Our Staff

Our director, Janice Ironside has over 30  years experience as a teacher and director both in Hawaii and South Carolina. She holds a Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina in Early Childhood  Education. She is also a South Carolina Department of Social Services Master Trainer. She is certified in infant/child CPR, AED, and First Aid. She and her husband Jim enjoy traveling in their RV, reading and spending time with their grandchildren. 

Mrs. Audrey Rivers has over 20 years experience teaching 4K. She is our lead 4K teacher in the Whales classroom and our Assistant Director here at MEGA.  She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and is seeking her Bachelor's Degree from USC. She has been featured many times as a spokesperson for First Steps 4K. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.  She enjoys crocheting and spending time with her family.  

Miss Alayna Way is one of our assistant 4-K teachers in the Whales class here at MEGA. She holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, they love going to the lake to swim on a hot day or spending time together at home. She is also certified in infant/child CPR, First Aid and AED

Mrs. Laura Way is on of our co-teachers in our 4K Sea Turtle classroom. She loves working alongside her students and helping them grow in their knowledge and skills. Mrs. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies from Southern Wesleyan University. In her free time, she enjoys teaching dancing- teaching tap, ballet, acro, and clogging- as well as spending time with her husband and friends and family. She is also certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. 

Miss Maddison Gable is one of our 4-K co-teachers in our Sea Turtle class. She holds a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. In her time away from the classroom she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, fishing on the lake, going to the mountains, and also being an active member in her church community. She is also certfied in infant/child CPR, First Aid and AED. 

Miss Diana Balcazar is one of our co-teachers in the Sea Dolphin 3K class. She holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Midlands Technical College. She enjoys riding her horse "Barbie" and spending time with her large family. She is fluent in spanish and adds her hispnaic heritage of language, culture, and music to our 3K classroom. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid. 

Mrs. Cedesia “Desi” Price is one of our co-teachers in our MEGA 3K Dolphin class. She holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She has a passion for working with young children and enjoys art projects with the very young. She is very  “craftsy” and enjoys making accessories and printing T-shirts in her free time. Mrs. Desi was a student in our preschool program years ago. We are happy to have her back at MEGA as a teacher! She is also certified in child and adult CPR, First Aid, and AED.

Mrs. Gabbi Hall is our of our amazing co-teachers in the MEGA 2K Sea Horse classroom. She has been teaching for 5 years and is working on her Early Childhood Education certificate from Midlands Technical College. She enjoys spending time with her three kids, cooking, crocheting, and gardening. She is also certified in child and adult CPR, First Aid, and AED.

Miss Malinda Yoakum is another one of our amazing co-teachers in the MEGA 2K Sea Horse classroom. She earned her associate's degree in Secondary Education from Roan State Community College in Tennessee, and has been teaching for two years. She enjoys spending time with her son, Orion, caring for their chickens, and playing games at home with friends and family. She is also certified in child and adult CPR, First Aid, and AED.

Miss Joy-Anna Watson is one of our teachers in our Babyshark infant and toddler room. She is working towards her certificate in Early Childhood Education from Midlands Technical College. She enjoys riding her bike, singing, and fishing wth her friends and family. She is also certified in infant, child and adult CPR, First Aid, and AED

Miss Leilani Bunn works with our infant and toddler class. She has completed her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Midlands Technical College. She enjoys reading, arts and crafts and playing softball. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.

Miss Savannah Minor works with our infant and toddler class. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's in Early Elementary Education at Lander University. She enjoys spending time with friends and family on the weekends. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.

Ms. SK is our wonderful afterschool teacher who brings joy and care to our school-age children once they arrive from Centerville Elementary. She's passionate about outdoor activities-- riding horses, practicing archery, and caring for her pet birds. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.

Ms. Suzi Darbyshire is our fabulous cook. She originally hails from Hawaii and brings her love of cooking to all of our MEGA classes. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, sewing, and quilting.