Meet Our Teachers

Daphne Adair
Daphne was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. She went to school at Kansas State University and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She has her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies and her master's degree in Christian Education. She began working with children when she was 12. Daphne has been a threes teacher at the Weekday Program since 2003. The best thing about working with children is watching their minds work and grow. Daphne's birthday is March 6th. She loves going out to eat at Carrabba's with her husband, Randy, son, Tyler and daughter, Morgan.

Tracye Alexander

Ms. Tracye is from Irving. She is married to her husband Tim and has three fantastic children, twin girls Kayce and Kylie, and her son, Bryce. She is currently attending classes at Collin College. Ms. Tracye has spent several years working in the child care profession. She had her own in home daycare and, prior to that, she was a Pre-K assistant. The part of working with kids that draws her in is the fact that she loves children. Every time she sees that a child has learned something new, and knows that she has been an integral part in that, it gives her a feeling that she just can't explain. Pink, Red, Black and White are her favorite colors and she loves to shop at Target.

Alicia Armontrout

While I was born in the great state of Texas, I am a military brat, so I've lived in several different places over the course of my life. My parents and my two younger brothers reside in Maine. I went to school in Maine and spent one year attending TWU. I've worked in a printing office and at Medical Center of McKinney. The best part of working with your children is making them laugh or smile, just doing that makes me happy. My favorite colors are blue and yellow.

Bobbi Blankman

Bobbi has been with the Weekday Program since 1978 and has worked with children since she was 14. She works as a teacher's aide and finds it very rewarding. She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and grew up in Omaha. She is married with one son. Her birthday is June 1st. Bobbi has a cat named Maya. Her favorite places to shop are Wal-Mart, Target, Michael's, Kohl's, Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann's. When she isn't at work, Bobbi loves to shop and sew. You can see many of her original designs around the preschool. She loves making dress up clothes for the children.

Laurel Castro

Laurel has worked with children since she was in VBS. While in high school, Laurel was employed at several child care centers. Working with children is a lot of fun for her; she really enjoys getting to teach the children new and exciting things. Laurel has worked as a My Friends' Place teacher since 2006.The mornings are the best part of her day, when the kids are happy and excited about the fun field trips planned for that day. She was born in San Antonio and raised in Richardson. Laurel was married in October 2006 to her adoring husband, Luis. She has one older brother and an adorable niece. She loves to go to eat at On the Border and shop at Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy.

Elizabeth Chambers

Elizabeth was born, grew up and went to school in El Paso. Her birthday is April 25th and her biggest hobby is creating spectacular scrap books. She is currently working on her Associate's Degree at Collin County Community College. She is married and has two children, Amy and John. Elizabeth is one of our infant teachers and has worked at the Weekday Program since 1999. She first started working with children in 1988 at an in-home child care center. The greatest time during the day for Elizabeth is when the infants wake up from their nap; they are cuddly, refreshed and happy.

Carrie Clark

Carrie works as a threes teacher. She has been at the Weekday Program since August, 2006. She grew up in Pennsylvania and Texas and was born in Syracuse, New York. Carrie went to school in Plano and has her degree in Business Administration. When she is not at work, she takes her three children swimming or to their various sports activities. Carrie's favorite part of the day is lunch time; the conversations the kids have amongst themselves are so funny. Carries birthday is July 7th. She loves to shop at Kohl's and have dinner at Posada's.

Angela Cox

Angela Cox teaches two year olds. The best part of the day for Angela is 9 am when all her children come in for the day and are eager to see friends and see what they will do that day. Angela feels blessed to be able to watch them grow, change and learn new things on a daily basis. As a teacher, she also enjoys getting to know the parents as well as their children. Angela was born June 17 in Enrid, Oklahoma. She moved around a lot while growing up. She lived in Garland, Farmersville and Richardson between the ages of 12 and 22. Mrs. Cox has an associate's degree as a Medical Assistant. She started working with children when she was 12 and began working with the Weekday Program in 2004. Chili's is her favorite restaurant and Target is her favorite place to shop.

Dee Daddona

Dee works as one of the infant teachers. She has worked with the Weekday Program since 2000. Dee's favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning. She looks forward to greeting the children as they come in for the day. She loves to watch them grow and learn about the world and become more independent. Dee has two sons, Justin and Cory. When she is not at work, Ms. Daddona spends her time with her boys and husband, enjoys reading and playing the piano. Dee was born May 22nd in Ohio, where she grew up. One of her favorite restaurants is Olive Garden and she loves to shop at J.C. Penney's.

