All About Us

My name is Stephanie Smith. I own, with my husband, A.J, Ship’s Ahoy Children’s Academy.  I worked as the Director since August 2003 then purchased Ship’s Ahoy in March 2005. I received my bachelor’s degree in December 2001 in Secondary Education from McNeese State University.  I have my Child Development associate degree in Pre- K, ancillary certificate from Louisiana Department of Education, am a “CLASS” reliable observer in Infant, toddler and pre-K and am a Louisiana Pathways Trainer in a variety of Early Childhood topics.  I have developed a passion for providing quality care at my center. I get deep satisfaction knowing that quality early childhood education can help a child develop a strong sense of self, independence, problem solving skills, and a love for learning.  

My name is Donna Guillory. I have been the Director since July 2020 and previously the PreK teacher since July 2016.  I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education and am CPR/1st aid certified. I am a “CLASS” reliable observer in Infant, toddler and pre-K and am a Louisiana Pathways Trainer in a variety of Early Childhood topics.  I love being able to witness and be a contributor to the wonder of learning everyday in all classrooms. I love the ‘aha’ moment when a child’s eyes light up because they have learned or understood something new or finally got it. I love the relationships that I have built with families and am even later able to see where/what they have become. This career brings me so much satisfaction and joy. 

My name is Shayla Lemonia. I am currently the Assistant Director since November 2021 and was previously the One-year-old lead teacher since February 2016.  I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education and am CPR/1st aid certified. I am a “CLASS” reliable observer of Infants. I love working in Early Childhood education because I love knowing that what we do leads to lifelong benefits for children. Their overall success, healthy growth, and development are all linked to the overall positive effect it will have on the children we serve. 

My name is Lisa Holloway. I am the nutritionist (cook) at Ship’s Ahoy. I have been here since November 2020. I have worked in childcare for many years. I love working with children and feeding them nutritious food. I enjoy delivering their meals and hearing them yell and scream with joy when I enter. We have some good eaters. When not preparing meals, I love to spend time in each of the rooms interacting with the kiddos. 

My name is Tracy Joseph.  I am the co-lead teacher in the Infant room. I have been with Ship’s Ahoy since April 2003. I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education, and am CPR/1st aid certified. I absolutely love working and interacting with the infants in my care. Their minds are like little sponges, and I feel so blessed to be a part and a witness of their growth. 

My name is Iyona Guillory.  I am the lead teacher in the Toddler One room (12-18 months) I graduated from A.M. Barbe and have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since June of 2021.  I am CPR/1st Aid certified and am currently enrolled at the University of Florida to obtain my CDA (Child Development Associate) and Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education.  I absolutely love to care for children and witness their experience with new things. I particularly love working with the young Toddlers (one-year olds). They are so curious and adorable. We have so much fun learning new things daily. 

My name is Makayla Smith. I am a floater and primarily work in the one-year-old class in the morning and the pre k in the afternoon.  I graduated from A.M. Barbe and have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since December 2021. I am CPR/1st aid certified and plan on obtaining my CDA and Ancillary.  I absolutely love working with young children. The fun interactions I have with them daily puts a smile on my face. Everyday is different and a true blessing.

My name is Trinika Buckley. I am the co-lead teacher in the Toddler two room (18-24 months). I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education and am CPR/1st aid certified.  I have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since October 2011. I love children and am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. I love how the children embrace me when I walk into the room and the daily interactions we have. 

My name is Patricia Johnson.  I am the co-lead teacher in the Toddler two room (18-24 months). I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education and am CPR/1st aid certified.  I have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since October 2016. Before Ship’s Ahoy, I was a paraprofessional in the Auburn Alabama school system for 20 years. My passion has always been working with children. I particularly love working with the one-year-olds. They put a smile on my face daily. I look forward to going to work to see what they say and do and what they will learn. I look forward to many more and hope to make a difference in a child’s life. 

My name is Addie Perry.  I am a co-teacher in the Tiny Two room. I am CPR/1st Aid certified. I have been at Ship’s Ahoy since July 2021. I have been a caretaker all my younger life. I feel as Tho I am experienced in loving and caring for all kids. I love laughter, hugs, and kisses. My heart aches when they cry, or I must redirect them. It is so rewarding when they understand and talk to you. I love it when I enter the room and they run to me for a hug. I am truly blessed to be a part of their learning day. 

My name is Octavia Stevens, I am the lead teacher of our 2-year-old program. I graduated from A.M Barbe.  I have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since November 2018. I have my CDA (Child Development Associate), Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education and am CPR/1st aid certified. have been in childcare for nine years. Working with young children brings me such joy. I love to see their growth throughout the year and develop a love for learning. They all make my heart smile! I love them like my own. 

My name is Brooklyn James. I am a graduate of AM Barbe High. I am the Lead Teacher in the Pre-K 3’s.  I have been working at Ship’s Ahoy since March 2021.  I am CPR/1st Aid certified and am currently enrolled at the University of Florida to obtain my CDA (Child Development Associate) and Ancillary Certificate from Louisiana Department of Education. I am a mother of an adorable baby boy, Jeremy. I love working with children because I get to inspire the next generation and learn from them as well.

My name is Brittney Istre. I graduated from Barbe high in 2009 and graduated from Sowela in 2011 with a degree in Office Systems Technology.  In 2016 I received my child development associate (CDA) for preschool and my ancillary certificate for Louisiana Department of Education.  I am CPR /1st Aid certified and also a certified Pre-K “CLASS” observer.  I started working in childcare when I was only 17 years old. At that time, I had no idea how much joy it would bring me and how many different learning experiences came with working in the childcare field. I have been here at Ship’s Ahoy since October 2009. Now that I have two young children of my own, I strive even more to be the best teacher I can be. Having them in my life has made me realize just how important my role is in teaching and nurturing young children.