gibson
Director
Appletree
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Michele Dwyer
Division Director ofEarly Education and Care
SPIN
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Danuta Eichler
Director
The Children's PlacePreschool
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Dr. Salvatore J Sandone Ed.D
CEO
Zhang Sah
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Melissa Blatz
Executive Director
Beautiful Beginnings
Childcare Center, Inc.-
Bustleton and Holmesburg
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Shawn M. Bryant
Asst. Director / Lead Teacher
Heaven's Angels
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Adamary Sosa
Vice President of Economic Mobility
Xiente
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Glynna Munlyn
Owner
Munlyn’s Munchkins II
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Antoinette Cooper-Edney
Executive Director / Owner
The Magic Years LLC
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Hi, my name is Kia Jones. I have been in the childcare industry for over 25 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Education and a Directors Credential. This is my third year in PHLpreK and my first year on the PHLpreK Advisory Board. I am so excited about serving on the PHLpreK Advisory Board, because I want to assist with helping the program run smoothly for the future programs, children and staff. 
My name is Samiyyah Hanible, MBA. I have been in the ECE Field for over 15yrs. My undergraduate studies are in Criminal Justice, my graduate studies are in Business Administration, and I have earned many ECE credits to advance on the career lattice. This is my first year in PHL PreK and first term on the Advisory Board. I am very excited to be apart of the PHL PreK Program because it allows me to give children access to a high quality program. I am very excited to be able to sit on the Advisory Board to actively take part in making a difference. 
I am the Provider of Computer Kids Day Care Inc. We are a Star 4 center, and have been providing early education for 15 years. This is my first year participating in the PHLPreK advisory. I am excited to both hear your experiences and also share my experiences as I aim to make a difference while serving on the Phlprek advisory. 
I have been teaching since the mid-nineties and became the preschool director at Casa del Carmen in the spring of 2016. In January of the 2017 we started our PHLpreK journey. Being a part of the this program has opened up many opportunities for both my program and myself. I have served on the Advisory Board since 2021 and very excited to see what great ideas we can offer to the PHLpreK community this year.
I have worked in early education for about 12 years off and on, as resume building experience working with children and families. I have my bachelor's degree in psychology, my master's degree in community and trauma counseling (equivalent to a clinical counseling major), and am in progress toward my director's credential. I have been a PHLpreK provider for going on 2 years. This is my first year on the PHLpreK Advisory. Having a specialty in mental health, trauma, and community impact & healing, I am excited to bring that perspective to the PHLpreK space. It has made a lasting impact on my individual center, so I am excited to extend this voice to the larger community.
I have worked at SPIN and have been active in the Early Childhood Education field for 25 years. I am currently working as the Division Director of Early Childhood Education and Care for both of SPIN 's Early Childhood Campuses. I have a master's degree in Educational Leadership and uphold a Pennsylvania Director's Credential. I am an Organizational PQAS trainer, am ServeSafe certified and I am the Teacher Induction Plan Facilitator for SPIN.
I am an educator for 33 years. I have worked in ECE for 15 years. I hold a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. This is my third year in the PHLPreK program.
Dr. Sandone is a new member to PHLpreK Advisory and is the founder of Zhang Sah with 45 years of experience practicing, competing, refereeing, and coaching in martial arts. He holds black belts in five disciplines (Karate, Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and Tang Soo Do.) Dr. Sandone holds a doctorate in education leadership and policy and his undergraduate degree is in business / accounting. He coached Temple University Tae Kwon Do from 2013-2017.For the past 26 years Dr. Sandone has been leading Zhang Sah which combines education programs with martial arts. Zhang Sah has been working in the PHL preK system since 2020. Since 2010 he has been conducting participant outcome research regarding school age children investigating the relationship between fitness, socio-emotional learning and academic achievement in the out of school time program at Zhang Sah. His research interests are continual quality improvement processes, participant outcomes, and innovations in learning in non-traditional classroom settings.
I am Melissa Blatz, Executive Director of Beautiful Beginnings. I am the original director of the program and we have been in operation for 18 years (July, 2005). I am a wife and mother of four amazing children who have all attended Beautiful Beginnings and my youngest daughter is a PHLPreK graduate. I have my bachelor's in early childhood education studies, my director's credential, and a certification in trauma studies. I am currently working on my PQAS certification.
30+ years of experience in ECE - University, Think Tank, Head Start, State funded, and Universal Prek. New to PHLpreK Advisory. I'm encouraged by the possibility of influencing the current and future effectiveness of PHLpreK and positive child outcomes for Philadelphia's youngest citizens.
Adamary Sosa has dedicated 15 years to developing and managing federal and state educational programs. Raised in North Philadelphia’s “Badlands,” she draws upon her personal encounters with poverty to fuel her unwavering determination in uplifting individuals from similar backgrounds. Adamary is a dedicated advocate for change, striving to transform lives and communities by enhancing economic opportunities and advancing education. In her role, she leads efforts in education, housing, workforce development, and youth empowerment, channeling her drive into fostering economic advancement. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Adamary actively contributes to collective efforts such as the Latino Equitable Development Collective (LEDC) and provides vital support and leadership in community initiatives. With academic achievements including a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education, as well as certifications in Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Executive Presence and Influence, Adamary reinforces her capabilities. Through her passion, experience, dedication, and on-the-ground leadership, she is committed to driving transformative change, utilizing economic empowerment and education as key catalysts for lasting impact. 
In 2010, I left my job as a medical records director to pursue my dream to take care of children. I started this journey at The Women Business Development of Center City where they assisted me with achieving this goal by providing me with access to business preparation, credit repair, proper policies, and procedure implementations. Their dedication to a solid foundation allowed me to open my very first childcare center Munlyn’s Munchkins Daycare LLC in October, 2011. 9 months later in July of 2012, 1 was blessed with the opportunity to expand to my second childcare facility; which in return was able to allow me to open a 3rd and 4th location across the city of Philadelphia. Like all dreams, there are bumps in the road and I faced mine with the global pandemic of 2020.
My name is Antoinette Cooper-Edney, I've been providing childcare services for over 20 years at a star 4 facility. My mission is to provide high quality care to families in my community. I have a Bachelor of Science in in Early Childhood Education. This is my fourth year with Phl-PreK slots and my second year on the advisory board. I'm excited to see the changes that will happen and the positive impact the board will give to existing and new providers by just listening to the needs.