Meet the Child Development Center Staff

Amy RoseAmy Rose
asrose@johnstoncc.edu

Amy Rose is the JCC Child Development Center Director.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Administration from Western Carolina College. Working in various roles in early childhood, Amy comes to JCC with over 20 years of administration experience and  classroom teaching experience.

Amy has a true passion for children and their families. She enjoys investing in children’s educations and creating close relationships with families. 

Alicia GraceAlicia Grace
aegrace@johnstoncc.edu

Alicia Grace is the Lead Teacher in the “Fireflies” (young toddlers) classroom. She is graduated from the University of Mount Olive with a Bachelor's of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She is also a graduate of the AAS in Early Childhood Education program at Johnston Community College. Alicia has been with the CDC as a practicum student, substitute teacher, assistant teacher, and now a lead teacher with our littlest ones.

 

Roberta CarlsonRoberta Carlson
rjcarlson@johnstoncc.edu

Roberta Carlson is the Lead Teacher of the “Grasshoppers” (older toddlers) classroom. Roberta is a JCC Alumni who graduated from JCC with an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with all ages groups of young children but has a special place in her heart for the 2 year olds.  

Lashai LightbourneLashai Lightbourne
lmlightbourne@johnstoncc.edu

Lashai Lightbourne is the NC-Pre K Lead Teacher. She graduated from Wake Technical Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Child Development at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has been in the field for over 7 years and finds it extremely rewarding to be a part of a child’s growth and development. Her teaching philosophy is that everyone in the classroom contributes as a student, teacher, and thinker.

During her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Amira Kenion Child Development CenterAmira Kenion
alkenion@johnstoncc.edu

Amira Kenion is the Teacher Assistant in the JCC Child Development Center. She has an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and over 5 years of experience with different age children as an early childhood educator. She enjoys being a part of each child’s growth and development that are in her care.



Tashaya MillerTashaya Miller
tmmiller2@johnstoncc.edu

Tashaya Miller is an Teacher Assistant in the JCC Child Development Center. She graduated from Wilson Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She has been in the early childhood field for over 5 years.

 

Tonia PadrickTonia Padrick
tdpadrick@johnstoncc.edu

Tonia D. Padrick is the Department Chair of the Education Programs, which includes overseeing the JCC Child Development Center lab school. She holds a Master of Arts in Education degree in Early Childhood Education. Her academic journey has led her to achieve undergraduate degrees from both the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. 

With over 35 years of experience working directly with young children and aspiring educators, Tonia has had the opportunity to combine her passion of the field with making a real difference in the lives of the children and community she serves. Her accomplishments include becoming a peer reviewer for the NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Commission, and collaborating with local agencies through grants and enterprises to better support the children and families of the Child Development Center and the adult students we serve.