Kiddie Academy^® of Des Peres

We can't wait to meet you

• Ms. Elyce, Academy Director

  

  Ms. Elyce has been with Kiddie Academy since 2016. She earned a​ bachelor of arts in elementary education, with an emphasis in special​ education, and an ​associate degree in nutrition.​  "If a child...   Read More

  Ms. Elyce, Academy Director

  Ms. Elyce has been with Kiddie Academy since 2016. She earned a​ bachelor of arts in elementary education, with an emphasis in special​ education, and an ​associate degree in nutrition.​  "If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn" - Ignacio Estrada

• Ms. Candace, Assistant Director/ Curriculum Coordinator

  

  Candace has been teaching with Kiddie Academy of Des Peres since August 2019 & holds a Bachelor's in Social Work & a...   Read More

  Ms. Candace, Assistant Director/ Curriculum Coordinator

  Candace has been teaching with Kiddie Academy of Des Peres since August 2019 & holds a Bachelor's in Social Work & a Child Development Associate.

• Ms. Gina, Operations Director

  

  Gina started teaching with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis in November 2014 & holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Education....   Read More

  Ms. Gina, Operations Director

  Gina started teaching with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis in November 2014 & holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Education. "Every child is "GIFTED"; they just unwrap their packages at different times."

• Ms. Adrianna, Assistant Director/ Academy Support Coordinator

  

  Ms. Adrianna, Assistant Director/ Academy Support Coordinator

  Gina started teaching with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis in November 2014 & holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Education. "Every child is "GIFTED"; they just unwrap their packages at different times."

• Ms. Melissa, Food Service Management Supervisor

  

  Ms. Melissa has been cooking at Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2016 & holds her Missouri ServSafe Manager Certificate. "One...   Read More

  Ms. Melissa, Food Service Management Supervisor

  Ms. Melissa has been cooking at Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2016 & holds her Missouri ServSafe Manager Certificate. "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf

• Ms. Elayne, Director of Education

  

  Ms. Elayne has been with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2014 & has 30+ years of experience wearing several hats...   Read More

  Ms. Elayne, Director of Education

  Ms. Elayne has been with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2014 & has 30+ years of experience wearing several hats within the world of Early Childhood Education. Elayne won Kiddie Academy's National Director of the Year Award in 2016!

• Yuree Jeong, Recruiting Manager

  

  Yuree has been recruiting for Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since May 2021. Yuree has been in the education industry for over...   Read More

  Yuree Jeong, Recruiting Manager

  Yuree has been recruiting for Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since May 2021. Yuree has been in the education industry for over 15 years between the US and Korea. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” -Albert Einstein

• Laura Eads, Operating Partner

  

  Laura loves observing the activities, interaction and learning of young children. Their curious minds and robust spirits are a joy to nurture....   Read More

  Laura Eads, Operating Partner

  Laura loves observing the activities, interaction and learning of young children. Their curious minds and robust spirits are a joy to nurture. She especially enjoys a delightful conversation over the meaning of a favorite book or the virtues of growing a garden. Her personal experience with a structured and educationally-based pre-school and the positive experience that process created for her family, is something she wants to duplicate at Kiddie Academy. “The opportunity to impact young children with the resources of the Life Essentials program is very exciting to me.” As a working parent, she understands the level of responsibility the academy has to provide a nurturing environment to our families’ most precious assets. She will work hard to meet the whole family’s needs and will build relationships that last well beyond the preschool years. Laura has participated with PTO boards and programs throughout her children’s education. She has taught religious education at the elementary school level and helped create a weekly faith program for families. Laura has worked in professional and leadership training and human resources for more than 20 years, ten of which were with Tom at Keller Laboratories. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Colorado and resides in Wildwood. She is married and has two adult children.   

• Tom Keller, Managing Partner

  

  Tom is a father and grandfather who knows what it’s like to have a little hand reach for his, and loves to...   Read More

  Tom Keller, Managing Partner

  Tom is a father and grandfather who knows what it’s like to have a little hand reach for his, and loves to hear the inquisitive questions asked by young children. He has been asked on many occasions why he has chosen to go into the child care business. His response is because early childhood education is where children begin developing their foundation for how they will live as lifelong learners. Professionally, Mr. Keller was CEO and President of Keller Laboratories, Inc., a dental laboratory group with offices and manufacturing in Missouri and four surrounding states. He is a firm believer in continuing education through professional leadership and personal development. A University of Kentucky graduate, Mr. Keller has participated in numerous leadership development programs and has been invited to speak at professional conferences. He lives in West St. Louis County with his wife, Marsha. They have two children and five grandchildren.