Our Team

Director

Dr. Gigi Morales David

g.david@unf.edu

Dr. G is a bilingual Jacksonville native who brings a creative perspective combined with over 30 years of educational experiences including: Preschool & Elementary Teacher, Head of School, Director of Education for HS and EHS, Curriculum Designer, Program Evaluator, Education Consultant and University Professor. She is a published children’s author and has designed a variety of supplemental curriculum and educational resources for teaching children ages 2-12. Her educational background includes a bachelors’ degree in Elementary Education, specialist degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. She has presented at the local, state and national level including multiple times at NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children and NTI (National Training Institute.  Her presentations include School Museum Exhibitions; Promoting Preschool Friendships; ABC Literacy: Art, Books, Community. Her dissertation research received the Mulkeen award for practice centered inquiry. She has co-authored research articles published in Creativity Research Journal, Early Childhood Development and Care, Journal of Research in Childhood Education. Prior to starting her new role as Director of UNF Preschool, she was the Director of Reggio Inspired Learning at Friendship Public Charter Schools in Washington, DC.

Favorite book to read aloud: Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andrae

Assistant Director

Maria Beattie, BS in Elementary Education

Maria graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a concentration in Anthropology. She has her Pre-K/Primary teaching certification from the state of Florida. She is currently getting her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Leadership. She creates a classroom environment where learning is interactive and hands-on. She believes in meeting each individual child where they are at and addressing their individual needs, while also challenging them to the next level of learning. 

Ms. Maria believes that social and emotional development at this age is crucial, and works to teach the children how to interact with others, problem solve, and regulate their emotions. She gives children strategies, skills, and support to deal with different social and emotional issues that arise. She supports children in learning to problem solve with their peers. Ms. Maria has created an environment where she can incorporate learning into all of the centers. Learning is always happening through play, so she is always thinking of different ways she can incorporate the learning goals into the play that the children are engaged in.

Favorite Children’s Book: The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems

Program Coordinator

Latoya Luczyszyn

Ms. Latoya has been working at UNF Preschool for 10 years. She loves working with children and their families. She started as a part time teaching assistant and is now the Preschool Coordinator. She has her FCCPC and Director’s credential. Latoya graduated for UNF with her bachelor’s in sociology with a minor is ASL and chemistry.

Latoya was born and raised in Jacksonville and is happily married. Some of her favorite things to do is go to church, hang out with friends, and go to the movies. She enjoys working with children and traveling the world. She is excited to be a part of this team and grow with UNF Preschool.

Favorite Children’s Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Manatees Lead Teacher

Tasha Felder, C.D.A.

Ms. Tasha Felder has been teaching preschool aged children for 17 years. She loves teaching children, especially the little ones. Tasha is a VPK teacher here at the UNF Preschool. She enjoys working with this age group because the children are so eager to have new learning experiences. She likes to watch their excitement about learning how to do something new for the first time or making connections, it makes her day. She loves to dance and do yoga and loves even more that she gets to share her passions with the children. Having the children come up with their own projects has been so much fun for Ms. Tasha.

Ms. Tasha is the only child of two retired Navy parents. She has lived in Jacksonville most of her life but was born in Hawaii and lived in Europe for 6 Years. Tasha is excited to learn and grow with the Manatees! She feels very privileged working with the amazing team of teachers and staff at the UNF Preschool. She has a National C.D.A. and is currently taking classes in Early Childhood Management with a concentration in Elementary Education.

Manatees Assistant Teacher

Melissa Leone, C.D.A.

Mrs. Melissa began her 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. Beyond holding a National CDA since 2012, she plans to continue taking certification courses and trainings. She loves to integrate her knowledge of animals and nature into everyday experiences. Mrs. Melissa especially enjoys showing the children safe creatures to interact with such as frogs, lizards and insects.

On the weekends she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenage sons.

Favorite Children’s Book: Only a Tree Knows How To Be A Tree by Mary Murphy

Cardinals Lead Teacher

Jessica Fredeman

Jessica is a UNF Alumni who majored in Early Childhood Education obtaining Pre-K Primary Licensure while also minoring in Teaching English as a Second Language. Jessica has been studying Early Childhood Education since high school and loves to work with young children. She believes that young children deserve to have a high-quality education as our future generation. 

Jessica is originally from central Florida but has been living in Jacksonville for about five years now. She loves to read, cook, and play video games in her free time. She is planning to return to UNF to attend graduate school.

Bears Lead Teacher

Lauren Cardenas

Lauren has worked with children from infants to middle schoolers for six years. She enjoys creating art and playing outside with her class. Her favorite thing about the age group she works with is all the funny stories they share with her. She has four siblings and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys going to the beach and traveling out of town with family. She has lived in Jacksonville her entire life and is going to school to further her education.

Favorite Children's Book: "What's The Matter Habibi?"

Dolphins Assistant Teacher

Latoya Pierre