Ms. Mariana loves working with children. As an early childhood educator, she enjoys fostering children’s curiosity, creative thinking, individual decision-making, kindness, and a strong sense of self-worth. Ms. Mariana believes one of the best lessons children can teach us is to look at life through a positive lens and enjoy the little moments. Her favorite quote is “Everywhere you go, leave a glitter trail of kindness behind you!”
Years of Working with Children: 6 Years
Favorite Children’s Book: Roaring Mad Riley by Allison Szczecinski & Dean Gray Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gunersheimer & Maros Rivero
Ms. Erin loves fostering a young child’s growth and development and has experience working with children of all ages. Ms. Erin thoroughly enjoys enriching a child’s love for learning while creating stimulating creative outlets for the children to thrive and develop age appropriately.
Ms. Dorothea loves children’s sense of wonder and reminds her that connecting is important. She appreciates her students’ capacity to love unconditionally and share their thoughts exactly what they think. Every day, Ms. Dorothea enjoys taking her students on different adventures and experiencing new things.
Ms. Ophelia loves working with children, and her empathic attitude and ability to establish a loving learning environment attracted young learners to her nurturing style from the start of her profession. Her daily motivation comes from her belief and great confidence in the potential of education to affect a child’s destiny.
Years of Working with Children: 20 Years
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Ms. Tonya has more than two decades of experience working directly with children at multiple organizations. She loves working with children and cherishes the joy and fulfillment it brings to her.
Years of Working with Children: 23 Years
Favorite Children’s Book: Eight Silly Monkeys by Steve Haskamp
Antonia Therrassant is an Assistant Director at the CDC with more than 10 years of experience serving in administrative leadership roles in early childhood within the Washington, D.C. metro area. Antonia enjoys connecting with children and families and is passionate about building relationships with CDC families and staff. Antonia holds a master’s degree in early childhood education with a concentration in leadership and advocacy. Before her appointment at the CDC, Antonia assisted centers pursuing accreditation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Karen joined the CDC in March 2015 as the Fiscal and Administrative Assistant. She has a B.S. in Management Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Karen worked in human resources for 12 years before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. Prior to coming to the CDC, she spent the last six years as an administrative assistant at a local area preschool. In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, and spending time with her family.
Shira Kulok is the Director of the Child Development Center, managing all aspects of Child Development Center operations. Shira joined the GMU CDC team in August of 2016. Having spent the previous 12 years with international early care and education provider, Bright Horizons, nine of which she served as Center Director, Shira brings a wealth of experience and expertise in areas of child development, parent partnerships, client relations, and early childhood curriculum. Shira earned her MS.Ed in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City.