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120 Werthan Circle • Franklin, TN 37064 • 615-791-9003 • E-mail • Jobs • Home Page
PB&J Day School will accept any child without regard to race, sex, religious affiliation or national origin. © 2009-2010 PB&J Day School, LLC.
The PB&J Staff
We’re pleased to introduce our staff, all of whom are conscientious, highly-trained and share our love of working with young children.
We occasionally have positions available; please check our Jobs page.
Jennifer Walker
Founder & Director
Jennifer holds a Masters of Science degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Curriculum and Instruction. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Learning and Behavior, Elementary Education and Psychology. She has taught first, third and fourth grades, and was the Title I Coordinator for the Nashville Metro School System.
Brooke Pate
Founder & Director
Brooke holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Belmont University in Health and Elementary Education. She has been in the child-care industry for 17 years and has taught kindergarten and preschool. When Brooke is not at PB&J Day School, she loves to be with her family and friends, running with her dogs, reading, playing board games, watching movies or singing about anything and everything.
Becca McVay
Lead Teacher
Becca graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Fine Art/Graphic Design. She is fluent in Spanish and has years of experience working as a youth leader at her church, and as a substitute for a private school in Franklin. She is also an accomplished photographer of children (see Becca's portfolio and website here).
Amanda Burke
Lead Teacher
Amanda holds a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching and Curriculum from California State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from DePauw University. Amanda has six years of experience teaching first grade, and has also taught fifth and sixth grade as well as preschool.
Colette Hagedorn
Lead Teacher
Colette has been working in the child care field for over 23 years. She has had many other titles in addition to child care provider, including mother of five, cheerleading coach, gymnastic advisor, librarian and business owner.
Katya Mathes
Lead Teacher
Katya is originally from Russia where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in English as a foreign language. She then came to Nashville and graduated from Lipscomb University with a Master of Education degree. She is fluent in Russian and has years of experience teaching children of various ages. Her goal is to positively impact children and help them learn and explore the world around them as they grow.
Tracy Perentis
Assistant Teacher
Tracy received her bachelors degree in social work and her masters degree in counseling psychology. She spent 2 years working in an Early Childhood Special Ed program with preschool-age children, both typical-developing and those with developmental delays. She also spent three years working with children with severe autism.
Angie Turner
Lead Teacher
Angie is pursuing her Bachelors in Education from the University of Phoenix. She also plans to get a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. She has worked in child care and education for 17 years. As a para-educator, she has worked with special needs children in Seattle and here in Franklin. She has also been a Developmental Specialist and Early Childhood Teacher for Waves, Inc. in Franklin.
Kellie Smith
Lead Teacher
Kellie received her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Middle Tennessee State University. She has spent eight summers working at a children's camp in Nashville and was a childcare coordinator for a local church. She enjoys sharing her love of music by helping and teaching a four-year-old children's choir class. She loves to engage children and make them smile.
Megan Carter
Assistant Teacher
Megan graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration. She has a passion for working with children and loves helping them learn and grow. Megan has spent the last 6 years working at a local summer camp in Nashville, TN.
Trisha Hale
Lead Teacher
Trisha holds a Master of Science degree in Library Media Education from Western Kentucky University, as well as a BA in Sociology. Trisha gained experience working with children early on when she discovered her love of the preschool setting. Trisha has also been a substitute teacher (all grade levels) and a child case manager.
Dwayne Pate
Administrative Assistant / IT Specialist
Dwayne is a native Tennessean, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Interdisciplinary Studies. He received his Elementary Education certificate in 1998. He has 16 years of educating experience in public and private schools, as well as tutoring and summer camp programs. Dwayne is an avid board and video game player, and enjoys British television series.
Ruth Anne Talley
Assistant Teacher
Ruth Anne's childcare experience began as an neighborhood babysitter, and was augmented by raising two sons to adulthood. She has assisted in organizing and teaching Vacation Bible School and has worked in the church nursery. Ruth Anne communicates and connects with children using creative games, hands-on crafts and her sincere love for children. Her four-year-old grandson and two-year-old granddaughter call her "Rudy."