God’s Garden Preschool is committed to hiring highly qualified, loving, Christian teachers to care for our children. All staff members are required to have 45 hours of state-mandated child development training, be CPR/First Aid certified and be at least 18 years old. In addition, Lead Teachers must hold an active Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with young children and be at least 21 years old.

 
 

Christy Carbaugh : Director

Christy Carbaugh

Director

christy.carbaugh@fbcdoverfl.com

Christy has been in the Early Childhood Field for 20 years and has worked in a variety of preschool settings. Her experience includes being a preschool teacher, program coordinator and assistant director for a national corporate child care company; teaching Early Childhood Education at a local high school, where she managed the lab preschool in addition to teaching the high school students the basics of Early Childhood; working for Nova Southeastern University as an Early Childhood Training Specialist where she provided training, coaching and technical assistance to preschool directors and teachers seeking to become accredited or improve overall quality of their center; working as an Inclusion Specialist for the Early Childhood Council providing teachers with strategies and implementation plans to help all children in their care be successful. Christy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Florida State University, a Florida Director’s Credential, and is a NAC Validator. She has been married to her husband Chris for fifteen years and they have three beautiful children.

Click here for Christy's Favorite Things

Wendy Skees : Office

Wendy Skees

Office

wendy@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi, my name is Wendy Skees. I am the "cookie and pizza lady". Oh, and I assist Christy in the office, keep the files, juggle lots of balls and run this website when I can. Prior to coming to God's Garden, I was a kindergarten teacher at Seffner Christian Academy for ten years. I thought I was just going to "take a break" from teaching for a year and then life got in the way. Sure am glad God brought me back into the world of children because that is where I'm happiest and most fulfilled. I am so thankful for God's Garden and the ministry it provides families and young children. My life verse is "Be still and know that I am God,". (New King James Version Psalm 46:10a). To me, it means get quiet, don't fret, and trust God knowing that He's already got this - whatever "this' might be. I attend LifeSpring Community Church in Tampa. I have 2 incredible adult daughters - Cresent and Gaby, a wonderful son-in-law - Mat, and an awesome granddaughter who makes my heart sing - Lilia.

Click here for Wendy's Favorite Things

Louise Eaton : Lead Teacher - VPK A

Louise Eaton

Lead Teacher - VPK A

louise@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hello, my name is Louise Eaton. I am the Lead Teacher in the VPK A classroom. I have worked in the childcare field for over 12 years. I hold an Associates's degree and my CDA. I was born in Middletown New York, but after moving around with my husband of 23 years with the US Army, I now call Valrico my home. We have raised three wonderful children together.
Children are our treasure. To watch them learn and grow is my greatest love. "God created you to do amazing things." Ephesians 2:10. That is what I hope to help my students achieve.

Click here for Louise's Favorite Things

Destinee Cherry : Assistant Teacher - VPK A

Destinee Cherry

Assistant Teacher - VPK A

destinee@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hello, my name is Destinee Cherry. I am with VPK. My favorite verse is Psalms 86:11-12, "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." I never want to forget to always thank the Lord and give Him all the praise for all He has done in my life. I have attended First Baptist Dover for two years now. I enjoy it so much, and I love my teachers and Pastors. I always leave there feeling hopeful. I got married six months ago to my wonderful husband. I love to sew and make clothes. It's like putting a puzzle together that you can wear! I'm truly blessed to work here with such a wonderful group of godly women.

Click here for Destinee's Favorite Things

 

Patti Lusk : Lead Teacher - VPK B

Patti Lusk

Lead Teacher - VPK B

patti@godsgardenpreschool.net

My name is Patti Lusk. I teach VPK and have for 23 years.  I have my CDA license and have completed the 40 hour training for teaching. My favorite Bible verse is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths". Proverbs 3:5,6. My family and I attend Bell Shoals Baptist Church. I am married to Ron and we will celebrate 37 years this year. I have 2 adult children,  Austin, Amy and son in law Justin, granddaughter Avery and our newest blessing - baby Luke. I love spending time with my family and I love college football (Go Gators!) but mostly all my spare time is spent with my grandchildren!

Click here for Patti's favorite things!

Maranda Ruggles : Assistant Teacher - VPK B

Maranda Ruggles

Assistant Teacher - VPK B

maranda@godsgardenpreschool.net

My name is Maranda Ruggles and I will be in VPK B as an assistant to Ms. Patti. After graduating college in 2021 with a bachelor’s in biology, I have worked with kids in many capacities. Since starting this God has spoken very clearly that my place is with children, ministering to them daily. My favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” This verse is about not growing weary as one day you will see the fruit of your work. I have always worked hard and had big goals, so this verse has always encouraged me to keep pushing. Currently, I go to Plant City Church of God since I moved here in July of 2021 from Vermont. I am one of eight children with three of my siblings currently also in Plant City and the others in Vermont with my mom. I have a niece and nephew here who I adore and spend most of my free time with. When I am not working with children or playing with my niece and nephew I enjoy working out and running or walking local nature trails.

Click here for Maranda's favorite things

Tori Burtt : Assistant Teacher - VPK A

Tori Burtt

Assistant Teacher - VPK A

tori@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi, my name is Victoria Burtt. I am the Lead Teacher in the VPK C classroom. I have worked in the childcare field for close to seven years and received my Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) this summer. My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose." My husband and I attend Bell Shoals Baptist Church and will be celebrating our third anniversary this year. My favorite thing about working in childcare is having the opportunity to help create the foundation for a lifelong love of education and learning.

Click here for Tori's favorite things!

