Karen Abell

Center Director

In November, I will be celebrating my 28th anniversary to my wonderful husband, Chas. We have two AMAZING adult children, Andrew and Ashley. We also have four cats, each one with their own distinctive personality! Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, visiting North Carolina, reading and being creative. Having graduated from Stetson University with a BS in Elementary Education, an Early Childhood endorsement and a minor in Psychology, education is my passion. I have 15 years of experience teaching Kindergarten through 8th grade in both public and private schools. In addition, I have over 16 years of Administrative experience as either a Preschool Director and/or Assistant Principal.

Jasmina Terzic

Curriculum Director

I met and married my high school sweetheart in the 80's. We have 2 sons who followed in their father's footsteps and graduated from Rollins College. I have an AA degree in Legal Studies, an AA in Child Development and had worked in a number of fields before I found my current career in Childcare. I have my Director's Credential and have now been working in Childcare for about 10 years now. I am very happy to be here at Park Lake.

Infant Teachers

Jennie Jones

I have had the privilege of working in the Early Childhood profession since 1978. I have enjoyed working with infants - Kindergarten and have worked at Park Lake since 2015. My chosen profession is more than just a job to me. It is my calling, my ministry, my way of contributing to the well-being, growth and development of young children and providing love and security to children in my care and support to parents.

Carmen LeGrand

.Everyone calls me Mimi and the most important thing for me is to transmit love and provide the feeling of security when mom and dad are not there. I have two years degree in social work and four years of experience working with children.

Susana Gomez

I have worked in childcare for 14 years. I have advanced my education by taking many early education courses, taking CPR, and getting a CDA Florida Child Care Professional Credential. I also have experience in working in Head Start for more than four years. I have learned so much throughout my years in childcare and have had many unforgettable moments. I am beyond grateful for this journey.

Infant Classroom

Playground 1-2

Toddler Teachers

Davi Eden

I have been working in childcare since 2005 and at Park Lake since 2008. I have a national CDA for infants and toddlers. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow and change. I enjoy the toddler room the most because you get to watch them grow from needing lots of help to becoming little independent people.I am married and have 3 boys of my own.

Tiara Poleon

I have been teaching in early childhood education for ten plus years, working with children aged infancy to VPK. I have a variety of certifications including safety, trauma, and special needs. I have my CDA, and I am currently a degree in applied behavior therapy, with a minor focus on counseling. I have been married for over ten years and going strong. We have a beautiful little girl who is our heart and soul. Park Lake Presbyterian Childcare Center is where I started my early childhood profession. I am very happy to be back and to be given the opportunity to work with new families.

Monica Cardenas Lugo

My name is Monica. I was born in Columbia. I used to work with premature babies in my home country and I really love it. I had just moved here to the United States when I found the school and felt that it was my calling to work with kids again. I am the mother of two kids and grandmother of two sweet children. I consider myself a patient, good listener, friendly and generous person. My hobbies are going to the movies, learning new things, going to museums and on nature walks. My favorite holiday is Christmas and I love to watch birds and the sky.

Toddler Classroom

Playground 1-2

PreK 2 Teachers

Ashley Burke

I am so excited to be joining this wonderful team here at PLPCCC! I've been working in childcare since I was 17 and knew that I wanted to since the 3rd grade. Watching and helping children grow to their potential is such a rewarding thing. In my free time I love wandering through Orlando with my husband, reading, anything art and spending time with my 3 cats.

Lilian Alejo

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, and a Montessori Certificate. After ten years of teaching there, I moved to New York City, where I further developed my proficiency in the English language. I taught Spanish to toddlers and preschoolers for 12 years and obtained a Montessori certificate for children aged 3 to 6. Five years ago, my spouse and I were blessed with our daughter, and we decided to move to Orlando to be closer to our extended family because, as the old proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Kristen Farago

My name is Kristen and I worked in childcare once before and really enjoyed it. I finished my degree in psychology spring of 2025, and I decided childcare was where I wanted to be while pursuing a nursing degree so I can be a pediatric nurse. I love animals and I am happy to join the PLPCCC family.

Two-year-old Classroom

Playground 1-2

PreK 3 Teachers

Jo Anne Perez

I have 2 children and have been a preschool teacher for 22 years and handled Pre-Kinder and Kinder classes. I have dedicated myself to teaching children. In April 2017, my family immigrated to the United States. I love sharing my talents and knowledge with the children in this country!