Andrew Danielson

Andrew was born December 5th in Dallas. He grew up in Plano and graduated from Plano East Senior High School in 1999. He received a music degree form SMU in 2003. Andrew was married September 30th in 2006 to his lovely wife, Trish. Andrew has an extensive collection of classical, jazz, and classic rock CDs. He first stated working with children when be began his employment here at the Weekday Program in 2003. Andrew is one of the My Friends' Place teachers. He likes the opportunity to teach the kids basic and important skills they will need later in life. His favorite part of the day is the time set aside for daily projects. His favorite restaurant is Mi Piaci.

Ann Danielson

Ann began working at the Weekday Program in August, 1993 and has been the Assistant Director since 1997. She was born December 15th in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and Plainview, Texas. Ann has been married to her husband, Richard, for over 20 years and has two children, Andrew and Ashley. She loves to eat at any Mexican restaurant and shop at Target. She collects crosses and loves Christmas ornaments. She enjoys working with the children because they are fun and make coming to work feel like a blessing.

Jessica Donahue

Jessica was born July 9^th in Plano and grew up in Allen. She likes to shop at American Eagle and go out to eat at On The Border. She and her husband, Nick have a beautiful daughter named Brooklyn and a dog named Ace. Jessica has been working with children since before she can remember and has been employed with the Weekday Program since 2005. Seeing the children smile and watching how much they grow up during the year is the most rewarding part of being a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for Jessica. When she is not working, she enjoys working out, going to the movies, and hanging out with friends and family.

Amy Frank

Since 2006, Amy has taught in the one's class. Ms. Frank was born in Dallas but grew up in Irving and Plano. She went to school, kindergarten through fifth grade, in Irving and sixth all the way though until graduation from Plano East Senior High School. Amy has an Associate's of Arts degree and is a full time student at UTD, where she is working on her bachelor's in Political Science. Amy started working with children in 2003. For her, the most rewarding part of working with children is getting to watch their personalities develop. The best time during the school day, to Amy, is art time. Mrs. Frank's birthday is February 14th. She likes to snack on veggie wheat thins and eat at Los Palmos. Amy collects Barbies and loves to shop at Old Navy.

Natalie Garcia

Natalie is the Curriculum Coordinator for the Weekday Program. She was born in Dallas and grew up in Wylie. She received her Bachelor's degree in family studies from TWU. Natalie began working at the Weekday Program as a threes teacher in 2004. Her birthday is June 30th. Her favorite places to eat and shop are El Fenix and Target. Her favorite snacks are Popcorn and Dr. Pepper. When she is not at work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her husband and son, Anthony. Natalie's favorite thing about working with children is seeing their excitement when learning new things.

Royce Glass

Royce began working at Little Friends' Place in 2008. Ms. Royce's favorite part of working at LFP is seeing the children grow and learn everyday. Before working at LFP Ms. Royce spent many years being a 'learn to swim' coordinator.  She began working with children when she was 16.  Ms Royce was born in Opelika, AL and was raised in Alabama and South Texas.  She has 6 children and 4 grandchildren.  During her free time Ms. Royce likes to spend time with her grandchildren particularly watching them play soccer, and cheerleading.  Her birthday is December 21st.  She enjoys eating at Chili's and shopping at Target. 

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham works with the school age children and is an Aide for the preschool. Abe was born in Mexico and grew up in Dallas. At the age of 15 he began working with children as a volunteer for the Hispanic Ministry at FUMC. He started working with My Friends' Place in November, 2006. He likes working with the kids because they're funny. He says that their humor makes his day. Abraham's goal is to be a good role model for the children. He was born July 6th and his favorite place to buy games for his video game collection is Best Buy. Going out to eat and playing with his beautiful daughter, Alena are his favorite pastimes when he is not at work.

Teresa Gonzalez

 Teresa was born near Mexico City and grew up in a Methodist church working with children. She majored in business and was a bilingual secretary for years. In the year 2007 Teresa received her citizenship and during the same time she began working with the Weekday Program. She takes two classes of English during the week. Teresa really like Fridays, but loves Mondays because she comes back to work to greet the babies. She admires looking at them smile and getting to hear their different cries but watching them sleep is the most amazing thing. Then for the rest of the day she gets to teach Spanish in the Spanish Intense Preschool class, which is equally fun! She loves to eat at Cracker Barrel and will shop almost everywhere. Her favorite colors are purple, turquoise, lime and yellow.

