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.
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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Michele Dwyer
Division Director ofEarly Education and Care
SPIN
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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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Adamary Sosa
Vice President of Economic Mobility
Xiente
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Glynna Munlyn
Owner
Munlyn’s Munchkins II
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Mae Lee
Director
Olympik Tots Early Learning Center
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Joann Schock
Assistant Director
Friends Child Care
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Dominique E. Savage
Executive Administrator
Yolandas Kids Corner Daycare, Inc
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Jennifer Pearson-Mills
Owner- Director/ PreK Teacher
Jennifer's Learning Beyond Limits Family Childcare
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Medina A. Rashid
Founder
MECCA Child Care
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Leah M. Booker, M. Ed
Director
Wonderspring New Market West
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Ekaterina (Kate) Sukhov
Head of Educational Advancement and Family Partnership
ANN KIDS
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Diane E. Barr, Esquire
Owner/Director
Children's Garden Academy Child Development Center
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Catherine Benjamin
Director
Drueding
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Candace Wegner
Executive Director
Spring Garden Academy
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Lisa Burden
Administrative Director
Your Child's World
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Kelley D. Burnett
Owner
Kelley's Inspirational Daycare Service, KIDS
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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 PHLpreK and first term on the Advisory. I am very excited to be apart of the PHLpreK 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 PHLpreK Advisory 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 PHLpreK Advisory since 2021 and very excited to see what great ideas we can offer to the PHLpreK community this year.
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.
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.
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.
I held an MBA and MEd for many years and managed an early education for 18 years. I've been in PHLpreK for 6 years and 2nd year as an advisory member. I look forward to meeting the current and new members and discussing improvement topics.
Hi, my name is Joann, and I have been an Early Childhood Professional for over 35 years. I worked as a teacher for most of those years and recently became an administrator. I received my undergraduate and graduate degree (along with my teaching cert) at Chestnut Hill College trough the TEACH program. This is my third year with PHLpreK and my first on the Advisory committee and I am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of children.
I have over 13 years of experience as a Childcare Director and 5 years as an Early Intervention Specialist. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University, PA, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Arcadia University. I’ve been part of PHLpreK for 7 years and have served on the PHLpreK Advisory Board for 3 years. This year, I’m excited to continue collaborating with others to support PHLpreK providers and remain a positive, supportive force in the community.
My name is Jennifer Pearson-Mills, I have provided child services in my community for over 34 years. I have a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies and a Ph.D. in Religious Counseling. In addition, my childcare facility is Star 4. This is my second year as a PHLpreK teacher. I am very excited to become a member of the PHLpreK Advisory. I desire to become a change agent and provide quality education to young children. Child psychologist Piaget stated that "a child's mind is like a blank sheet where experience writes". Therefore, As an Early Childhood Educator, I must provide a rich learning environment where children experience the world. and where their imagination takes flight.
Medina brings a wealth of experience in early childhood education, having founded MECCA in 2014. As a STAR 4 facility, MECCA offers a comprehensive Montessori program for infants, toddlers, and expanding access to more preschoolers, underscoring our commitment to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate education. With a BS in Electrical Engineering from Howard University and a Master of Education from Chestnut Hill College, Medina is also Montessori certified and a member of the American Montessori Society. She oversees MECCA's partnership with Chestnut Hill College as one of their Lab Schools. Involved with PHLpreK since its inception in 2016-17, Medina is excited to contribute her insights as she begins her first year on the PHLpreK Provider Advisory, eager to collaborate on enhancing early learning experiences in the community.
I started my journey in ECE in 2003 when I began interning at the Columbia North YMCA. remained working at the YMCA in various capacities while working as a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. My former Executive Director thought I would make an awesome assistant director and I decided to take on a new venture. I've been advocating for children ever since, even being honored to have PHLpreK piloted in my center over 10 years ago. In my first year in the PHLpreK Provider Advisory Council, I hope to share my experiences as a seasoned director, gain ideas to bring back to my staff and families as well as give input on how to meet the challenges providers and families may be navigating through in education post pandemic. 
Ekaterina (Kate) Sukhova serves as the Head of Family Engagement and Education Excellence at Ann Kids Child Care Centers, overseeing three Early Education centers in Philadelphia. Ann Kids Jamison and Ann Kids Palmetto are both four-star Keystone Stars centers, collectively serving over 600 families with children aged 1 to 12 years old. Kate has over a decade of experience in early childhood education and a strong commitment to advocating for children and families, driven by her professional journey, immigrant background, and parenthood.
Practicing Pennsylvania Bankruptcy attorney for almost 30 years. Owner and operator of Children's Garden Childcare Centers and celebrating its 25th year in the childcare industry. Currently operating 6 locations throughout Philadelphia and Delaware County. Has been a PHLpreK provider for the past four years. Currently has two Philadelphia locations providing PHLpreK services. I am excited about my first year on the PHLpreK Advisory board because I am passionate about providing growth in the preK educational arena, the opportunity to network and collaborate on challenges as well as solutions. In addition, I may be able to provide knowledge and experience that may benefit others. 
I entered the early childhood field through serendipity. I needed a job, and childcare for my children. As I worked with children, I became curious, I wanted to know how child learn and develop, I became interested in their behavior. Although I was a mother, I had no knowledge of how children learn, and why they exhibit certain behaviors. That propelled me to go back to school to get a better understanding. It has been 30 plus years ago; I have a master's degree in early childhood. I have been working at Drueding for the past 20 years; and have been Director for the past 5 years.
I am the Administrative Director of Your Child's World Learning Center, Inc. and I have been working in ECE for over 30 years as a teacher, center director and administrator. My degree in Early Childhood Education Administration has supported my commitment to advocating for the Early Childhood profession while promoting a co-operative spirit for excellence and quality in childcare. I am excited to serve on the PHLpreK Advisory and I look forward to working toward assisting with developing policies to ensure that all families and stakeholders are heard and represented.
Kelley Burnett has been in business for 16 years and a PHLpreK teacher since 2017. Ms. Burnett has a STAR 4, nationally accredited facility. Kelley has a masters degree in ECE and a graduate certification in Infant and Toddler Mental Health, she is also a fellow with various organizations. She is passionate about inspiring children to be all they can be, and enjoys providing new and exciting ways for children to explore, research and learn.