Meet Our Teachers

Kathy Nolan
I have been teaching children for for over 20 years, starting when my own children were young.  My son, Keith and his wife, Jennifer are the proud parents of 6 month old Madilyn, my first grandchild.  My daughter is a newlywed of 5 months and she and her husband live in Pelham.  My children are my joy and they taught me the importance of wonder and imagination.  My favorite part of teaching is introducing chilren to the wonders of nature and books.  Preschoolers are like sponges; soaking up learning through play and exploration of the world around them.

I am very involved in my church, serving the homeless, teaching Sunday school and working at summer camps.  I also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Special Equstrians.  When I leave the J each day, I work at Steeple arts Academy of Dance where I've been for 10 years.  I am the receptionist, I help teach Petite Ballet classes, Ballroom to 6th grades and do A LOT of alterations. 

Ann Frazier
I have worked at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center for over twenty years.  I have had the opportunity to work with every age group from newborn babies to preschoolers getting ready for their first day of kindergarten.  My love for children makes it a pleasure to come to work everyday; to provide activities and experiences to help young minds grow and develop to be all they can.  I have built relationships with families here at the Cohn ECLC that will last a lifetime.

Tameka Cole-WIlliams
I came to Birmingham in 2005 with my husband, Larry, and two sons, Terrill and Xavier,  in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed our home in New Orleans.  I was able to finish my senior year at Birmingham Southern to earn a BA in educational studies from Dillard University in 2006.  Larry and I both plan to return to school in 2011 to pursue master's degrees in education.

I have been at the Cohn ECLC for almost five years now.  During that time, we added a daughter to our family, Valeni, who is now 2.  I love working at the preschool because of the diverse learning experiences we are able to provide to the children that we serve.  I am an enthusiastic person and I enjoy watching the children succeed, knowing that I am a part of that.

Alexis Morton
My mother inspired me to become a teacher.  She always worked hard to acheive her goals and I try to follow her example and set an example for my three children.  I am proud to say that this is my 17th year as a teacher at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center.  It is my goal to leave a positive lasting impression on the children and families that I serve.  Teaching here is a blessing because of all the wonderful people I work with.

Jae Hawkins
I have always wanted to work with children, ever since I was a child.  I attended UAB to pursue a degree in Special Ed with a minor in Early Childhood Education.  Becoming a wife and mother of FIVE halted the pursuit, but not the passion I had for teaching.  I've been teaching for over twenty years, now, both as a kindergarten teacher and as a preschool teacher.  I love working with the mobile infants here at the Cohn Early Childood Learning Center.  They are always discovering and exploring.  I love to watch their faces light up when they learn something new!

Sandy Salter
I have been at the Cohn ECLC since 1996!  I Love working with the children, reading and singing with them, showing them new things and watching them discover.

I have an Associate's Degree in Child Development.  I have two sons, Evan and Jeremy.  Second only to my family is my job at the preschool.  The teachers here are a second family to me.

Joy McPherson
I have enjoyed working at the Cohn early Childhood Learning center since 1997.  early on I attended Jefferson State Community College to atta in my CDA, a teaching credential, and found I loved learning more about the growing field of Child development. 

Renea Cole
I am starting my 16th year teaching here at the Cohn ECLC and I am looking forward to many more.  It is a great place to be because everyone here is dedicated to providing the best early childhood education for the children.  We all support each other and share ideas.

Away from school, I have a daughter, Haley who is 19, and a son, Aaron who is 22.  I love to go to the lake and ride my horse, Aruba.

Melody York
I have been working with children for fifteen years; the last five of those, here at the Cohn ECLC.  I love working with the babies. They are like little sponges taking in everything around them.  We do lots of reading and singing with them, we dance and take discovery walks.  We even do painting and coloring projects.

When I'm not working, I spend time with my children, Kristen and Justin and my husband of 14 years, Allan.  I also enjoy scrapbooking and cake decorating.

Candie Dorminey
I have been caring for children and adults for many years.  I came to the Cohn ECLC seven years ago and I have loved it!  All of the teachers are very sweet and caring and that makes for a wonderful environment.  We all work very hard to provide for the development of the whole child and we really do have fun every day!

Cindy Calvert
I have worked at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center for twelve years.  I received my Bachelor's Degree from UAB where I majored in Early Childhood Education and received my teaching certification.  I have been married for eleven years and we have a beautiful daughter, Megan.  Meg began in the preschool when she was just six weeks old and now she returns every summer for Camp Yofi.  This place is like her home away from home, which makes me feel great as an employee and a parent!

Raya Rzeszut
I love woking in Ilanot (pre-k)! The kids are so much fun and so eager to learn.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Jewish Studies from the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and a Master's in Jewish Communal Studies from Gratz College in Pennsylvania.

My husband Eric and I have a 4-year old named Sophie who started her first day of school in the Cohn ECLC when she was three months old.  She loves it here, too!

I began teaching in the preschool in 2008 after three years of working at Temple Beth-El as the director of Youth and Programming.  Prior to that, I worked at the LJCC as the Jewish Educator and Teen Director, so I am very happy to be back with my JCC "family."

