Nikki Truss
Director
(256)782-8656
struss@jsu.edu
Meet the Team
Pre-K
Brittany Coleman
Lead Pre-K Teacher
bacraig@jsu.edu
I am super excited to be teaching at JSU CDC! I have been teaching for fifteen years. I am a fur mom to six dogs. I have a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and plan to pursue a Masters Degree soon.
Kelsey Blair
Lead Pre-K Teacher
I am so excited to be the teacher for Pre-K Two class this year! I have a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. This will be my fifth year teaching Pre-K and sixth year teaching early childhood. I cannot wait
Jasmine Prater
Lead Pre-K Teacher
jprater5@jsu.edu
My name is Ms. Jasmine, I am from Anniston Alabama. I have one daughter named Remi. I graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2021 with a BS in Early Childhood Education. This is my 7th year teaching Pre-k. I look forward to working with your child.
Ty Coleman
Aux Pre-K Teacher
Tcoleman78@jsu.edu
I am married and have two beautiful girls! I have worked in the Early Childhood Development field for thirteen years. I will be returning to college at JSU to complete my degree in Early/Elementary Education. Working with children is my passion and I am so excited to continue my career at JSU! Let’s go Growing Gamecocks!
Melody Paquette
Aux Pre-K Teacher
mpaquette@jsu.edu
I have 3 wonderful children I've been in the field of Early Childhood Education for 10 years. I graduated in 2011 from The University of Phoenix with an associate's degree in elementary education. I'm excited to begin my journey at JSU as an auxiliary Pre-k teacher.
Courtney Yancey
Aux Pre-K Teacher
cyancey@jsu.edu
My name is Ms. Courtney and I am so happy to meet you. I will be the auxiliary teacher for the Pre-K Two class and I am looking forward to learning alongside you. I am currently attending JSU and majoring in Child Development. I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and traveling. Let’s have a great year!
Three-Year-Old
Brenda Cline
Lead Three-Year-Old Teacher
bcline@jsu.edu
I am originally from Pennsylvania. I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I have been employed with JSU at the Dr. Cynthia H. Harper Child Study Center in the FCS Department for twenty-one years as the classroom teacher with the preschool program. Last year I transitioned to our new CDC as the three year old classroom teacher. I am married to the late George Cline and have two adult children. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, and spending time with my family, including my two dogs and several cats. Again, welcome to the JSU CDC family. I know we will create amazing memories together.
Lauren Shirey
Aux Three-Year-Old Teacher
lshirey2@jsu.edu
I have lived my entire life in Jacksonville, participating in sports and church activities. After graduation from Jacksonville State University, with a degree in physical education. I began working at Weaver Elementary in the PE department for fifteen years. During that time, I finished my masters in PE and worked summer and after school in the JSU Registrar’s office as an archivist.
Two-Year-Old
Fallon Shell
Lead Two-Year-Old Teacher
bbullardshell@jsu.edu
My name is Mrs. Fallon and I will be one of the two year old class teachers this year. I graduated from NACC in 2011 with an Associate’s degree in Child Development. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at JSU. I cannot wait to spend the year ahead with you all.
One-Year-Old
Nikki Zarzabal
Lead One-Year-Old Teacher
nzarzabal@jsu.edu
Hello Everyone! My name is Nikki, and I am the teacher for the JSU CDC one's class. I have worked in Early Education for over ten years along with working with children with special needs and Pre-K. I am in the process of completing my Bachelor’s degree. I will be graduating with a double major both in early education and secondary. Each day spent with your child(ren) is a true privilege and I enjoy the moments I have caring and educating them.
Autumn Smith
Aux One-Year-Old Teacher
asmith90@jsu.edu
Hi guys! My name is Mrs. Autumn. I attended Southern Union State Community College for two years with a Performing Arts Scholarship for dance. I am in the process of completing my Bachelor’s degree in social work here at JSU. In June 2022 I married my now husband Austin, and we are expecting our first child this July.
Infants
Heather Smith
Lead Infant Teacher
hnsmith@jsu.edu
I am from the Opelika area, I married my husband Greg in 2010 and we have two children of our own John David our oldest and Grace Anne our youngest. I have been teaching little ones for thirteen years and caring for children since I was ten. I have always loved watching children learn and grow. I cannot wait to start this new year with our new friends.
Raven McDaniel
Aux Infant Teacher
rmcdaniel3@jsu.edu
I am Ms. Raven and I am an auxiliary teacher for the JSU CDC Infant class. Amazingly, I was able to start my teaching journey alongside my son Koda Mekhi, As he started his own journey here at the CDC. Although this is the beginning of my teaching journey, as the oldest cousin of the bunch, I’ve been taking care of children since I was 9. I believe that is when I realized I had a knack for taking care of children. I have come to know the CDC as a place filled with teaching, love, and laughter. I am so grateful for my son and my new family. I am eager to learn, watch, and grow as each one of my littles do the same.