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 one of our lead 4K teacher and assistant Director.  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.  

Mrs. Cedesia “Desi” Price is the lead teacher in our MEGA 3K 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!

Miss Laura Way is one of our lead 4-K teachers.  She loves working alongside and furthering the knowledge of her students. Miss Laura currently attends Southern Wesleyan Universtiy working to complete her degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies. In her free time she enjoys dance (teaching ballet, tap, clogging) and spending time with family and friends. She is also certified in CPR, first aid and AED

Miss Maddison Gable is one of our 4-K lead teachers. 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 Alayna Way is the assistant 4-K teacher 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

Miss Mary-Grace Korycki is one of our aftershool teachers and a MEGA Competitive and Recreational gymnastics coach. Miss Mary-Grace currently will Midlands Technical College in pursuit of her Nursing degree. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.

Miss Jackie Ramos-Ibarra works with the infant and toddler class. She attends Midlands Technical College and is working towards her degree in Nursing. She enjoys teaching, cooking Hispanic dishes, reading and spending time with her family. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and the children in her class enjoy learning new Spanish words and songs.

Miss Gabrielle "Gabby" Mansberger works with the infant and toddler classroom. Her bright and sunny personality makes her a favorite of all of the MEGA children. Miss Gabby is working towards her degree in the Arts and hopes to one day be an art teacher. She enjoys reading, traveling and hiking. She is also certified in child and adult CPR/AED and First Aid.

Miss Leilani Bunn works with our 3K class. She is one semster away from completing her Associates Degree 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.