Meet our Staff

Karen Stump, Executive Director

I have been at Holly Street since 1986! I grew up in Chicago along with my four brothers. I was right in the middle. We were an outdoor family and I have nothing but great memories. I went to college at St. Mary’s of Winona Minnesota and majored in Environmental Biology. It was nestled in the bluffs along the Mississippi River near LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It was beautiful. I married and moved to Mammoth Lakes California located in the High Sierras. Talk about beautiful. Snow was a way of life. A foot an hour was no big deal. Daughters, Mikella and Jamie were born there. In 1986, we moved to Nashville not knowing I was pregnant with twins, Karl and Janet. I landed at Holly Street and you would not believe the then and now of East Nashville. I should have been keeping a journal so that a book could have been written. Though it has been quite a journey, working more than full-time, raising four children and commuting from Robertson County, I feel very blessed to have been at Holly Street. I love seeing Holly Street children grow into young adults and being a part of all of the families. And now I have two Grandchildren and I feel young all over again!! Life is good.

Tiffany Whittemore, Assistant Director

Hello! My name is Tiffany Whittemore and I have been at Holly Street Daycare since 1997. I worked in the evenings after school and absolutely loved it. My favorite thing about Holly Street is the people I work with and the children we get to see growing and learning. I can not imagine being any where else. I graduated in 2005 with a Technical certificate in Early Childhood Education and am currently enrolled at NSCC to attain my A.A.S. degree. I have 5 nieces and 1 nephew that I love spending time with. I also have 2 dogs named Runt Ro and Rina Roo.

Kaneshia Marsh, Office

Hi my name is Kaneshia Marsh. I have worked at Holly Street since February 1999. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 beautiful children.I have worked with children since I was 14 years old and I have learned so much through the years. I have Technical certificate in Early Childhood Education, Associates degree in Business, and a Real-Estate license. I have a passion for children, real-estate, and home interior design. Children are so much fun and bring me so much happiness, you never know what each day is going to be like! Holly Street is full of wonderful people who have a passion to care for children and I wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world! " Holly Street is my family"!

Micheal Rainey, Kitchen/ Supervisor

I am also known as Shell at Holly Street. In 1998 the tornado came through Holly Street and dropped me off. I couldn't be happier. I am a mother of 3 girls who attended Holly Street and loved it. I have my CDA and currently attend NSCC to attain a Technical Certificate. I absolutely love Holly Street. There is such a positive atmosphere when you enter each room. Every teacher is here because they love children. Holly Street is not just a daycare center but a home away from home for so many families. There are many families that make up Holly Street but, we are just one big happy family and to me that is very important. I love coming to work each day knowing that so many parents trust me with their precious children. It makes me so happy to know that with every hug, smile and "I love you" I share with so many small miracles, I have made an impact on their lives. I don't see Holly Street as my job but as my calling to do what I do best and that is to love each child unconditionally.

Marissa Swanson, Pre-K

My name is Marissa Swanson, and I have been working at Holly Street since I was 15 years old. I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and am licensed to teach Pre-K through third grade. I am a Nashville native, and I actually grew up going to Holly Street. I enjoy watching football (Go Vols!), Netflix, hiking, and spending time with my family and friends. I absolutely love working with children, especially in the Pre-K. We truly are one big family here at Holly Street, and that’s what makes my job so special!

Dietrich Eitzen, Pre-K

Hello,
My name is Dietrich Eitzen and I have been a teacher at Holly Street Daycare since my wife Andrea and I moved here to East Nashville in the fall of 2014. Before working at Holly Street, I lived in Northern Indiana where I received a bachelors In Communication from Goshen College. I then proceeded to teach special education at Goshen High School for 4 years. I am an enthusiastic learner who loves to soak up any and all kinds of information. I am an avid outdoors person. My hobbies include camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching, and hunting. I even do some off-road uni-cycling!
I enjoy teaching here because it serves as an opportunity to share the random knowledge I pick up with this awesome group of kiddos. I especially love learning and teaching about the natural sciences. The highlight of being a teacher for me is when a student can challenge me with a question. It is so fun to seek the answer to their question, and then figure out a way to make that information accessible to a young audience.

