University United Methodist Child Development Center Staff

Compassionate, Nurturing and Dedicated

A program is only as exceptional as it’s staff. All of our teachers have backgrounds in early childhood education and continue to take classes to further develop their knowledge about young children. In addition, all staff members are fully certified in both Pediatric First Aid and CPR. Because our center offers paid time off, company paid health insurance, and continuing education classes, we have a dedicated group of professionals, committed to high quality early childhood education.

Chelsie Shurtleff

Director

"I strive to inspire children to be kind, creative, and thoughtful individuals and to share my knowledge with children and the adults who care for them. Working for the Child Development Center is fulfilling and makes my heart happy everyday."

Originally from Boston, MA, Chelsie moved to Las Vegas in 2007. She joined the UUMCDC family in 2010 and discovered her passion for educating young children. She attended both CSN and UNLV to study early childhood education. Chelsie became the director of the child development center in December of 2016, and completed her Bachelor's degree in December of 2017. Chelsie is a mom to a ten year old daughter who has grown up in our Child Development Center. She believes the earliest years of a child's life and education are the most important and strives to provide a program of caring, nurturing and respect to all the children and families that the center serves.

Margaret Bourgon

Pre-K Specialist
Assistant Director

"I enjoy forming lasting connections with children. Working with little ones in early childhood is key in forming their life-long love of learning. I like to collaborate with their families to help their children grow."

Margaret Bourgon has worked at our CDC since March of 2000! She is a recipient of the TEACH Nevada Grant and is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education. Margaret specializes in working with children who exhibit special needs and exceptionalities. She says she loves being here and working with like-minded people and the level of love and respect she feels with her co-workers. Her favorite thing about working with the Pre-K students is being able to see them use the strategies she has taught them, becoming a part of their families, and getting smiles and hugs from her students!

Sherry D'Auriol

Lead Two Year Old Teacher

"I love children and I want to help them feel safe, grow, and learn. I love getting hugs from them."

Sherry D’Auriol has lived in Las Vegas for twelve years and is originally from New Brunswick, Canada. She taught kindergarten for five years before making the transition to Early Childhood Education. Sherry has a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in ECE. Working with toddlers is her niche and she loves to see children discover new things and foster their independence. Sherry started her journey at UUMCDC in May of 2018, she loves working here and says our center is her home away from home.

Cindy Villarreal

Lead One Year Old Teacher

"I want to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Working with kids is a never-ending learning experience and I love to see their smiles."

Cindy Villarreal is a Las Vegas native and is currently attending UNLV studying Early Childhood Education. She appreciates the opportunity to work one-on-one with teachers and students alike. Cindy is excited for the opportunity to grow as both an educator and a person. In her free time, she enjoys playing both the piano and the violin and would love to share that gift with her students.

Bethanne Neroni

Lead Infant Teacher

"I do this work because I love children. It is fulfilling to see them learn and grow."

Bethanne Neroni was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to Las Vegas in 2012. She is married and has a 17-year old son. Bethanne has more than 24 years of childcare experience working with all age groups. Caring for infants is where she finds the most joy. She loves to be able to experience all their “firsts” and enjoys seeing the world from their perspective.

Kimberly Rose

Assistant Two Year Old Teacher

Kimberly came to us January 2022 from Pennsylvania. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University and 19 years’ experience in early childcare education with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Kimberly did volunteer work with the Seeing Eye of New Jersey for 14 years raising puppies for the visually challenged. Kimberly also worked for and did volunteer work for previous churches as Sunday school teacher, Financial Secretary, Vacation Bible School director, Small Groups Leader. Kimberly has 2 adult children back in Pennsylvania and 3 adult stepdaughters. Kimberly and her husband moved to Las Vegas December 2021… “I love the weather, the mountains, and the palm trees! And it doesn’t hurt that we are die hard Raiders fans!” Kimberly loves working with the 2 year olds because.. “They say the funniest things and they also give the happiest greetings!”

Shateia Mack

Assistant Pre-K Teacher

"I enjoy seeing the children's beautiful, smiling faces when they have learned something new! I also love being greeted by their warm hugs in the morning!"

Shateia’s love for working with children began when she was a child herself. She has six brothers and sisters. She got her first job at 13 and began
babysitting five children at the age of 15. In 2018, Shateia attended nursing school with
intentions to be a pediatric nurse. She had her first child in 2019 and decided to pursue her
passion for working with children by joining the staff here at UUMCDC. She is attending CSN to
complete her degree in Early Childhood Education.

Jessica Dunn

Assistant Infant Teacher

Jessica Dunn was born in Las Angeles, CA and moved to Las Vegas in 1998. She is a UNLV graduate who has worked in several different career fields before discovering her love of educating children. After enrolling her daughter in our program, she felt drawn to be a part of the CDC teaching family. Jessica loves cooking for her friends and family and on her TikTok page. She loves working with the infants and considers it a privilege to partner with families as she assists with the amazing developments in their first year of life.

Lauren Ramsay

Assistant One Year Old Teacher

Lauren Ramsay was born and raised in Las Vegas. Lauren’s interest in working with children began in middle school, when she volunteered at her church. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her fiancée and cuddling her cat. She is planning on pursuing her Infant Toddler CDA and eventually an ECE degree. She loves working with children and being able to watch them grow.

Daniela Araujo

Lead Year Old Teacher

“I LOVE children. My interactions with my class brings me so much joy as I see how children are learning their way through life. I strive to create a classroom where every child can feel safe and secure while reaching each of their own individual potentials. I strive to help children become strong, independent, loving and empathetic people.”

Daniela Araujo was born in California and lived there until she was 20. Being a military family took her and her son across the cross country from California to Texas to Georgia and then to North Carolina as her husband pursued his military career. When leaving the military life they chose Nevada and are happily settling in. Her son is nine years old and is her one and only human child. She has many pets she considers her children; a dog, a cat, a tarantula, and the very recent addition of two fish. She has been pursuing her education after graduating high school but Early Childhood education was not her original path; she first started studying engineering until realizing her passion was for education. She joined the UUMCDC in August of 2022 and has already proven to be an amazing addition to our program.