Meet Us
Discovery Child Development was founded in 2010 in Morrisville, North Carolina. At the time, Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott was searching for a preschool for her son near her home in Cary. She decided to use her experience as both a teacher and a researcher to open her own center. She envisioned a place where students would come excited to learn each day, and could connect what they learn in the classroom to the outside world. The center opened with two classrooms and has grown each year. In the winter of 2014, Discovery moved into a brand new building. The school is now accredited through SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)/CASI (Council on Accreditation and School Improvement), an accreditation division of AdvancED. Accreditation is a voluntary method of self-evaluation and continuous improvement. The evaluation team commended the school on its strong sense of community, teacher quality and its supportive learning environment.
Discovery Child Development Center has a unique project-based curriculum. The project approach provides children the opportunity to study topics in-depth and integrates content knowledge throughout the projects. Students learn in an authentic way and are able to connect what they are learning to the world around them. They also learn how to ask questions and develop strategies for finding answers to their questions. Children at Discovery are seen as active learners who learn through discovery, play, manipulation of objects and interactions with peers and teachers.
Discovery Child Development Center has a unique project-based curriculum. The project approach provides children the opportunity to study topics in-depth and integrates content knowledge throughout the projects. Students learn in an authentic way and are able to connect what they are learning to the world around them. They also learn how to ask questions and develop strategies for finding answers to their questions. Children at Discovery are seen as active learners who learn through discovery, play, manipulation of objects and interactions with peers and teachers.
Teachers
Ms. Tara and Ms. Emily - Young Preschool Teaching Team
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Emily Valentine - Young Preschool Lead TeacherHello, I am the lead teacher in the Young Toddler classroom. I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college at Wheelock College in Boston, MA. That is where I got my Bachelors degree in Human Development and Child Life, met my husband, and got married. We moved to NC in 2010.
I have three children, all who went to Discovery! We were very excited to find Discovery and after being a stay at home mom for years, I joined the Discovery team in 2017. I have 18+ years of teaching in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. I also have experience working as a director and contracts manager at programs in Boston. I love working with toddlers and young preschoolers. My passion is working with children and families to help them grow and develop to their full potential. When I am not at school, I am usually driving my kids to their various activities and cheering them on from the sidelines. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and getting outside with my dog, Milo. |
Ms. Namrata and Ms. Priscilla - Half Day Preschool Teaching Team
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Priscilla Garcia - Half Day Preschool Lead TeacherHello! I am originally from Miami, FL and moved to North Carolina while attending N.C. State where I studied Spanish Literature and Psychology. I have been teaching at Discovery Child Development Center for eight years and have absolutely loved every minute! Watching the children grow and absorb so much knowledge everyday is incredibly rewarding. Before I was lead teacher in the 3's room, I was one of the Spanish teachers. Bringing a different language and culture to the kids is such a wonderful feeling. They soak up so much at this age and I am grateful to be able to contribute to that.
My husband and I have two kids, who have both attended Discovery . When I am not at school, you will most likely find me at the soccer field with my daughter or at home cooking and baking with my family. |
Ms. Aparna and Ms. Aditi - Preschool Teaching Team
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Aparna Amarnath - Half Day Preschool Lead TeacherMy name is Aparna Amarnath and I am proud to be part of the Discovery team. Teaching is my passion and I have been teaching young children since 2004. To me, time spent with children is precious and I try to make it meaningful. My desire is to pique their curiosity and bring lessons to life by providing interactive and sensory activities. It is a privilege to teach children in their early years and my goal is to make school an exciting, wonder-filled magical experience. I strive to broaden their horizons and nurture their individual gifts while providing them with the tools to receive and process new information. Building a sense of community is vital at this age, I believe in celebrating and drawing attention to the kind and empathetic nature of my class to strengthen bonds. One of the many rewards of being a teacher is getting to know and working together with new families. This ensures effective and continuous communication which is vital to meeting the needs of each and every child. I am always excited to meet my incoming students and begin the wonderful adventure that each August brings.
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Sarika Changedia - Full Day
Preschool Lead Teacher
Ms. Sarika and Ms. Colleen
Full Day Preschool Teaching Team
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I am thrilled to be at Discovery Child Development Center. I grew up in the western part of India. We are a family of four consisting of me, my husband, and our 12 year old twin boys. After studying pharmacy I received a Masters in English literature and have been working with kids for the last 4 years.
