Provider Representative Information
Provider Representative Information
The ELC has a diverse Board of Directors which include both public and private members. Dr. Luisa Martin is a local child care providers and a provider representative on the board. As a member of our board, Dr. Martin’s primary duty is to be the voice of providers in our area. While you are always welcome to contact the ELC directly, your board representatives are an additional resource to ask questions and share information with.
Dr. Luisa Martin
My name is Dr. Luisa Martin I am your representative on the ELC Board. I want to introduce myself to all my colleague and to tell you a little about me. I hope to work closely with you to make a difference in the life of our most vulnerable members of our society.
I am the owner of Bright Stars Child Development Center in Tallahassee, Spanish is my first language, nevertheless I have an excellent command of English, I was born in Panama Central America, immigrated to the United States many years ago and completed all my schooling here. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, a master’s degree in Public Administration, and one in Speech Pathology, and a Doctorate in Education.
Before entering the field of Early Childhood Education, I was employed in New York City Public School System for eight years. I moved to Miami and became the Director of the Training Department of the Miami Job Corp. After three years of watching young adults coming through Job Corp not knowing how to read I decided that my work should start before they even get to elementary school.
I come to you with 27 years of experience as an owner of preschools, 22 years in Miami and 5 years here in Tallahassee. I was also an adjunct professor at Miami Dade Community College in the Adult and Continuing Education Department, teaching the 40 hours required training and some in-service classes in both Spanish and English.
My mission is always to provide quality care at affordable price in a caring nurturing environment. We Provide guidance to families so that they could become better advocate for their children, we direct them to resources when needed, and talk to them about the importance of parent involvement. I spend a considerable amount of time mentoring my staff, making sure that they keep abreast with the changes in early childcare, and provide tons of on-site training.
Kristin Olson joined the Board of Directors as the Representative of Faith Based Child Care Providers in June 2016. Kristin is the Director of Advent Day School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa, a Professional Teaching Certificate (Primary Education Ages 3 - Grade 3) in addition to the Florida Director's Credential; and has enabled her school to achieve APPLE accreditation.
Kristin began her career in early childhood education in Chicago, Illinois at The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago as a teacher in Preschool Programs. In 2007 she and her family moved to Tallahassee and began working in the Leon County Schools (LCS). Following the arrival of her second child, Kristin left LCS and began working in children's ministry. She accepted the Director position at Advent Day School in 2016, where she is currently working.
As a mother to three young boys herself, Kristin understands the importance of quality childcare. Her career has been centered on early childhood education for the past ten years. Kristin finds watching the growth of the entire child; physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually to be one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Click here if you would like more information about the Board or becoming part of the Board of Directors for the ELC.
