About The Director
Celeste DeCecco- Director & Teacher
The very first time I taught a lesson on art and literature to a second grade class at St. Barbra’s school I fell in love with teaching. As I think about it, even as a small child I loved to play school and be the teacher. There is a freeing experience happening in the heart when you are a part of seeing a child create, learn and grow that reminds me of the beauty in simplicity. I’ve experienced that children learn, as we all do, through discovery, experiment and mishaps. By creating environments that allow children to explore, create and discover we meet the needs of every child. Being aware that children explore in many different ways helped me design a classroom space that has the right spots for each child.
1. Some children explore more privately, thinking things through and feeling safe to do so in the quiet classroom spaces teachers create.
2. Other children explore through art and having a creative zone where they are always free to create through many mediums.
3. Yet another child might explore through roleplaying, and play areas with a kitchen, sofa, table and chairs, and dress-up clothes to be who they see.
I have seen so many different types of teachers and schools over the twenty years I’ve been teaching, and my core beliefs still hold true today on the type of environment and teaching method I believe are best . It is truly amazing, and a social wellness happens, when children’s personal exploration styles intermingle. It creates the atmosphere for respect and value of others, in addition to acceptance of differences. Children will learn these things and each bit of knowledge they receive will be held better in their minds and memory, far better than any worksheet can offer. This is a peek into my teaching philosophy and the design of Cornerstone Learning Center. My desire in becoming a director is knowing that when all of these aspects of teaching and classroom design are fully implemented and continually encouraged, that school will be an amazing place for any child. Cornerstone Learning Center is that place.
Assistant to the Director
Deepa N.
Hi, my name is Deepa. I grew up in a family-oriented household. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart and I am passionate about my relationship with Him. I have a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I was a stay at home mom and am a mother of two; my son is 19 and my daughter is 14. I love crocheting during my free time and I also regularly volunteered at a couple of places. I enjoy doing administrative work and am happy to be a part of the Cornerstone family.
Meet The Teachers
Wendy Ward
Hello,
My name is Wendy Ward. I have two children. A son and a daughter. My son attends Arizona State University and my daughter goes to Haverford High School. I received my Associates Degree at D.C.C.C in Early Childhood Education. I have been a childcare provider and teacher for 25 years and have had experience in working with different age groups. I am privileged to be able to teach and watch your children grow and learn. My family is very committed to serving God and teaching has given me the opportunity to express God’s love to all children and families. I am excited to get to know all of you as I work here at Cornerstone.
Nike W.
Hello, my name is Nike and I am a wife and mother of three. My children are six years old, three years old and four months old. I am very family oriented. I am the oldest out of six children, and I always loved interacting with my younger siblings and teaching them. Ever since I was fourteen I knew I wanted to work with children so I started babysitting in my neighborhood. I began to tutor kids and worked in nurseries as I grew older. I started working in my first childcare facility after high school. I love teaching children because I am able to lead them in the direction that God wants for their lives. God also wants us to take time to teach children the right thing and as a servant of God I am here to do His will. I have been working with children for seven years and I plan to further my education so that I can be in a position to help children in many aspects. I am currently attending Strayer University for my degree. I want to eventually get to a position where I am able to counsel children and lift them up in the Lord. Jesus Christ is my savior and He has a heart for people and I want to be able to show children the love of God in every situation in their life. I have been with the cornerstone family for three years and I can’t wait to welcome you.
Danielle Worby
Hello, my name is Danielle. I am very excited to be working at Cornerstone Learning Center. I am a recent graduate of Ridley High School. While attending this school I had the opportunity to be part of an amazing program called Kiddie Korner and Preschool Lab. During this class I was able to take role as a teacher for the toddlers. I took on the same responsibilities as I will be doing here at Cornerstone. I also have 10 nieces and nephews which really enhances my love for children. I enjoy watching them grow and help them learn new things. I really want to help each and every child here at Cornerstone succeed while they are with us. I am looking forward to becoming part of this wonderful community and being a part of this wonderful team at Cornerstone Learning Center.