Laura Johnson, Three's

Hi my name is Laura Johnson. I am a graduate from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology I also have my Associate Degree in the same field from Volunteer State Community College. I have worked at Holly Street Daycare since Feb. 2009 and could not love in any more than I do now. The children are precious and always keep me on my toes. They teach me new things every day and I am amazed by their joyful spirits. Holly Street Daycare is like a family to me that I am very thankful and blessed to have.

Isaac Deter-Wolf, Threes

I was born some time ago deep in the woods of North Carolina outside a small town called Hillsborough. Early on in life I decided that I wanted to be 3 things: an artist, an archaeologist, and a teacher. After attending North Carolina School of the Arts and Oberlin College I landed in Nashville where I've had jobs as a gardener, an usher, department supervisor at Home Depot, and much to my surprise, an artist and archaeologist. All of these jobs led me towards what I really want to in the end- teach, and to a deeply held belief- a day is wasted if you don't learn something new.

Angel Hanner, Toddler 4

Hi, my name is Angel Hanner and I have been working at Holly Street since August 2009. I live in Hendersonville with my husband, Tyler, and our two cats, Charlie and Mystic. After losing my mom in 2012, my passion has been lung cancer and I volunteer with a organization called LUNGevity. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling with my husband, and riding on our jet ski. I love working at Holly Street, learning new things to better myself, and spending time with my coworkers. One thing that keeps me going everyday is seeing the kid's faces light up when they learn and accomplish something new.

Morgan Byrn, Toddler 4

My name is Morgan and I begin working at Holly Street since 2006. Though I started working here in 2006 I have been a part of Holly Street since I was about a year old. I started in the nursery and would stay through Pre K. Through my years at Holly Street I enjoyed many fun times with the friends I made here. I also spent a good bit of time in the office for biting. But thanks to the care and loving that I got here at Holly Street I reformed my ways and I have not bitten anyone in quite a number of years. After Pre K I moved with my parents to Columbia, TN. After High School I went to Converse College. I majored in History and Secondary Education. I then went on to get my Masters in Public History at MTSU. Over the last ten years I have worked in every classroom and I have enjoyed it! I love getting to work with kids every day! In my spare time I work at the Croft House, the historic home at the Nashville Zoo, on the weekends. I also love going to the movies, getting coffee and desserts at Sweet 16th, and I have more books than bookshelves! I am a big traveler and I can’t wait to go on my next adventure!

Lindsey Jones, Toddler 3

Hello! I'm Lindsey Jones. I recently moved to Nashville from Chicago where I received a B.A. in International Studies and a certificate in Early Education. I am currently in graduate school through DePaul University for Public Service Management. Before coming to Nashville I worked at a preschool for 6 years and also as a nanny. Traveling and working with children are two big passions of mine. I love watching and helping children grow and look forward to being part of Holly Street's family and learning more about Nashville.

Shelby Carter, Toddler 2

Hey Everyone! My name is Shelby Carter and I have been at Holly Street since January of 2011! I am an East Nashville native and have watched the city grow a LOT! I love to read, write, and go on adventures. Traveling is one of my new favorite hobbies. I am currently a SENIOR at MTSU, and will be graduating in December of 2017!!! I am obtaining my BS in Professional Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. I have a huge passion for helping people of all ages and one day hope to own my own organization that can assist the youth of our city who struggle with mental illness.I LOVE the kiddos here at Holly Street and have called the staff here my second family for about six years. I have grown here as a person and love every minute. Even on the most stressful of days, there is NOTHING better than a hug from a beautiful child to make your day turn around.

