Leadership Team
Guided by Experience & Vision
Themba Creative Learning Center is guided by a dedicated leadership team committed to our mission and values. Each leader brings unique expertise and perspective to our work.
Jameela Allen
CEO/President
Professional Experience
- Founder and Administrator of Themba Creative Learning Center 2007-Present
- Founder and Executive Director of Themba Enrichment Academy (501c3) 2000-2008
- Special Education Teacher for DC Public Schools 1998-2008 (10 years)
- Special Education Coordinator –DC Public Schools 2002-2005 (3 years)
- DC Professional Teaching License in Special Ed- K-12 (Current)
- Teacher of the Year Award DCPS ( Prospect Learning Center) 2000
- Current Child Development Association (CDA) since 1998
- Presenter for Prince Georges County “Celebrate Children- Building Partnerships that Last”.
- Kris Murray Childcare Success Summit – Presenter
- Building For Success Conference for Early Childhood Professional – Prince Georges County Childcare Resource Center – Presenter
- Certified Childcare Coach
- John Maxwell Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker
- Member of the Prince George’s County Chambers of Commerce
- Member of Women Network Group
- Member of the Women Business Owners
- Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Member of Directors Leadership Solutions
- The Association of Early Learning Leaders Member Naeyc Professional Member
- Approved trainer through the Maryland State Dept. of Education for childcare providers 2010
- May 1995 West Virginia State University (Bachelor of Arts-Health Education)
- May 1999 University of the District of Columbia (Sp. Ed. Certification)
- June 2002 Southeastern University (Masters of Public Administration)
Kathy "Robin" Wheeler
Assistant Director
My Journey & Purpose as Assistant Director
I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years, assisting in developing and teaching young minds for four years and directing, mentoring, and managing teaching teams for five years.
My goal as an assistant director is to assist the director and owner in building an influential community of parents, teachers, and children with a strong focus on the following
- Social
- Educational
- Physical
- Emotional Development
Areas Of Expertise
- Assists with the supervision of all teachers;
answers parents’ questions;
Assist with lunch preparation;
creates teacher schedules,
Oversees new families’ enrollment. - Assists with managing the Early Childhood Education Center, including all daily operations.
- Assists with planned center program activities that reflect best practices and provide inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
- Assists with accreditation-submitted annual reports and complies with the NAC Standards and Criteria.
- Provided services for children six weeks to 12 years of age.
- Developed relationships with licensing, DSS Care Division, the federal government, NAC, and public and community agencies.
Rashadah Mateen
Executive Director Since 2007
My Journey & Vision as Director
I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for over 18 years, developing /teaching young minds for 10 years and have been directing, mentoring and managing teaching teams for 8 plus years.
My goal as director is to build an influential community of parents, teachers and children with a strong focus on:
- Social
- Educational
- Physical
- Emotional Development
Areas Of Expertise
- Management of Early Childhood Education Center including all daily operations.
- Responsible for fiscal soundness and program accountability.
- Planned center program activities that reflect best practice and provide inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
- Provided ongoing marketing and recruitment to ensure center met or exceeded budgeted enrollment and staffing.
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive recruitment, orientation and enrollment program.
- Supported accreditation, submitted annual reports and remain in compliance with the NAC Standards and Criteria.
- Oversaw staff development, training and supervision along with mentoring and coaching.
- Established “Parents as Partners” to provide for parental support and an opportunity to collaborate with families.
- Maintained a creative, team building approach to job performance.
- Provided services for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
- Developed relationships with licensing, DSS Care Division, federal government, NAC, public and community agencies.
