Our Staff

Director Sue Halford

Sandra Sellers Tutoring and Reading

I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, am married with two grown children, four grandchildren and a puppy.

I was educated in the public schools in Winston-Salem, finished High School, attended several state supported classes in childcare, also Forsyth Tech and Winston-Salem State taking classes in Early Childhood Development. I enjoy the beach, the mountains and staying home. I love to read and helping others.

I now work in the Forsyth City Public School System as well as Creative Palooza. I stay very active and enjoy watching baseball, basketball and camping. My favorite holidays are Easter and Christmas.

Teacher Alycia Buckley

I’m the teacher in chard of the kindergarteners and first grader at Creative Palooza. Back when I was in middle school, I made up my mind that I wanted to work with children. I went to West Forsyth High School, where I took four years of the Teacher Cadet Classes, and did a year internship at Southwest Elementary.

Children are a joy to work with and I love experiencing them learn. It is such a great feeling to watch the children understand the lesson that is being taught to them. Every day I come to work with a smile on my face and leave with the same smile. These children mean so much to me, and bring such a joy to me. I am getting my Associates in Early Childhood Education. Working with children and teaching is my plan for the rest life.

I also enjoy being creative, and doing new and exciting activities with the children. Seeing them smile and laugh makes my job well worth it. I serve tables on the weekends at a restaurant downtown and on my off time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, outdoor activities, and catching up on the latest movies.

Homework and Physical Fitness Ken Brooks

Computer Lab Stacy Castanedo

Theater Teacher Kate Miners

Science Teacher Alex Harrison

Alex is currently a student at Wake Forest University. I am majoring in Biology with a minor in education. After gaining my PhD in Biology, I hope to have a career as a university of medical school professor. My hobbies include learning foreign languages, reading African-American novels, playing volleyball, and tutoring. I am a patient and loving person who has  a passion for learning. Education allows so many doors of opportunity to be opened. I feel that it is our duty to prepare our youth for the days to come, helping them to succeed in any way possible. This is the main reason why I have chosen to teach students in my home community and surrounding areas. When I look at my younger brothers, I have this urge to help them be the very best they can be. When I teach students, they too become my brothers and sisters, and I give them the same encouragement and support as I have given my biological siblings. When you look up the word, “tutor,” you would most likely find something along the lines of the following definitions: “to teach” or “to give instructions”. Many tutors make the mistake of “becoming the definition”. In other words, they limit themselves and merely teach the student. I dare to be different. I do not just teach, but I also support, encourage, and inspire. I am merely a person who is trying to make a difference by giving my very all. As my favorite contemporary novelist Toni Morrison once said: “Make a difference about something other than yourselves.”

Brian Maintenance and Peanut Butter Spokesperson