ADVANTAGE ELA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( Marion )
Abigail Crabtree grew up in a tiny village called Waldo, Ohio. Abigail has babysat and nannied since she was 11 years old and has worked in childcare education for 7 years. She has earned her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from "The" Ohio State University.
Abigail is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family and watching OSU football and the Cincinnati Bengals. She is currently engaged and is planning her amazing wedding. Abigail has a 20 lb. cat named Jax, and loves country music.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( Marion )
Ashley Puckett grew up in the small town of North Lewisburg, where she currently lives with her fiancé and kids. She was involved in 4H and softball growing up and is now active in the same thing with her children.
She has always known she wanted to be in the educational field since she was young. In high school, at a young age she started babysitting and has worked in daycares in previous years. Ashley graduated from Mechanicsburg High School and looks forward to continuing her experience and education in the educational field.
Ashley loves to spend time with her family. She loves to watch her kiddos show and ride their two horses, and loves to watch and play softball and baseball with them. She also enjoys going to the park, the zoo and just being outside soaking up the sunshine with them and her fiancé.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( in Training ) ( Marysville )
Autumn Stanley was born on a military base in Havelock, North Carolina, but was raised in Marion, Ohio after her father left the military. A year after graduating high school, she decided that she wanted to get out of fast food and do something fun, but make money while doing it. Child Care was the answer to that. Little did she know, it would become more than something that was just fun for her.
After a couple of years of being at a center in Marion, she received her CDA for the preschool age group. Although the preschool aged children were always her preferred age group, she spent a lot of time in each age group from 6 weeks to five years-old. In 2018, Autumn began taking online courses for her Associate's in Early Childhood Education through the University of Cincinnati where she graduated in 2022. After 8 years at the same center, she knew that she was ready for a new work family where she could continue to grow, learn, and make a difference.
In her spare time, you can find her chasing her two-year-old, King, around. He is the light of her life, as well as her bonus son, Jaxxon. Autumn loves reading and going to the beach.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( Gahanna )
Chuck Edwards has worked in childcare for 8+ years in various roles. He has had a lot of training and education in child development. Mr. Edwards attended COTC for training.
Chuck grew up in Reynoldsburg and played Football during High school. He has been married to his wife Christine for 8 years great years and counting. The Edwards family is excited to welcome their first child Zoe in July. His has two older sisters Stephanie and April, also a sister and brother in law. He has five nephews and two nieces.
Something interesting about Mr. Edwards is after High school he went to Seattle, Washington to train to be a stunt man for Hollywood. He enjoys traveling and cruising with family; ask him about his most recent trip to the UK. Chuck enjoys playing video games in his free time.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( in Training ) ( South Columbus )
Gladys Thomas was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Bishop Hartley High School. Gladys has been working with children since she was 13 years old, watching kids on the weekend and over the summers. She's earned her CDA credential and is currently working on getting a degree in early childhood education.
Job Titles:
- Director Special Projects
Jennifer Weigand has always known that she wanted to be in the education field. She began babysitting at a young age, moved to volunteering at Safety Town each summer for four years and eventually headed to college to earn her Bachelor's degree in teaching. She graduated from Capital University with dual licensures in Early Childhood Education (K-3) and Special Education (K-12). She also has a Reading Endorsement (K-12) and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration.
Jennifer has taught at-risk populations for 10 years and is passionate about giving ALL students and their families the tools to be successful in a changing world that is driven by technology. Jennifer believes in not only teaching reading, writing and math but also social-emotional skills such as regulating emotions, working with others, and managing conflict.
She has completed over 100 hours of trauma-informed training that she hopes to integrate into Advantage Early Learning Academy. Jennifer loves to spend her free time reading, playing with her three dogs, and spending time with her three children and husband Scott. Jennifer loves Harry Potter, giraffes, and taking pictures.
Jordan Whitehead was born and raised in Columbus Ohio; and is a graduate of Marion Franklin High School. Knowing at a very young age that she wanted to work in Early Childcare; she completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She is also working towards getting her degree in Early Childhood Education.
Jordan has been in Early Childcare since 2013. She joined the AELA family in 2019 as a lead teacher and has worked in various other positions. She has a passion for children and curriculum development. What is most important to her is to set up each child to receive an amazing start in their academic career; to set them up for great success from Kindergarten to Adulthood. By teaching each child about self reliance, independence and to use their words correctly and how to share and maintain friendships. She is looking forward to collaborating with our families and community to help build an amazing future!
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator ( Marion )
Katie Paden grew up in Juneau, Alaska. She has worked with special needs kids, as well as with kids that have behavior issues. She was a special education paraeducator in Alaska from 2018-2021.
In her spare time she loves spending time with her fiancé, nephew, sister, and her two puppies. Anything outside or with water is a fun time!
Marissa Abbott grew up in Canal Winchester and now lives in Marysville with her family. She began babysitting at a young age and volunteered in Sunday school with all age groups which led her to find a passion in childcare. She currently has her CDA and has her bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University in Education Studies.
