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. Ivelisse and Ms. Emily - Young Preschool Room Teachers
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Emily Valentine - Young Preschool Lead TeacherHello, I am Emily Valentine, lead teacher in the Young Toddler classroom. I grew up in central Pennsylvania, then went to college at Wheelock College in Boston, MA where I earned my BA in Human Development and Child Life. During the 10 years I lived in Boston after graduating, I taught in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms and was a center director. In Boston, I met and married my husband and had my oldest 2 children. I then took a hiatus from teaching to be a stay at home mom. In 2010, my family moved to Cary where we eventually became foster parents and adopted our 3rd child. We were thrilled to find Discovery for our children. I was instantly hooked on the environment and philosophy of the school. I even told my husband that when I went back to teaching, Discovery was where I wanted to teach. I love that all 3 of my children will be Discovery graduates. In 2017, Discovery welcomed me as a teacher. My passion is working with young children and families and to help them grow and develop to their full potential. When I am not at school, I can most likely be found on the sidelines of my children’s sporting events. I also enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and photography. |
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Priscilla Garcia - half day preschool lead teacher (bio coming soon) |
Ms. Aparna and Ms. Gladys - Preschool Teachers
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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, and 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 - preschool full day lead teacher
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 10 year old twin boys. I hold a masters in English literature. I 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 and I believe that they bring all the positivity in our lives. I love to listen to their amazing minds. When I am not working, I love to go on hikes or long walks. I love crocheting, reading, painting, writing and cooking.
Before joining Discovery in 2021, I worked as a substitute teacher for the Wake County Public Schools. I love being around kids and I believe that they bring all the positivity in our lives. I love to listen to their amazing minds. When I am not working, I love to go on hikes or long walks. I love crocheting, reading, painting, writing and cooking.
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COURTENAY GARVER - HALF DAY PRE-K LEAD TeacherI am the lead teacher for the Pre-k class. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a certificate to teach preschool. 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 at Duke School in Durham. I loved using the Project Approach so I was so excited to find a preschool close to home that also used this way of teaching. Children investigate topics thoroughly based on their interests 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 of learning and teaching! I live in Cary with my husband, two daughters and two cats. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, shopping, spending time with friends and I wish I could say exercising!
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Ms. Sanja and Ms. Aparna - School Day Pre-k Teachers
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Sanja subasic - School day Pre-K teacherI grew up in a beautiful city called Banja Luka in Europe and moved to the United States in 1996. Teaching has always been my passion and joy. I have been working as a preschool teacher and director for more than ten years. I received an ESL (English as a Second Language) Teaching Certificate from Wake Tech Community College. I currently volunteer as a tutor helping non- native English speakers with English.
I believe that every day creates new teaching moments. To me, childhood is a journey, not a race, and I am grateful to be a part of each child’s journey. I also believe that basic educational disciplines and hands-on activities taught in a positive environment yield happy, well-rounded children. My personal goal is to provide a safe, creative, warm, and challenging atmosphere in the classroom. Positive communication between parents and teachers is extremely important to me. I am excited to be part of the Discovery Child Development Center and am always looking forward to working with your child. |
Ms. Jyothi, and Ms. Sujata - TK Teaching Team
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Jyothi Kaushik
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Administrative Staff
Mike Dlott
Director
Mike Dlott has worked with children in a variety of different 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 on children. After graduation Mike returned to Washington D.C. and worked for the American Institutes for Research where he participated in a number of educational research studies and he also 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. Mike has taught at the middle and high school levels. In addition to teaching, he has coordinated and managed teachers at schools and summer programs as a service-learning lead instructor. 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. Mike serves as the director for Discovery Child Development Center.
Poonam sharma, School admissions and operations director
I started my time at Discovery back in 2014 when my then 2 yr old joined the young preschool class, and there has been no looking back! I have loved this school as a parent and I love being a part of the Discovery family, managing school admissions, operations, and interacting /assisting kids in the classrooms when needed. I am 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. I received my bachelors degree with Honors in English Literature, and Masters degree in English Literature from India, and have broad work experience in teaching, business management, and sales operations. Spending time with my family, reading books, working out, and going shopping are the things I 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.