Kylee Anderson : Assistant Teacher

Kylee Anderson

Assistant Teacher

kylee@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hello, my name is Kylee Lilly and I am a teacher in the VPK C class and the Infant class. I have always had a passion for childcare as my mom has always had an in-home child care center through the Army (FFC). I have traveled all around the United States with my family taking care of all different types of families because my dad is in the military. Currently, they are stationed in Germany. After graduating high school in Colorado I traveled back to Florida to attend Esthetics school and became an Esthetician. I attend Fishhawk Fellowship Church and enjoy volunteering in the Toddler class on Sundays with my husband. I live my life by Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." I love this verse as it is a reminder to only fear the Lord because everything else will perish. Fear of the Lord is the true foundation of life.

Click here for Kylee's Favorite Things

Emilie Campbell : Lead Teacher - Three A

Emilie Campbell

Lead Teacher - Three A

emilie@godsgardenpreschool.net

My name is Emilie Campbell and I am the Lead Teacher for the Three A class. I have worked in Preschools for five years and here at God's Garden for four years. My husband and I have two beautiful boys that get to come with me every day, two-year-old Maddox and three-month-old Rhett. They are my greatest accomplishments in life. We attend church with my family at Plant CIty's First Baptist Church. I absolutely love getting to work somewhere I get to share my love of Jesus with each one of my students! My favorite Bible verse is "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.

Click here for Emilie's favorite things

Michelle Booher : Lead Teacher - Three B

Michelle Booher

Lead Teacher - Three B

michelle@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi! My name is Michelle Booher. I am the lead teacher for the 3B’s class. I have worked in Preschool for nine years and have my Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. I worked at God’s Garden for five years, took a year off to stay home with my baby and now I’m back, ready to teach again. I have been married to my husband for five years and we have a one-year-old son named Brooks. We attend church at Bethany Baptist and are local to the Cork area. My favorite Bible verse is John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Click here for Michelle's Favorite Things

Katlyn Meeks : Lead Teacher - Two B

Katlyn Meeks

Lead Teacher - Two B

katlyn@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi! My name is Katlyn and I am the Lead Teacher for the Two B class. My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." I attend Hopewell Baptist Church and have been a member for 10+ years. I graduated from Durant High School and a few years later married my amazing husband and started our family. I have two handsome boys who bring me happiness and pure joy. I absolutely love being a mom! I also love canvas painting and being outdoors. My passion is Early Childhood Education. I think it is very important for children to want to learn and have fun learning. I am so happy to be a part of this wonderful team!

Click here for Katlyn's Favorite Things

Alanis Stevens : Assistant Teacher - Two B

Alanis Stevens

Assistant Teacher - Two B

alanis@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi! My name is Alanis Stevens. I am the assistant Teacher in the Two B classroom. My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed in strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come." I attend Grace City Church with my husband, Jacob, where I lead worship and kids worship. I absolutely love to sing! I have my Associate's Degree in education and LOVE working with children.

Click here for Alanis' Favorite Things

Shannon McClellan : Lead Teacher - Two A

Shannon McClellan

Lead Teacher - Two A

shannon@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi. My name is Shannon McClellan, I am the Lead Teacher for the Two A class. I attend Plant City Church of God. I have been serving the Lord for over 20 years now. I taught Rainbows (Preschool age girls) for 15 years and now teach Stars (3rd-5th grade girls) on Wednesday nights. I have three children who are grown and one granddaughter. I love animals of all kinds, Disney and cartoons. I am a big kid at heart. My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Click here for Shannon's Favorite Things

Grace Kelley : Assistant Teacher - Toddlers

Grace Kelley

Assistant Teacher - Toddlers

grace@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hi, my name is Grace Kelley. I am the Assistant Teacher for the Toddler class. My favorite Bible verse comes from John 16 verse 33. John 16:33 states “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This verse reminds me that no matter what this world throws at us, God has already won the victory over this world so I don't have to worry because he has my back! A little personal information about me; my home church is The Crossing Church of Tampa. I serve in the children's ministry and the college and career ministry, I have two older sisters and two older brothers. I also have the privilege of helping my mom take care of my three beautiful nieces and my adorable a-dork-able nephew. I love being their aunt. It is such a blessing watching ching them grow. I have a passion for children. I currently have my Associate's degree in Elementary Education and am working on my bachelor's at Western Governors University. I am beyond blessed to have a job that helps me grow and learn to be a better teacher. I love what I do and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Click here for Grace's favorite things!

Fabi Ortiz : Assistant Teacher - Infants

Fabi Ortiz

Assistant Teacher - Infants

fabi@godsgardenpreschool.net

Hello, my name is Fabiola Ortiz. I go by Fabi. I am the Assistant Teacher in the Infant room and have been in childcare for five years now. This is something that I really like to do -teach children and help them reach a goal in life. One of my favorite Bible verses is Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I'm a member of Vision Church in Riverview, I'm the youngest one of the family and a sibling to two sisters. I do have two small dogs. I love to spend time with family and friends.

Click here for Fabi's Favorite Things

Carly Berry : Assistant Teacher - Infants & Two B

Carly Berry

Assistant Teacher - Infants & Two B

carly@godsgardenpreschool.net

My name is Carly Berry. I am an Assistant Teacher in Two B in the morning, then in the Infant room in the afternoon. My favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love." This verse just reminds me to always give my all with everything I do. I go to St. Luke Baptist Church and I graduated from Plant City High School in 2016. I am a mom to a beautiful little girl named Maiyah. We love to go shopping, get ice cream, and go to the beach.

Click here for Carly's Favorite Things