About
Our Story
Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School had its beginning in 1959 as the Christian Play School to provide children with a group educational experience since there was no public Kindergarten at the time.
In 1961, the name was changed to the Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday Church School and included nursery school for three and four year olds as well as a Kindergarten program.
In 1984, the School Age Program began with after school pick-up from local schools of a few of our child care children. In 1994, the Kindergarten program was dropped and the two year-old program was started.
In 1996, the school attained National Accreditation through NAEYC. In 2007, the school began to participate in the VPK program, which provides free preschool to children who are 4 years old at the start of the current school year.
In 2010, the school attained National Accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC). We are also considered a Gold Seal provider by the State of Florida. Today we serve 130 children in all of these programs.
Read More About the Mission & Vision of our School
Meet Our Staff
Teaching Since 1997
My favorite thing about TTPWS is the phenomenal staff!
Carrie Gassen
School Director
Teaching Since 1994
I love the fact that I, as well as most of my friends and family, are alumni of TTPWS, and how our amazing school has always been staple in the community.
School Assistant Director
Heather Hulsberg
Teaching Since 2010
I truly enjoy the challenges and opportunities I have faced in teaching. My goal as a teacher is to provide the best environment for both the children and parents and to give my help and love.
Kaaysi McDonald
Lead Teacher/Afterschool Teacher/Coordinator
Years teaching: 33
I love celebrating different holidays with the children and how we all work together as a team!
Rene Kinion
Teacher Assistant/
Afterschool Teacher
Teaching Since 2019
I love TTPWS because the teachers treat all the children, including my own, like family.
Teacher Assistant/Floater
Jessica Fogarty
Years teaching: 13
I love how teaching enriches my life! I enjoy meeting new children each school year and the impact that they have on me.
Caroline Miller
Lead Teacher
Teaching Since 2006
I am passionate about working with and molding the minds of children by mentoring, positively influencing, and guiding younger generations and watching their character development. I love TTPWS because it is such a family-oriented school.
Gregory Boone
Teacher Assistant/Afterschool
Lead Teacher
Teaching Since 2006
My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the confidence grow in each student as they learn new things.
Lead Teacher
Amanda Diaz
Teaching Since 1998
My favorite thing about working at TTPWS is the wonderful management team and being able to have a positive impact on my students and watching their young minds grow!
Michelle Schadt
Lead Teacher
Teaching Since 1992
I love to watch how children learn, grow, and change through educational play, and I love how we strive at TTPWS to become a team to accomplish the goal of educating the next generation.
Carol Ann Nakamura
Teacher Assistant
Years teaching: 7
I love watching children grow and learn. They get so excited when something new clicks. I love how we have each other’s backs.
Floater
Shelley Reid
Teaching Since 2023
It’s a wonderful experience to see the children thrive and evolve
academically and emotionally. I enjoy working in an environment of
caring staff and teachers.
Floater
Michelle Maslyn
Photo Gallery
Teaching Since 2008
I like the positive impact we have on our students and community. One of the most rewarding things about teaching is seeing my students learn and grow in a safe and effective environment.
Yashaira Velez-Rodriguez
Lead Teacher
Years teaching: 9
My favorite thing about teaching is developing bonds with the children and families and arts and crafts!
Teacher Assistant
Caitlin Stanley
Teaching Since 2022
I love getting to work with all different age groups!
Marcelena Santiago
Teacher Assistant
Teaching Since 2018
My favorite thing about TTPWS is that the staff is like one big family
Deanna Wood
Floater/ AfterschoolTeacher Assistant
Teaching Since 2017
My favorite thing about teaching is helping little minds grow and develop.
Teacher Assistant
Regina Wheeler
Years teaching: 23
My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the excitement in the kids when I introduce a new concept.
Wendy Watson
Lead Teacher