We believe that our teachers are the staple of our program. We endeavor to provide the finest early childhood education and Fleur De Lis School’s incredible reputation is primarily due to the high caliber of our teachers. Each teacher has been carefully selected and oriented to our school’s values, philosophy and community. When bringing in a new teacher to our team, we look for individuals who not only have the best educational background and experience, but those whose life’s work is education of young children. We are proud to say that many of our teachers have been at Fleur De Lis for over 10 years and had their own children graduate from our program!
Our teachers engage in ongoing professional development through attending workshops, taking child development courses, and staff training. Through ongoing communication, our teachers strive to develop a partnering relationship with our families.
Tina Smith – Director
Tina Smith has been with Fleur De Lis for over 26 years. She began as a teaching assistant, was promoted to teacher, working in our older 3 year-old class, and later made the move to our Pre-Kindergarten program. Before becoming a Director in 2021, she also served as the Curriculum Specialist and Parent Liaison.
Aside from her education in Child and Family Development, Tina continues to take every opportunity to attend professional development conferences and workshops. She enjoys collaborating with teachers to help keep students engaged in the classroom, planning workshops for teachers and families, and spending time with each age group. Away from Fleur De Lis, Tina enjoys cooking, playing with the family dog, Qtip, and spending time with her two children who also attended Fleur De Lis. Tina looks forward to sharing her passion, and establishing a love of learning for children and a foundation of trust with existing and incoming families. Her professional dedication, love of children, and ability to build lasting partnerships with FDL families continues to drive her passion for Early Childhood Education.
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April Kozelh – Director
April Kozeluh has been teaching for over 28 years, 24 of those years as a part of the Fleur De Lis Family. She has had an opportunity to work with every age group, starting as a teacher in our Early Learners room, moving on to became a lead teacher in our Pre-Kindergarten program, and then working as a teacher in our Preschool program. She was promoted to Director, along side Tina Smith, in 2022.
With an education in Child, Family, and Community Development, April has taught children from ages six weeks to six years old, mentoring many teachers along the way. She continues her education to this day by attending college classes, professional development workshops, and conferences. April has strong bonds with Fleur De Lis families and a love for the children who have grown up in front of her. Seeing former students return to visit with children of their own, is one of April’s greatest joys. Away from school, April enjoys traveling around the globe with her family, including her child, who also attended Fleur De Lis. April hopes to one day see her grandchildren come through the doors of FDS.
