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Our Staff

our staffThe staff and teachers here at Children’s Nest Preschool are fully equipped, trained and qualified. They are all professional and experienced individuals in the field of childcare and early childhood education. Some even have experience working with children for decades now!

Our Staff Screening Process

  • Level II Background Screening
  • Certification of First Aid and CPR
  • 20 in-service hours per year
  • Continuing Education Plan
  • 40 clock hours childcare training Plus 5 (Literacy)
  • Personal Interviews
  • Reference Checks
  • Ongoing Performance Assessments
  • Attestation of Good Moral Character

We, at Children’s Nest Preschool, will provide endless opportunities to give your child the greatest experience and services suitable for their developmental growth.

Meet the Staff

Mariela Johnston
Director and Pre-Kindergarten

Mariela Johnston

Hello to all my parents out there. As many of you know I have not always been in childcare. I have previously been in corporate management predominantly working with staff/employee development for many years before finding what I believe is my true calling. In 2003, I took a position working with Headstart and believe me it was rough and tough and everything else in between. But I found my niche. I found that I was naturally good at it.
I have three basic goals with Children’s Nest:

  • To be able to give parents, the confidence and self-assurance that you are leaving your children with family.
  • To ensure that your child has the self-esteem, resilience and knowledge to know that they can be whomever they choose to be and it is not predestined by society.
  • To encourage professional and personal growth amongst my staff.

I am very grateful that you have entrusted your most precious treasures to Children’s Nest. Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs today. It demands broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum and standards. Our goal is to enthuse and fill every child with a lover for learning.

Ashley McTier
Potty Training Two’s

Ashley McTier

Hello! My name is Ms. Ashley and I love kids, I have 3 of my own so trust me when I say I will love and care for your children as if they were my own. I love orchids and all things purple. I’ve had the pleasure of working in a few classroom settings such as Pre-K, Second and 8th grade. I’m pretty strong willed. Cancer survivor, been in remission for 21 years now. I want to believe I survived so that I could help shape and educate all the kids I’ve taught and have yet to teach. It’s been a pleasure meeting the parents of my littles and to future parents, I can’t wait to meet you.

Debbie Deslauriers
VPK Assistant

Debbie Deslauriers

My name is Ms. Debbie. I moved to Florida in 1987 after living all over the country. I have 1 son whom I am very proud of. My husband and I are now empty nesters. I think teaching children can be one of the hardest AND most rewarding careers there is. I am so excited to be part of the Children’s Nest family.

Greg Johnston
Cook/Maintenance

Greg Johnson

Hello! My name is Mr. Greg and I cook the food for the children. I was born in Los Angeles and served in the army for 4 years. I went to USF and received my bachelors in Psychology and masters in Linguistics. I substituted in Manatee County as well as taught over seas. Mrs. Johnston and I have been married for 26 years and counting. We have have 4 kids: Jereme, 25, our oldest, is a 1st LT in the army; Silas, 20, is working and currently enrolling at SCF; Halleigh, 16, is a junior in high school at SCFCS taking college classes and Zechariah, 15, is a freshman in high school at SCFCS. In my pastime I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with my kids.

Halleigh Johnston
Administrative Assistant

Halleigh Johnston

I’m Halleigh Johnston. I’m the daughter of Mariela and Greg Johnston. I’ve grown up surrounded by the preschool, so it is only natural that I come by to help when needed. I have previously been a tutor for the pre-kindergartners and a floater throughout the classrooms. I’m always a phone call (or yell) away from my mom. I handled many of the administrative duties as well as many of the techie responsibilities. Currently, I am a sophomore at USF majoring in chemistry and public health. I hope through my education that I am able to work in the public health sector.

Jean Johnson
Toddler Floater

Jean Johnson

My husband Ed and I, former New Yorkers, moved to Florida thirty-three years ago. Where has the time gone? We have three children and six grandchildren. We are grateful to have extended families at Bayside Community Church, Food Bank, and Children’s Nest. Their love and support are blessed gift.

