I'm Tracy Bryant, the Deputy Program Officer with Signal Centers. My background is in Social Work and I've spent just over twenty years working in the non-profit sector in Chattanooga, primarily with children and youth. I believe that providing a high-quality early education for children from all walks of life and with all abilities is one way that we can create a more equitable community, promote lasting social change, and make the world a better place for everyone--when the children do well, we all do well. When I'm not at Signal Centers, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking pretty trails, and reading great books.
Pam Hudson
I manage the staff and services for children ages six weeks through Pre-K to assure high quality early learning standards are met and exceeded. I was the first Special Education preschool teacher hired by the Hamilton County Department of Education. I went on to become the Director of Exceptional Education and responsible for providing programs to 7,000 children and students with disabilities in 80 schools. After retiring, I consulted and taught at Orange Grove. I have been with Signal for eight years. Our program embraces my professional and philosophical goals of providing early care and learning in an inclusive environment.
Signal Centers employs Special Education Coordinators to ensure that each child who has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) has their needs met and that all children are supported within the classroom setting. Our Coordinators work with individual teachers and children and with small groups as needed, and hold a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Special Education.
Early Care and Education Coordinator
Emily Dann
I am one of the Early Care and Education Coordinators in Children's Services. I serve children who have special needs in the classrooms, and I work with their teachers throughout the year. I started at Signal Centers in June 2017 as a teacher in a 3-5 year old classroom after 2 years teaching Pre-K in Georgia. I graduated from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) with a B.S. in Special Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology. I love how involved Signal Centers is with the community and am so passionate about the work we do to mitigate ACES in the lives of our children and their families. My husband and I play in a Jazz Band called "Scenic City Sound" here in town and have two dogs, Peach and Mario!
Early Childhood Coordinator
Danielle Bekeza
Hello! I am Danielle Bekeza and I have been an Early Childhood Coordinator with Signal Centers since December 2019. I have my Bachelor’s of Science in Exceptional Education K-12 and taught special education in Hamilton County for 3 ½ years before coming to Signal Centers. I have a passion for inclusion for all children which is one of the many things I love about Signal Centers. When I am not here at Signal Centers, I enjoy reading, yoga, cooking, and spending time with my boyfriend and dogs!
Administrative Assistant
Taylor Reed
Hello! I am Taylor Reed and I have been the Administrative Assistant at Children's Services for the past two years. I have worked in two different county school systems as well as working as a Secretary at a healthcare clinic. I love my position at Signal Centers because I am able to use my organizational skills while helping to impact the lives of our children and families! I love getting to see the children learn and grow in an environment filled with bountiful amounts of love and encouragement for them! There is nothing like seeing a child blossom into their own little person and watch as they exceed any and all expectations of them. On the weekends you will find me antique shopping or going on hikes with my husband, dog, and cat. While shopping and hiking bring me great joy, there is truly no place like home and I am certainly happiest cuddled up on the couch with my little family!
Nurse
Margaret Massey
I am Margaret Massey, the Registered Nurse at Signal Centers. I graduated from Berry College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a focus in public health. I am certified in NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation) & PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). I completed the Erlanger Nurse Residency program and worked in the Erlanger Baroness NICU prior to working at Signal Centers. I love that Signal Centers provides an environment that fosters child development and helps them hit new milestones every day. It is a passion of mine to serve the children and families in our community through comprehensive & inclusive nursing care.
Our Early Childhood Educators, CEO Donna McConnico and Chief Program Officer Carolyn Boyd cut the ribbon on the new teacher work room.
Our Children’s Services team is made up of a wide body of highly skilled educators. Our teachers receive ongoing training on topics including but not limited to:
- CPR/First Aid
- ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experience) and Trauma Informed Care
- Positive Discipline
- Healthy and Safety
- Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse
- TNELDS (Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards)
- Safe Sleep Practices
Each of our classrooms is staffed with a Lead Teacher, a Teacher Assistant, and a well-trained Paraprofessional. Our Lead and Assistant Teachers all exceed the State of Tennessee’s requirement for infant, toddler and preschool educators, and the majority hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development or Early Childhood Education, or a CDA.
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