Staff

Meet Our Staff

Stephanie Veneklasen

Director

Mrs. Stephanie joined our team in April 2026 as the Director. She has over 30 years of childcare experience with the last 7 serving as a director. Mrs. Stephanie and her husband, Clay, have been married for 27 years and have four grown children along with two sons-in-law. When she is not at work, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her family especially at Georgia Southern Football Games.

Tracy Cunningham

Assistant Director

Tracy Cunningham has been employed with Small Wonders Playcare since March 1987.
She is currently the Assistant Director but, worked in the Toddler 2 room for many years as well as the kitchen cooking. She is originally from Pennsylvania and is a huge Steelers fan! She has two children, Trevor and Erica.
In her spare time, she enjoys baking and spending time with family.

Kawana Shanks

Assistant Director

Kawana Shanks has been an employee with Small Wonders Playcare since October 1991.
Ms. Kawana joined our administration team as assistant director December 2025. She is mother to one beautiful, intelligent daughter, and enjoys teaching and helping children grow. In her spare time, Kawana enjoys reading, crafting and most of all spending time with her family.

Veronica Young

Nutritionist

Veronica Young has been an employee with Small Wonders Playcare since October 1997. She started out as a teacher in the Toddler I class and the Afterschool class. Once word got out that cooking was her passion, she was moved to the kitchen. Although she still works with children in the afternoon, she finds solace and peace cooking for them.
Veronica is mom to one daughter who she fondly calls her “everything” and in her very limited free time, she loves to read and sleep.

Diamyn Sparks

Nursery 1

Hi, I'm Miss Diamyn! I'm an energetic, playful, and caring teacher who enjoys bringing positivity, laughter, and

enthusiasm into the classroom. I love engaging children through music, movement, play, and age-appropriate

activities that encourage exploration and allow them to enjoy being little. Outside of the classroom, I also enjoy

doing hair and expressing my creativity through styling. Whether I am creating a new hairstyle or planning a fun

experience for the children, I enjoy opportunities to be creative, connect with others, and brighten someone's day.

My goal is to help create a happy and welcoming classroom where every child feels loved, comfortable, and free

to be themselves

Preincezz Clark

Nursery 1

Ruby Manning

Lead Nursery 2 Teacher

Ruby Manning has been employed with Small Wonders Playcare since April 1989. She is married to a retired military veteran and has 2 amazing daughters as well as 2 loving grandchildren. Ruby is the lead teacher in the nursery, and believes that regardless of how old a child is, we can learn from them. She also believes that this center is a wonderful place for children to begin their education both academically and emotionally.

Zy Justice

Assistant Teacher Nursery 2

Hi, I'm Miss Zy! I'm a fun-loving and creative Infant Teacher with more than eight years of experience working

with children. I believe young children learn best through hands-on experiences, exploration, creativity, and play.

I enjoy designing custom activities that give my little learners meaningful opportunities to explore, express

themselves, and build new skills. Creativity is an important part of who I am, and outside of the classroom, I enjoy

designing custom party favors and personalized items. I bring that same creative energy into the classroom

through art, sensory play, music, movement, and engaging learning experiences. My goal is to make each day

fun, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate while providing a safe, nurturing environment where every

child feels supported and encouraged to learn.

Monique England

Lead Teacher Toddler 1

Monique England has been teaching in the Toddler I class since July 1993. She enjoys working with the little ones and she treats each one as if they are her own kids.
Monique has one son who is attending school at Coastal Carolina College with aspirations to attend medical school.

Beverly Gordon

Assistant Teacher Toddler 1

Beverly has been teaching 1 year olds at Small Wonders for 27 years. She has 4 children and 17+ grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys reading, yard sales, and spending time with family.

Jordan Sawyers

Assistant Teacher Toddler 2

China Wright

Assistant Teacher Toddler 2

Brenda Williams

Lead Teacher Preschool

Brenda Williams has been working at Small Wonders since August of 1989.

Brenda's children and her grandchildren have attended here for childcare as well as pre-k.

Kim Johnson

Assistant Teacher Preschool

Jessica Halleran

Lead Teacher Pre-K 1

Brittney Collier

Assistant Teacher Pre-K 1

Brittney has been working at Small Wonders for 6 years. She has a handsome 10 year old son (Gavin). Brittney always knew she loved kids so she became a nanny and then moved into daycare work. She enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Rebecca Rudman, M.A. Ed.

Lead Teacher Pre-K 2

Rebecca Rudman has been an employee with Small Wonders Playcare since August 2014.
She is originally from Boulder, Colorado. She is married to Brett (27 years) and has 3 children, Pierce (21), and twins Ashley and Scott (15).

Denise Ivey

Assistant Teacher Pre-K 2

Denise lives in McDuffie County with her 2 girls. She also has a son who lives in Thomson as well. Denise loves to spend time with her 7 grandchildren (4 girls and 3 boys). She has been working in Early Childhood education for over 20 years and loves changing children's lives.

Wanda Jones

After School Teacher

Hello, I'm Miss Preincezz! I am a caring and dedicated early childhood educator with more than three years of

experience. I truly enjoy being part of a child's early years and creating days filled with learning, creativity, and

opportunities to explore. I strive to be a patient, attentive, and encouraging presence who helps every child feel

comfortable, confident, and valued. I believe each child learns and develops in their own way, and I enjoy

creating engaging experiences that support individual needs while helping children build confidence, express

themselves, and develop a positive love for learning.

Kaitlin Robertson

Nursery 1

Hi, I'm Miss Kaitlin! I'm a fun, bubbly, and caring teacher with four years of experience in childcare. I have had the

opportunity to work with children of all ages and currently enjoy caring for our youngest learners in Nursery One. I

strive to create a warm, playful, and nurturing environment where infants feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. I

enjoy providing engaging experiences that encourage exploration, development, and connection, and one of the

most rewarding parts of my work is watching each child grow, discover new things, and develop their own unique

personality.

Preincezz Clark

Nursery 1

Hello, I'm Miss Preincezz! I am a caring and dedicated early childhood educator with more than three years of

experience. I truly enjoy being part of a child's early years and creating days filled with learning, creativity, and

opportunities to explore. I strive to be a patient, attentive, and encouraging presence who helps every child feel

comfortable, confident, and valued. I believe each child learns and develops in their own way, and I enjoy

creating engaging experiences that support individual needs while helping children build confidence, express

themselves, and develop a positive love for learning.

Ruby Manning

Lead Nursery 2 Teacher

Zy Justice

Assistant Teacher Nursery 2

Hi, I'm Miss Zy! I'm a fun-loving and creative Infant Teacher with more than eight years of experience working

with children. I believe young children learn best through hands-on experiences, exploration, creativity, and play.

I enjoy designing custom activities that give my little learners meaningful opportunities to explore, express

themselves, and build new skills. Creativity is an important part of who I am, and outside of the classroom, I enjoy

designing custom party favors and personalized items. I bring that same creative energy into the classroom

through art, sensory play, music, movement, and engaging learning experiences. My goal is to make each day

fun, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate while providing a safe, nurturing environment where every

child feels supported and encouraged to learn.

Monique England

Lead Teacher Toddler 1

Beverly Gordon

Assistant Teacher Toddler 1

Beverly has been teaching 1 year olds at Small Wonders for 27 years. She has 4 children and 17+ grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys reading, yard sales, and spending time with family.