The Restoration House saw a need in our community, and is using their expertise and leadership to launch the Olive Tree Early Learning Academy.
Olive Tree’s extremely-talented board and directors have over 75 years of combined experience in high-quality early education. They are providing the long-term strategic direction for Olive Tree while the brilliant staff are working hard everyday to bring the vision to life.
Directors
Sheila holds a master’s in Human Development, specializing in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College (CA), further pursuing her research and teaching Montessori kindergarten. While there, she worked with family childcare providers and coordinated a state-wide staff development program for Hawaii’s preschool and early learning programs.
She taught at Edison Community College (now Florida Southwestern State College), established the first Child Development Associate program at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology in Naples, and was the lead consultant for establishing Florida Gulf Coast Universities Early Childhood Center.
As an early childhood consultant, she served various institutions in Southwest Florida, helped many achieve NAEYC accreditation, and served as an expert program evaluator and witness for the Florida Department of Child and Families Child Care licensing. Most recently, she served as the Director of Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, which included operating an early childhood program serving children 18 months to five years.
Hecniris is a Dedicated Early Learning Coach, Facilitator and former Early Childhood Teacher with more than 10 years of experience. She is passionate about contributing to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of young children while supporting teachers with high quality teaching practices and universal strategies. Hecniris is enthusiastic, creative, caring, versed in learning theories, challenging behaviors, special needs and best practices.
Hecniris is trained in adult learning principles, Practice Based Coaching and TLC (Group Format), Focused Observations, Classroom Management, Conscious Discipline, Creative Curriculum. She is also a QCIT Certified Infant and Toddler PD Specialist.
She has a Bachelors of Family Ecology with a Major in Early Childhood Education from the University of Puerto Rico.
As the cofounder of The Restoration House, Mandy is deeply passionate about helping each member of the family experience wholeness and restoration. She has 8 years of experience teaching in 1st grade through 8th grade in local public and private schools. Most recently she was the Personal Accountability Center Teacher with the Positive Behavior Incentive & Supports Team (PBIS) at Beaumont Magnet Academy. She has training in many critical disciplines, including:
- Regulate, Reason, Relate: Trauma Responsive Training with Harmony Family Center
- Love & Logic Parenting – Certified Trainer
- Interpersonal Whole Brain Model of Care – Jacob’s Ladder
- Neurodevelopmental Center
- De-escalation – Harmony Family Center
- Building Strong Brains – Knox County Schools
- Restorative Practices and Cultural Responsiveness in the Classroom- Knox County Schools
Mandy has a Bachelors in Education and Masters in Holistic Education from Johnson University.
Olive Tree Board
Amy Moden moved to Knoxville, TN in 2014 and joined the YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley in 2020. Serving as the Anderson County Mobility Mentor, Amy oversees participants in the innovative program, East Tennessee Collaborative, which is dedicated to help low-income families grow beyond their vulnerabilities, through partnerships with local community organizations to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
She previously served as the Transitional Housing Program Coordinator over the YWCA’s Multi-County service area, assisting victims of domestic violence and their children, who need supportive housing. Amy completed her Bachelor of Science and Theology degree from Johnson University, focusing on Human Services and Family Studies. She currently serves on the Restoration House Board of Directors since August of 2022, and recently joined the Olive Tree Early Learning Academy Board of Directors in November of 2022.
Beth and her husband have two college age children. She has been a CPA for over 30 years and currently practices at Breazeale & Associates. She and her family are long time members of First Baptist Church in downtown Knoxville where she is currently serving on the Finance Committee. Beth has served on a variety of boards throughout the years including Sequoyah Elementary PTSO, Bearden Middle PTSO and the West High School Foundation. She is passionate about seeing moms and children live their best lives.
Daniel is the CoFounder and Executive Director of The Restoration House. In 2010, Daniel was honored as one of Knoxville’s Top 40 Under 40 Business and Community Leaders by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal. Daniel is also an alumni of Leadership Knoxville and UTK’s Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness. Daniel serves on the Knox County Board of Education and on the Advisory Board of the United Way’s Bright Steps initiative where he is focused on making our local education system more equitable for all students and families.
Joshalyn and her husband have three children and nine amazing grandchildren. Joshalyn is the VP of Community Development for the East Region for First Horizon Bank and has served on several boards including, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Homesource East TN, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Wesley House, United Way, and the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition. Earlier in her career, Joshalyn was a director for Head Start. Joshalyn also serves on the board of The Restoration House.
Lee is the Director of Education and Exhibits at Muse Knoxville. Prior to that, she was a kindergarten and a preschool teacher. Lee loves early childhood education and the power of healing through play. She has 3 adult sons and is an active member of my church where she serves on the education committee.
LeeAnn is a human resources professional with 35 years of experience who has failed retirement twice. She owns Team Foster Strategy LLC where she assists clients in becoming great places to work where employees say, “Thank goodness it is Monday morning!” Her family are long time members of Cokesbury United Methodist she has serves as a Stephen Minister.
Patty has over 40 years of experience in early childhood education. She recently retired as the director for Child Care Resource & Referral after 20+ years. Patty and her husband of 43 years have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren. Patty also serves on the board of The Restoration House.
