Ms. Linda
Director of Embrace

Linda DeFazio's Pastor asked her in 2005 if she would like to open a Christian Preschool & Childcare Center for the Christian &Missionary Alliance. Linda began planning Embrace using the eight years experience she had working in corporate Child Care Centers. She wanted to ensure that Embrace would be a blessing not only to the children but also to the teachers and the parents. She incorporated her love for Christ and her love for children--- and Embrace Preschool & Childcare Center was born. Linda feels that it is extremely important that children learn not only academics at Embrace, but they also learn about God’s love for them and how to treat others with love and respect.

Linda has been married to Art since 1972 and has two children, David and Anne Marie. She also has a beautiful grandaughter, Sophia. She has a Child Development Associate’s Degree and has taken classes in Real Estate
& Business. She loves to garden and spend as much time as possible with Sophia.

“Embrace is a dream come true. I am free to be compassionate and loving towards children and pray for them and their families. The main way that people hear about Embrace is through word of mouth. When parents have a wonderful experience at a Center, they will tell their friends and I am very grateful for that. I come to work everyday and hear the laughter, see our children’s smiling faces and I know that this is where God has placed me and I am very thankful!.”
 

Ms. Joy
Assistant Director

Ms. Joy is one of the Assistant Directors of Embrace.  She joined our family at Embrace in October of 2008.  She also is the Mini-bus driver.

Joy is married to Jason and they have two children, Jenna & Jackson.  Joy loves to organize & reorganize anything & everything. She has 2 cats and a puppy.  While not at Embrace, she loves to spend time with her family and travel. She has a diploma from IMDT as a Medical Assistant.

“I love working at Embrace because of the wonderful Christian atmosphere, wonderful children & excellent staff. What a blessing to be able to pray freely at your place of work.”

 

Ms. Rikki
Assistant Director

Ms. Rikki is one of the Assistant Directors of Embrace. Rikki joined our family at Embrace in July 2006. 
Rikki is also the Dance teacher at Embrace.
Rikki is married to Mark and they have four children: Corinna, Daulton, Sarah, and Dan.  Rikki is working towards a BS from Miami University in Secondary English Education. In her spare time, Rikki loves music, movies, tap dancing and family trips with her children to their football and soccer games.

“I love the family atmosphere, I love hearing the children’s beautiful prayers and I especially love all of the happy smiles & hugs.”
 

 

Ms. Karen
Assistant Director

Ms. Karen is one of the Assistant Directors as well as the Lead Teacher in the Pre-K classroom.  Karen joined
our Embrace family in April 2011.  She has woked with children for the past 10 years in Childcare, Head Start,
and Help Me Grow.  She has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehab Services from Wright State University.

Karen enjoys baking for others, crafts and spending time with family and friends.

"I love the loving atmosphere at Embrace!  Everyone (staff and families) truly care for and supports each other. 
I love being in a Christian atmosphere where we can and do pray for one another and the families we work with!"

 

Ms. Dawn
Pre-3 Class

Ms. Dawn is the Lead Teacher in the Pre-3 class.  She joined our family at Embrace in August of 2006. 

Dawn is married to Bill and has two children: Dustin and Deidre.  She also has two grandchildren: Camden and Christene.  Dawn enjoys reading, beadwork and scrapbooking. 

“I love the children!  I also love the Christian atmosphere, my fellow staff members, and the calm, peacefulness of the building when you walk in!”

 

Ms. Heather H.
Pre-3 Class

Ms. Heather H. is a teacher in the Preschool 3 class.  She joined our  Embrace family in August 2010.

Heather is married to Brandon, her husband, since 2007.  She enjoys spending time with her husband and baking and decorating cupcakes.

“The atmosphere is really awesome and the people are super-nice”.

 

Ms. Rhonda
Pre-4 Class & School Age Classroom

Ms. Rhonda is a teacher in the Preschool 4 class.  She also works with the Schoolage children every morning.  Rhonda joined our Embrace family in August 2007.

Rhonda has four children:  Eddie, Christy, Erich and Ken.  She also has 2 grandchildren: Jacob & Dusty.  She loves to exercise, walk and do aerobics in her spare time. 

“I love working in a Christian Center.  The same values that I live by, I also have at work.  I feel respected as a Godly person.”

 

Ms. Stephanie
Pre-3 Class

Ms. Stephanie is a teacher in the Pre-3 classes.  She joined our Embrace family in August 2006. 

Stephanie has earned her Associates Degree in Preschool-Pre-K.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and planning parties. 

“I like working at Embrace because it is a very friendly working environment.” 

 

Ms. Jenny
Pre-4 Class

Ms. Jenny is the Lead Teacher in the Preschool 4 class.  She joined our Embrace family in  August 2008.