Yared Gonzalez

Yared is happy to be teacher of the infants in the afternoons. She has been with the Weekday Program since 2008. As far as she can remember her dream had always been to give a lot of love and to bring lots of smiles to adorable little human beings such as the babies she spends time with through out her day. She was born in Mexico and was raised in Dallas, Yared blows candles and takes a big bite of her chocolate cake on October 19, she is currently attending Allen High School and after graduating she plans to go to college, have a degree, and help those children in need. She loves shopping almost anywhere and lets not mention food because she loves it all.

Poonam Gupta

Poonam was born and raised in India and moved to the US in 1996. She received a Masters of Arts degree and Bachelor of Education degree from the Delhi University in India.  She also just finished a Child Guidance course at CCCC. Before moving to the US, Poonam worked as a third grade teacher. She worked at Cornerstone United Methodist Church for 2 ½ years. She is married and has three children, one girl and two boys. Her favorite thing about working with children is being able to help children grow and learn and being a part of their learning experience. She enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, and shopping. Her favorite store is Target.

Taylor Hagler

Taylor has worked as an MFP teacher, and aide, a one's teacher and is now teaching twos. She has worked at the Weekday Program since 2004. Taylor graduated from Plano East Senior High School in 2005. She and her husband like to ride their motorcycle, watch movies and play with their gorgeous daughter, Emily. Watching the kids grow up and become their own individual person is the most rewarding part of working at the Weekday Program. Her birthday is November 9th and her favorite colors are pink and lime green. If Taylor had to choose a favorite place to eat it would be a tie between Panda Express and Starbucks. She also loves to shop at Kohl's.

Gail Holgate

Gail began working with kids when she was 17. She started working as a My Friends' Place teacher in 2004. Gail likes working with the kids because they are fun and interesting and they always keep her on her toes. Her favorite part of the day is gym and outside time with the kids. Gail's birthday is March 18th. Her favorite places to eat and shop are Samui Thai and Target. She was born and raised in Plano with her mother, father, and older brother. When she is not at work, Gail hangs out with her friends, goes to the movies, works out and attends school. She is studying to become a nurse.

Vonda Irwin-Calhoun

Vonda has been teaching Pre-K since 2005 when she began working with us. She really enjoys coming up with creative ways to present curriculum. She also loves playing and being silly with the kids. Vonda began working with children when she was 21. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Dallas. She has three children, two boys, Jay and Damien, and a daughter, Rebecca. Before joining our team of excellent teachers, Ms. Vonda worked as a public school special education teacher and has her bachelor's degree in counseling consulting. She just achieved her master's in Early Childhood Education. Her birthday is September 4th. When she goes out to eat, she likes to go to Chili's, Subway, or Café De France. Vonda collects all sorts of things, mostly crosses and music and books on Christian or Jewish studies.

Donna Kirkwood

Donna became the Director for the Weekday Program in March, 2003. She attained her Ph.D. in Child Development from TWU in 2006. Donna was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has been working with children since she was in high school. The most rewarding moment for her is when you can see the children figuring out how the world works and you see the "light bulb" turn on. When she is not at work, she is usually teaching at TWU, CCCCD or Eastfield College. She really enjoys hanging out with her nieces and nephews. Donna's birthday is December 30th. She enjoys celebrating at either On the Border or Salt Grass Steakhouse. Her favorite places to shop are Pottery Barn and Target.

Dorota Kuntz

Born November 24th, Mrs. Kuntz was raised in Poland. She went to school in both Poland and Texas. Dorota has her degree in Early Childhood Development. She is married and has three children, two sons, Luke and Kuba, and a daughter, Caroline. When Dorota is not working, he is at home playing with and taking care of Caroline. She has worked with children since 1987 and has been employed with the Weekday Program since 2004. For Ms. Dorota, the children are never boring; they make each day more entertaining then the last. Her absolute favorite snack is chocolate and any restaurant is her favorite.

Boogie Lammes

Boogie has worked on and off at the Weekday Program since 2004. She particularly loves working with the one-year olds because they are so fun and full of energy. Boogie has a BA from Texas Tech in Telecommunications and has 2 daughters who are Weekday Program Alumni, Molly and Annie. Her favorite store is Target and her favorite thing to do is play with her girls.

