Our Staff

Pat Shaw

Director

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

Family Relations 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.

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!

Doris Velásquez

Teacher, Three-year-old Class

I have always delighted in children and this led me to complete my certification in Early Childhood Development and Education. I taught at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Preschool and also in their Sunday School Care for over 7 years. When La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool approached me with a position in 2017, I knew this would be my happy place! I am in love with these children and with my job. The teachers collaborate regularly on our curriculum, workshops, and books. In my free time I really enjoy spending time with my own children and going for long walks.

Maria Martinez

Teacher, Four-year-old class

I love my job and am passionate about working with preschool children. This love led me to complete my certification in Early Childhood Development and Education. We learn together and uncover new things every day. Escuelita has been my happy place since 2016. I delight in discovering the children's skills and talents. Escuelita has a unique curriculum, and the teachers attend workshops to keep up to date on preschool education. Brain development at this age is fascinating. In my free time I enjoy dancing and exercising, taking walks with my children, and spending time with my family doing planned activities.

Jennifer Loher

Teacher, Four-year-old class

I am so excited for this opportunity to be at La Escuelita Bilingual Preschool!  La Escuelita was a wonderful environment for our daughter Grace to prepare for kindergarten.  I graduated from UCONN with a degree in Psychology and Fine Arts and most of my career has been in Human Resources.  Most recently I have been home with my 2 children and volunteering and working as a teacher at La Escuelita and Davidson K-8.  I am a certified yoga instructor and belong to a women's Latin and ballroom dance formation group.  My family and I love to be outside hiking, biking and stand-up paddling.

Michelle Roberts

Curriculum Coordinator

I come to La Escuelita with over twenty years of teaching experience. I started a Discovery Program with a preschool in Indiana. I worked for twelve years alongside Pat Shaw teaching a Science Enrichment Program at Davidson College Presbyterian Church Weekday Preschool. Since coming to La Escuelita, I have taught three-year-old and four-year-old classes and assist with curriculum coordination. I feel my job is to help children find the wonder and joy in learning new things and develop a true love of learning. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.