Leadership Roles

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ELISA SPADAFORA (M.Ed) ​​

Elisa has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and Early Childhood Education from Seton Hill University and an M.Ed. from California University in Special Education.  She started her professional career at Westmoreland Community Action in 1992 as the Director of Community Services.  In 2001 Elisa went to Family Behavioral Resources to manage the BHRS services at the Monroeville site, then later to Milestone Centers Inc. as the Director of Children’s Services.  Prior to her appointment as the CEO of Early Learning Connections, she acted as the CEO of Seton Hill Child Services.    Elisa enjoys outdoor activities, snow skiing, golf, and spending time with her family.

KELLY E. HERBERT (M.Ed)

Kelly started her career teaching for Lawrence County Head Start in 2002 in a Head Start/Child Care full day full year collaboration. She then moved into center-based child care and school-age programming as the director of the New Castle Community Y and most recently started a new center at the Buhl Club in Sharon, PA. Kelly graduated from Clarion University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and dual concentrations in Special Education and Science. While with Head Start she obtained her Child Development Associates (CDA) degree and completed her Master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Penn State University and her PA Directors Credential from North Hampton College.  

Kelly was born and raised in New Castle, PA and currently lives in Sharon, PA with her husband Corey, two boys, Roger and Corey, and her dog Ginger. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, drawing, and loves to cook and bake. She is very excited to be part of the Early Learning Connections team and is looking forward to working with all the classroom staff, children and families. ​

REBECCA MCCALLISTER (M.Ed)​​

Rebecca has been working in early childhood education since 2008 in various positions including floater, preschool teacher, and center director. She started at Early Learning Connection in July 2021 as a Practice-Based Coach and has been the Education Director since March 2022. 

Rebecca has a Master of Education from Youngstown State University, a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Edinboro University, associates’ degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Development from Butler County Community College and a PA Director’s Credential.

Rebecca was born and raised in New Castle, PA and currently lives in Struthers, OH with her husband and cats.

KATHY FREDERICK (B.Ed)​​

Kathy has been responsible for the management and supervision of programs at the Early Learning Connections for 23 years.  She is currently the Director of the Bon Aire Site.   She previously served as the Special Services Coordinator and Early Head Start Program Manager.  

Kathy Graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education and then earned a Specialized Diploma of Leadership for Early Childhood Education Program Directors from Northampton County Area Community College. She is a PA Keys to Professional Development Certified Instructor and a Certified Pre-K CLASS Observer.

Gina Young (BA)

Gina graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylyania in December of 2004. She has been working with Head Start since 2007, starting as an Assistant Teacher. In 2020 she joined Early Learning Connections as our ERSEA Coordinator. Then, in December of 2022 she became our Family Engagement/ERSEA Director. 

Gina currently lives in Armstrong County with her husband Mike and their two children, Maria and Jack.

HEATHER QUEEN(B.Ed)

Mrs. Queen began employment with Early Learning Connections in 2005 as an Assistant Group Supervisor in the Infant/Toddler room. She moved up to Program Leader of the Infant/Toddler room before becoming an Early Head Start Parent Educator which she enjoyed for several years. Heather is currently the Home-Based Program Manager supervising the Early Head Start and Head Start Parent Educators. Heather graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 20 years of experience working with infants and toddlers.

TIMOTHY SISINNI (MA)

  Tim has a B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Special Education Teaching Certificate, M.A. Counseling Psychology, and Principal Certification K-8. He taught kindergarten, fifth and sixth grade, remedial math for all grade levels kindergarten-sixth. He also taught special education students with learning disabilities, autism, and emotional support in grades kindergarten through twelfth. Tim taught Early Childhood college classes at Butler County Community College and supervised student teachers from Slippery Rock University majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary and Special Education. Tim was an elementary principal for 20 years and after retiring from the Pa Public School System he began working for Early Learning Connections as a Program Manager for the past 3 years.

RACHEL WINBERG-HINCH (B.ECEA)

I hold an Associate degree in child development, and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education administration from Ashford University.

I have been in the of early childhood field since 1994. I started first as a classroom teacher and then as a Center Director early on in my career. My early childhood administrative experiences have been working for a variety of early childhood organizations from; corporately owned, privately owned, franchised and the non-profit sector.  In July 2022, I accepted the position of Head Start Program Manager. I am extremely excited to be a part of the team who provides a high-quality head start experience. My most recent experiences were as a regional director where I oversaw 6 early childhood learning centers. Prior to that, my most tenured position was with the Butler YMCA Early Learning Center (2005-2019) as the early childhood specialist overseeing the infant, toddler and preschool programs and teaching teams.

I graduated from Mars High School and now reside within the Butler School District with my husband; we have 2 daughters, and a dog. I enjoy walking, hiking, kayaking, and boating along with spending time with my family and friends.

 The roots of a child's ability to cope and thrive, regardless of circumstance, lie in that child's having had at least a small, safe place (an apartment? a room? a lap?) in which, in the companionship of a loving person, that child could discover that he or she was lovable and capable of loving in return. If a child finds this during the first years of life, he or she can grow up to be a competent, healthy person. 

Fred Rodgers

BRITTNEY COURSON (M.Ed)

Brittney started her employment with Early Learning Connections in 2012 as a Head Start Teacher. After several years, she switched programs and was a Head Teacher for Pre-K Counts. Brittney is now a Program Manager for various sites in our Armstrong County. She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood and minor in Exceptionalities. She returned back to SRU and received a Master’s degree in Special Education Birth-8 Grade. She is also a certified Pre-K CLASS observer. 

Brittney lives in Butler with her husband Andrew and her dog Arlo. She is expecting her first child in October of 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family, doing crafts, going to concerts, and being outdoors. She enjoys being a part of the Early Learning Connections team!

JACQUELINE HRANICA (M.Ed)

Jacqueline  graduated from Gannon University in 2009 with an undergraduate degree in accounting. After graduating, she took a job in a childcare center for a period of time before ending up in an office setting. She soon realized that she enjoyed working with young children much more than accounting and decided to go back to school. She obtained her Masters in Prek-4 Education from Duquesne University in the winter of 2016. Jacqueline started at Early Learning Connections in September of 2017 working as a classroom teacher. She lives in Butler county with her bearded dragon, Princess Hank, and enjoys gardening and traveling in her spare time