Our Team

Celebree Learning Centers prides itself on recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers. We believe in investing the time and money that is necessary to give our teachers the support and training needed to run effective, age-appropriate classrooms.

Our management teams are designed to ensure the success of all new teachers! Each center is managed by a Director and an Assistant Director. Assistant Directors are prepared to help you with all accounting and paperwork, while your Director will be hard at work in the classroom, actively engaged with the children and teachers.

We know the best way to learn is hands-on. After a pre-employment background check, our teachers are ready to begin the training process. Our training program offers new teachers three days of all-day hands-on training in one of our Training Facilities. After successful completion of a Training Evaluation, teachers are presented with a certificate of accomplishment They are now ready to implement their new knowledge in the classroom. The center Director meets with each of our teachers bi-monthly to guide progress and offer support. Every quarter a classroom observation is completed to ensure that the principles learned in training are effectively being utilized in the classroom. At Celebree Learning Centers we work to further educate our teachers as well as our children. Our annual Teacher Training Seminars bring all of our teachers together to focus on topics such as Curriculum, Discipline, and Fun in Learning. Monthly Team meetings also help us maintain the high standards of care parents have come to expect from Celebree Learning Centers.

Celebree Learning Centers provides my children a great foundation for learning and social interaction. The teachers provide a structured day and work hard to ensure each child's success whether it be circle time, outdoor play, or a special event for parents. Our children enjoy attending the center and receive excellent care, making it a 'home away from home'. Celebree's qualified staff is their best asset."

Donna Lewis, Westminster, Maryland

Richard Huffman Founder, President & CEO Richard Huffman is the founder, President and CEO of Celebree Learning Centers. Richard has grown his business from a single location in Ellicott City in 1994 to the largest privately owned provider of child care in the State of Maryland with 18 locations by the end of 2007. Richard has prepared his organization for growth through his clarity of vision. Employees across the organization- part time teachers and van drivers to his executive management team understand Celebree is the recognized leader in quality child care though an alignment of focus. All levels of the organization are committed to attracting and retaining the industries top talent through coaching and developing people, building the brand through an exceptional parent/child experience and maintaining high operations standards by being fiscally responsible. As a father of four, Richard was first inspired by his own family. He put his business knowledge, background and entrepreneurial spirit to the challenge to bring the Celebree dream to life.
Detria Courtalis Vice President of Operations Detria Courtalis joined Celebree Learning Centers in March of 2006 as Vice President of Operations and has been a Celebree parent for over 7 years. Over the past year and a half, Detria has led the focus of building the Talent, the Brand and the Operational systems in order to continue to keep the Promise of Protecting, Educating and Nurturing our children and teachers. Prior to joining Celebree Enterprises, Detria was the Regional Learning Manager for Limited Brands, Inc. Previously she has held positions such as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Regional Sales Manager with companies such as Victoria?s Secret and The Body Shop. Detria has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount Union College in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Marketing.
Allison Tsomos Eastern District Director Allison Tsomos, for the past 7 years, has been working towards her goal to ensure that Celebree?s commitment to protect, educate, and nurture is upheld. She started her Celebree career as the director of the Laurel Bush center and was then promoted to Regional Director. In this capacity, Allison focuses on driving business, the mission, and the vision through spending time in classrooms with the children, speaking with parents, listening to teachers, and staying in tune with the future of Early Childhood Education. She also believes that the Celebree Employee Investment Cycle is what makes us successful. Hiring and developing the top talent in the industry is her ongoing focus. The Eastern district includes five centers in Harford County and our first center out of MD in Bear, Delaware. Allison received a Bachelor?s in Management from Goucher College and is qualified to teach all ages of Celebree students. She has completed the Maryland Model for School Readiness certification as well as many other continuing education courses. She is also an active member of the Maryland State Child Care Association and the Harford chapter of MSCCA. Allison is the mother of five daughters who have all benefited from Celebree. She is able to apply her expectations as a parent, training as a manager and educator, and her passion for the Celebree brand to ensure an exceptional experience for each family!
Mark Dailey Central District Director Mark Dailey joined Celebree Learning Centers in January of 2007 as District Director responsible for over site and operations of our locations in Baltimore County, Howard County and Prince Georges County. Prior to joining Celebree Learning Centers Mark worked 15 years in the field of multi site management for two Fortune 100 companies. Mark holds his Bachelors in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University and before moving to Maryland in 2006 began class work towards his Bachelors in Early Childhood Education.
Stanley Whiteman Western District Director Stanley Whiteman joined Celebree Learning Centers as the Western District Director in September 2007. He began his career in early childhood education in 1999 with Baltimore City Head Start as a Family Services Coordinator and Literacy Coordinator, moved on to become interim Executive and Child Care Director for the Baltimore American Indian Center, advanced to Kiddie Academy Inc. as a Director and Franchise Business Consultant. He has worked in centers in Maryland, New Jersey, California and Colorado. Stan holds a dual degree in Psychology and Sociology from Towson State University. Since 1999 Mr. Whiteman has taken over 250 hours of Early Childhood Education training courses. While at Kiddie Academy and the YMCA of Central Maryland I spent time Grant Writing and Training teachers and Directors. While at the YMCA Mr. Whiteman was awarded a Make Over Grant for the Howard County YMCA Child Care Centers and grants that supported the YMCA centers becoming MSDE Accredited.