Adelle

Rikki Boyd, Nursery

Hi, my name is Rikki Boyd. I am 19 years old. I am currently enrolled in school majoring in Nursing. I love working at Holly Street. The children are fun to be with and I learn something new everyday. Holly Street is a great place to work and I see myself here for a long time.

Hailey Craven, Nursery

Hello my name is Hailey Craven and I have been working at Holly Street since January of 2016. I graduated from Donelson Christian Academy in 2015. I was born and raised in East Nashville.In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching football, traveling, and shopping. I absolutely love coming to work each and every day knowing that what I do makes such a big impact on each one of these children. Holly Street has welcomed me into their family and I couldn't be happier!

Kristen Sebby, Nursery

My name is Kristen Sebby, and this is my second adventure at Holly Street. I initially started working here in 2008 after graduating from Belmont University. For Round 1 I worked in the 3’s classroom until December of 2010. I had decided to pack up and join the United States Marine Corps, and by golly that’s what I did. I then moved back to Nashville in the spring of 2015. This year marks the start of yet another journey as I have returned to Holly Street and started working on my Master of Science in Psychology- Applied Behavior Analysis. So now that you have the facts, here’s the real scoop. My partner and I are constantly working to improve our little slice of East Nashville heaven with our two cats, and dog. When I’m not working in the yard or the Holly Street nursery you can find me adventuring outside or rock climbing. I cherish the balance working with children gives my life, and couldn’t imagine working anywhere else for this chapter of life.

Janet Stump, School Agers

Coming Soon!

Catrina Washington, Floater

Hello, my name is Catrina Washington. I am 19 and a student at the University of Pheonix here in Nashville. I am a new, young face at Holly Street to some. I volunteered here for my senior year and I LOVED IT! The staff, kids and parents are the friendliest, hardworking and wonderful people. I am BIG on family and being loved. I feel that being at Holly Street is like being loved by a huge family. This place is fun to be in and a real big joy. I love the kids and they are a joy to be around! Holly Street is the BEST!

Shatoya Cartwright, Floater

Please allow me to introduce my self. My name is Shatoya Cartwright. I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. I am a single parent of 2 children. Their names are JaQuice and Honesti. I graduated from Maplewood Comprehensive High School in 2001. I have been in the Early Childhood field for 13 years. I chose to work in this field because it makes me happy. There are not a lot of people can say they are happy in their choice of careers but I can!! Before coming to work at Holly Street I worked at Love Child Care for 5 1/2 years as a lead teacher. I enjoy doing art and decorating with the children. I am highly creative and enjoy making things with my own hands. I simply love children and my goal is to make a positive difference in a child's life. I look forward to working at Holly Street because their philosophy matches mine as a teacher.

Chloe Martin, Floater

My name is Chloe and I began working at Holly Street in 2013. I am originally from Colorado. I attended Goshen College in Indiana where I received my degree in psychology. I enjoy swimming & outdoor wilderness activities. I also play guitar and write music in my free time. I love working at Holly Street because every day is a new adventure & a new opportunity to learn and grow together.

Bonnie Putty, Office

I am also known as Ms. Bonnie P. Holly Street Daycare has been my second home since 1986 and I love it! It is the greatest place to be. Ms.Karen and the staff are like my second family. I love spending my day with the children. Watching them learn and grow is a wonderful experience. One of the first children I cared for in the nursery is now married with 2 children. I still keep in touch with him. I have been married since 1970. I have 2 children, a son and a daughter. I have 2 grandchildren. I also have a beautiful great grand-daughter. Her name is Kylie-Aiyana and she is the light of my life. I went back to school and received my CDA in 1999. Later I went to NSCC and graduated with a Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education in 2005 at the age of 53! Thank You for the opportunity to love, nurture and have fun with your children.

Jordan Wright, Floater

Forever Jamie Stump

Hello Everyone! I have been at Holly Street since I was an infant. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. I also have a wonderful and sweet dog named Marley and really enjoy being outdoors. I just recently graduated from the University of Memphis.