Meet Our Staff

CATHERINE FREEMAN - Director

For over 36 years I have been passionately involved in the field of early care and education. Just out of high school, I started my career as a teacher with a class of eight infants in a full day child care center. I progressed through the center for seven years, teaching children infants through kindergarten. I also assumed administrative responsibilities.

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and child development and a Master’s degree in education in guidance and counseling.

I have worked as a play therapist with young children and I spent a year working with special needs preschoolers. I have worked as a director of many high quality non-profit child care programs, as well as for-profit programs. I even owned my own school!

My life’s mission is to be the best version of myself and to support others in becoming the best version of themselves. To this end, I embrace the NAEYC standards for early childhood programs.

I believe children learn what they live. My goal is to partner with parents and teachers in giving children abundant opportunities to live with encouragement, respect, love, beauty, tolerance, approval, recognition, sharing, honesty, joy, fairness, kindness, consideration, security, and friendliness.

I believe each child is endowed from birth with gifts and talents, and education is about helping each child recognize and develop those gifts and talents.

Children learn by doing- by interacting with people and objects through sensory exploration. Our purpose is to provide a nurturing, educational environment in which each child can learn, laugh, love, grow and succeed.

Curriculum planning is based on each child’s special interests and developmental progress. I wholeheartedly endorse “The Creative Curriculum” as the framework for giving children an optimal learning and growing environment.

As Director of Education I embrace professionalism, compliance with regulations, excellent programming, beauty, and joyful living. I believe the role of the Director is to provide leadership for the staff, parents, children and the community; to insure excellent programming for the children; and to oversee the total operation of the school.

Sincerely,
Catherine Freeman, M.Ed.

KATE KEYES – Ones Teacher

My name is Kate Keyes and I will be teaching the ones for the second year in a row. I enjoy this age so much, and am amazed at what happens developmentally in just one year. Prior to the ones, I taught the young twos for two years here at IPCP and am very excited to have some of my previous students’ little brothers and sisters.

My interest in teaching young children was inspired by child development courses. I am in the midst of completing my Child Development Associate degree. I earned an associate degree in nursing in 1992, and worked as a pediatric assistant for several years.

I live in Candler Park with my two beautiful daughters, ages 12 and 7. I enjoy being an active part of the community and look forward to a good year.

Kate

NICKI KEYS – Young Twos Teacher

My name is Nicki Keys and I moved to Inman Park about a year ago. I’m originally from Byron Georgia, a small town made up mostly of corn fields and horse pastures. I spent two years in Milledgeville studying poetry and photography at Georgia College and State University, and am currently finishing my creative writing degree at Georgia State University.

Over the past six years, I’ve continuously worked with children in camp, after -school and daycare environments. I’ve found that I’ve learned just as much as I’ve taught! It excites me beyond all measure to think about making a difference in children so that they, in turn, can make a difference in our community, city and world. IPCP is a community oriented environment where children know and learn that they’re important, capable and loved. I’m so happy to contribute to that. I believe in acting as a guide to children’s natural curiosities, and in providing a safe, rich atmosphere of literature, music and (of course) finger paint!

As this is my first year at IPCP, I can’t wait to learn more about all of you, parents, teachers and children. I’m excited about working in the encouraging environment I am now a part of!

Nicki

ASIATU LAWOYIN – Older Twos Teacher

My name is Asiatu (Ah-see-ah-two) Lawoyin and I will be the teacher of the older two-year-old class at IPCP this fall. I am one of four children and I inherited my love of children from my mother who is a pediatrician.

My passion for children led me to be a nanny to three different sets of twins. This past year I was a paraprofessional to an autistic kindergartner at Fernbank Elementary. My teaching belief is founded on the quote “everything responds to love.” I believe children are the true teachers of compassion.

Similar to most toddlers, my personality can best be described as one who “thinks outside the box” and I believe that IPCP will be an environment that gives me freedom to flourish. I look forward to learning and implementing the Creative Curriculum as well as getting to know the many different families that make IPCP a true community. I am most excited about learning from the children because I know that they will teach me great things about people, life and myself.

Asiatu

KATHY DAUNAIS – Multi-Age Teacher

My name is Kathy Daunais and I am excited to be joining the team at IPCP this year as a teacher in the multi-age classroom. I am impressed with the nature and philosophy of the preschool, and believe that children learn best when what they learn in the classroom is reinforced at home and throughout their daily routines.

I graduated from Ithaca College in NY with my Masters degree in physical therapy, and have been working with children as a physical therapist for the past three years. During my career, I have learned about motor, cognitive, and social development in children and have the opportunity to work closely with teachers, occupational, and speech therapists. I recently began course work towards my Masters of Arts in Teaching in early childhood education.

I grew up in Lancaster, PA and moved here to Atlanta after living in New York City for two years. I live with my husband, Jim and my dog, Scooter. I love the beach, a good book, and dining out in all the restaurants Atlanta has to offer!

I look forward to an exciting year and getting to know all of you better!

Kathy

SUSAN DIAMOND – Multi-Age Teacher

My name is Susan Diamond and I have been part of the Inman Park Cooperative Preschool community for the past four years. While growing up in Stone Mountain I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm, which had been in our family for generations. My grandparents were both teachers and were very influential in my life. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Georgia State University, with a major in French. After completing college I was employed in the hospitality and restaurant industries which allowed me to pursue my interests in travel.

All of that changed six years ago when my husband Michael and I became parents, traveling to China to adopt our daughter, Ivy. Ivy began attending IPCP when she was two and I have been employed there part time, as a substitute teacher, playtime teacher, and teacher’s assistant, ever since. I am really pleased to be teaching my own multi-age class this year.