Donni Lindquist

Donni is one of our wonderful Pre-K teachers. She began working with children when her kids were young. She enjoys working with the children because they are eager to learn and willing to try new things. Teaching has always been a passion of hers and she loves interacting with the younger children. Her favorite part of the day is group time with the children. When Ms. Lindquist is not at work she enjoys baking, reading, spending time with her boys and shopping. Her favorite places to shop are antique shops. Donna was born in Huntsville, Arkansas and grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Christian Ministry and her master's degree is in Education specializing in Counseling. Ms. Lindquist's birthday is October 27th.

Robin Nance

Robin has been working with children since the fall of 1973 and working with the Weekday Program since 1980. She enjoys being with the children because they are amusing, funny, and interesting. Mrs. Nance's favorite part of the day is story time, when all the children gather around and listen and interact with the story. Robin is married with two children, both living in New York. She was born in Colorado City, Texas and grew up in both Houston and Midland. When she is not at work, Robin likes to garden, sew, and read. Her birthday is October 14th. Barnes & Noble is her favorite place to shop and she enjoys all Mexican food. Mrs. Nance has her B.A. in Elementary Education.

Terry Orban

In the past years, Terry has been an infants and ones teacher. She has been a twos' teacher since 2007. Playing with the kids and watching them learn and grow in front of her eyes is the most rewarding part of Ms. Orban's job. Terry has worked with children since she was 14 and started working with us in 2001. Born in Chicago on September 9th, Terry grew up in Thornton, Illinois. She is currently working on achieving her associate's degree and learning to play tennis with her son, Matthew. Terry also has a daughter, Angela, who has given her two beautiful grandsons. Her favorite places to shop and eat are Target and Texas Road House.

Maddy Parker

Hi, I'm Maddy. I am originally from Plano. After graduating from PESH, I went to Oklahoma State and Collin College. My mom is a single parent with three children, me, my sister Megan and my brother Marcus. I previously worked at PASAR where I discovered the greatest thing about working with kids is watching them learn new things and develop into little people. They can also be extremely entertaining. My favorite place to shop is Target and I love pink and yellow.

Christina Paul

Christina has been working with children since 2005, when she first began working with the Weekday Program. She has worked with every age group here at the Weekday Program and currently is teaching the one-year olds. She enjoys working with the kids because they make her laugh on a daily basis. Christina was born in McKinney and grew up in Allen. She has a very large family, her grandmother had 11 children and each has one or more children themselves. Christina's birthday is April 20th. She has a collection of giraffes and loves to shop at Old Navy, Ross or Champs. Her favorite restaurant is Olive Garden.

Shannon Pickrell

Mrs. Pickrell is a 3s teacher. She was born in Fort Worth and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Shannon has her bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky in Philosophy and Psychology. She is married and has two sons, Chase and Ty. Shannon's birthday is July 22nd and she enjoys spending time eating at Jason's Deli and shopping at Target. She began working with children in 1998 and joined the Weekday Program staff in 2006. For Ms. Shannon, the most rewarding part of working with children is having a positive impact on their lives. Her favorite activities of the day are story time and music time.

Kristy Pulcher

My name is Kristy Pulcher. I have worked with children since 1996 at two different child care facilities, Legacy Learning Center and I ran my own MDO for six years. I was born in Pennsylvania and just celebrated my 21st wedding anniversary with my husband, Keith. We have three wonderful boys, Andrew, 18, Cameron, 15, and Colby, 6. I work with children because I get to see the world through their eyes and get to let them know I care about them. My favorite places to shop are Wal-mart and US Toys. Garage sales, thrift stores, and the Dollar Tree are also wonderful places to find fun and interesting things.

Denise Tharp

Denise is the financial officer for the Weekday Program. She was born in Gunnison, Colorado and grew up in Tennessee, North Carolina and Washington State. Denise has a degree in business administration. She has two children, a daughter, Danielle, and a son, Dustin. Denise started working with children when her daughter was born and has been working for the Weekday Program since 1994. Denise's favorite thing about working with the kids is getting to hold and love on the babies; they always make her smile and laugh. She loves to eat at Salt Grass and shop at Target and Kohl's. Her Birthday is November 13.

Angie Wynn

Angie is our music and movement teacher. Angie began working with children in high school and joined the Weekday Program in 1997, as a threes teacher. Her favorite thing about working with kids is their sense of fun and excitement. When Angie is at home with her family, she enjoys being outdoors, camping and gardening. Her birthday is May 20th and any Mexican food restaurant is her favorite. Angie was born in Dallas and grew up in Mesquite. She attended Eastfield Community College where she earned her associate's degree in Science and Liberal Arts.