Our Staff | La Escuelita | A Bilingual, Hands-on Science Preschool Program

Get to know the La Escuelita staff.

Leadership Team

Michelle Covey

Director

I am overjoyed to be a part of the amazing teaching team at La Escuelita! I began my love for our little school as a volunteer and now have the honor of being one of your child's teachers. My family and I moved to the Lake Norman community six years ago. I have four terrific kiddos and a wonderful husband of 23 years. My career in education began over 20 years ago. I have served in just about every role imaginable in public and private school education. One of my most rewarding and memorable journeys led to me teaching kindergarten in my garage during Covid. Our "Garage School Academy" gifted us many lifelong relationships as we all navigated uncertain times together. My free time always involves my family! I love watching my daughter cheer games, both of my boys play lacrosse, and I am always making memories with all of my loveys!

Melany Arjona

Family and Development Liaison

I am a wife and mother of three girls. As they get older I found myself with more time on my hands. I started volunteering at La Escuelita because I was drawn by the stories of the children they help and also with the potential of spending time with them in the classroom. What started as a small volunteer part turned into the most beautiful experience. I love meeting the families and helping them in any way I can like translating and planning workshops.

Pat Shaw

Founder

I am a founding board member of La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool. After fifteen years directing the Pathology Department at Presbyterian Hospital, I chose to share my love of hands-on science with eager children. My "second career" in early childhood education includes a year on a charter committee and 17 years in preschool roles. My fascination with the nascent preschool brain and how children learn led me to develop our science curriculum. Being at La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool is a joy and a blessing. I live in Davidson with my husband Brian who teaches at Davidson College. We take pleasure in traveling, taking long walks with our dogs, reading, and cooking. We have two grown sons.

Edna Wyatt

Community Engagement Coordinator

My role with Escuelita is to carry the vision of our program into the Hispanic community. At Escuelita, we recognize that parents are their child's first and primary teacher. However, a successful future opens not only with a strong preschool foundation but also with educational programming for the entire family. I share fun and useful monthly workshops that help parents navigate the world of child-rearing. I am originally from Colombia, SA and I understand the obstacles an immigrant can face and the necessary cultural and language adjustments. I am a registered nurse by training and a homemaker. I live in Davidson with my husband, James. We are both board members of La Escuelita. We have three grown children and two dogs. I love to travel, hike, and cook.

Mary Shook

Financial Officer

Teachers

Daniela Aloise

Teacher, Three-year-old class

My name is Daniela Aloise, and I'll be your child's preschool teacher assistant this year. I love working with young children and I'm excited to help your child learn and grow. We'll have lots of fun learning activities, art projects, and time to play outside. Our classroom will be a happy, safe place for your child to explore and make friends.

I am married to my wonderful husband, Cristian. We have one beautiful daughter, Julia, who is currently attending La Escuelita. I have 4 years of experience working with young children at King's Keep Learning Center. I've also had the opportunity to work with children through my church. I've volunteered in the children's ministry at Grace Covenant Church.

Lavonne Dimitroff

Teacher, Three-year-old class

I joined the Escuelita family in the 2017-2018 school year. I have a degree in early childhood development from Northeastern University in Chicago and have taught preschool for over 8 years. Before coming to La Escuelita, I worked as a substitute teacher in Florida for Title 1 schools in grades K-3. Teaching at La Escuelita has been the most amazing and rewarding experience for me. Escuelita families are caring and loving, and I am grateful for this bond that sustains us all. Collectively we nourish and support your child to provide a strong foundation for their success. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my 3 grown daughters and their families. My weekends are active with gardening and learning to play golf with my husband!

Chris Joseph

Teacher, Three-year-old class

Hi! My name is Chris Joseph and the children can call me Ms .Chris. I am thrilled to be joining the La Escuelita Preschool family. I can't wait to meet the children and watch them learn and grow. Our classroom will be a happy and loving environment for your child.
I am married and have 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren. My degree is in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. I have 18 years teaching preschool- my last 14 years were at Davidson United Methodist Preschool. My passion is to teach and be surrounded by young children.

Hannah Matos

Teacher, Four-year old
and Afternoon Classes Social Media Consultant

I joined the La Escuelita team during the 2023-2024 school year as a Davidson Fellow and am grateful to continue working alongside our dedicated staff to serve our students and families in and outside the classroom. My favorite part about working at La Escuelita is engaging with families and walking alongside children as they learn about themselves and discover the world around them. I graduated from Davidson College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and a minor in Educational Studies. My experiences in early childhood education range from coordinating preschool summer day camp to providing one-on-one literacy tutoring to first and second graders! I love the Spanish language and working with bilingual learners. Before coming to La Escuelita, I spent a year teaching English in Madrid, Spain! I am passionate about education and enjoy reading, baking, being outside and spending time with friends.

Maru Pargas

Teacher, Four-year old and Afternoon Classes

La Escuelita has been a fundamental part of my family. It has been a happy place where my daughters have grown and learned through hands-on science. I graduated in Venezuela with a degree in Engineering. The last few years I have dedicated to being a full time mom. In 2023, I was thrilled when La Escuelita gave me the opportunity to join the group of teachers. Working with children has become an enriching and rewarding experience for me. I am eager to improve my skills and I seek to make classes engaging and impactful for our students. I want all children to be successful and have the positive experience my daughters did. In my spare time I love being with my family and friends, eating out and enjoying a good movie.