Tiny Tot Staff
Meet the Tiny Tot School Staff!
Office Staff
Diane Eakes
My name is Diane Eakes, and I feel blessed to be the director of Tiny Tot School. The education of young children has always been a passion of mine. Originally from Virginia, I attended James Madison University where I received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I later studied at Loyola University and received a master’s degree in Developmental Reading. I have been an educator in elementary schools and preschools for over 20 years.
My husband and I raised three children in northern Harford County. I enjoy spending time outdoors, reading, baking, traveling, playing tennis, and teaching at my church.
I believe there is something uniquely special about the preschool years. It is a wonderful age of curiosity, discovery, and wonder. Together with an amazing staff of teachers, I love to help our Tiny Tots explore their world and take the next steps in their development. I am grateful to be inspired every day by the children and the staff at Tiny Tot School.
Jane Frank
My name is Jane Frank, and I am the Tiny Tots Office Manager. My four children attended Tiny Tot School, and I am so happy to continue to be a part of this wonderful school. I am originally from northern New Jersey, and I graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Journalism/Communication. My husband and I met in college, and we lived in multiple states as he served as an Officer in the Army.
My family loves riding bikes, cheering on the Bills and the Mets, and going on hikes with our dog, Marty. My children are training to be professional athletes, so I am very busy driving them to their practices and games. In my free time I enjoy running with Mrs. Buyse and listening to crime podcasts.
I love working at Tiny Tots because I get to see all the adorable smiles and hear all the funny things the children say.
Kindergarten Prep
Coleen Porter
My name is Coleen Porter, and I am a Kindergarten Prep teacher at Tiny Tot School. I became a member of the Tiny Tots family in 2012. Prior to that I had taken early childhood courses at Towson University. I couldn't be happier to work in such a caring, nurturing environment with an amazing staff. I love nothing more than greeting those sweet, smiling faces each and every morning. I am blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love and make a difference in a young child's life.
Katie Weeks
My name is Katie Weeks, and I am thrilled to be teaching the four-year-old class at Tiny Tot School. I went to Tiny Tots when I was 4 and being able to teach here now feels like I am coming home to where my love for school began.
I received my Associate degree from Harford Community College in Early Childhood Education, and I received my Bachelor’s degree from Towson University in Early Childhood Education. I taught Kindergarten for Harford County Public Schools for 2 years at Prospect Mill Elementary School and I absolutely loved it!
For the past 13 years I have been a stay-at-home mom to my three children. I love spending time with my husband and children outdoors. We love to hike, take bike rides, and visit the National and State Parks. I also love to garden, bake, paint/draw, and practice yoga.
I absolutely love the preschool years! I enjoy watching young children explore the world around them, make connections, and learn new things. There really is something magical about the preschool years, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to learn along with the Tiny Tots.
PM Class
Laurie Syphard
My name is Laurie Syphard and I am excited to join the Tiny Tot School teaching team! I received my Bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College and my Master's degree in Earth Science Education from Penn State. I have developed science content for a science museum and various non-profits where I taught elementary and middle school groups about science concepts. Most recently, I taught a caregiver and child class at a fully immersive nature school in Baltimore County. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the Jersey Shore and spending time outdoors with my two daughters, horseback riding, and camping in the Catskills with my family.
I love the preschool years - they are filled with so much wonder, exploration, and growth. I'm thrilled to work with Tiny Tots and their families this fall.
Abby Koncurat
My name is Abby Koncurat, and I am very excited to be teaching at Tiny Tots! I joined the staff as an assistant in the 3s class and loved it so much I wanted to take on a teaching position.
I’ve been working in childcare since 2018. In addition to teaching, I am employed as a nanny, a children’s theater instructor, and several other small jobs. One of the kids I care for has a running joke that I am just like Barbie because I wear so many different hats. I am truly blessed to be able to do all that I do, and I am driven by my passion for working with children. In my free time, I enjoy music, theater, crochet, being outdoors, and spending time with family. I have seen how the Tiny Tot community has blessed my family for years, and I am so grateful to be a part of it!
