Warsaw Early Learning Academy (WELA)

  • Download the WELA Information Sheet: F A Q

The Warsaw Area Career Center is excited to introduce the Warsaw Early Learning Academy to you, along with the staff members that will be caring for these children. This program was implemented to help support Warsaw Community School staff members & their families. The WELA currently has over 20 students with ages ranging from infants through 5 years old.

Communication is a very important with our parents and families in the childcare. The childcare will be using Brightwheel for parents to communicate to teachers/director and for them to send documents to parents. Sign-up for Brightwheel to get started.

Please see below for bios from our new staff members, with more pictures of the facility, & how much fun these sweet children have already been having as well!

Taylor Myers, Warsaw Early Learning Academy Director

Taylor Myers, Warsaw Early Learning Academy Director

Taylor is in charge of overseeing the childcare program here at Warsaw Community Schools and works directly with the students, as well as supervising the staff. She is responsible for the daily organization of the program and whatever else each day may bring.

Taylor completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) through online classes at Teacg.

She became in engaged in 2019 and is planning for a wedding in 2022 . She has 3 children; Jace, Rylynn and Brayden. They also have adopted 2 golden retriever dogs; Finn & Cash. Taylor grew up in the Warsaw area.

In her spare time, Taylor loves to go camping, kayaking/canoeing, using her Cricut, swimming and spending time with her children.

When asked about her favorite things, Taylor says: colors of blue, dogs, children and anchor/nautical items. Her favorite flower is a lily. Her favorite place to visit is Orange Beach, Alabama.

Amanda Walker Assistant Director: Infant/Toddler. Image is an orange handprint on a white background

Amanda Walker, Assistant Director - Mobile Infant

Amanda is in charge of taking care of all the daily needs of our youngest Tigers in the infant room. She enjoys having the opportunity to serve our staff & their families in this role.

Amanda mainly grew up in Indiana, but was born in Germany. She came to Indiana around the age of 4. She is a single mother of two beautiful child. They have a 10 pound Californian bunny named, Theo, and a turtle named, Flash.

Some of her favorites flowers include peonies, hydrangea, lavender and wildflowers. Her favorite place to visit is Orange Beach, Alabama, the state of Washington and Northern Georgia. Her favorite dessert is cookie dough. She likes Indian and Mexican foods. Her favorite special drinks are Dunkin - Iced Carmel Blended Coffee with whip cream on top, Bubly sparkling water (strawberry, mango), and peppermint tea. Her favorite color is neutral colors.

During her free time, she loves to paint, read, and complete puzzles. She's not much of a TV watcher, but when she does watch something it's usually from a different country like Turkey TV shows. She loves to explore outdoors, travel and enjoys photography as well.

 Mercedes Bustamonte, Assistant Director - Toddler 1. Image is clip art of an apple

 Mercedes Bustamonte, Assistant Director - Toddler 1

Mercedes co-directs the Toddler II room with Cheyenne Chase.

She was born and raised in Warsaw and engaged to an amazing guy and will be married in September 2023. She graduated from Warsaw Community High School. Her senior year of high school she had the opportunity to be a part of the WELA and loved it.

She is in the process of getting her associate degree in Child Development. She will start classes online this coming spring for business administration and management.

She loves spending time at the lake, especially with friends and family. Mercedes favorite color is shades of blue and her favorite flower is a sunflower. In her spare time she likes to lose herself in a good book. Her favorite place to visit is San Diego.

 Cheyenne Chase, Assistant Director - Toddler II. Image is clip art of an apple

 Cheyenne Chase, Assistant Director - Toddler II

Cheyenne co-directs the Toddler II room with Mercedes Bustamonte.

She was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN. She moved to Warsaw about two years ago. She lives with her boyfriend, Ben, and they have a cat, Sky. Her hobbies include reading books, playing video games, watching my comfort shows, and spending time with friends and family. She also occasionally she loves to write. This is her first year teaching at WELA, but she has worked with children for 3 years.

Cheyenne has her CDA. She is currently attending Ivy Tech Community College and majoring in Early Childhood Education. She will eventually want to go to school for Social Services and to work at an elementary school either in 1st Grade or Kindergarten. Her favorite flower is a daisy and her favorite color is green. She loves to visit her mom and other family in Fort Wayne. Her favorite place is Hershey, Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She loves those places because of ll the attractions and all the concerts she got to see there.

Samantha McClelland, Assistant Director - Toddler 2

Samantha McClelland, Assistant Director - Toddler 2

Samantha helps care for the Toddler 2 at WELA.

She is currently in her second year at Ivy Tech Community College for Early Childhood Education. She plans to get her CDA during the school year.

She was born in Colorado but grew up in Warsaw, IN. She has a dog, Zola and amazing boyfriend, Anthony. They love to spend time outside, go fishing and she's always down for a good swim! During her free time, she likes to bake and pushes herself to make something new things.

When asked about her favorite things, Samantha says blankets! They are like a forever hug and she cannot sleep without touching one! Her favorite flower is a sunflower. Her favorite place to visit is Colorado. She likes everything in Colorado, because it is just so beautiful and calming.

Amelia Hedges: Assistant Director - Preschool

Amelia Hedges: Assistant Director - Preschool

Amelia is in charge of taking care of our Preschool students. She plans the curriculum/daily activities for them to enjoy and develop.

Amelia grew up in North Manchester, IN. She is married to her husband (Teddy) and they have a son, Waylon. They have a German Shepherd, Charley and two cats, Gabby & Cooper. She enjoys baking and kayaking. She finds both relaxing.

She is a graduate from Ivy Tech with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration and Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Specialization in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Amelia's favorite flower is a daisy. Her favorite color is cyan. Her favorite place to visit is the state parks. During her free time she enjoys camping with her family, kayaking, and attend baseball games.