Staff | Little Trotters Farm and Nursery School

Josie Hoar – Principal
South African born, Josie has lived and worked all over. She trained in London as a Montessori Nursery Teacher (2yrs-6yrs) and later; Advanced Montessori Teacher (6yrs-9yrs). Josie is also trained as a Nursery Nurse (NNEB). More recently, Josie has developed a strong interest in the Rudolf Steiner approach and attended several Steiner seminars in the UK and observed regularly in Steiner schools. She taught at the Englefield Green Montessori School, UK for a year and then at The Stage Coach Montessori School, UK for a further year. During this time she completed a part time Child Psychology course. Next she worked for five years at The Montessori School of Cayman as a teacher, and school principal for the last two years. Thereafter she went travelling through Asia for a year where she spent three months working as a volunteer teacher at The Yong Ling School for Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, Himalayas, North India. Whilst in Australia she attained her Permiculture (Organic Farming) certificate. Josie returned to Cayman in March 2004 to set up a small school called… “Little Trotters”.

Youngest Class Teachers – “The Turtles”

Lesley Maddock
Lesley first joined Little Trotters in 2005 as a nursery teacher. She was rolled over in June 2008 and spent her time away teaching 4 year olds in a Pre School in Cyprus. We are delighted to have Lesley back in the position of Class Manager to the Turtle class. She is truly exemplary. She is professional, creative and organized. Presently she is studying towards her Montessori Foundation Teaching Diploma. In addition to her Montessori training, Lesley is a trained Nursery Nurse (NNEB) and qualified First Aider. She is a loving mum and has twenty years childcare experience.

Elaine Copeland
Elaine is our wise owl. Born in Jamaica, Elaine has lived in Grand Cayman for the past thirty years. She is a trained Medical Assistant and has 10 years experience nannying young children on the Island; from whom she comes extremely highly recommended. Elaine has also assisted at the Agape Church as a Sunday School Teacher. She is a mother of three who are all grown up now. She is ever calm and loving and patient. Elaine has worked at Trotters for seven years now.

Sonia Spence
Between nannying, teaching Sunday school and being classroom teaching assistant since 2005 at Little Trotters, Sonia has an abundance of childcare experience. She has a gentle and loving way with the children and is always furnished with a smile. Sonia is First Aid Trained and is a loving mum of one. Sonia works in the youngest class part-time, mornings only.

Tisha Dilbert
Tisha who is Caymanian joined us at Little Trotters July 2008. She is a qualified Primary Teacher and holds a licence to teach and is also First Aid Trained. Prior to working at Little Trotters, Tisha was full time at First Steps Pre-School, Grand Cayman for three years and tutored children in English and Spanish. Tisha also worked at the Modesto Rodas Alvarado school in Honduras as a primary teacher.

Middle Class Teachers – “The Stingrays”

Elisa Piper
Elisa has worked with children for twenty one years in the UK, Germany and here on the island. Elisa is known the island over for her incredible way with children. She’s enthusiastic, amazingly energetic and genuinely passionate about the children in her care. She is a trained Nursery Nurse (NNEB 0-7 yrs) and is also a trained Montessori Teacher ‘Gold Seal’. She has worked at Cayman Kindergarten, The Montessori School of Cayman and nannied for numerous families here on the island. Elisa has worked at Trotters since we opened in 2004 as class teacher and grounds manager. Best experience of all… Elisa is a loving mummy of two.

Janet Heiss
Janet (British) joined our team January 2005. She holds a City & Guilds Childcare Diploma and has worked with young children since leaving college. She has a wonderful, easy going and delightfully fun manner. Janet has nannied for numerous families in the UK and here on the island. She has also worked as a pre-school teacher assistant in the UK, been Assistant Youth Director for Premier Cruise Lines, and Senior Childcare Supervisor onboard the S/S Oceanic Cruise Ships. Janet is presently studying towards a Diploma in Childcare and Development with the Oxford College, UK. She is a mega mum of two. Janet has worked at Little Trotters for 6 years.

Renae Ebanks
Renae is a true natural around children. She is Caymanian and has worked as a full-time classroom teaching assistant at Little Trotters since 2005. She holds a GSE in Child Development and is presently studying towards a Diploma in Childcare and Development with the Oxford College, UK. She is also First Aid trained.

Sonia Spence
Between nannying, teaching Sunday School and being classroom teaching assistant since 2005 at Little Trotters, Sonia has an abundance of childcare experience. She has a gentle and loving way with the children and is always furnished with a smile. Sonia is First Aid Trained and is a loving mum of one. Sonia works in the Middle Class part-time, afternoons only.

Stacey Ward
Stacey joins us from New York. She is First Aid trained, holds her Associates in Science (graduated with honours), a Bachelors of Science in Education and a Masters of Science in Education – birth to 6th grade. She has 5 years experience as head teacher, 6 months experience as co-teacher, and 1 years experience as class assistant. During this time she trained as a literacy specialist, provided ‘Academic Intervention Services’ in literacy and maths and was in charge of staff development for the writing programme. In addition she worked for 6 consecutive summers in the Adirondacks; a mountain range in upstate New York at a Christian sleep away summer camp. She loves arts and crafts, is enthusiastic and shows tremendous professionalism.

Oldest Class Teachers – “The Iguanas”

Carolyn Jervis
Canadian born Carolyn is quite possibly the bubbliest and most charming person one could have the honour of meeting. She has an enthralling manner which ignites the wonder of childhood. She holds her Early Childhood Education Certificate, has completed her Advanced Health and Safety in Early Childhood Education, has a Class 4 Drivers License (licensed to drive a forty two passenger school bus!!!), has studied two years Elementary Education and is currently studying a Special Needs Distance Education Course. Carolyn taught for three years between Louciano Fabbian Childcare Centre, Learning Tree Childcare Centre and The Royal Elementary School (Canada). She has been with us here at Trotters since we opened. Carolyn is a loving mum to two girls.

Tanya Nelson
Tanya joined Little Trotters in April, 2007. She is a trained teacher and holds her Post Graduate in Education. She has eight years teaching experience and heads up our Spanish and Music curriculum. Tanya is Colombian born and therefore Spanish is her mother tongue. On a daily basis she brings the Spanish spoken language into the classroom as well as giving formal classes three times per week. She also holds a Bachelor Degree in music and gives music, singing and percussion classes three times per week. Tanya is also very knowledgeable on the computer and therefore is responsible for overseeing ‘computer time’ on Friday mornings with the children.

Lynsey Garrud
Lynsey joins us from the United Kingdom and heads up our literacy programme. She is trained in ‘Jolly Phonics,’ holds a CACHE Diploma in childcare and development and is First Aid trained. She is so gentle and loving. The children adore her sweet and child centred manner. She has 7 years experience in a class nursery nurse and 1 year experience as a nanny.