STATION - Key Persons
Our Education Coach, Aileen Wells, grew up in the small town of Oswego with a large family. She came to Buffalo to pursue her college education and studied psychology and early childhood education. She found passion for the early childhood field, combining her love for education and enjoying all the creative outlets the field allows her. She loves that her job allows her to make a positive impact on families in our area every day. Aileen lives in Lancaster with her family and enjoys backpacking, summer days by the water, and pizza nights around the table.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- Area Director of Operations
Our Operations Manager, Alyssa Schreiber Mullen, grew up in Java Lake, NY and then went on to study Mild/Moderate Educational Needs K-12 and Music Education. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Education from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. During her time in Ohio, Alyssa taught Special Education for several years, maintained a studio of 50 private violin and piano students and then went on to run a Kindermusik program which received the "Top Program" award four years in a row. When Alyssa is not working, she enjoys camping with her family and traveling!
Job Titles:
- Center Director
- Director
- LeRoy Director
Job Titles:
- Alden Director
- Our Alden Director
, earned an Associate's degree in General Studies at ECC before attending Buffalo State College to Pursue her passion in Childhood Education. Erica married her high school sweetheart in 2013, and has three very wonderful children. Erica has an immense passion and dedication to provide a safe, fun, educational and family-oriented environment. In her spare time, Erica enjoys spending time with her family and being goofy with her kids.
Our Batavia Director, MaKayla Stappenbeck, has been with the company for four years. She holds an Associates Degree in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Disabilities from Genesee Community College. She is currently working on her bachelor's degree at SUNY Brockport. MaKayla has a beautiful family with a three-year-old daughter, who keeps her on her toes. MaKayla has grown a love and passion for early childhood education. Her goal working in this field is to help children reach and grow to their full potential.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Batavia Assistant Director
- Our Batavia Assistant Director
Our Batavia Assistant Director, Hannah Miller, has been with Imagination Station for over a year. She holds an Associate's degree in health care from Finger Lakes Community College, and has over 7 years of child care experience. She and her husband and have a one-year-old daughter, so there is never a dull moment in their household! Hannah strives to provide a warm, welcoming, and safe environment while encouraging and supporting each child to overcome obstacles to the best of their abilities!
Our LeRoy Director, Angelica Rose Acosta, has been with the company for a year. She started as a Team Lead and Lead Preschool Teacher for our Batavia center, and later became a Floating Director for all of our centers. She holds a degree in Spanish and English Translation and Interpretation from ´Universidad Mariano Galvez de Guatemala´ and an international TESOL certification to teach English to speakers of other languages. During her time in Guatemala, both she and her husband opened a General Mechanic and Autobody Garage in Guatemala City. She also worked in Outsourcing as an ESL/EFL and Brand/Product Facilitator for Adult learners, and later moved to supporting Colombia, Guatemala, India and the U.S. as a Business Development Specialist. She hopes to provide students and teachers an equal opportunity to learn, discover and explore together.
Job Titles:
- Center Director
- Batavia Director
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Lancaster Assistant Director
Our Lancaster Assistant Director, Samantha Barnes grew up in a small town just outside of the Adirondacks. She moved to Buffalo in 2018 to attend University at Buffalo to pursue a degree in nursing. In 2021 she settled in Alden, after buying her grandparent's house. Sam started at Imagination Station in 2021 as an assistant teacher and discovered her passion for early childhood education. Later she became a lead teacher. She looks forward to helping maintain a loving, fun, and safe environment for your children to grow in! When Sam is not working she enjoys cooking, being outdoors and spending time with her family & two dogs.
Job Titles:
- Program Lead / Admin Support
Shannon Hahn grew up in Alden, NY and has her Assoicates Degree in Elementary Education. She is currently working on her Bachelor's Degree at Western Governors University. Shannon owns a farm and has lots of different animals, including goats, a peacock, chickens and many others. She has grown a love and passion for early childhood education and stives to provide a safe and warm welcoming environment for the children and their families. She enjoys sitting and watching her animals, taking long walks and going on adventures in the summer.
Our Clarence Director, Vicky Bauer has her associate degree in Early Childhood from SUNY Erie. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education/Management. Vicky has worked in the center setting for four years which has fostered her love for the field. She appreciates working on the office side of things as it allows her to meet all families within the center and watch each of the students grow in their very own classroom. In her spare time, Vicky teaches dance to younger children and has been teaching faith formation since she was 16 years old. All in all, she loves trying new restaurants with her fiancé, dancing and traveling.
Our Elma Director, Wendy Filkorn, was born and raised in Alden, NY. She's traveled a bit in her life moving from northern New York to Philadelphia, but moved back to Western New York 21 years ago where she settled her roots in the Boston Valley. Wendy has a Bachelors in Elementary Education/Early Childhood from the State University College at Buffalo. She has over 30-years' experience working with children. She's a mother of three and grandmother of three. In her spare time she enjoys camping, music, crafting, and spending time with her family.