Staff | smartplayinc

Meet Our Staff

We are proud of our skilled and dedicated staff. Most of our staff are CPR and First Aid certified and all have completed background checks and we actively engage in training that enhances our skills. Many of them have years of childcare experience in many different ways and some simply just love spending time playing with kids.

We aspire to show loving care to every child. We believe each child is special and unique and we want each parent to feel we've made a positive impact in their child's life!

Ms. Lesly - Manager Hello my name is Lesly and I am the Lead for Adventurers classroom. I was born in NC but have live the majority of my life in Monterey. I have always wanted to work with children. I have babysat since 12 and taught Sunday school. I have been at Smart Play for 2 years and worked with all ages, but 2-3 y/os have my heart. I love watching them grown and learn new things everyday!	Ms. Donna- Lead Teacher Hello, my name is Donna Brown. I graduated high school in 2018 and continuing my education at Penn Foster. I have 8 nephews and 1 niece. I love surrounding myself with children. It brings me so much joy watching them have new experiences and learning new and exciting things. I am beyond excited to be working with you children here at SmartPlay and I’m thankful for the opportunity.	Ms. Lorena - Lead Teacher My name is Lorena and I'm from Indianatown, Florida. I am a senior in Cookeville High and getting my Child Development Associates(CDA). I have experience in childcare and loved it! I believe every child is a different kind of flower and all together they make a wonderful garden.
Ms. Tanisha- Lead Teacher Hello, my name is Tanisha Walker. I graduated from Clarkrange High School in 2014. I then attended Roane State where I obtained an associates degree in Pre-Law in 2016. I have previously worked as an assistant teacher in the infant classroom at Jacob’s Ladder Preschool here in Cookeville and most recently was thelead teacher of the two to three year old classroom at Shepherd’s Little Flock Preschool in Crossville.	Ms. Cassidy- Lead Teacher Hello, my name is Cassidy Winchester-Davis I graduated from Cookeville High School in 2016. I went to Tennessee Tech and majored in political science; I will be attending school again soon online majoring in Elementary education. I recently got married in September 2019. I’ve previously worked at elementary schools, worked as a nanny, and worked over the past few summers as a camp counselor at the 4-H in Crossville.	MS. APRIL- LEAD TEACHER Hello, my name is April Walker, I have lived in Cookeville for two years with my two children. I have a 9-yr. old daughter Matty and an 8-yr. old son Micah that go to Prescott South Elementary. When I am not teaching, I can usually be found driving kids to practice!
Ms. Julie- Classroom Closer Hey Y’all! My name is Julie Iles. I am from Cumberland Co. and I am currently a sophomore at Tennessee Tech, at Tech I am studying Early Childhood Education. I started babysitting when I was 14 years old and fell in love with kids! It is so special to watch a young child grow and learn how to do things on their own.	Ms. Onie - Co Teacher My name is Onie Perez and I am a student at TTU majoring in Sociology. I have a few years of experience with children from baby-sitting to Sunday School Teacher. I love working with children and giving them love and ensuring them safety everyday. Every child has impacted me and it’s such a blessing to work here at SmartPlay.	Ms. Amber - Co Teacher My name is Amber Almond and I am from Maryville, TN. I am a sophomore at Tennessee Tech University and I am studying Elementary Education with an Endorsement in English as a Second Language. I am passionate about teaching children and making learning fun. I believe that kids have a lot to offer in this big world and I am always ready to hear what they have to say!
Ms.Lauren- Classroom Closer Hello, my name is Lauren Bilbrey. I graduated from Cookeville High School and continued my education at Vol State getting my associates degree. I am now attending Tennessee Tech to get my bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a masters degree in Psychology to be a school counselor.

Meet Our Staff

Ms. Lesly - Manager

Ms. Donna- Lead Teacher

Ms. Lorena - Lead Teacher

My name is Lorena and I'm from Indianatown, Florida. I am a senior in Cookeville High and getting my Child Development Associates(CDA). I have experience in childcare and loved it! I believe every child is a different kind of flower and all together they make a wonderful garden.

Ms. Tanisha- Lead Teacher

Ms. Cassidy- Lead Teacher

MS. APRIL- LEAD TEACHER

Hello, my name is April Walker, I have lived in Cookeville for two years with my two children. I have a 9-yr. old daughter Matty and an 8-yr. old son Micah that go to Prescott South Elementary. When I am not teaching, I can usually be found driving kids to practice!

Ms. Julie- Classroom Closer

Ms. Onie - Co Teacher

Ms. Amber - Co Teacher

Ms.Lauren- Classroom Closer

Hello, my name is Lauren Bilbrey. I graduated from Cookeville High School and continued my education at Vol State getting my associates degree. I am now attending Tennessee Tech to get my bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a masters degree in Psychology to be a school counselor.