Our Staff

About Our Staff

We know that every child is unique and deserves a unique education. Our teachers are passionate about your child’s growth and development. Our low teacher-to-student ratios allow teachers to focus on the individual learning styles and needs of each child in our center. We strive to ensure that your children will be introduced to every aspect of learning in their formative years, so they're prepared for the future.

We are extremely proud of our excellent staff of teachers, director and support staff. We require on-going training for our staff through state classes, orientation videos, in-house training, and other certified professionals in the education field. All of our staff is trained in First Aid and CPR. Also, all our staff are background checked by the FBI. We take great pride and responsibility to keep safe, educate and nurture the children within our care.

We strive to be the top leader in quality childcare and invite you to stop by to meet us! We would love to have your family join ours!

Meet Our Team

The Owner - Mrs. Darlene

Mrs. Darlene has over twenty-five years’ experience working with young children and older youth as the director of numerous youth programs and departments in multiple church ministries.  While working as a chemical engineer she also devoted part of her time working with young girls throughout the Greater-Houston Area.  Mrs. Darlene is passionate about quality childcare, in a fun and loving environment, and the development of the local youth. This led to the founding of JanaMarie’s Childcare Center. Mrs. Darlene was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. She obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University and moved to Houston, Texas. She worked thirty-plus years in Engineering, Finance, and as a Human Resources Manager—all positions held at the same Fortune 500 company.  Mrs. Darlene has completed State required childcare training courses as well as childcare courses with a focus on biblical studies.  Mrs. Darlene has three grown sons.  She has two granddaughters, one in high-school and one in college, and one grandson in fourth grade; on which the name JanaMarie's is based. Mrs. Darlene has a second grandson who is now enrolled in the Three's and Younger Four's classroom at JanaMarie's.  Family and faith are important to her as it is also an important foundation for JanaMarie’s Childcare Center.

The Director - Ms. Kara

Ms. Kara is the Director at JanaMarie’s Childcare Center. She currently holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as her Director’s Credential. Ms. Kara has over 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, with experience teaching all age groups. Ms. Kara has two children of her own, 14-year-old Caden and 7-year-old Dylan.

Ms. Kara’s favorite part of working as a Director is the relationships she is able to build with the children, their parents and her staff. Her goal is to provide a loving, fun, and safe environment for children to learn and grow, and where parent’s feel at ease leaving their children while they work. Ms. Kara also strives to provide her staff with the tools and support they need to be the best teachers that they can be.

The Teachers

Ms. Giena

Mrs. Giena is our center opener and lead Pre-K teacher. She has been teaching for 30 years, primarily in Pre-K. She earned her Child Development Associate in 2001. She loves teaching because she enjoys watching the children learn, grow, and experience different things. She loves to see the excitement on their faces when they accomplish something new. It is a gratifying profession that she enjoys and loves. 

Mrs. Giena and her husband are parents to a set of twin boys. One plays college football, and the other is an Army Airborne Paratrooper. She is a sports mom and loves attending games. She was fortunate to have her boys with her at school during their youngers years and was grateful for all that they were taught and that they experienced. That is her goal as a teacher, to nurture and provide a fun, loving environment for all of the children in her class.

Ms. Mady

Ms. Mady is a floater/substitute teacher at JanaMarie's. Ms. Mady began her Early Childhood Education career in 2018 at the YMCA. She has worked as the Youth Sports Program Assistant since 2022 and is currently working on getting her Early Childcare and Sports Management Associate Degree. Ms. Mady's favorite part of working in childcare is watching the children learn about new things and seeing their smiles every day. Her goal is to help each child achieve their goals while encouraging them to create new ones.

Ms. Leslie

Ms. Leslie is our Toddler's and Two's Teacher. Ms. Leslie's love for children has always been a part of her character. She grew up in a big family, and was always watching over all of her nieces and nephews. Ms. Leslie really enjoys getting to know and connecting with each of the children and their different personalities. She admires their curiosity and imagination and their unique perspective of the world around them. Ms. Leslie someday hopes to become a pediatric nurse.

Mrs. Emily

 Mrs. Emily is a teacher in our Three's and Younger 4's class (AM) and in our Pre-K class (PM.) She is also our closing manager. Mrs. Emily is recently married, with hopes of having a family of her own one day. Growing up as an older cousin has allowed her the ability of caring for her younger cousins which helped her love for childcare grow. Mrs. Emily loves helping the children meet their developmental goals. Working in childcare gives her the ability to make a difference in children's lives be teaching them in this early stage of development. Making an impact on their lives and helping them grow and learn about the world around them brings joy to Mrs. Emily's life. Seeing the children grow and becoming their own unique individuals is the most rewarding part of her job. Ms. Emily enjoys working along with the parents, children and her co-teachers to help create a happy and safe environment for parents to rely on. 

Ms. Maddie

Ms. Maddie is our afternoon 3's and Younger 4's teacher. She has been passionate about working with children since she was young. She has been involved with early childhood education through her church, volunteering, and through school. Ms. Maddie is excited to continue working with children in the medical field in the future. Her favorite part about working with children is being able to create a safe and fun environment for them and watching them grow into unique individuals.