Marisol Pantoja
K 3/4s

Marisol Pantoja

Hello, my name is Ms. Marisol. I have been teaching for 18 years. I took Early Childhood Education while in high school and fell in love with the children and the field. I am thrilled to be at Children’s Nest where I have been working now for 3 plus years. I have experience with all ages. I found that I love working with children and would not have it any other way!
I have a 20-year-old daughter that I love to the moon and back. She is now in her 2nd year in college. My favorite color is green and one of my favorite hobbies is art. It takes a big heart to shape little minds.

Rebeca Fernandez
Cook/Housekeeping

Rebeca Fernandez

Hi. My name is Rebeca Fernandez. I was born in Venezuela, I’m 45 yeards Old.

I’ve been working at Children’s Nest since May 2022.

I’m also a Children’s Nest mommy, my son Santiago Jimenez ( he is 4 years old) and he is now in VPK class. He came here when he was 2 and a half years and I’m so happy to have him in this school with all the great staff and the kids.

I’m the one that cooks the kids meals and snacks every day and also do cleaning.

Rosana Cress
Assistant

Rosana Cress

Hello parents, my name is Rosana Cress or Mrs. Cress! I have three beautiful children, two in high school and the oldest is about to graduate college as an elementary school teacher. I have been working in childcare for the last 15 years as a teacher and a director. I retired about 3 years ago and continue to go in and assist at Children’s Nest. Ms. Rosana Cress recently opened up her own preschool, Children’s Nest 2, at 600 7th Ave West, Palmetto, Florida. If you wish to contact her, her contact number is 941-479-7789. She accepts ages from infants to VPK. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone in the Palmetto area!

Tracy Ann Charles
Summer Teacher

Latoya Watts

Hello parents, my name is Tracy Ann Charles and I am the Pre-K teacher at Children’s Nest. I was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica where I worked as an English teacher for two years before migrating to the US. My love and passion for children led me to continue in the teaching field where I taught in preschools for several years. My journey with Children’s Nest started in 2017 where I worked as the K 2/3’s teacher. A year later, I took a short break from the preschool but I am ecstatic to return to the family as the Pre Kindergarten teacher. “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which everyone leaves a mark”. With that being said, I am strongly motivated to be a crayon that leaves impressionable marks on every child who enters my classroom. I will give them the root to grow and the wings to fly as I believe that “inside every child is a rainbow ready to shine”.

Yadira Gomez
Assistant Director/VPK Teacher

Yadira Gomez

Let me introduce myself, my name is Yadira Gomez. I am 43yrs old with 2 big girls and a granddaughter. I graduated at the age of 19 as a teacher in Cuba and taught elementary school there for over 20 years. I have over 24 years of experience working with children at the elementary school level, preschool level and VPK. I moved to the states in 2016 and completed college courses for my CDA as well as my VPK credentials. My English is a bit rusty and I am still working on it, but it does not stop my teaching the children all they need to know in order for them to be successful not just in my classroom but as they move on to Ms. Marisol’s K ¾’s. I received my Early Childhood training in Ft. Lauderdale and just recently moved to Bradenton. I worked as a VPK teacher at ABC Daycare and Learning Center for 3 years prior to moving to Bradenton and now finding this great family here at Children’s Nest of Manatee. Should you have any questions, please feel free to stop by my class….but please also keep in mind that repeated interruptions while I am running my class makes my teaching ineffective as children require lots of attention. As soon as our eyes are away from them…they tend to forget the rules!

Ruth
Toddler Teacher

Yadira Gomez

My name is Ruth. I have 2 children ages 2 and 5 yrs. old. My youngest Johaila goes to the preschool (Children’s Nest). My little boy, Journitchy goes to kindergarten, I was the Manager of a communication and printing company, and, I have a lot of experience working with children from 2 to 10 years old in my country. I have been living in Florida for 2 years and 9 moths. I am happy to take part of the staff of Children Nest, from my experience, I believe that the children are in good hands.

Feel free to come and talk to me should you have any concerns. We are learning as we go. It is a privilege to have this tremendous opportunity to work with your little ones.

This is building upon a foundation of love and nurturing. It is my goal to get your little ones to the next level, so they are ready to transition when they need to our next classroom.