MEET OUR STAFF
Blake Stanbery
Blake Stanbery is the founder of Creative Minds Christian Preschool and is the Lead Pastor at New Covenant Church in Clyde, NC. He has been a leader in education, finance, and ministry in the region. His mission is to build healthy communities that glorify God.
Blake holds a BSBA from Appalachian State University and a Masters in Education from Liberty University. He was a licensed CPA in North Carolina and has held licenses as a teacher, administrator, and school superintendent with the Association of Christian Schools International. During his career, Blake has launched a church campus, an accredited Christian preK-12th grade school, and a tutoring center for dyslexic children.
Blake is married to Rebecca, and they have three children – Hayes, Hattie and Hayden. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
FOUNDER
Mikesha Ledlow
DIRECTOR
Mikesha Ledlow is the Director of Creative Minds Christian Preschool. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University and over fifteen years of preschool teaching experience. She also homeschooled her two children for seven years utilizing the Abeka curriculum. Her love for teaching started as a teenager volunteering in children's ministry and serving in overseas missions. She believes each child is a valued creation of God and strives to make a difference by guiding the next generation through Christian education.
Mikesha is married to Luke, and they have two beautiful children, Elijah and HaDassah. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, dancing, singing, animals, and exploring the outdoors. Mikesha has traveled to over ten countries and all around the USA.
Emanuella Coimbra
TEACHER
Emanuella Coimbra is a teacher at Creative Minds Christian Preschool. She has an associate’s degree in Psychology from Palm Beach State College. She also has four years of experience working in childcare and swim instruction, and five years of experience in children’s ministries. Emanuella is passionate about educating the next generation about the goodness of God and believes everyone is made in His image in their own uniqueness.
Emanuella loves to travel and explore new places and has been to over 7 countries and 60 cities. In her free time Emanuella enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends along with arts and crafts, singing, and soaking up the sun.
Kristina Castaldo
TEACHER
Kristina Castaldo is a teacher at Creative Minds Christian Preschool. She believes that childhood is an adventure meant to be explored, whether they are discovering how things work on the playground or navigating new concepts together. Her teaching philosophy is shaped not only by her three years with the preschool and four years as a public school substitute, but also by the daily joy of raising her two children—one attending Haywood Christian Academy and another whom she has homeschooled for four years. She brings that same fun and love for discovery into her teaching every single day.
Outside of school, her favorite ways to explore the world are taking cruises to new countries, visiting Disney with her family, and keeping up with her high-energy German shepherd! Kristina hopes to be a safe space for all children who walk through the doors of Creative Minds and a reminder that we are loved, unique, beautiful, and strong.
Mary Parish
TEACHER
Mary Parish is a teacher at Creative Minds Christian Preschool. She holds an associate’s degree in science from Haywood Community College and has 3 years of experience working in a public elementary school. She also has a couple years experience nannying for children under the age of 4. Mary’s mission as a teacher is to be a safe place for each and every child to feel comfortable enough to be themselves and to learn in a fun, engaging environment. She believes that each child has a purpose designed by God and that she is there to aid them in their growth and development.
In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include reading, singing, watching movies, baking, and any and every outdoor activity. Mary also loves to travel to new places, specifically national parks she has never been to.
Michael Gordet (Grandpa Mike)
VOLUNTEER
Grandpa Mike volunteers at Creative Minds Christian Preschool, through the Foster Grandparents Program. He greatly enjoys helping our students learn about Jesus. Originally from New Jersey, he has four children and five grandchildren. In his free time, he loves to serve others, cook, fish and travel.
Preschool Teacher Positions Now Open
If you would like to apply to join the team, please click on the link below.