Meet Our Staff
Our Team Slogan for the Academic Year :
“We are all different, but we stand together to inspire and educate our strong young leaders.”
Staff
The T.E.A. Center’s unique approach to child care begins with its outstanding staff. Our teachers are credentialed and compassionate educators with skills that set them apart as leaders, as educators, and as role models for our children. All instructors are highly credentialed & experienced, with excellent references. All staff maintains current First Aid and CPR Certification and state background checks. All staff participates in training throughout the school year.
Ms. Mayosha
Executive Director and Founder
The director, founder, and owner of The Transformational Educational Adventure Center, Ms. Mendis, has a prestigious record of professional credentials which include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Schiller International University in London, and Temple University in Philadelphia. She earned Advanced Certificates from Oxford and Harvard, where she did research in Medical Ethics.
Later, Ms. Mendis earned a Master of Environmental Science degree from the elite University of Pennsylvania where she conducted cancer research. Ms. Mendis has traveled widely and studied deeply.
Ms. Mendis co-founded a non-governmental organization (NGO) on global water and sanitation while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. There, she was elected to serve as Vice-President of Student Leadership. The NGO work focused on bringing awareness to local schools on the topics of water and sanitation. Ms. Mendis developed the WASH program that linked eight Philadelphia area schools with schools in developing countries. By reaching out to the same age group abroad, local students are educated on the developing water crisis. They learn to appreciate the opportunity to attend school and to be in a better position to help others.
While working for the Federal Government at the Environmental Protection Agency, Ms. Mendis worked on various global water projects as well as education projects, which included being a reading mentor to local schools.Ms. Mendis has over ten years of experience in various childhood education settings that give her a broad understanding of cognitive growth and social/emotional development of youth. Her goal is to target ‘the whole child’ and bring out the strong leadership qualities in each one at The T.E.A.Center.
The T.E.A.Center students stand out because the teachers, parents, and partners all work together to help develop the best in each child. The T.E.A.Center Family looks forward to building the next generation of leaders.
Ms. Mendis and her family plan to remain here to raise her young daughter in this exciting cosmopolitan area where a unique child care service like hers is needed.
Dr. Tamila
Director
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Dr. Tamila carries dual PhD’s including child psychology. She has worked in several schools for over 25 plus years fulfilling multiple roles. She has several masters including a nursing degree. Dr. Tamila has published the book ” The Effect of Communication on Couples’ Relationship and Happiness”. Dr. Tamila loves teaching children and at the T.E.A.Center focuses on bringing out the leader in each child using the holistic approach.
Ms. Abrol
Director
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28+ years experience as a licencing inspector with fairfax county. Ms. Abrol was T.E.A. Center’s 1st licensing inspector for 3+ years. She was very impressed with the vision, mission and service to the community by the T.E.A. Center and decided to join as a director once she retired from Fairfax County, VA. Ms. Abrol brings a great wealth of knowledge experience in child care to the T.E.A. Center
Dr. Boyd
STEM Teacher
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Dr. Boyd teaches STEM at the T.E.A Center. He is a Polymer Chemist who works for the Federal Government. Originally from Michigan, he has lived in the DMV since the Spring of 2011, where he married his brilliant wife Sara in the Summer of 2015. He recently launched a website (www.drboydthechemist.com) that was inspired by several of his relatives who showed strong interest in science.
Ms. Joan
School Aged Teacher
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Ms. Joan is a School Aged Teacher at The T.E.A.Center. She is originally from Washington, DC. She has over 20 years of experience working with children in both the After School Field and the Children’s Musical Theatre. She is fluent in English and also knows some Spanish and French. Her skills include being a costume designer, arts/crafts, and reading to children. Her hobbies include: sewing, traveling, and cats. She is currently a pet parent to Zoe and Fergus. Her favorite food is sushi. Ms. Joan decided to teach at The T.E.A.Center because she enjoys helping children to grow, develop and tap into their creative sides. Ms. Joan is CPR/First Aid Certified.
Ms. Yin Mei
French teacher and Admin Assistant
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Ms. Yin Mei is the Office Admin Assistant/French Teacher at The T.E.A. Center. She has her Bachelors Degrees in both French-English Translation and in French from University of Ottawa and McGill University. She is originally from Malaysia. Ms. Mei has worked at several schools as their Bilingual Secretary. She is fluent in the following languages: English, Chinese (Cantonese), Bahsa Malaysia (Malay), Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian), French and Italian. Her skills include being fluent in several languages and writing. Her hobbies include reading and going to the movies. Her favorite type of food is Malaysian cuisine. Her family consists of her husband, 2 sons, mother, 1 older sister and 1 younger brother. She chose to teach at The T.E.A. Center because it seemed like a fun place and a lot of children and their families are from various countries, which meant a fun and interesting international environment to work in. She is also CPR/First Aid Certified.
