Staff Bio

THE OWNERS

Pat DePan - Patricia DePan is the Owner and Administrative Director of Care-A-Lot. She founded Care-A-Lot, which was originally located at Rt. 5 and Beach Roads, in 1985. She designed and contracted construction of the current building built for the specific needs of young children in 1987. She has a BS in Child Psychology and Certification in Early Childhood Development. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has attended national conventions of the NAEYC in Chicago, Washington, Toronto and New York City as well as most local conferences. Her business education was accomplished at Bryant and Stratton Business Institute. She has also completed the Red Cross Infant- Child CPR Course. Mrs. DePan has four children and five grandchildren. She lives in Angola with her husband of 37 years! In her spare time she can be found with her grandchildren doing art activities, singing and reading children's books

Mr. Bill - Bill DePan joined our staff as Assistant Administrative Director on June 1, 2002. He has a degree in Business Management from Empire State College, which he earned during his 20 years with Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford to run our office full time. He successfully completed our recent Red Cross Infant/Child First Aid Course. Bill is Pat DePan's husband and father of four children and four grandchildren. He brings us not only his talents in the office, but a variety of handyman skills!! You will often find him on an errand with a young 'handyman assistant'. Welcome Mr. Bill!

THE DIRECTOR

Miss Michelle - Michelle Young has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, which she earned from Cleveland State University. Michelle comes to us with a wealth of experience. Since her graduation Michelle has worked as both a preschool and third grade teacher. She has also done reading intervention and worked as a nanny. In addition to her many job experiences, Miss Michelle is a mother of two: Kaitlynn, age eleven, and Emily, age three. When she is not working, Michelle enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with her children. We are so excited to welcome Miss Michelle to the Care-A-Lot family!

THE TEACHERS





Miss Sarah Sarah Griffin

Miss HeatherHeather Schlecht

Miss Kim - Kim Fitzery is our Preschool teacher. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Buffalo State University. Miss Kim lives in Cheektowaga with her parents and her fiancé, Tyrell. Kim also has an older sister and a niece, named Ariana. Kim loves animals and has many pets: 3 dogs, 3 birds, 1 reptile, 2 fish tanks, a guinea pig and 6 cats! When Kim is not at Care-A-Lot she loves to spend time with her parents and future in-laws. She loves children and is truly looking forward to the chance to inspire them and help them grow, as she takes on her first teaching endeavor. Kim will be married in 2009.

Miss Michelle-Michelle Young has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, which she earned from Cleveland State University. Michelle comes to us with a wealth of experience. Since her graduation Michelle has worked as both a preschool and third grade teacher. She has also done reading intervention and worked as a nanny. In addition to her many job experiences, Miss Michelle is a mother of two: Kaitlynn, age eleven, and Emily, age three. When she is not working, Michelle enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with her children. We are so excited to welcome Miss Michelle to the Care-A-Lot family!



THE TEACHER ASSISTANTS





Miss Karoline - Karoline Radtke is currently attending D'Youville College. She is working toward her Bachelor's Degree in Childhood and Special Education. Prior to working at Care-A-Lot, she worked as a teacher's aide for West Seneca Schools. She is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT at Seneca Hose Fire Company. Karoline loves children and has wanted to become a teacher her whole life. She comes from a large family - 5 sisters and a brother and lives in West Seneca with her husband, Carl, and her cats, Trick and Treat! When Karoline is not working, going to school, or saving lives she loves to read, scrapbook, go to the beach, or go camping with her loved ones. We are so pleased to have Miss Karoline on the Care-A-Lot team!

Miss Jackie- Jackie is in our preschool room. She is attending Buffalo State College. She is currently enrolled in early childhood education and exceptional education with a concentration in mathematics. She has experience working with children, including children with disabilities. She worked at the BAC in the playroom for almost a year, caring for children of all ages. She is certified in Infant and Child CPR. She is very happy to be a part of the Care-A-Lot team and is looking forward to getting to know all of the children and their families. Jackie has fond memories of Care-A-Lot from her childhood because she attended the first Care-A-Lot Childcare Center in Derby.

Miss Fawn - Fawn Barlow is in our toddler room. She is currently attending Buffalo State for Early Childhood Education She Enjoys working with children and hopes to become a teacher in the school district. Fawn danced for 15 years and was a cheerleader in high school. She is very energetic and has a lot of patience. Fawn is warm cheerful person who greets everything and everyone with a warm smile; she is very good at making the classroom an enjoyable place. She is always encouraging the children to have fun and be creative.

Miss Amber - Amber Bueme is a junior at Daemen College with a major in Childhood Education. She will graduate in Spring '09 with her bachelor's degree and plans to go directly into a Master's Program. She has worked in the childcare field for the last year and a half and hopes the experience will help with her future endeavor to work with children. Amber grew up in West Seneca, but now lives in Amherst. When she isn't working or at school she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and being outdoors. Amber has an older sister and a brother who is six. Welcome Amber!

Miss Ashley - Ashley Cintron is a West Seneca native who graduated with high honors from West Seneca East High School in 2007. While in high school, Ashley attended Erie 1 BOCES at Potter Road Career and Technical Center for two years in the Early Childhood Education class. As the highest achiever in her Early Childhood class, Ashley was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Miss Ashley has three brothers and a twin sister. When she is not at Care-A-Lot, Ashley loves to spend time with her family and boyfriend, as well as listen to music and watch TV. Welcome Ashley!



Miss -