Our
Team
Wanda McKittrick
Interim Director + VPK TeacherWanda McKittrick began her career in early childhood education in 1988 and has served as both a preschool teacher and childcare director. She also brings experience from Early Head Start/Head Start programs and after-school care. Later, she expanded her professional journey in the airline industry as a customer service agent and supervisor. No matter the role, her philosophy remains the same: treat every person as important and valued.
Wanda is especially passionate about inspiring children to connect with and love nature. Originally from South Dakota, she lived in Colorado before moving to Florida in 2020, where she continues to draw inspiration from the outdoors.
She is a proud mom and stepmom, and a joyful grandmother of two (welcoming grandchildren in 2021 and 2025). In her free time, she enjoys beach days, traveling, reading, and making memories with her family—especially outdoors.
Sherry Fischer
Nature Education SpecialistGrowing up in Maryland with a deep connection to nature, I became a naturalist with the Dept. of Natural Resources. I traveled the mid-Atlantic region, educating children about wildlife through presentations with birds of prey and reptiles. Later, I became head naturalist at two nature centers, winning awards for my educational programs and presenting at national conferences. I also created a nature therapy program for a pediatric hospital in Baltimore, helping children with physical and behavioral challenges through nature-based activities. I received the William Hersey Award for my service and dedication.
Six years ago, I moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, to be closer to family. I worked at the Children's Education Center of the Island during this time with a brief pause to establish my homeschool nature program. I'm excited to be back at CECI since connecting children to nature remains my life's mission! I love animals, spending time outside, music and dancing, reading and looking for shells!
Claire Marquardt
Teacher Claire began her career in early childhood education in 2019 as a floater teacher, supporting infants through five-year-old classrooms, building connections with children at various developmental stages. She then spent two years as a paraprofessional in a VPK four-year-old classroom, helping early learners develop a strong foundation for kindergarten.
With experience in both classrooms and nonprofit settings, Claire understands how early childhood programs operate and how to support children in a variety of learning environments. She is passionate about creating nurturing spaces where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore.
Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time outdoors and appreciating the natural beauty of Florida.
Debbie Dunlap
After Care Teacher Debbie has 35 years of teaching experience at a variety of Montessori schools in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Naples, FL. She also directed and ran an after-school program on Fort Myers Beach for 10 years. Debbie enjoys providing experiences for children to help develop inductive and deductive reasoning skills.
Amber Wilson
After Care Teacher Assistant Hi, my name is Amber! I'm excited to join the family at CECI and further my passion for working with children. With five years of experience as a medical assistant in a pediatric office, I've gained valuable skills in caring for children and am eager to bring that experience to the classroom. I hold an Associate in Arts degree and am working toward my degree in Early Childhood Education to further my passion for teaching young learners
I love the outdoors and am especially looking forward to the opportunity to explore nature with the kids. In addition to my professional experience, I'm a proud mom to my 2 year old son, Phoenix, and I enjoy embarking on adventures and playing games with him.
Originally from Cape Coral, I have a deep appreciation for the joys of childhood and am always up for fun activities. I am excited to be a part of your child's learning journey!
Meet the Board
Bana Kiankhooy, MD
Board President
Mother of three CECI students.
Clare Stoa
Board Vice President
Mother of two CECI students.
Elliott Starkey
Secretary
Father of two CECI students.
Lindsay Badger
Treasurer
Mother of two CECI students.
Christine Hungeling
Grant Coordinator
Mother of one CECI student.
❊ Testimonials
Loved by Students, Trusted by Parents.
Hear about experiences from some of our parents and alumni:
I was blown away by the intentional design behind CECI Preschool’s curriculum. The classroom flow, sensory materials, and social-emotional learning framework are top-tier. There’s an emphasis on exploration and emotional intelligence that goes far beyond traditional preschool models. The staff are deeply skilled, kind, and clearly invested in every child’s development. This is what modern early education should look like.
— Allie, Parent
“
CECI Preschool feels like an extension of home. The sense of community between families, teachers, and children is incredible — it’s a place where you feel genuinely supported and seen as a parent, not just a number on a list. My daughter runs into school every morning with a smile, and that says everything. It’s warm, inclusive, and built around real connection. We’re so grateful to be part of the CECI family.
— Ryan, Parent
“
CECI Preschool has completely transformed how my daughter approaches learning. It’s not just ABCs and 123s — it’s rooted in nature, movement, storytelling. Curiosity is woven into every day. The teachers really see each child’s individuality and build on it. I’ve noticed huge growth in her confidence and independence since starting. It’s a thoughtful, creative environment that still feels grounded and calm — truly a rare find.
— Claire, Parent
“
The natural world is our classroom.
