Meet the hearts behind Sunflower Preschool
Discover the passionate educators dedicated to nurturing your child's growth and learning in a safe and loving environment.
A warm welcome from Teisha Smith
Hello Sunflower Preschool families! My name is Teisha Smith, and I am excited to welcome you and your child to Sunflower Preschool! I look forward to building a strong partnership with you and supporting your child’s learning and development this year.
I have over 12 years of teaching experience, including my current role as a 1st Grade Resource & Inclusion Special Education Teacher with DC Public Schools, where I have been for five years. I am originally from Sacramento, California, and as a proud military child, I have had the opportunity to live in many different places. I consider Gary, Indiana, my hometown, where I also earned my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and behavioral science from Indiana University.
Although I once thought I would pursue a career in law, I discovered that my true passion is education. Teaching young children is incredibly rewarding, and I am dedicated to creating a nurturing, safe, and loving environment for every child.
Our philosophy: Nurturing growth and curiosity
The owner, directors, and staff of Sunflower Preschool believe that children deserve the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, enriching environment. We believe learning happens through positive relationships, exploration, experiences, and a sense of belonging that enable children to become productive contributors to the world in which they live.
We believe that children are competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. We are committed to the “emergent curriculum” approach to program planning, in which activities “emerge” based on ideas and interests from both children and staff.
We believe play is integral to children’s learning and essential to the quality of life in childhood. Exploration and play are a child’s primary way of understanding the world. Children are agents of their own learning, actively building knowledge, skills, dispositions, and feelings. We are committed to fostering each child’s self-esteem, well-being, and growing needs.
Feel confident in our caring hands
When families visit this page, we want them to feel a sense of comfort, trust, and connection. Our hope is that you see a team that is not only qualified but genuinely caring, approachable, and passionate about working with children.
We want you to feel confident that your child will be in the hands of people who are attentive, patient, and dedicated to helping them grow. Our team is made up of individuals who truly enjoy what they do—people who bring warmth, positivity, and intention into every interaction.
Most importantly, we want families to feel that Sunflower Preschool is a place where their child will be known, valued, and supported by a team that treats every child like they matter—because they do.
"The genuine care and dedication of the Sunflower Preschool team are truly remarkable. Our child thrives there!"
A delighted Sunflower Preschool parent