Patricia Roseman
I grew up here in Birmingham where I graduated from Mountain Brook High and attended Samford University.  At Samford, I earned a BA in English.  I then worked at Emmet O'Neal Library for almost ten years.

My wonderful husband Max and I have a daughter named Elizabeth who just finished her freshman year at the University of Maryland.

My passion was to become a PE teacher since I had always liked to watch and participate in sports.  This dream in reality turned me into a substitute teacher when I was asked to sub at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center when our daughter was in preschool.  Once I started, I never looked back.  I love my job because it brings out the kid in me!

Marguerite Ellison
Since my father was a minister, my family moved frequently.  I have moved thirty times and have lived in five states.  I earned a B.A. in two and a half years, graduating at nineteen.  I taught English for two years, married and had two children thirteen months apart.  After becoming a mother, I discovered a love for children that spawned a carrer in child development that has lasted forty two years.

My family consists of my daughter, Laureen, son, Alan, and thirteen-year-old grandson, Nathan.  Molly, a Jack Russell terrierbeagle mix, is my wonderful companion.

I love art, music, reading, chocolate and pizza.  I am also a published freelance writer.  My goal is to publish a children's book, then another and another and another!

I love my work!  The babies are spectacular, the parents are amazing, my co-teachers are terrific, and the staff is incredible!

Tanya Vinson
I am a quiet, easygoing, even-tempered person who finds it almost impossible to be unhappy.  I like chocolate, eating out, gospel music and shopping.  I am very active in my church; once a month we serve one hundred sack lunches to the homeless in Linn Park.  It's a rewarding experience.

I have worked at the LJCC for three years.  I started in babysitting and the Fitness Center, moved to a part time slot in the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center, and now I teach full time in an infant class.  I plan to get my degree in Child Development, beginning classes this fall.

Emilie Renneker
I have been working in the preschool for seven years and thoroughly enjoy it.  I graduated from Mountain Brook and then went on to attend Birmingham Southern where I recieved a degree in Early Childhood.  I taught for two years at a Montessori school before coming here to the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center and settling in with the two year olds.

I have an eight year old son and two wonderful dogs.  We are a very active family and enjoy being outside riding bikes or playing sports of some sort.  When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends doing anything from watching movies to playing in the sprinkler outside and on any given day you will find my yard or house full of kids.

I wake up everyday excited about coming to work because I enjoy every one of my co-teachers, but most importantly, I am excited about not only what I can teach the children that day but what I will learn from them.  Though I have gone to school and gotten a degree in education, I think I have learned more from the kids in my class now and in previous years than all my education ever taught me!

Donna Littauer
I have been teaching at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center for three and a half years.  I am originally from Miami, FL but we moved to Birmingham when I was in the ninth grade. After graduating from High School at Mountain Brook I attended Southern Institue for two years.  After doing office work for a few years, I realized how much I wanted to work with children - so I began my "Nanny Career."  I worked for five different families over a period of fifteen years and then came here to the Cohn ECLC.  I live with my mother and have two brothers, two sisters, three neices and a nephew.  In my spare time I like to bowl and go to dinner and movies with my friends.  Each day when I come to work I look forward to seeing the children's smiling faces and loving arms ready to give me a big hug!

Jackie Hanson
I have been teaching at the Cohn ECLC for nine years.  I  currently teach the older two year old class. I have dedicated most of my adult life to the teaching of young children.  I recieved my degree at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1972.  When my first child was born, I decided to stay home and open a home daycare.  I taught children in my home for five years. I moved to Birmingham in 1985 and decided to continue my career in early childhood education.  I have taught every age group from six weeks to five-year old kindergarten.  I enjoy teaching young children.  Their eagerness to learn, their curiosity and their laughter are contagious.

I have four children and five grandchildren.  I am happiest when all of my children and grandchildren come to visit and the house is filled with the squeals and laughter of little children.

Danna Perdue
As an early childhood teacher of sixteen years and  part time mental health associate, I understand the importance of an enriching learning experience, quality care and early intervention.  I have worked with children from six months to seventeen years.  As a graduate of UAB with a B.S. in psychology,  I have a firm foundation in child and human development.  I am currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Montevallo.

On a more personal note, I am married and my daughter, Trinity, grew up right here at the Cohn ECLC and still attends summer camp each year.  I love working with children and am pround to be a part of the Cohn early Childhood Learning Center.

Amy Scott
I have been working with young children for 11 years teaching preschool, music and piano. I have two children; my daughter is 19 and my son is 12.  When my son was very young, I had the opportunity to substitute teach in his preschool.  I soon discovered that I loved working with children.  I have a lot of patience and I am very creative.  As my children got older, I started teaching music.  It gave me great experience in encouraging development through music and movement.  I like to use a lot of those types of activities in my classroom at the Cohn ECLC.  I have been working at the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center for almost three years and it has been wonderful.

Stephanie Beacham
I love working at the Cohn Early CHildhood Learning Center because of the community feeling.  The parents, children and staff in all the departments really make you feel like you are part of a big family.  My three daughters, Savelle, Mary Franke and Amelia  love that I work here.  They enjoy the activities at the J during the summer and on days off from school.I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama.