All of our full time employees are required to be registered with West Virginia STARS which mandates that an employee has 18 hours of training on child development every year. We also have our staff certified in First Aid and CPR.
Meet the Staff of FABCare
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Executive Director
Tammy Owens
I have been with FABCare since 1998, when I started as a teacher of a MWF class. The next year, I started working in the office as the Assistant Director and eventually became Director in 2006. I was then named Executive Director in 2014. In June of 2016, I took over a part of the Financial Secretary for the church. In 2017 I became the Financial Director for the child care. I graduated from Marshall University in 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree.
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Operational Director
Karen Harmic
I started in early childcare back in 1989 at another facility where I worked for 14 years with several age groups. God lead me to FAB in 2002 as a toddler teacher. I became an Assistant Director in January 2008 and in August of 2008 I was the Interim Director . I accepted the position as Director in November 2009. I have an Associates Applied Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Degree. I also am a graduate of the ACDS, Apprenticeship Child Development Specialist, program.
Favorite Quote:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future." Jeremiah 29:11
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Nursery Specialist
Linda Jack
I have been at Fifth Avenue Baptist Nursery and Preschool since November 1980. I am also a lifetime member of Philadelphia United Baptist Church in Lavalette, WV. I began my career at FAB as an assistant teacher in our kindergarten room. I worked in the two year old room and then the four year old room as a lead teacher for 15 years. In 1999 the center added an infant room. I moved to this class where I am happy to this day. I earned an Associate Degree from Marshall University in 2005, adding to my ACDS, WVIT, and CDA certificates. One of the most interesting and enjoyable benefits of my lengthy service at FABCare is that I am now caring for the children of many of the students I cared for years ago. I consider it to be a true blessing to see my past students experiencing joy with their own children.
Favorite Quote:
"Today is a good day to have a good day."
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Nutrition Specialist
Audrea Chappell
I grew up on a farm two miles outside of Goue KS, a small town with a population of 78. I have worked at FABCare for about six years. I started as the center's cook, then became a classroom teacher, I took some time off and now I am back as the Nutrition Specialist.
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Younger Infant Classroom Teacher
Danielle Cartwright
I started working for FABCare in May 2010, but I have worked with children since the age of 14. I started working for my mother in her after school program as well as her daycare. I have worked with children from infancy up to 5 years old. I graduated from ACDS in 2012 and completed the West Virginia Infant Toddler course. I received my Associates in Applied Science in 2016 and I am currently working on my Associates in Early Childhood Education.
Favorite Quote:
"In Early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry or idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe." Lydia Sigourney
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Younger Infant Classroom Teacher
Diana Collins
I began working at FABCare in 1999 and prior to that I worked at another child care center for 8 years. I along with Mrs. Linda was the first infant room teachers for the center when FABCare opened it in 1999.
Favorite Quote:
"Do your best and have patience with children and love them."
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Older Infant Classroom Teacher
Angela Elswick
I've always loved children. I began babysitting when I was 9 years old. I began working in the Crawler Classroom in May 2018. I have worked in child care prior to FABCare and volunteered for Cabell County Schools for 18 years. I have my Associates Degree in Medical Assisting.
Favorite Quote:
"I'm especially found of you." Papa from "The Shack"
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Older Infant Classroom Teacher
Carol Fischer
I have worked in early childhood for 25 years. I have an Associate Degree in Early Childhood plus a certificate in ACDS. I have two grown sons and two beautiful granddaughters. I feel fortunate to work with the older toddlers. They are learning so much and we have so much fun.
Favorite Quote:
"Life is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift to God." Hans von Balthasar
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Younger Toddlers Classroom Teacher
Alexis Isaacs
I started working for FABCare on October 26, 2016. Working with young children is an amazing job because, who else gets greeted by eight smiles and hugs each day. I am currently attending Marshall University majoring in Early Childhood Education.
Favorite Quote:
"Not all who wonder are lost."
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Younger Toddlers Classroom Teacher
Donna Slagle
I started my first day at FABCare on March 22, 1976. I started my child care career at FAB and I have loved every minute with the children. During my forty plus years here at FAB I have worked with children as young as 7 months all the way up to 12 years old. I completed the ACDS, Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist, program as well as the West Virginia Infant Toddler program.
Favorite Quote:
"You may thank your life is small, but it can make a huge difference in other people's lives." Author Unknown
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Older Toddler Classroom Teacher
Tanya Brown
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Older Toddlers Classroom Teacher
Kaylynn Angle
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Younger Twos Classroom Teacher
Lauren McGuire
I started at FABCare in November 2016 working part-time in many of the classrooms here. I am currently attending Marshall University for my Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. I love all the different ages here, but I am really excited to start working with the two year old classroom.
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Younger Twos Classroom Teacher
Bethany Owens
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Older Twos Classroom Teacher
Carolyn Workman
I started working at FABCare May 1, 2018 right as I was graduating from Mount West with an Early Education Associates Degree. My previous experience with young children include working in a 2 year-old and 3 year-old classroom at another facility.
Favorite Quote:
"Do unto others the way you want to be treated"
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Older Twos Classroom Teacher
Ashley Lemaster
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Younger Threes Classroom Teacher
Jan Williams
I graduated from Marshall University with a B.A. in Speech and I hold a certificate in ACDS. I am a long time member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church and I am active in the Music Ministry. I started working at FABCare in 2009 and I have worked with toddlers, twos, and threes.
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Younger Threes Classroom Teacher
Jonell Barclay
I have worked at FAB for 14 years. I first found my love of early childhood in college when I had an undecided major. I then took a part-time job at a child care center back in the early 90s. I fell in love with the early childhood profession. Along with my college hours, I completed the ACDS program in 1992. Being an early childhood educator has brought great joy to my life. I enjoy not only helping a child grow and learn, but I also love being able to show the love of God with each one. On a personal note I am married with two children and in my spare time I enjoy my dogs, football, and needle work.
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Older threes/young fours Classroom Teacher
Ashley Wilcoxon
I worked in an After School Program from August 2009 through January 2014. In 2014 I graduated from Marshall University and began working with 3 and 4-year-olds at another child care program. In January 2017 I stated working for FABCare while I was working on my Masters Degree. In April 2017 I began working in the Crawler Classroom at FABCare until June 2018 when I started working with the four-year old classroom. I have my Bachelor Degree in Finance from Marshall University and a Master Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. I also completed the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist and West Virginia Infant Toddler programs.
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older threes/young fours Classroom Teacher
Megan Reynolds
I started as a part-timer in September 2015 at FABCare. I have worked in all the classrooms here. Currently, I am attending Marshall University for my Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Favorite Quote:
"A good laugh recharges your batteries."
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Pre-K Classroom Teacher
Anna Stone
I started working at FABCare as a part-timer right after I graduated high school in May of 2011. As a part-timer I was with many different ages. I accepted the co-teaching position in the infant classroom in June of 2016. In August of 2018 I began working with the Pre-K classroom. I graduated Marshall University with a B.S. in Communication Disorders in 2016. I have a long history at FAB. I attended church here growing up as well as attended FABCare as a young child. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching superhero shows/movies, and teaching dance.
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Pre-K Classroom Teacher
Bretney Bills
I started working for FABCare in August of 2013 with the program's collaborative Cabell County Pre-K. From, 2006 to 2009 I worked as a two year old teacher at another child care facility, but took some time off to complete my degree. I graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelors of Arts and a Masters in Preschool Special Needs.
Favorite Quote:
"Every child deserves a champion- an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." Rita Pierson
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Classroom Teacher
Stephanie Abbess
I have a passion for working with children! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in the 3rd grade, so it is only appropriate that I work at FABCare. I began working at FABCare in August 2016 and I have worked in just about all the classrooms. I am currently attending Marshall University for my Bachelor's in Elementary Education and I hope to make a difference in the children's lives.
Favorite Quote:
"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Winnie the Pooh
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Classroom Teacher
Blake Arvon
I started working at FABCare in June of 2014 in the Summer School Age Program as well as the evenings in the preschool classroom. I also serve in my church's kids ministry and have taught VBS for over 10 years. I graduated Marshall University with my Bachelor's in Secondary Education with effaces in Social Studies.
Favorite Quote:
"With great power comes great responsibility." Spiderman
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Classroom Teacher
Capri Elswick
As a teenager I volunteered at Peyton Elementary and I currently volunteer at Explorer Academy. I worked for Head Start/Early Head Start for 4 years. I started working with FABCare in May 2018 and I am currently attending school for Early Childhood Education.
Favorite Quote:
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Classroom Teacher
Allison Epling
I started working at FABCare in Feb. 2017. I have worked in almost all the classrooms here. I will graduate in December 2018 from Marshall University with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education.
Favorite Quote:
"Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."
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Classroom Teacher
Allison Gergely
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Classroom Teacher
Mallori Goff
I began working at FABCare in June 2018. I love working with children; they teach me about compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love every day. I am currently attending Marshall University for my Master's in Educational Psychology, but I've graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education.
Favorit Quote:
"If you can dream it, you can do it." Walt Disney
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Classroom Teacher
Shianne McMillen
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Classroom Teacher
Katherine Robinson
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Classroom Teacher
Geraldine "Gerry" Smith
I have worked a total of 48 plus years during my lifetime. 45 of those years have been connected with children. I worked 30 years at the Cabell County Public Library, 12 years at Spring Valley High School, and 3 years here at FABCare. I started working at FABCare on August 19, 2013. I also teach Sunday School for children in kindergarten through fifth grade here at Fifth Avenue Baptist. I worked with our youth group for four years prior to teaching younger children.
Favorite Quote:
"If it is to be it is up to me."
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Substitute Teacher
Lou Spears
I began subbing for FABCare in 2014 and I have been in every classroom here. I have also been the Sunday School Teacher at my church for 56 years.
Favorite Quote:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalms 23:1