While attending school, Marissa has worked in childcare in multiple facets and has experience in all age groups from infants to school age. After many years of working in centers, she knew childcare was where she belonged. Marissa has worked her way up within our company from substitute teacher to Executive Director. Marissa's passion is creating an environment for all students to learn and grow.
In her free time, Marissa loves to spend time with her three daughters and husband in the garden, reading, and exploring local places.
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator ( Marysville )
Megan Cunningham was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. As the oldest of nine, she has been helping kids her entire life. Beginning when her mom ran an in-home daycare to fostering and ultimately adopting her five youngest siblings. Megan went on to work in childcare herself for almost three years before having her first child with her high school sweetheart and fiance. After taking some time off to be home with her two girls, Megan came back to the childcare field. Both her girls attend Advantage and are always excited to see their teachers and friends.
Megan is currently working on obtaining her CDA and loves to work with kids, helping them to learn and grow. She is an avid reader and a fan of bright colors and sunshine. In her downtime, you can find her with her nose buried in her Kindle or at the park with her kids.
Job Titles:
- Director ( in Training ) ( Marysville )
- Director Marysville Ohio
After graduating from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education, Annie went on to teach 2 nd and 3 rd grades in North Carolina. After that, she moved back to Ohio and began teaching in childcare centers around the greater Columbus area. Currently, Annie is working to complete her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
In her spare time, Annie loves spending time with her two kiddos and just enjoying every little moment of life.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director ( South Columbus )
Dayza Morales grew up in Zanesville Ohio and graduated from Zanesville High school after high school she graduated LaRock Healthcare Academy with her associates in Phlebotomy / Nursing .
After college she worked as an assistant director for a year and got promoted to Director, She is currently going back to school for her bachelors in nursing.
In Dayza's her free time, she loves to spend time with her son and work on her circuit . Dayza's passion is working with kids and watching them grow and learn .
Job Titles:
- Director ( Gahanna )
- Director Gahanna Ohio
Leo Green, a native of St. Catherine, Jamaica has been caring for the children since 2012. Leo specializes in the infant curriculum and gross motor skills. Leo has worked with all age groups and has served as the Lead Teacher over all classrooms. As Assistant Director of Advantage Early Learning Academy Leo is eager to build an excellent foundation of learning for our community through
In her free time, Leo enjoys cooking, spending time with family especially her three boys, and shopping.
Scott Weigand was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio and graduated from Lakewood High School. After high school, Scott served in the United States Marine Corps. Scott has spent the last 18+ years as an executive focused on human resources, operations, and special project management.
Scott is a firm believer in education and the right of a quality education for everyone. He understands that knowledge can open doors to create a better quality of life and has worked hard to build a strong educational foundation for himself. Scott has an Associates in Business, a Bachelors with a dual major in Human Resources Management and Business administration, and a Masters degree in Business Administration. Mr. Weigand holds over 10 professional certifications.
When Scott is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He has three elementary-aged children, a daughter who has her black belt in taekwondo, a son who loves building with legos and his youngest daughter who loves to play outside. Scott enjoys going to dinner and movies with his wife, playing video games, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator ( Gahanna )
Selassie Adehe, a native of West Africa, Ghana ventured to the Bronx, NY (where her younger brother was born) when she was young and somehow ended up in Ohio. She is a lover of all things healing, nature, knowledge and understanding. In her spare time she enjoys being a mother to her son and working on her handmade Crochet business making beautiful, custom one a kind pieces for any member of the family. She also spends time reading, and learning how to better help communicate and understand each kid who she comes into contact.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director ( South Columbus )
Sharika Wallace grew up in New Orleans Louisiana and Graduated from Riverdell high school after high school. Sharika started working in daycare about 10 years ago , she took a break from daycare To be a Behavior specialist manager for 5 years then returned back to daycare to be an Assistant director which she loved and enjoy doing .
In Sharika's free time she likes to spend time with her 2 daughters and going on adventures to different parks
Job Titles:
- Office Assistant
- Office Administrator ( South Columbus )
Twila Fultz was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Linden McKinley High School in 1976.
Initially Ms. Twila worked at the Huntington National Bank as a foreign currency teller, then for the State of Ohio Department of Insurance. In 1990 she found that her true passion in fostering children.
Ms. Twila welcomed over 200 children, newborns to teenagers, into her home. Some were permanent placements and most were respite (temporary) placements; even adopting two of the placements. Foster care and adoption has enriched Twila's life and helped her to be more a compassionate human being. She says, "Honestly, it feels good to help and know that you have forever touched the life of a child."
Currently, Ms. Twila works as an Office Assistant at Advantage Early Learning Academy. When she is not working, she enjoys going to the movies, watching television, shopping on-line, listening to gospel music, playing games on her iPad, and spending time with her grandchildren. She is also a member of the Sound Technion team at her church.