Ms Carrie
Preschool Lead Teacher
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Ms. Carrie is a Preschool Teacher at The T.E.A. Center. She is originally from I-Ian Taiwan (Republic of China). She has several years of teaching experience as an Assistant Teacher in a Preschool in Taiwan. She is fluent in both English and Chinese. Her skills include being a Chinese language tester and curriculum reviewer. Her hobbies include a love for learning multiple languages, and watching movies in world languages. Her favorite food is Chinese noodles. Her family includes her husband and 2 children. Ms. Carrie decided to teach at The T.E.A. Center to be able to share her knowledge of Chinese language and prepare our future generations for world languages. Ms. Carrie is CPR/First Aid Certified and has her Caregiving Certification as well.
Ms Daniela
Preschool Teacher
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Ms. Daniela is an Assistant Teacher at The T.E.A. Center. She has her degree in International Business. She is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. She has over 5 years of experience working with children as a dance, general education, and Spanish teacher. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Ms. Daniela’s skills include being a great communicator, great listener, lots of patience, great team work, being responsible, being a hard worker, loyal and reliable. Her hobbies include cooking, being a dance coach and competitive dancer, spending time with her family and friends, and working out. Her favorite cuisine is Mexican food. Her family consists of her mom, dad and two brothers. Ms. Daniela chose to teach at The T.E.A. Center because of our center’s teaching philosophy to help prepare children with the tools they will need to be prepared for their future learning experiences. Also, because all of the staff is dedicated to giving the best experience to all of the children in our center and to be an integral part in their development. She is certified as a Food Handler and as a Mindfulness Coach.
Ms. Sheina
Preschool Teacher
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Ms. Sheina is one of the T.E.A. Center Preschool Teachers. She attended University of South Carolina and Providence University in Taiwan. She is from Taiwan. She has several years of experience as a Pre-K Chinese Teacher as well as a Substitute Teacher. Ms. Sheina is fluent in both English and Chinese. Her hobbies include hiking, reading and baking. Her favorite food is pasta. She has 2 sisters and her immediate family. Her decision to become a Teacher at The T.E.A. Center was made on her love of children and watching them learn and grow. She is CPR/First Aid Certified.
Ms. Mira
Preschool Assistant Teacher
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Ms. Mira is one of the T.E.A. Center Preschool Assistant Teachers. She has her Bachelors Degree in Sociology from George Mason University. She is from McLean, VA. She has several years of experience as a babysitter and as a Tutor with local High School Students. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. She brings to The T.E.A. Center her computer skills as well as her tutoring expertise working with young children. Her hobbies include working on the computer and reading. Her favorite types of food are Asian and Italian Cuisine. She is married and has a dog. She also has 1 sister, 1 nephew and 1 niece. Her decision to become an Assistant Teacher at The T.E.A. Center was made based on her passion to help young children and the friendly environment in place. She is CPR/First Aid Certified.
Parent Board of Advisers
Ms. Anna
(Preschool Parent board)
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Ms. Anna is an academic at a university in Washington DC, focusing on energy law. She has been working in the energy sector for more than ten years, and is an expert in energy law, policy and regulation, as well as market analysis. Ms. Anna does research and teaches graduate students, as well as advises various organizations on the issues related to her expertise. Ms. Anna has twins who attend T.E.A. Center.
Qing Pan
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Qing Pan grew up in Hunan, China and attended Beijing University, University of Georgia and University of Michigan. Right now, she is associate professor of statistics at the George Washington University. Her research focuses on statistical methods for diabetes prevention, cancer biomarkers and legal applications. Her homepage is statistics.columbian. gwu.edu/qing-pan Qing has a daughter attending the T.E.A. Center
Ms. Megan
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Ms. Megan graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Health Services Administration and Business. She has over 13 years experience in marketing and business development for various healthcare companies throughout the Washington Metro Area. She has two children, who both attend The T.E.A. Center.
Ms. Elaine
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Elaine works for a large international organization here in DC. and spent the last 10 years providing investment management advisory services to central banks and sovereign funds around the world. Ms. Elaine has a Master in Finance from Johns Hopkins University, and she is not afraid to use it. When she is not fighting to end world poverty, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has a daughter who attends T.E.A. Center.
Ms. Twila
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A retired military officer with over 23 years of service. She currently works for the U.S. Government. Twila has two daughters who attend The T.E.A. Center
Board of Advisors
Mr. Stanley
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Ms. Monica
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Ms. Monica operates Jackson Child Care; a state licensed Family Day Home for children three to 10 years. In addition to offering affordable quality child care services, Ms. Jackson spent over 30 years helping others develop the skills they need to build successful businesses. Her past accomplishments include working with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to ensure that licensed care providers have the required knowledge and resources to offer safe and nurturing learning environments following the zoning ordinance. As past president of the Virginia Alliance of Family Child Care Associations and current Chairman of the Fairfax Child Care Advisory Council, Ms. Jackson spearheads numerous initiatives to empower child care professionals to adopt the most up-to-date teaching techniques and childcare best practices. Her work at George Mason University, at the state and national level, increases awareness of child development research, as well as funding, training, and opportunities for our nation’s youngest citizens.
The T.E.A. Center Student Board
Student board is represented by student leaders from – Churchill Road ES, Haycock ES, Kent Gardens ES, Lemon Road ES, Springhill ES, WestBriar ES & Westgate ES
