UNF Preschool Staff

Director 

mahreen.mian@unf.edu 

     Ms. Mahreen Mian is the Director of the UNF Preschool, she has a Master in Health Administration and a Bachelor in Business Administration from University of North Florida. She also has a second Bachelor in English Literature and Geography from Kinnaird College in Pakistan. Ms. Mian also has a Florida Teaching Certificate in Pre-k Primary through third grade and a National Child Development Associate (CDA). Ms. Mahreen has also completed her Director’s Credential with a VPK endorsement.     Along with a multitude of certificates and trainings in early childhood, Ms. Mahreen has also received formal training in "Conscious Discipline" which trains teachers to provide choices to children and to redirect children in a positive manner. Ms. Mian has assisted UNF faculty and staff in research related to curriculum and has also had the opportunity to present on various topics in Early childhood classes at UNF. In 2010 Ms. Mian received the Spot Award from UNF for her extraordinary leadership skills.  

Jennifer Fuller   

Assistant Director  

jennifer.fuller@unf.edu

  Mrs. Jennifer Fuller is the Assistant Director at the UNF Preschool. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Education specializing in Elementary Education, and is currently working on her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. She has spent her entire post college career working in the child care field, ranging from being a teacher in classrooms with children from infant age through VPK, where she has been a lead teacher. She has also held the position as Curriculum Coordinator/Director at other schools in the Jacksonville area. Her passion is to education and she is delighted when she sees them learn new concepts.     

Office Manager 

l.tappin@unf.edu

Mrs. Luci Tappin is the Office Manager at the UNF Preschool. She has an Associates in Arts from Florida Community College of Jacksonville. She has worked the past 23 years as the Business Administrator for Palms Preschool & Chilc Care Center. She looks forward to working at UNF Preschool for many years to come.

 Office Assistant 

l.harris@unf.edu

 

    Ms. Latoya is a Senior at UNF, and majoring in Chemistry with a minor in American Sign Language. She has been working at the UNF Preschool for 4 years and she really enjoys being here and working with children! 

 Lead Teachers

   Bears Lead Teacher 

 Mrs. Sheila Mastriana, has a child Development Associate (CDA), CPR and First Aid training and has worked with young children for over 28 years. She is proficient in all our curricula and assessment systems and has been through NAEYC accreditation. She is originally from Dunoon Scotland, UK but has lived in Florida for over 21 years with her husband. She has four daughters, 1 son and 14 grandchildren.

   Manatees Lead Teacher 

Ms. Brianna is from Ft. Lauderdale and has her National CDA, CPR and First Aid training.  She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has worked with children for over 6 years and loves making learning fun for them!

Cardinals Lead Teacher

 Assistant Teachers

  Melissa Leone 

  Cardinals Assistant Teacher

    I began my career in childcare in 2011 by working with children ranging in age from six weeks old to sixth grade. My primary focus has been with preschool age children. I recently celebrated my first year at CDRC since being hired January 2015. Beyond holding a National CDA since 2012, I plan to continue my college education. On the weekends I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two sons.

Heena Khakhar

Bears Assistant Teacher  

Louis Ashley

Dolphins Assistant Teacher 

 I began my working life in the military, and various supervisory roles in management. Six years ago I began working in the childcare field in West Virginia. I held various positions in the county and school system and headstart, including Lead and Assistant teacher, long and short term aide for Pre-K-12th grade, and instructional support for all ages of special needs. I have an Associate of Arts degree from FSC of Jacksonvile, Austism 1 & 2 Certificates from Marshall University, and I am a former UNF student.
I am a married, father of two sons, who enjoys traveling, sports, and any family time activity. Raising a son with special needs has fostered a strong passion for working with children of all background and abilities.

Part- Time Teaching Assistants  

Afroz Sultana

 I have a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Dhaka,Bangladesh. I have 24 years teaching experience with children of different age groups. I really want to help children enjoy their day at school, and help to set them on the right path for life. I love working with young children.

Jessica Whiting

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am from Daytona Beach, Florida and currently a senior at the University of North Florida working toward my Bachelors Degree in Deaf Education with a completed minor in American Sign Language.  I am looking forward to graduating from college, working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children, and traveling the world one country at a time.