The Learning Ladder Child Development Center

Our Staff

Click on a staff member's name to read their bio.

Our Administrative Staff:

Our Lead Teachers:

Karen Clelland	Mrs. Pamela Cline	Ms. Brynn Matusevich
Mrs. Pam McGuire	Mrs. Ashley Meadows	Mrs. Betty Metzler
Mrs. Kim Wasil

Our Assistants:

Ms. Amanda Bailey	Ms. Crystal Crane
Ms. Chelsea Phillips	Mrs. Misti Stepp

Ms. Katie Cummings, Director
katie@thelearningladder.net

Hi! I’m Katie Cummings, Director of The Learning Ladder. I began my work with TLL in July of 2012. Prior to my position with the childcare center I was a special education teacher and a foster care case manager. I graduated from Radford University in 2007 with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a K-12 teacher certificate. I will complete my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Mary Baldwin College in the Fall of 2013. I am proud to be a part of such a great childcare center and look forward to seeing it continue to grow!

Ms. Traci Cook, Assistant Director

Hi! My name is Traci. I am originally from West Virginia. My family and I moved to Virginia when I was seven. I attended and graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1989. I have two fantastic boys; Ryan, 18 and Jared, 12. Shortly after the birth of my first child, I started working in the child care profession. Over the last 17 years I have worked with children of all ages; from infants to schoolers. I love children! They amaze me and never fail to make me smile.

Mrs. Karen Clelland, Lead Teacher, Orange Room

Hello. My name is Karen. I have worked in many facets with The Learning Ladder since August of 2009. Prior to The Learning Ladder I was a first grade teacher in Florida where I’m originally from. I have lots of experiences working with children of all ages. Presently, teach the 3 year old class for half of my day and provide research and guidance as the Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator for the other half. I love to see children excited about learning and always wondering what’s next.

Mrs. Pamela Cline, Lead Teacher, Blue Room/Preschool

My name is Pamela Cline. I am the lead teacher for the Pre-K class at TLL. I have been with TLL since the day we opened and have loved watching our center grow and change over the last 3 1/2 years! We have been blessed with great children and their families who have come through our center.

I have lived in Christiansburg for 20+ years with my husband, Mark. We have two beautiful and talented daughters, one in college and another in high school. I love being their Mom!

I am currently involved at my daughter's school as well as Girl Scouts in Christiansburg. I have worked with children for 25+ years in many different ways. A few of these ways was as a children's choir director, teaching with Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs), and as a Preschool Teacher for both 3 year old and Pre-K age groups.

I love working with children and I think our center is a great place for children to learn and be loved!

I feel there is no greater reward than teaching children to succeed for I believe that every child is a gift from God.

Ms. Brynn Matusevich, Lead Teacher, Purple Room

Hi, my name is Brynn Matusevich. I grew up in Riner, VA and am native to the New River Valley. I am currently attending Virginia Tech, studying child and adolescent development and plan to obtain a master's in early childhood education. I am new at the Learning Ladder and am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your child's development! As a lead teacher for the Purple Room, I absolutely love interacting with toddlers and watching them grow each and every day.

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Mrs. Pam McGuire, Lead Teacher, Two Year Olds/Green Room

My name is Pam McGuire. I have lived in Christiansburg all my life. I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter. I have been working in child care for 10+ years and LOVE IT! I have worked with every age group. I really enjoy two year olds. They are just beginning to speak well and express themselves. It is such a joy to be around all of them and watching them learn and grow. I feel blessed to be a part of The Learning Ladder family!

Mrs. Ashley Meadows, Lead Teacher, Yellow Room

Hi, my name is Ashley Meadows. I am a native to Christiansburg. I live in Blacksburg with my husband since July, 2011. We are currently expecting our first child, a little boy, in April, 2012. I have been at The Learning Ladder since August, 2009 and I love working here! I love all of the kids and watching them all grow and learn daily. I am currently going to New River Community College majoring in Social Work.

Mrs. Betty Metzler, Lead Teacher, Red Room/Preschool

Hello, My name is Betty Metzler. I am a native of the New River Valley and I come to The Learning Ladder with over 20 years of experience in Child Care. I have worked in several different centers in the area as Lead Teacher and Assistant Director. My passion is teaching. I feel that a low child/teacher ratio is beneficial for cognitive, social and emotional development. In addition to being a child care professional, I am a wife and mother. When I am not at The Learning Ladder, I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Kim Wasil, Lead Teacher, Two Year Olds/Maroon Room

Hi, my name is Kim Wasil. I am originally from the New River Valley and I currently live in Shawsville with our fat cat and three dogs. I love working with children and have taught at various centers as a lead teacher and administrator. I really enjoy working with the older twos and younger threes. They are so eager to learn and express themselves with their budding personalities. It is a joy to help them discover new and exciting things about our world every day!

Our Assistants: