Early Childhood Education

• Annual Early Learning Conference
• Course Listings
• Degrees, Programs and Certificates
• Faculty
• Florida Credentialing
• Registration Information

Full-Time Employees

Maritza Mendez

Maritza Mendez is the career program ddvisor for the Early Childhood Education Department at Seminole State College. Mendez serves as a liasion between Student Affairs and the Early Childhood Department by meeting with each student to register for college and creating their program plan of study.

In Mendez's younger years, she earned the "Youth of the Year" award from the Boys and Girls Club in Orlando. She has carried that community spirit forward in her interest to help all students reach their academic goals.

Mendez holds a master's degree in adult education and training. She is a member of the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers (FloridaACE) and the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC). She brings with her over a decade of experience in higher education.

Full-Time Faculty

Nana Robertson, Program Manager

Dr. Nana Robertson is the program manager for the Early Childhood Education Department at Seminole State College of Florida. She holds a doctorate degree in higher education leadership with special emphasis in early ehildhood education. Dr. Robertson has a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Preschool Education. She received an Endowed Teaching Chair Award in 2008.

Dr. Robertson has 30 years of experience in early childhood settings. She has worked as a preschool teacher, childcare center director and supervisor of 50 childcare centers throughout the Southeastern United States. She also has served as a Child Development Associate (CDA) representative for the National Council in Washington, D.C., and a CDA advisor for Seminole State students for the past 10 years.

Adjunct Professors

Professor Bettye Ettinger

Bettye Ettinger holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in early dhildhood education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Guidance and Counseling from Rollins College.

Mrs. Ettinger has nearly 50 years of experience in Early Childhood Education (with a brief hiatus to have children) from teaching first grade in both Seminole and Orange County District Schools, to being a full-time instructor in the Early Childhood Department at Seminole State, to educational eoordinator for 4C Head Start in Seminole and Osceola counties and for Early Start in Seminole, Osceola and Orange counties.  She teaches the Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) course for the Florida Equivalency Certificate at Seminole State.  She also serves as a professional development dpecialist for the National Council for Professional Development (CDA). Ettinger has presented at the local, state and regional Education of Young Children (EYC) conferences.

Professor Laurie Mealor

Laurie Mealor holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Exceptional Student Education from the University of Florida and an Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Early Childhood Special Education with an emphasis in infant/toddler development from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has focused her educational efforts within the community, classroom, school and hospital settings and also toward faith-based family support. She has served as a volunteer and board member for various education organizations.

Professor Mealor's experience and efforts have led to the creation and implementation of parent and family services, direct early childhood classroom instruction, program management and operations, and professional development workshops, seminars and conferences all with an emphasis on infants, toddlers, preschoolers and young children.  She has been a part of the Seminole State Early Childhood Department since 2011.

Professor Dawn Bonilla

Dawn Bonilla began her education career at Seminole State, earning a double associate degree in education and management. She later received her bachelor's degree in early childhood development and leadership from Rasmussen College. She is currently enrolled at Walden University, pursuing a master's degree in early childhood studies, with plans to graduate in Fall 2017. For more than 15 years, she has worked with families in the Central Florida area as a preschool teacher, assistant director, program curriculum specialist and quality team leader.

Gretchen McCallister

Gretchen McCallister has been a part of the education profession for over 30 years. She has a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Central Florida and has taught preschool, elementary school, high school, and college classes. She has been an adjunct instructor at Seminole State since 2001, teaching in the Early Childhood Education and ABE/GED departments. She also works as a tutor in her spare time. McCallister loves teaching all ages, but has a passion for teaching and learning about our youngest students.

Anne Masterson

Anne Masterson has spent the past 14 years involved in preschool education as a teacher and curriculum specialist in a large childcare center in Seminole County. Along with being involved in preschool education, Masterson has taught in higher education for the past eight years. She is active in her community and serves on the Early Learning Coalition Board in Seminole County. Masterson has her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Education and Psychology and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University.

Angela Subbert

Angela Subbert has spent the past 15 years as a teacher in Seminole County. She brings to the classroom her experience in special education, primary education and as a reading specialist. Subbert is certified as a teacher in elementary education, special education, and Pre-K Exceptional Student Education (ESE). Subbert also has her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from the University of Eastern Kentucky.

Part-Time Employees

Tanya Rose

Tanya Rose is the early dhildhood grant coordinator for the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County and Seminole State College. This position gives her the opportunity to coordinate the annual Early Childhood Conference, curriculum fair, parent workshops, and the provider and parent newsletters for local childcare providers and their families.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Human Services with a focus on family and child development from Auburn University and has an Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Children’s Medical Services. Along with her education, Rose has nearly 20 years of experience working in early childhood education, child development and parent education.

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