CAITLIN
Caitlin is a Director at Avant Garde and spends time at all three of our locations in Tulsa. Originally from Arkansas, Caitlin's journey led her to Oklahoma in 2015, where she embraced her calling in the field of education. Caitlin holds a Bachelors in Education from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR, which equipped her with the knowledge and skills to make a profound impact on the lives of children. With a diverse range of experiences, Caitlin has not only taught 7th grade English but has also enriched her understanding of early childhood learning centers and preschools through her work in various educational settings. For Caitlin, working with children is a heartwarming experience, driven by those precious 'light bulb' moments when young learners grasp a concept for the first time. Witnessing their curiosity and understanding blossom brings such joy. |
Outside of Avant Garde Preschool, you can find Caitlin spending time with her family, running around with her three year old son, cheering on her beloved Arkansas Razorbacks at sporting events, soaking up the sun by the lake, exploring new local eateries, and reading. Adding to her love for sports, Caitlin has a passion for coaching basketball, where she can inspire young athletes to develop both their skills and character.
As a Director, Caitlin brings her wealth of experience, passion, and nurturing spirit to create a thriving and enriching environment for all the children under her care. With her dedication to education and love for her community, she plays a vital role in shaping the future of our little learners.
As a Director, Caitlin brings her wealth of experience, passion, and nurturing spirit to create a thriving and enriching environment for all the children under her care. With her dedication to education and love for her community, she plays a vital role in shaping the future of our little learners.
HEATHER
Heather is a dedicated and passionate child-care professional with an extensive background in nurturing and supporting children's growth. With over two decades of experience in the field, Heather's journey began in 1999 when she embarked on a career in child care. Prior to that, she spent four years as a nanny, laying the foundation for her love of working with children. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact on young lives, Heather pursued formal education to enhance her expertise. She successfully obtained her Child Development Associates, equipping herself with valuable knowledge and insights into child development, behavior, and learning. Heather finds joy in getting to know each child's unique personality and witnessing their growth and development. She believes that establishing a personal connection with the children is essential in fostering a loving and supportive environment. As a result, she creates meaningful relationships with the families she serves, ensuring they feel comfortable approaching her with any questions or concerns that may arise. |
At the heart of Heather's approach to child care are several key goals that guide her every day. Safety is of paramount importance, as she strives to create a secure and nurturing setting for all the children under her care. In her inclusive and welcoming environment, every child is treated with equality and respect, allowing them to embrace their individuality and unique qualities. Heather is a firm advocate for preserving the essence of childhood, allowing children to be kids and encouraging their natural curiosity and creativity to flourish. She believes that child care should emulate a family-like atmosphere, where both children and staff feel like an integral part of a supportive community.
To stay current with the field of child development and caregiving, Heather remains dedicated to continuous learning. She stays updated through research online and actively participates in yearly training sessions, ensuring she employs the best practices and the latest insights for the center.
In her free time, Heather loves spending time with her own two daughters, reading, planting flowers, and spending time outside.
Heather's commitment to creating a nurturing, fun, and loving environment for the children in her care has earned her the trust and admiration of the families she serves. Her genuine passion for child care, paired with her extensive experience and ongoing dedication to self-improvement, make her a cherished and valuable resource in the lives of all the Avant Garde families.
To stay current with the field of child development and caregiving, Heather remains dedicated to continuous learning. She stays updated through research online and actively participates in yearly training sessions, ensuring she employs the best practices and the latest insights for the center.
In her free time, Heather loves spending time with her own two daughters, reading, planting flowers, and spending time outside.
Heather's commitment to creating a nurturing, fun, and loving environment for the children in her care has earned her the trust and admiration of the families she serves. Her genuine passion for child care, paired with her extensive experience and ongoing dedication to self-improvement, make her a cherished and valuable resource in the lives of all the Avant Garde families.
NIKKI Nikki has worked in childcare for 15 years. She loves kids and loves making an impact on their lives. Watching them grow and helping them learn new things every day is very rewarding. Nikki has a degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Oklahoma. Yes, she is a Sooner fan! She has three children of her own. One recently graduated from OU, one is a sophomore there and one is in high school at Jenks. Nikki loves to attend OU and Jenks sporting events, especially football! Nikki stays up to date with new classes and early childhood information that our state provides and attends lots of workshops from OU and the child care resource center to further her education. Nikki believes that children need to have their social, emotional, educational needs met and feel that they are in a safe and loving environment. She hopes the time your child spends at Avant Garde is memorable, educational, and lots of fun! Nikki has lots of great teachers at Avant Garde and hopes your experience here at Brookside is amazing! |
Avant Garde is happy to have an extremely dedicated and highly qualified staff who attend regular, ongoing training above state licensing requirements. Our owners have over 15 years of experience managing and operating local preschools in Tulsa, formerly known as Koala Care. We have the best team of people that make every day possible!