I believe that children at the pre-school level learn through play, and from experiencing and exploring the world around them. Having parents present to participate and contribute in the classroom fosters a strong sense of community. Now that my daughter is entering the first grade at Mary Lin elementary and I see what an enthusiastic learner she has become, I understand how important her three years attending IPCP really were. I love the eagerness with which young children learn and I am looking forward to playing a positive role at this wonderful period in their lives.

Susan

MICHELLE HERRING – Multi-Age Teacher

After two years within the inner city school system of Washington D.C., I am returning to Atlanta to continue my career in early childhood education. The challenge of dealing with abused children and drug-addicted parents in Washington, D.C. has provided me the skills to handle difficult situations with the focus of the child’s best interest. Most broken school systems can be traced to inconsistencies along the chain of management which leads to a counterproductive educational system.

Having worked for IPCP prior to my move to Washington, D.C., I’m excited to work within a stable environment that provides a platform for me to accelerate the learning experience for my students. My two years at IPCP allowed me the perspective of engaging children in learning-exercises that differ quite substantially when the parents are involved in the children’s education. I believe that children learn best when placed in a stable environment that follows a daily routine.

I am originally from Augusta, GA and moved to Atlanta 10 years ago to pursue my degrees. I have a Masters of Education and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, which allow me to hold a license to teach primary education in 23 states. I completed my student teaching at E. Rivers Elementary School.

Michelle

BRANDI ARTS – Outdoor Classroom Teacher

My name is Brandi Arts and I am pleased to be the Outdoor Classroom educator this year. The space in the OC is a wonderful creative pallet for our children. I intend to utilize the OC to guide each child in discovering how nature works and how we can all become stewards of the environment.

My teaching philosophy is based on guiding children in a prepared environment enabling them to make their own discoveries and connections. Through keen observation, children learn on a deep level. By preparing an environment specifically for them to observe, we can foster self-directed learning in the young child that later becomes the recipe for the love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

After apprenticing and studying field botany for survival and medicine with the Hopi, Occoneechee, and the Maroon Indians I knew that I wanted to teach children how to live sustainably and love the natural environment. I majored in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Alaska, then moved to Olympia, Washington and apprenticed at an organic medicinal mushroom farm focused on Permaculture farming. My husband is a Decatur native who coaches soccer and teaches math at Druid Hills High School. We have two lovely children ages 13 and almost 2.

Brandi

AMY CAUDILL – Physical Education/Creative Movement Teacher

My name is Amy Caudhill, co-founder of KidGroups, LLC. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Florida State and pursued a Master’s from Nova Southeastern University. My colleague, Erin and I are so excited to have the opportunity to partner with IPCP and bring our skills to the many wonderful children and families that IPCP serves. We will be running the new Physical Education/Creative Movement program. It is our hope that through teaching the importance of exercise and healthy living, we can make a difference in the life of a child!

Amy

ERIN ROSENCRANZ - Physical Education/Creative Movement Teacher

My name is Erin Rosenkranz, co-founder of KidGroups, LLC. I am a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and have spent the past five years as a pediatric occupational therapist. At KidGroups, our goal is to bring years of knowledge to community-based settings through enrichment programming. We are very excited to have the opportunity to develop and lead the Physical Education/Creative Movement class at IPCP this fall!

Erin

ELEANOR JOHNSON – Music Teacher

My name is Eleanor Johnson, the IPCP music educator for 07/08. I began teaching arts appreciation and instruction at an early age and I feel it is my life mission to work with young students to help them integrate the arts into their academic education.

I teach dance and music but it is almost impossible not to include all the art forms because they all have the same elements: texture, rhythm, symmetry, etc. My goals are for students to be able to count, hear and feel the melodies, and interpret musical styles while creating movement of self expression.

I studied dance and music at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. However, I attribute most of my learning to practical experience collaborating and associating with renowned musicians who are teachers of diverse styles of all ethnicities.

I have resided in Inman Park for two years with my teenage daughter who is an honor student at Grady High. I chose this school because IPCP supports the concept of a true arts-infused education. I want to create future artists and art appreciators who use art to enhance our environment.

Eleanor

ANGELERIA WILLIS – Teachers’ Aide

My name is Angeleria Willis, but most of the children call me “Angel”. I have enjoyed working at IPCP as a teacher in summer camp and in Playtime over the past three years while pursuing my Associate degree in Early Childhood Education.

During this school year, I will have the opportunity to work with all the children and teachers as Teachers’ Aide. It is my wish to support the children and teachers in creating a warm, welcoming, and exciting environment for learning.

Recently my husband, TJ, and I welcomed baby Kenadie into the world. She is the joy of my life. We enjoy taking her out for walks in the park as well as swimming.

Angeleria

TINA PASTORIA - Bookkeeper & Admin. Assistant

My name is Tina Pastoria, and I am IPCP's Office Manager, responsible for office operations and bookkeeping. I was an IPCP parent and board member in the 90s and have worked here since 1999. I am a business owner and have fifteen years banking experience as a commercial lender and director of management training. I am a graduate of Georgia State University, majoring in business organization. Through my volunteer work at Mary Lin, Inman and Grady, I also have experience in grant writing and elementary environmental and discipline-based arts education. My husband, David and I own Woody's on Monroe Drive, and our 20-year-old daughter, Lisa, is a proud IPCP alum. I am looking forward to a wonderful year at IPCP.

Tina