Jenny is married to Ryan, and they have two children: Grant and Griffin.  She enjoys reading, gardening and
football “Go Vikings!”

“I love the people that I work with at Embrace.  They are generous with their time and compassionate so
the children and staff know that they are loved and appreciated.  I consider it a blessing to be able to spend
time with these children and I am thankful to have found this center for my boys.”

 

Ms. Rachel
Pre-K Class

Ms. Rachel (Norton) is a Teacher in the Pre-K class.  She joined our family at Embrace in October 2007. 

Rachel is married to Gary and she loves family time and hanging out with friends. 

“I love my Pre-K children.  There is never a boring moment!”

 

Mrs. Howard
Private Kindergarten

Mrs. Sherri Howard is the Kindergarten Teacher at Embrace.  She joined our Embrace family in July of 2008. 

Sherri is married to Kevin and they have 2 children: Benjamin and Jared and a daughter-in-law Sheera.  She also has a grandson named Elliot. She received her teaching degree from Cedarville University.

“I love the warm, loving atmosphere at Embrace!”

 

Ms. Cindy
Kindergarten

Ms. Cindy (Scrimizzi) is an Assistant Teacher in the Kindergarten class and our Librarian during the school year and in the Pre-K class in the summer.  She joined our family at Embrace in May 2007.

Cindy is married to Dan. She has her Master Gardener Degree from OCNT State of Ohio. She enjoys gardening, teaching and music in her spare time.

“I love working with the children at Embrace, I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

 

Ms. Lauren
Private Kindergarten Class

Ms. Lauren is an Assistant Teacher in the Private Kindergarten Class.   She joined our family at Embrace in March 2010.

Lauren is married to Craig and they have four children: Taylor, Kimber, Connor and Camryn.  She graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Liberal Studies w/ a concentration in humanities, education, healthcare and psychology.  She likes to scrapbook and read in her spare time.

“I love the feeling of family and the strong Christian emphasis at Embrace.”

 

Ms. Katie
Summer Camp

Ms. Katie  is a Schoolage Teacher for Summer Camp.  She joined our family at Embrace in June 2009.

Katie is currently working on her degree at Wright State University in Early Childhood Education.  Katie enjoys scrapbooking, Campus Crusade for Christ and Bible studies in her spare time.

“I enjoy the teachers and seeing the students learn and grow!”

Ms. Christina
Pre-4 Class

Ms. Christina is a teacher in our Pre-4 classroom.  She also works with the Pre-K children every afternoon.
She joined our Embrace family in September 2011.

Christina has two children:  Jake who is 18 and Dusty who is 15.  She loves spending time with her boys and
going to Church.  Christina is currently working towards a degree in Nursing.

"Embrace is a great place to work because there are lots of caring and loving people here!"

 

Ms. Jessica
Pre-4 Class

 

 

Ms. Jessica is a teacher in our Pre-4 classroom.  She joined our Embrace family in March of 2011
She is currently attending Sinclair Community College and will graduate with a Liberal Arts Associates
Degree.

Jessica loves outdoor activities, shopping, camping, sports, hiking, and hanging out with family and
friends.

"I like workinig at Embrace because of the atmosphere.  God is really working in the lives of the
children and the staff.  It is such a loving place and I feel like part of a family at this center. 
Everybody's prayers and support for one another is a great feeling!"


 

Ms. Sarah
Pre-K Class
 

Ms. Sarah is a teacher in the Pre-K class.  She joined our Embrace family in November of 2011. 
She is also attending Sinclair College to earn a degree in Business Information Systems with a
Medical Office option. 

She recently got a puppy named Harley-Quinn. 

"I like working at Embrace because of the children and I love the Christian atmosphere!"


 

 

Ms. Tina
After Schoolage Class

Ms. Tina joined our Embrace family as a teacher in our Afterschool program since November 2011.

She has three children: Brandon-23, Logan-18, and Haley-5.  Tina also has a grandaughter, Leah.

"I like working at Embrace because is a Christian based Center!"




 

 

Ms. Karen B.
Pre-K and Schoolage Classes

 

Ms. Karen joined our Embrace family in 2011 as a teacher in our Pre-K and Schoolage classrooms. 
She also is our Phys Ed and Music Teacher. 

She has three children:  Tony-37, Laura-27, and Chelsea-23 and a grandson, Daniel who is 4. Karen has
been married to her husband Dave for 39 years.  She has a degree in Cosmetology.  In her spare time,
Karen enjoys biking, hiking, exercising, and gardening.

"I love being in a Christian environment, where it's OK to teach about the love of Christ.  And I enjoy all
of the other staff!"