Staff
At Tender Hearts, we see every day as an opportunity to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in our little learners!
Sheila Wilson
Center Director
Miss Sheila joined our staff in 2001 as a teacher. She has taught all age levels, in addition to teaching Sheila has been the Center’s Assistant Director for 7 years before becoming the Center Director in September of 2023.
Sheila & her husband Jim have 2 children, Madelyn & Matthew, both children attended Tender Hearts! In June 2024 the family welcomed their first grandbaby, Cullen James. She has a chocolate Lab named Tessa.
Sheila & her family belong to Gibbsboro United Methodist Church.
Sheila loves being outside on her back deck watching the Phillies and the Eagles (Go Birds)!
She enjoys crafting, baking, the Hallmark channel and home décor. The beach in the fall is her favorite place.
Sarah MacKinnon
PreK Teacher
Miss Sarah joined our staff in 2021, she is a teacher “with a twist”. She has a background of 20+ years in healthcare, but always had a passion for education.
Sarah is the mother of four girls, ages 10 to 23, and previously was a foster parent to 12 children, two of whom she adopted.
Sarah and her family attend Ashland Church, where she teaches kids’ church and middle/high school youth group. Her family and faith are the center of her life.
In her spare time, you can find her on the track field with her daughter, watching the Eagles or Phillies, or reading a good mystery!
Mary Smith
Teacher - 3 Year Old Class
Miss Mary joined our staff in 2021 as a teacher. Before joining our team, she was a stay-at-home mom. Her and her husband have two children, Lucas is 9 and Finleigh is 7 and a Bernedoodle, Binx. Binx absolutely loves everyone he meets!
Her days at home are probably like yours, there is always something that needs to be done with her kids. Homework, sports, after school activities, all good stuff but it keeps her busy!
Mary loves to read, and she reads a lot!
She loves working with children, one of her favorite things to do with her class are art projects, she loves to “get messy” and watch their creative sides shine!
Danaka Anderson
Teacher - 2 Year Old Class
Miss Danaka joined our Staff Fall of 2023. She is our 2-year-old teacher.
Danaka and her husband have three very artistic children, ages 23, 19 and 11.
She enjoys spending time traveling with her family, photography, Halloween and everything fall!
The beach is her favorite place to relax with a good book.
Before becoming a teacher, Danaka was a surgical veterinary technician for 15 years, specializing in emergency medicine.
Teaching the two-year-old class has been by far her best job! She loves watching her guys grow and learn daily!
Kim Boland
3-Year-Old Aid
She says, “The one thing I’ve learned from raising my family is how very unique and valuable every child is.” Kim’s primary goal each day is to ensure every student has a great day. She loves to read books, point out pictures, encourage them to “read”, and tell her what they think is happening in the story. Kim says, “I want every child to know that they are loved and valued by God.” “They all have something to offer in our world.”
Alexis Arena
Classrom Aide. - 2 Year Old Class
Miss Alexis joined our staff in November of 2023 in our 2-year-old class. Alexis has a BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology from LaSalle University. Before joining Tender Hearts, she worked as a paralegal for 15 years.
Alexis and her husband Joe have twin boys, Santino & Vincent! The twins attended Tender Hearts for PreK! Her free time is spent at the boys’ baseball and hockey games. They also enjoy summers in Ocean City and traveling to their favorite vacation spot, Disney World!
She loves Mexican food, working out and shopping at Target.
Halle Olsen
Center Aide
Halle joined our Staff Fall 2024. She enjoys traveling, baking, cooking, Target, flowers and sunsets! She is a full-time student at Rowen studying business. In her free time, you will find Halle at the gym and spending time with her family and friends.
Cassandra Lopez
Floating Aid
Miss Cassandra joined our Staff in September of 2024. She hopes to create a positive, fun atmosphere where every child feels at home. Cassandra and her family attend Ashland Church.
When she’s not in the classroom, she’s cuddling her cat, spending quality time with her husband or busy with her three amazing children!
She is looking forward to an awesome first year at Tender Hearts!
Jane Pascal
After School Aid
Miss Jane joined our Staff in 2023. She is a senior at Triton High School. Jane enjoys singing and acting. She has had several leading roles in her school plays.
Jane attends youth group at Ashland Church and often helps with the Children’s Church.
She enjoys music, crocheting, video games, and hanging out with friends.