AM Class
Lauren Sloan
My name is Lauren Sloan and I will be teaching the Pre-K AM 4’s and PM Pre-K class. I've had the pleasure of being part of the Tiny Tot School community since 2018 when my children began attending the program. Prior to happily accepting a teaching role, I spent my free time volunteering and substituting within the school.
My husband and I met many years ago while both working at Celebree School. We have two young, energetic, always-keep-us-on-our-toes boys. Our family enjoys beach trips, game and movie nights, and hanging out with friends - many of which we actually met here at Tiny Tots! We spend much of our weekends on the baseball fields or basketball courts while my children play their little hearts out and my husband coaches alongside them. Speaking of sports, I'm a big football fan. Go Ravens!
Working with children has always been a passion of mine and I know I'm exactly where I'm meant to be. The preschool age brings so much excitement, joy and adventure. I feel very fortunate to have a hand in helping our Tiny Tots learn and grow!
Dana Wood
My name is Dana Wood and I am a teacher in the Pre-K fours class. I am a mom of three and while my oldest daughter was a Tiny Tot, our family loved being a part of the TTS community! I am honored to be a member of the teaching team here to help other families have a positive and loving preschool experience, just as we did!
Teaching and working with children has been my passion for many years! Prior to having my own children, I worked at Celebree School for ten years. While working there, I attended school and earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2011. Then, I enjoyed teaching the preschool threes class for a few years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I had the privilege of being a parent volunteer while my children attended preschool. It is a gift to see children learn, grow, and make memories during the preschool years, both as a parent and a teacher!
Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy reading and taking trips, especially to the beach! I am very excited for the start of a new school year and to be a part of each child’s preschool adventure!
Preschool 3's
Cathy Koncurat
2-day class
My name is Cathy Koncurat, and I am thrilled to be part of the Tiny Tot teaching team. I started my career in Music Education, teaching in high school, elementary school, and preschool settings. I took additional coursework to earn an elementary education certificate and the MSDE early childhood certification. For many years I was a stay-at-home mom to my own six children, now teens and young adults. For the past nine years I have been working as a three year old preschool teacher. In my spare time I teach and direct children's theater classes and productions.
Teaching preschool is my dream job. There is nothing more joyful than getting to know young children, adapting instruction to their individual needs, and helping them learn. The preschool years are incredibly precious, and I feel blessed to be a part of them.
Lisa Olszewski
2-day class and 3-day class
My name is Lisa Olszewski, and I am super excited to teach the 3's class at Tiny Tot School. I was a stay-at-home mom until my youngest daughter entered Tiny Tot School, where I started substituting and then became a classroom teacher.
My husband and I are high school sweethearts. We live in Street with our 3 children and 2 rambunctious labrador retrievers. I spend most of my free time on the baseball field with my boys or in the dance studio with my daughter. I love to craft, take walks, dance, and sit on the porch swing listening to the sounds of nature.
The preschool years are an absolute joy. I love seeing smiling faces, hearing all the stories they tell, and seeing their creativity and curiosity emerge. Teaching has been a passion since I was a little girl, and I am beyond blessed to be a teacher at Tiny Tot School.
Hillary Doherty
3-day class teacher
My name is Hillary Doherty. This is my 30th year in education, and I am overjoyed to be a part of the teaching team at Tiny Tot School. I always wanted to be a teacher, and I received my bachelor’s and a master’s in teaching from the University of Virginia. After teaching for a few years in Virginia, I moved to Maryland with my husband for his career. A chance encounter while visiting the library led to my becoming an early literacy programmer with the Baltimore County Public Library.
My husband and I raised two sons in Bel Air. We were active volunteers with their schools, sports teams, musical endeavors, and scouting. College basketball is my favorite sport, and my family and I are passionate Detroit Lions fans who root for the Ravens unless… I enjoy hiking, reading, dancing, and traveling. I love learning new board games and am a member of a weekly trivia team.
I adore working with young children and seeing them discover the world and their own special talents. It is a true privilege to help children learn and grow with the amazing teaching team at Tiny Tot School.