Meet the Founder

As creator of Teachers Grow, LLC, an unprecedented professional development website for early childhood teachers, Donna has dedicated a life’s work in the education field serving in numerous roles over the past 30 years. In 2009, she created the vision for the early childhood teacher website, a concept before its time, would not be possible without today’s technology and the help, support and encouragement of her dear friend and site’s Co-creator, Colette V.

 

Her passion for teaching young learners was ignited during the early years of her career, teaching Pre K – 4th Grades in Newark, NJ. Alongside her close friend, Yolanda Q., [to whom she credits her success] she learned how to provide coaching supports and professional development training to preschool teachers.  “Coach Donna” has spent the past eighteen years observing, supporting, coaching and supervising early education teachers. In 2005, she worked at the New Jersey State Department of Education as an Early Childhood Department Specialist providing statewide support to Early Childhood program directors with budgets and planning. From 2006 – 2008, she served as a Kindergarten Master Teacher, Coach and Trainer in Asbury Park School District. From 2008 – 2010, she served as a Preschool Program Master Teacher Liaison in Trenton, NJ.  Donna also gained administrative experience from 2011 – 2014, serving as Early Childhood Program Supervisor in the Trenton Public Schools. From 2015 - 2020, she returned to her passion of coaching teachers as Preschool Program Master Teacher for the Trenton school district as well supporting student-teachers as an online Adjunct Faculty Site Supervisor with Grand Canyon University. She currently serves as a First Grade Teacher in Trenton, NJ. 

 

In 2014, Donna authored a children’s book entitled, Fluffy the Flipping Puppy written to support children with social emotional challenges. Available on Amazon.

 

Future endeavors include pursuing doctoral studies at Grand Canyon University obtaining a degree in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning. She hopes to one day create a charitable foundation to support children affected by homelessness and natural disaster.

 

In her “down time,” she enjoys the companionship of her dog "Sailor" and time with family, friends, going to the beach, biking trails, gardening, and jigsaw puzzles.