Learning one step at a time.....
OUR TEAM
Caring & Dedicated
At Little Big Steps Early Learning Center, we hire passionate, dedicated and caring teachers who are committed to making a difference in children’s lives. Take a look below to learn more about our team and reach out with any questions.
MISS CARLA
Co-Owner
Miss Carla started her childcare career by running a successful in-home daycare for over 23 years. She loved and educated all her children like they were her own. Carla has two grown children, one of which has partnered with her to open Little Big Steps & four grandchildren, Luigi, Giulianna, Mila & Gabriella. Her love and dedication to the families and staff at Little Big Steps make her a huge asset to the facility. She goes above and beyond for everyone who walks through the door. Miss Carla definitely loves what she does and it shows through the smiles of each and every child.
MISS MARIANGELA
Co-Owner/Director
Mariangela is a loving mother of three children. Because of her love for children, education & growing up around children in her mom's home daycare, it has led her to choose a career in child care. Mariangela grew up in Mountain Top. After graduating from King's College with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Early Childhood & certification in both, she, along with her mom decided to venture out into the business world. It is her passion to own and direct a school where children can be in a "home away from home" and learn all the fundamentals of a quality education while still having fun, making friends and growing up to be lifelong learners!
MISS JACKIE
Director
Miss Jackie has over 15 years in child care and over 6 years as a Director. She has her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood. Jackie loves spending time with family and is 1 of 5 sisters. She also likes reading, listening to music and meeting friends! Jackie moved to Mountain Top with her husband and children two years ago.
Miss Laura
Infant Team
With a nurturing personality and hands-on approach towards learning, we are thrilled to have Miss Laura as part of our Infant team. She is a loving mother of two grown children, who loves coffee and tacos! Her hobbies include gardening and making jewelry. Laura has such a calm and soothing personality, no wonder our babies love her. There is no one else with the care and patience she demonstrates in the Infant Classroom!
MISS EVELYN
Infant Team
Miss Evelyn has a love for children of all ages. She is a member of our Mountain Top community and a loving mother of a beautiful daughter. Evelyn loves art, cooking & meeting people from different cultures. Her nurturing personality and passion for teaching make her a wonderful asset to the Infant team. We are beyond excited to have her a part of our Little Big Steps family!
MISS PAOLA
Toddler Team
We are so excited to have Miss Paola as part of our team! Paola is a bi-lingual child care provider with experience supporting children from infancy through school-age. She has completed Early Childhood Programs and has hands-on experience working with kids. Miss Paola holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and alongside her work with children, she runs a creative business specializing in balloons and custom backdrops for all types of events! She definitely brings her creative spirit into the classroom and the children love her!
MISS KAYLA
Young Toddler Team
Kayla is a fun, outgoing person who enjoys spending time with her family and friends on the weekends. She is a loving mother of a one year old. Kayla graduated from Scranton High School and moved to Mountain Top six years ago. Her love for children and creativity make her a wonderful addition to our Young Toddler Classroom!
MISS PERI
Older Toddler Team
With a nurturing personality and hands-on approach towards learning, we are thrilled to have Miss Peri as a part of our Toddler team! Peri is a life long resident of Mountain Top and a graduate of the Crestwood School District. She is currently in college studying Business Management, but because of her love of the job and working with children, Peri is hoping to earn her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood! She and her mom, Miss Michele, work wonders in the Toddler Room. Watching the kids grow and learn everyday is something Peri loves to see!
MISS CATHY
Older Toddler Team
Miss Cathy is one of our wonderful "Toddler" teachers at Little Big Steps. She has lived in Mountain Top for most of her life. After graduating from Crestwood High School, Cathy got married and settled in Nuangola. She has one son, Stanley, who is grown and lives in Tennessee. Miss Cathy took business courses in school which led her to a career as a retail manager for 22 years. After that, she wanted a more "fulfilling" career. Because of her love of children and knowing the Calabrese family for many years, that is what led her to LBS. Cathy has worked at Little Big Steps for over eight years, five of which have been in the "Toddler" room. Her experience and enthusiasm with this age group has made her a great asset to the facility. Cathy is especially excited for this year at the new school and looking forward to a year of learning and fun!
"It was the best move I could have made!" -Miss Cathy
MISS JEANNE
Older Toddler Team
Miss Jeanne is a great asset to our "Toddler" classroom! She's lived in Mountain Top for 15 years with her husband and three grown children. Jeanne graduated from Coughlin High School and later went to Wilkes University to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree. She has much experience in the classroom working as a TSS worker and decided to switch her career to child care in 2013, where she started working at Little Big Steps. She has been working here for almost nine years! Jeanne's love for children and education brings a smile to every child who walks into her room!