Jeannine Mackey
Hi! My name is Jeannine and I am thrilled to work at Cornerstone, where I can teach and share my faith in God. I grew up in a family with 3 other siblings and had the joy of playing school with them, as well as my peers. I never thought about teaching as a career, but had a desire to help
others-- which led to a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Penn State University. I spent several years in social work until I had my first child. It was love. I had the opportunity to be a stay at home mom when my daughter turned one. That one turned to 5 children with twins as the youngest: my first real students. When my children where in school, I was offered a position at a local preschool where I became hooked on education and making a difference in children’s lives. I believe kindness matters and children grow with love and compassion. I look forward to helping the children at Cornerstone grow in their faith as I try to use the gifts that God has given me.
Karen Zimmerman
Hi! My name is Ms. Karen and I'm very excited to join the Young Preschool classroom at Cornerstone Learning Center. I am looking forward to a year of fun-filled learning with your children. I'm interested in getting to know you, but first I'll share with you a few things about myself.
I graduated from Immaculata University with a degree in Home Economics and Elementary Education. I have thirty years of experience working with children, and have taught third grade, preschool, toddlers, and infants. I previously taught at Early Learning Children's Academy in Springfield, PA and before that I worked at The Children's Academy in Media, PA. I am now the mother of three children.
I will be a role model to the students by teaching Christian values. I will use kind hearted words and actions when interacting with every child, to serve as a reminder of how they should also treat each other. I will show that God is in our daily lives and use Christian values to demonstrate how we treat others in a loving way.
Some of the topics we will cover this year include language centers, math, science, music and movement, art, creative expression, and gross and fine motor skill activities. My favorite things to teach are art and science. We will do many fun sensory activities and projects! I can't wait to meet you and start the school year!
Sincerely,
Karen Zimmerman
Assistant Teachers
Lizzie Bringhurst
Hi, my name is Lizzie Bringhurst and I am very happy to be working at Cornerstone. I grew up in a large family with so many younger cousins that I have had the joy of babysitting ever since I was thirteen. I have always enjoyed watching children learn and play, and knowing that I could be making a difference in their life. I believe every child should be able to grow and learn in a fun and loving environment. I have also worked at a summer camp for children ages 5 to 15, as well as been in the Preschool Lab class at Marple Newtown High School for two years, working with pre-K toddlers. After high school I plan on graduating college with a degree in speech pathology to help children with that struggle with speech and language. I am so excited to be able to continue teaching children here at Cornerstone.
Orla Appleton
Hi everyone!! My name is Orla Appleton and I'm an Assistant Teacher in the Caterpillar room! I go to Penn State University and my major is Supply Chain Management! From a young age, I have always loved working with children. I was an only child growing up and I always yearned for a sibling. When I was younger, I used to babysit in my neighborhood, and it was the best part of my day! For the past couple of summers, I was a camp counselor at a nearby camp and they were the best summers! We would play games, go swimming, go kayaking, and so many more fun activities! Seeing children being able to grow and learn is fascinating. Teaching them valuable lessons that they will use in their everyday life is very important. I'm so excited to be a part of the Cornerstone Learning center!
Charlotte McAuliffe
Hi my name is Charlotte McAuliffe and I love working here at Cornerstone Learning Center. I am in my Senior year at Marple Newtown High School. I was fortunate enough to take Child Development at Marple which enabled me to work in a preschool setting. It validated my desire to work with children as a goal for my future. I plan on pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education after graduation so I could not be more fortunate then to get to work at Cornerstone. I love getting to know all of the children who attend and to watch them grow and learn new skills.
Lauren Conley
Hi! My name is Lauren Conley and I am very happy to be part of the Cornerstone team! I have been working with children for five years and have an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I have also enjoyed volunteering as a summer reading aide. I honestly cannot imagine working anywhere else without children! The best things about working with children are talking to the children, teaching them new things and making sure they are safe.