Our Leadership & Staff Home / About Us / Our Leadership & Staff Meet Our Dedicated Team A Message from Our Principal Melissa Rudolph Dear Future Park Maitland Preschool Parent, This morning, I watched a group of children gathered on the playground, working together to create what they called a “restaurant” out of loose parts and play materials. One child carefully took orders, another set up a seating area, and a third decided they needed a “menu” and began drawing pictures to represent the food. What stood out wasn’t just the creativity, it was how naturally they collaborated, negotiated roles, and stayed with the idea long enough to make it their own. That kind of learning happens every day at Park Maitland Preschool in Winter Park. Our classrooms are intentionally designed to give children both structure and room to explore. You’ll see teachers guiding with a light touch, asking thoughtful questions, encouraging problem-solving, and giving children time to think instead of rushing them to an answer. A typical day includes shared moments like circle time, where children build early literacy and language skills through conversation, stories, and group activities. But just as important are the quieter stretches of the day, when children move through hands-on experiences—building, creating, experimenting and begin to connect ideas across subjects in ways that feel meaningful to them. We pay close attention to the small, steady growth that happens during these early years. Independence shows up when a child takes responsibility for their belongings or transitions confidently between activities. Confidence builds when they share an idea with a group or try again after something doesn’t go as planned. These moments aren’t rushed, they’re noticed, supported, and celebrated. Families often tell me how much they appreciate feeling connected to their child’s day. Through regular communication and shared insights from the classroom, you’re able to see how your child is growing not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. If you’re exploring options for your child, I hope you’ll come spend some time with us. Walk through the classrooms, pause for a few minutes, and observe. The way our teachers interact with children, and how children respond in return, will give you a clear sense of what matters most here. Warmly, Melissa Rudolph Principal Read More Learn More About Park Maitland Preschool Teachers How are Park Maitland Preschool teachers trained in the Links to Learning curriculum? Our educators are master practitioners of our proprietary Links to Learning curriculum. The journey begins with intensive, individualized onboarding to ensure every new teacher is fluent in our proprietary standards. Mastery is maintained through a culture of continuous refinement; our leadership team conducts regular classroom walkthroughs and observations, providing the constructive feedback and guidance necessary to keep our instructional quality at the highest possible level. How do teachers at Park Maitland Preschool communicate with families? Connection is at the heart of our community. We prioritize transparency through our communication app, allowing teachers to share photos, detailed updates, and essential information. This digital dialogue is anchored by formal Parent-Teacher Conferences held twice annually, offering a dedicated space to discuss your child’s developmental milestones and academic progress in depth. Learn more about our family communication practices. What do families appreciate most about teachers at Park Maitland Preschool? Our families consistently praise the balance of strong academics, clear communication, and professionalism demonstrated by our teachers and staff. Beyond the classroom experience, parents appreciate our modern, colorful campus, which help create an engaging and nurturing environment for every child. How long do Park Maitland Preschool teachers typically stay at the school? We believe that teacher well-being is the foundation of student success. To prevent the burnout common in early childhood settings, our calendar mirrors our elementary campuses, providing scheduled breaks that allow our team to recharge. Combined with highly competitive compensation, this professionalized approach has allowed us to retain many of the same dedicated teachers who helped open our doors 4–5 years ago. This stability provides our students with the consistent, familiar faces they need to feel secure. What qualifications do Park Maitland Preschool teachers hold? While all staff complete the required 45 hours of Department of Children and Families (DCF) training, we prioritize candidates with Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. Notably, all Pre-K lead teachers are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree, and several members of our staff possess or are pursuing Master’s degrees. This commitment to higher credentials ensures your child is guided by experts in the science of early learning. What makes the teachers at Park Maitland Preschool exceptional? Teachers at Park Maitland Preschool bring a warm, positive energy to the classroom each day. They take the time to build meaningful connections with every child, recognizing and supporting each student’s unique abilities. Our teachers thoughtfully challenge students to reach their full potential while fostering confidence and independence. Above all, they create a safe, secure environment where children feel supported as they grow and thrive. Come See Our School in Action! Contact us today to schedule a private tour and experience our Links to Learning curriculum firsthand. Learn More
