UNF Preschool Staff

Director 

mahreen.mian@unf.edu 

     Ms. Mahreen Mian is the Director at CDRC, 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 CDRC. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Education specializing in Elementary Education, and is currently working on her Masters of Education in Literacy 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 CDRC. 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 CDRC 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 CDRC for 4 years and she really being here and working with children! 

Mikaela Zook

Office Assistant

m.zook@unf.edu

 Mrs. Mikaela is a Junior at UNF, majoring in Elementary Education. She has spent the past two years working with children of all ages and loves helping them learn new things.

 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 is graduating in Summer of 2017 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has worked with children for over 6 years and loves making learning fun for them!

Cardinals Lead Teacher

Hello, my name is Justin Dickey (but you can call me Mr. J!) I am a native Texan and just moved to Florida in October of last year with my wife and three dogs! In Texas, I attended Stephen F. Austin State University where I received my Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Early Childhood Intervention as well as my National Child Development Associate Credential from Vernon Regional Junior College. I have taught and served children from birth through age 18 in many settings including public and private preschool and childcare, children and youth ministry, special education, and summer camps for all ages. However, preschool pursuing and special education is where my heart truly lies. Soon I will be pursuing my Masters of Special Education with an Autism Specialty here at UNF and hope to serve in places such as UNF Preschool and Research Center long-term. Children have always had a place in my heart beginning in my teenage years counselling at the church camp where I was raised. I believe that the diversity and exceptionality of all children should be embraced and nurtured to the child’s fullest potential. Through developmentally appropriate practices, love, and patience I hope to teach and serve your children so that they can grow and learn to be the absolute best versions of themselves.

  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.

Bears Assistant Teacher 

    Mrs. Anila Aslam is an assistant teacher in the Bear class. She is a seasoned teacher with an experience of 22 years working with children of different age groups. She started working in U. N. F.  Child  Development Research Center  in the August of 2011 as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Anila Aslam has a staff credential, V PK certification  and 40 hour certification from DCF. She also has a Master’s in Education, Bachelors in Science, and Bachelors in Arts from the University of Punjab, Lahore Pakistan. She feels very privileged to be working at CDRC!

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.

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.

Haley Hannah

Ms. Haley is a junior at UNF, majoring in Psychology with a concentration on Child Psychology. She has her AA in Elementary Education. Haley has been volunteering with children on and off since she was in highschool, but her formal career started in 2013 as an assistant teacher in a three year-old classroom. Her favorite part about working with children is watching them grow and learn new things.