Before joining Discovery in 2021, I worked as a substitute teacher for the Wake County Public Schools. I love being around kids, believe that they bring all the positivity in our lives and love to listen to their amazing minds. When I am not working, I love going on hikes or long walks, crocheting, reading, painting, writing, and cooking. |
Ms. Courtenay and Ms. Premila
Half Day PreK Teaching Team
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Courtenay Garver - Half Day Pre-K Lead TeacherI have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and preschool certification. I have been a teacher for over 20 years. Over 10 of those years have been teaching Pre-K. Before coming to teach at Discovery Child Development Center, I taught 2nd Grade at Duke School in Durham. I love teaching using the Project Approach, I was excited to find a preschool close to home that also used this way of teaching. Children investigate high interest topics and have lots of hands- on experiences. They go on field visits, learn to ask questions, collect information, and make observational drawings. It's an exciting way to learn and teach!
I live in Cary with my husband, two daughters, and three cats. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, shopping, spending time with friends, and traveling! |
Ms. Triveni and Ms. Gladys School Day Pre-K Teaching Team
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Triveni Limaye - School Day Pre-K
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Ms. Sunita and Ms. Jyothi - Transitional K /Kindergarten Teaching Team
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Jyothi Kaushik
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Administrative Staff
Mike Dlott,
Director
Mike has worked with children in a variety of settings. In college, he spent two summers working with preschoolers at a YMCA summer program in Massachusetts. During his junior year at Tufts University, he
co-founded an after-school program for local elementary school children aimed at promoting fitness and health.
In addition, he spent a semester in Washington D.C. studying the effects of Head Start preschool programs and the children who attend them. After graduation, Mike returned to Washington D.C. where worked for the American Institutes for Research and participated in a number of educational research studies and served as Youth Coordinator for the Technical Assistance Partnership. As Youth Coordinator, Mike was responsible for creating curriculum and coordinating activities for students attending national conferences.
In 2003, Mike returned to school as a graduate student at Duke University and received a Masters of Arts in Teaching and used his degree at the middle and high school levels. In addition to teaching, he has been a
service-learning lead instructor coordinating and managing teachers at schools and summer programs. Many of these projects have included working with elementary and preschool students.
Mike is the proud father of three young boys and resides with his family in Cary. He serves as the director for
Discovery Child Development Center.
co-founded an after-school program for local elementary school children aimed at promoting fitness and health.
In addition, he spent a semester in Washington D.C. studying the effects of Head Start preschool programs and the children who attend them. After graduation, Mike returned to Washington D.C. where worked for the American Institutes for Research and participated in a number of educational research studies and served as Youth Coordinator for the Technical Assistance Partnership. As Youth Coordinator, Mike was responsible for creating curriculum and coordinating activities for students attending national conferences.
In 2003, Mike returned to school as a graduate student at Duke University and received a Masters of Arts in Teaching and used his degree at the middle and high school levels. In addition to teaching, he has been a
service-learning lead instructor coordinating and managing teachers at schools and summer programs. Many of these projects have included working with elementary and preschool students.
Mike is the proud father of three young boys and resides with his family in Cary. He serves as the director for
Discovery Child Development Center.
Poonam Sharma,
School Admissions and Operations Director
Pooman started at Discovery back in 2014 when her 2 yr old joined the young preschool class and there has been no looking back! She loved the school as a parent and now is a HUGE part of the Discovery family. She manages school admissions, operations, and helps kids in the classrooms when needed. She is passionate about helping kids learn and thrive, and at the same time, help maintain positive relationships with the parents, school staff, and associated support functions. Pooman received her bachelors degree with Honors in English Literature and Masters degree in English Literature from India. Her broad work experience includes teaching, business management, and sales operations. Spending time with her family, reading books, working out, and going shopping a few of the things she love to do. "The most beautiful thing to have ever happened in my life is being a mom to my amazing, energetic, adventurous, and full of life daughter!"
Alejandra Livas-Dlott, PhD,
Founder and Advisory Board Member
Since a young age, Alex has shown a great passion for schools, teaching and working with young children. Alex received her BA in Child Development from Tufts University. At Tufts, she worked in a Head Start preschool classroom as well as a private, research-based preschool based at the child development department at Tufts University. In addition to her studies and classroom work at Tufts, Alejandra co-founded and participated in an after-school program for young children that promoted movement and physical education. Upon graduation, Alejandra became a kindergarten and first grade teacher as a Teach for America corps member. While teaching, Alejandra realized the importance of returning to school to further her expertise in theory, research and practice. Alex returned to graduate school where she earned an MA and PhD in Education from the University of California, Berkeley. While at graduate school, Alex worked with families and young children in research settings and furthered her expertise in child, family and classroom theory, policy and assessment. After graduate school, Alejandra worked with a professor at UNC’s School of Education to co-create a parent outreach program that helped Latino families with the transition into kindergarten. In addition to her work with families and young children, her favorite time is spent with her husband, three sons and dog.
