Our Team
Our staff of educational leaders provides a safe, exciting, and nurturing environment for kids to learn in.
Lauren Hess
Director
Lauren has a passion for learning and teaching young children. She graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2012. She then worked in the Washington County Public School System until 2016 when she took a leave of absence to stay home with her little boys. Now that her children are older and ready for school, Lauren is excited to start and grow JayDee’s Academy. JayDee’s holds a special place for Lauren, as this is where she met her husband. She is thrilled that she gets to pursue her dreams and goals in a place that she holds so dear to her heart! Lauren is actively pursuing her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She anticipates to complete her degree in December 2024.
- Shepherd University Graduate
- Masters of Early Childhood Education and Special Education
- Certified Food Handler Manager
- Certified in CPR, First Aid & Medication Administration
ALISHA BOGGESS
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
Alisha’s passion is working with young children. With a plethora of experience from daycare to fourth grade, she enjoys educating the whole child. She enjoys seeing the light of understanding in her students’ eyes. She strives to enable her students to be well prepared for their next step in their academic process. In her free time, she enjoys lighthouse climbing, visiting her grandson, and teaching young children at her church.
- Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
- Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a minor in Early Childhood Education
- Certified in CPR, First Aid & Medication Administration
Tia Ross
Pre-K Teacher (Ages 4-5)
Tia has a superpower for working with children. She is entering her 4th year as a JayDee’s Academy educator. With lots of experience as a lead teacher, she has many skills to assist her students to learn, make friends, and have a fun time. She is such an asset to our program as she prepares these kiddos for the school setting. In her free time, she enjoys spending family time with her three children, dog Skye, cooking, singing, and writing poetry.
- Experienced Lead Teacher
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- Certified in CPR, First Aid & Medication Administration
Kylee Sine
Pre-K TEACHER (AGES 4-5)
Kylee is an engaging and hands-on learning teacher. She has worked at JayDee’s Academy for 3 years in various positions- pre-k assistant and 2-year-old teacher, and has now moved up to a Pre-K teacher. She thrives to make the kids excited about their learning by incorporating lots of sensory, songs, and crafts into her teaching. She has truly found her calling and has begun her elementary education degree. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, and spending time at Disney.
- Currently enrolled in Early Education
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- Certified Food Handler Manager
- Certified in CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration
Amy Thompson
TEACHER (AGE 3)
Amy has a heart for children and strives to make connections with students and their families. She has many years of experience with children and helps in all areas within the program. She is enrolled in college classes working on her Bachelor’s degree to pursue a career in counseling. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her family,
- Bachelor's Degree in Psychology- Clinical and Mental Health Counseling Concentration
- Certified in CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration
Kaitlyn Benner
Teacher (Age 3)
Kaitlyn has a passion for young children. Since a young age, she has had the opportunity to work with many children and strives to be a role model for little ones. She thrives on teaching children to grow their imaginations through hands-on play and engaging lessons. She enjoys spending time with her family and loved ones, shopping, and babysitting.
- Experienced Lead Teacher
- Certified in First Aid & CPR
Rachael Drain
Teacher (Age 2)
Rachael graduated from Fairmont State University in 2015 with her Applied Sciences degree. She has about 8 years of experience in daycare working with infants to school-aged children, but preschool age has always been her favorite. She has experience as a Registered Behavioral Therapist working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Seeing children learn and develop in the classroom on a daily basis is her absolute highlight of each day. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and listening to music. She plans to pursue her Early Childhood Education degree in the future.
- Experienced Lead Teacher
- Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- CPR/First Aid Certified
JENNYCA WILHELM
TEACHER (AGE 2)
Jennyca has a love for educating young minds. She has 11 years of experience working in childcare with infants through preschool-aged children. She is dedicated to continuously learning about child development and pursuing her goals in Early Childhood Education. She is currently studying for her Associate’s Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. She is committed to expanding her knowledge to provide a meaningful learning environment for all the children, focusing on independence, respect, and fun. Additionally, she loves crafting, hiking, and spending time with her family.
- Enrolled in Associate’s Classes for Early Childhood Specialist
- Certified in First Aid & CPR
Brittnee Porterfield
Assistant Teacher
Brittnee has always had a passion for working with students in the classroom setting. Watching them learn and grow is just an awesome thing to be a part of. She graduated in 2018 from West Virginia University with a Bachelors Degree in Education & Human Services. She has several years working with students as she is a previous ABA therapist, teaching assistant, & substitute teacher. In her spare time you will find her enjoying time with her two little girls.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education & Human Services
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- CPR/First Aid Certified
Angela Pesca
Assistant/Enrichment teacher
Angela is a devoted educator that brings magic to the classroom. She connects with students on a deep level to develop postive relationships. She enriches our classrooms with Spanish classes for all and other encore classes like art and music for kindergarten.
- Spanish Enrichment Teacher
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- Certified in First Aid & CPR
Jadyn Washington
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Jadyn is an assistant teacher that has always had a passion for furthering the education of our youth. She has many years of experience working with children in child care, and is currently trying to further her career. She is enrolled at Shepherd University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and hopes to also complete the requirements for her Master’s degree directly after receiving her Bachelor’s. In her free time, she enjoys working out and spending time with her family.
- Enrolled in Elementary Education Studies
- CPR/First Aid Certified
Vivan Young
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Vivian has always been eager to work with children with teaching as a goal of hers, which led her to join the JayDee’s Academy team. She likes to make a difference in children’s lives, whether that is helping a 2-year-old grown and develop skills, or guiding high school students to prepare for their futures. Her calm demeanor creates a nurturing environment where children feel safe and encouraged to explore their imaginations. Vivian is currently enrolled at HCC in Early Childhood Education.
- Enrolled in Early Childhood Education
- Certified in First Aid & CPR
Kayla Grove-Snow
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Kayla has always had a passion for working with young children. She enjoys being a part of their educational journey. She enjoys forming connections and building relationships with her students. In her free time, she is a high school cheer coach. She thrives to work towards becoming a teacher.
- Enrolled in CDA Courses
- CPR/First Aid Certified
Wanda Nunn
Academy Cook
- ServSafe Certified
- Certified in First Aid & CPR
Katelyn Roden
Speech-Language pathologist
Katelyn has been providing speech therapy services to children and adolescents for over a decade. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Marshall University in 2008 and went on to complete her Post-Bacc and Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders in 2013. With experience spanning school-based, outpatient clinic and nursing home settings, she has worked with children and adults to support their speech and language development, with her passion being pediatrics. Throughout these years, she and her family have moved throughout West Virginia for her husband’s job, and she is thrilled to now plant roots in Berkeley County as their son begins his journey with Kindergarten and making new friends. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, game nights, exploring new local coffee shops, and spending time relaxing with her family.
- Bachelors in Psychology
- Masters in Communication Disorders