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Tara Gallagher also known as "Miss Tara" is our director as well as the owner of Miles of Smiles. She has been the Director/Owner for 23 years and has experience working with children for 31 years. She also is the loving mother of her 16-year-old son, Shane and her 14-year-old daughter, Shayla. Miss Tara has her CDA (Child Development Associate) for Pre-School & Infant/Toddler. She also holds her certification for her Director's Academy. She is recognized by The New Jersey Registry as a Director and a Group Teacher and is also Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. Miss Tara belongs to many organizations for young children such as the NAEYC. Miss Tara feels one can never have too much education, especially when it comes to running a successful child care center and teaching young children. Knowledge is the key to success.
"Working with children has always come very naturally to me and has held a special place in my heart. I'm intrigued to see how quickly they develop and how their little minds are constantly working. Through the years not only have I learned all the aspects of running and maintaining a successful preschool center, but I have also learned the most important things are that you are loving, loyal, and dedicated to all the children in your care."
Melinda Louro-Rosant also known as "Miss Mindy" is our Assistant Director as well as the Pre-K Teacher at Miles of Smiles. She has been filling both of these roles for the past 17 years and has experience working with children for 31 years. She also is the loving, devoted mother to her 12-year-old son, Travis. Miss Mindy has her CDA (Child Development Associate) for Preschool/Pre-K Early Childhood Education and is credentialed by The New Jersey Registry as a Group Teacher. She is also Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. Miss Mindy's students hold a great degree of love and admiration for her creativeness and artistic abilities.
"I have seen and experienced a lot in my many years of teaching and care taking. I have never witnessed an environment so loving, nurturing and dedicated as Miles of Smiles. I feel very lucky and proud to be surrounded by such an amazing group of staff members, children and families. I love knowing that every day I have something to look forward to and a room full of smiles."
Alexis Headden also known as "Miss Alexis" is our Preschool Teacher. She is also our Head Teacher and has been a part of the Miles of Smiles family since May 2016. Miss Alexis has her bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Salisbury University and has worked with children for over 14 years. She is recognized by The New Jersey Registry as a Head teacher and is also Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. Miss Alexis is the loving mother to her 2 year old daughter, Hailey.
"My experience with children has influenced my decision to become a teacher. I want to be able to inspire and shape young minds for the future. Coming to work each day to see those kids laugh and be excited to learn puts a smile on my face! It is my goal as a teacher to help my students grow as individuals in their own unique way!"
Courtney Calmon also known as "Miss Courtney" is our Toddler Teacher. Miss Courtney has been a part of the Miles of Smiles family since April 2014. Miss Courtney has her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Brookdale Community College, along with a CDA in Infant/Toddler. Outside of working at MOS Miss Courtney has worked with children in camps, student teaching and has been a cheerleading coach since she was 14. She is recognized by The New Jersey Registry as a Group teacher and is also Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. She also is the loving mother to two beautiful daughters, Delaney and Teagan.
"Working with children has always been a passion of mine; from the time I was a little girl there was nothing I wanted more than to become a teacher. While going to school to become a teacher in a school district I began working at Miles of Smiles for what I thought would be my "college job”, that quickly changed when I fell in love with the staff, children and environment at the center. There is never a day I don’t look forward to going to work to see the students and help shape them into the people they will one day become. "Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life!”
Hannah Egan also known as "Miss Hannah” is one of our Step-up Teachers this year. Miss Hannah has been a great addition and part of the Miles of Smiles family since July 2020. Hannah has 6 years of experience working with Preschoolers during her high school Child Development classes. She is currently attending Kean University to get her Bachelor’s in Management/ General Business. She is Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. She is very excited to be a part of a place that was her second home as a child. Yes, Miss Hannah used to be a former student of ours!
"Ever since I was little, becoming a teacher was my goal. Knowing that I can make an impact on a child’s learning experience is the greatest accomplishment that can be made.”
Laney Battista also known as "Miss Laney” is one of our Toddler Teachers this year. Miss Laney joined the MOS Family in May 2023. Miss Laney is a member of the NJ Registry. She is also certified in Infant/Child/Adult CPR/AED and First Aide. Miss Laney is our newest MOS team member but, it feels like she has been here for years. We all adore her loving nature. She is a great addition to our MOS Family!
"I have always had a passion for teaching children. Early Childhood Education plays such a vital part of each child's development, and I am so lucky to be a part of that. I believe the relationships we are building in the classroom during the early ages are fundamental to a positive and healthy mindset and I can't wait to watch your little ones grow.”
Brianna Quigley also known as "Miss Bri" is one of our Step-Up teacher this year. Miss Brianna started with us in 2018. She has experience working with children for over 14 years. She is a graduate from Montclair State University, with a major in Family Science and Human Development, with minor in Musical Theater. Brianna is also the head of the Education Department in a local production company, Capital Productions. Her dream is to work in a school district as a guidance counselor or school social worker. She is Infant/Child CPR/AED and First Aid certified. Brianna loves to incorporate song, dance, and laughter into everyone's daily routine. Brianna believes that she can make a difference in the world with one positive action at a time.
"I have always wanted to work with kids in a friendly, educational, and fun environment. Helping kids reach their greatest potential has always been my main goal. I want to encourage kids that they can do whatever they want to do in life, as long as they put their mind and heart into it. "You can do it, if you try.”
Tara Fraley also known as "Miss Tara" will be one of our covering teachers this year. She has been a part of the Miles of Smiles family since May 2001. She is a loving mother to her beautiful boys Zachary and Landon. Miss Tara has been working with children of all age groups for 29 years. She is a member of the New Jersey Registry and is also Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified. She is an extremely loving teacher and treats each child as if they were her own.
"I love helping children and taking care of them. Teaching children gives me a great sense of accomplishment and my desire to teach your children new things will never end. Miles of Smiles is my home away from home."
Patricia Raymond also known as "Miss Patty" will be one of our covering teachers this school year. She has been a part of the Miles of Smiles family since January 2020. Patty has experience working in childcare for the past 7 years. She has worked at the YMCA as both a teacher and supervisor. She has her college degree and has also worked in the medical field for 25 years prior. The best part of her work experience is that she was making a difference in the lives of her patients and students on a daily basis. She also is the loving mother to her 14 year old niece, Maggie. She enjoys being a troop leader for her niece's girl scouts troop on her spare time. Miss Patty already has expressed how much she loves being part of the Miles of Smiles Family.
"I truly believe that it is the little things that we do, that leave the biggest impression."