MISS MICHELE
Young Preschool Team
Miss Michele is a wonderful part to our Young Toddler team. She was born and raised in the Mountain Top area. Michele is a graphic designer by trade, but gave it all up to be a stay at home mom. She has a son who is a senior at Crestwood and a daughter who is in her second year of college. Michele decided to change her career to childcare and became a great asset to Little Big Steps! Her creative side, humor & dedication make her a perfect fit for our team!
MISS RACHEL
Pre-K Team
Miss Rachel has nine years experience working in child care. She has a large family which drives her passion for children and educating them. Miss Rachel is from the Hazleton area and is a twin! She is also one of six siblings. Rachel is such a wonderful part of our LBS Family. She brings such a warm atmosphere to her classroom and the children absolutely adore her!
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MISS CLAUDIA
Young Toddler Team
Miss Claudia has been a wonderful addition to our Young Toddler Team. She has a degree in Educational Sciences with over 12 years experience working with children. Claudia loves to study new things, taking care of plants & is an avid animal lover. Teaching children makes her happy! Miss Claudia's warm and welcoming personality make her a wonderful fit for Little Big Steps!
MISS KAREN
Pre-K Team
Miss Karen is part of our Pre-K & School-Age team! Her FUN and warming personality bring so much joy to the kiddos! Karen has been a resident of Mountain Top since 1990. She started her career in the dental industry at the age of 24 and remained in it for almost 25 years. Miss Karen loves spending time with her husband and daughter, especially during the Spring and Summer time. They love exploring the outdoors. Karen is thankful for a new start working with children! She truly enjoys helping to prepare them for Kindergarten. They put a smile on her face every day! We are so happy to have Miss Karen as part of our LBS family!
MISS MARIA
Older Toddler Team
Miss Maria is part of our Toddler Team! Her outgoing personality brings so much fun to the kiddos! Maria is from the Hazleton area and graduated from Hazleton High School. She is a wonderful mother to her son, Benjamin. Miss Maria loves kids and is excited to bring her love of education the LBS!
MISS RHANIA
Young Toddler Team
Miss Rhania is excited to be working with the Little Big Steps community and to be a part of each and every one of the children's education, hoping to make an impact in their lives! She is a wonderful addition to our Young Toddler team, bringing so much love and joy to our little ones as well as her soon to be baby girl! Her love of crafting and baking will definitely bring some great fun into the classroom! We are so happy that Rhania has joined our LBS family!
MISS JENNIFER
Young Preschool Team
Miss Jennifer is such a wonderful addition to our Young Preschoolers! She is a wonderful mother to her son and loves her two cats, Baloo & Alex, as well. Jennifer has many years experience in child care. She loves to read and is big into crafts as well, which make her Preschool classroom fun and inviting! We are so glad to have Miss Jennifer as part of our Young Preschool team!
MISS KATLYN
Older Toddler Team
Miss Katlyn is a wonderful asset to our Preschool Team! She is a caring mother to two beautiful children and step-child. She loves her family and working with children. Katlyn has four years experience working in Early Childhood plus extra volunteer work. She took three levels of child care in high school and scored advanced on a 3-part NOCTI test, which awarded her a certification from PA to work with children. Some of her favorite things are hiking, camping, Halloween, crafting, painting & Christmas!
MISS RAINA
Young Preschool Team
Miss Raina is a sweetheart! She enjoys Yoga, Pilates & calm activities. She was a gymnastics coach for 5 years, so she sure knows how to be active with the kiddos! Miss Raina is such a wonderful asset to our Little Big Steps family and we are so happy to have her!
MISS CARISSA
Pre-K Team
Miss Carissa has 5 years of child care experience and has been working at Little Big Steps for a few years now! She is a loving mother of a beautiful daughter who also attends LBS! Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and especially with her daughter! Carissa loves encouraging children to learn new things, which make her such a great addition to our Pre-K team!
MISS JILL
Floater
Miss Jill's love for children and learning makes her such a great attribute no matter what age group she is placed with in a classroom! All the kiddos absolutely adore her. She is a wonderful mother of two children and has 4 amazing grandchildren. Jill has been a fitness instructor/trainer for 32 years! She also works with reptiles every day at her son's business. We are so happy to have Jill as part of our Little Big Steps family!
MISS BECKA
Floater
Miss Becka has such a fun, loving spirit! She brightens all the kiddos faces in any classroom she is placed in! Becka is a Hazleton native and is 1 of 5 sisters. She loves spending time with her family and especially with all of her nieces and nephews. Not only is Becka wonderful with the kids, but she is ready to take on any task that is given to her. We are so happy to have Miss Becka as part of our LBS team!
MISS MONICA
Floater/School-Age Team
With her fun and outgoing spirit, Miss Monica is a wonderful asset in any classroom she is placed in! She is a wonderful mother of two grown boys and a grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter . Monica has a few years experience working in a school district and a few years working in child care. We are happy to have her a part of our Little Big Steps family!