Preschool Director

Elizabeth Deschenes

Elizabeth graduated from Wheelock College in Boston, MA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, Birth through 3rd. She has her Preschool Staff Credential with a VPK Director Endorsement. She co-directed the largest of the Bear Hugs Preschools with responsibilities that included designing comprehensive enrichment programs, creating a creative curriculum, and accredited the schools . Before being hired as Eastminster’s Preschool Director, Elizabeth Apple Accredited the center and taught in the Toddler and Preschool classes. Her family includes husband Ryan and two sons.

NINA OTTAVIANI,

Toddler Teacher

Nina earned AA degrees and certification in many fields ranging from Fashion Design to Pharmacy Technician before finding her “God-given talent and mission” to be caring for and teaching preschool children. She is taking classes in Early Childhood Education and completed her CDA in 2007. Nina has over 12 years experience teaching in Delaware and locally before coming to Eastminster in 2006. She is a single mom of four awesome children, all attending catholic schools on scholarship. Family pets include a white Lab (dog) and two sweet rabbits, Lafayette and Jesus, who often visit the preschool. Nina’s ‘hobby’ is working at four churches, as well as attending her children’s soccer and lacrosse games. She says  she feels truly blessed to be part of such an awesome Christ-centered experience, and can truly ‘feel the love’ at Eastminster, not just in the preschool but with the pastors, staff and families and she enjoys sharing that love/Jesus’ love with the children. 

MELISSA BLINNE, VPK

Teacher

Melissa has her CDA and AA degree from BCC and has been teaching preschool for 15 years in NJ and FL. She is working on her BS in Elementary Education. Melissa’s married to Mike, has two young daughters, a dog and a cat, loves reading and being outside with her family. Her favorite thing about the preschool is hearing the children’s stories; she adds, “Some stories are very interesting!” She also enjoys watching the children grow and develop. 

SUSAN ROTHMAN,

Toddler Teacher

Susan graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA degree in Liberal Studies, including a concentration in Education. She received her CDA from BCC where she had the privilege to teach preschool under the supervision of her early childhood college professor. She also had an opportunity to work with young children with special needs at the Space Coast Early Intervention Center. She and husband Howard have two married daughters and three grandsons. After five years at Eastminster as a toddler and preschool teacher, she finds one of her greatest joys is seeing the warm feelings the children demonstrate toward each other.

ROBIN DI BENEDETTO,

Preschool Teacher

Robin earned her AA in NJ and started teaching preschool when her children were small, working in various positions in the public school system. This is her third class at Eastminster. She met her husband when she was 14 and has been married almost 30 years, 25 of those living in FL. They raised a daughter and son and now have a grandson. She likes playing board games and going to Disney. In the preschool, she enjoys seeing the progress the 3 year olds make from the start to end of the year.

LUCY RUSSO,

Toddler Teacher/Preschool Aide

Lucy attended Shepherd College and West Virginia University, receiving a certification in Culinary Arts. She worked as a Culinary Instructor for a foundation aiding juvenile delinquents. She has also worked as a meeting planner in conference and catering services at the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, CA and in West Palm Beach. Before coming to Eastminster, she worked as a preschool instructor at Chapel by the Sea and Grace Lutheran. She and husband Jeff have an ‘amazing’ five year old daughter and several pets. The best part of her job at Eastminster is seeing the excitement and enthusiasm of the children.

LISAY GILLESPIE,

Preschool Teacher

Lisay started teaching 20 years ago in Houston, after receiving a BS degree in Home Economics/Child Development at Southwest Texas State University. She started Eastminster’s Parents Day Out Program 12 years ago, which developed into the preschool. She served on the Preschool Committee for 2 years and started teaching here in 1999. She and husband Jim have been married 20 years and have two children, Nicole and Luke. Lisay says God has blessed us (the preschool) with so many precious children and she is so glad to be a part of such a loving Christian family.

STACI  SYLVA,

VPK Aide

Staci received her Child Development Associate Certification in 2007. She is currently working toward a BS in Early Childhood Education. A married mom of two daughters, Staci enjoys spending her free time with soulmate Ken. Staci joined the Eastminster team in 2006 and enjoys providing enriching learning experiences that allow children to explore the world around them.

JACKIE HIGGINS,

VPK Teacher

Jackie earned her BA from Cal State, San Jose, with an emphasis on Kindergarten/Primary Education and a Masters of Education, Educational Administration and Supervision,  from the University of North Florida. She has taught in 5 countries and 6 states. Jackie and husband John have two grown children and five grandchildren. She loves to travel and, with her husband, has visited 42 countries. Jackie has been at Eastminster since 1997 and finds it to be a very rewarding place to work.

BEVERLY TEEMS,

VPK Teacher

Bev is a graduate of Rollins College and has 15 years experience in Early childhood Education. She grew up in NJ and moved to FL in 1975. She and husband Larry travel as much as they can. They also love cruising, golfing and snow skiing. Their daughter attends FL State. Bev teaches golf to children when not teaching her VPK class. She feels that Eastminster has ‘the best students and the best parents of any school’ she knows. The faculty and leadership are first class, and she says it is a pleasure to be a part of the team.

PAT HIGGINS,

Preschool Aide

Pat earned a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!). All of her family lives locally so she enjoys birthdays, special family events, holidays and “group hugs.” Here at Eastminster, Pat enjoys seeing the development of the three year olds with letters, colors, and artwork; and the four year olds new independence and confidence in preparing for Kindergarten.

RUBY KLINGLER,

Toddler Teacher

Ruby majored in Elementary Education and Curriculum Planning, receiving a BA degree from Ohio State University and an MA from Wright State University. She has studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and has 32 years of classroom and Reading Lab experience. Ruby and her husband, who passed away in 1998, raised two children who now live out of state. She has three grandsons, one is in the military, one is at Florida State (Go Seminoles!), and one, the oldest, who currently lives with her. She loves working with the two and three year olds, finding it “so rewarding” to watch them learn and grow.

VIRGINIA MITCHELL,

Toddler Teacher

Virginia earned a degree in Early Childhood Education and has a total of ten years teaching in this field: five years at the BCC Child Development Center, three years with Eau Gallie First Baptist , and two here at Eastminster teaching in the toddler program. She and husband Brian have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Having spent 20 years in the Air Force, she and her family have lived overseas for nine years in Spain, England and Turkey. Her  hobbies  include sewing and quilting. Virginia’s observations about working in the preschool are serious but profound: “Most people hear the word ‘toddler’ and picture babies playing all day. While we engage in plenty of play in our classroom, we have also proven that these little people can create amazing art (check out our hand painted quilt), recognize their own names and their own space, take great pride in their cooking projects, and build ‘architectural masterpieces,’ as evidenced by the wood sculptures displayed in last year’s art show. We do our very best to make learning a fun experience!”

MARY MACKIEWICZ (“MRS. MACK”),

Preschool Teacher

Mary earned a BS degree in Early Childhood Education, has been a school and church volunteer for eight years and a Girl Scout leader for four. She is the mother of two children and her family enjoys camping, canoeing, and going to the movies and the theater. Once a year they visit family in Connecticut.