Maree Short

I started working in childcare when I was thirty-four. I had never worked with children before that. I fell in love with it and when I came to Park Lake, I stayed for seven years. I did venture out for about two years, but I made my way back because I missed what I used to do. I love to watch each, and every child grow into big boys and girls.

PreK 3 Classroom

Playground 3-5

PreK 4 Teachers

Ana Ortez

I was born in Nicaragua and left my country due to civil war.

We moved to Costa Rica when I was 13, where I finished high school and got engaged to my childhood sweetheart. We were married in Canada, where I went to Community College and graduated as a licensed Practical Nurse. My husband and I have 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy.

Shannon Carlsward

I have been teaching children for almost 25 years. I started straight out of high school where I was a teacher's assistant at Magnolia School and worked with special needs students. I took a short break and went to cosmetology school and began hairdressing. After about 5 years of being a cosmetologist, I decided to go back to teaching. I have been married for 25 years and have 3 children.

PreK 4 Classroom

Playground 3-5

VPK Teachers

Annette Coley

I have worked at Park Lake for 32 years. I received my VPK credentials in 2011. I am hoping to earn my Director's credentials in the future. I love working with the VPK age children. They absorb so much that we are teaching and are such a delight to be able to help shape their lives. I love being a part of this wonderful school.

Julie Roncallo

I have been a teacher at Park Lake since 1985 - for the last 20+ years, I've taught in the VPK class, guiding our school's "Seniors" as they prepare to leave the Park Lake nest and fly off to kindergarten! In addition to academics, we hope to instill our students with a greater sense of kindness and compassion toward the Earth and all who live here.

Outside of teaching, I own and operate a plant-based cottage bakery, I'm mom to a former Park Lake graduate, Olivia, and have rescued more than a few animals with my wonderful husband, Carlo.

VPK Classroom

Playground 3-5

Additional Staff

Quanesha White

Substitute

(Bio coming soon!)

Ronesha Lowman

Closer/Substitute

My name is Ronesha. I am from Orlando. I am an auntie to thirteen, six nieces and seven nephews. I am the last child and my most current dream is to get my LPN license so I can work back in the healthcare field again, taking care of kids and occasionally elders. Working at Park Lake is helping me to reach my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.

Lisa Austin

Floater/Substitute

I have been working as a childcare teacher for over 20 years and enjoy teaching all ages. I have two sons who are now adults and have grown and left the nest! I have worked here at Park Lake for five years and work part time at First Church downtown. I teach Sunday school there and work in the nursery when needed.

Madison Freeman

Floater/Substitute

I have worked in daycare for 2 years and babysat before that. I am attending UCF. I would like to work in CSI with an interest in working in the child protection unit as well. My philosophy is to be kind and listen. I believe in giving children a chance to voice their feelings and listening as they explain their thoughts.

Mikyla Vitek

Chef

Mikyla's information coming soon!

A Ministry of Park Lake Presbyterian Church

Enrollment for the 2026 - 2027 school year is now open to the community!
Currently, we have limited openings in our PreK (3's) and VPK Classes. Contact Us to schedule your tour!

Karen Abell

Center Director

Jasmina Terzic

Curriculum Director

Infant Teachers

Toddler Teachers

PreK 2 Teachers

PreK 3 Teachers

PreK 4 Teachers

VPK Teachers

Additional Staff

Substitute

Closer/Substitute

Floater/Substitute

Floater/Substitute

Chef

A Ministry of Park Lake Presbyterian Church

Enrollment for the 2026 - 2027 school year is now open to the community! Currently, we have limited openings in our PreK (3's) and VPK Classes. Contact Us to schedule your tour!

Karen Abell

Center Director

Jasmina Terzic

Curriculum Director

Infant Teachers

Toddler Teachers

PreK 2 Teachers

PreK 3 Teachers

PreK 4 Teachers

VPK Teachers

Additional Staff

Substitute

Closer/Substitute

Floater/Substitute

Floater/Substitute

Chef

Enrollment for the 2026 - 2027 school year is now open to the community!
Currently, we have limited openings in our PreK (3's) and VPK Classes. Contact Us to schedule your tour!