Administration

Corina Dekker hails from The Netherlands and has lived in the United States since 1990. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Hotelschool, in The Hague. She worked in operations management for Hilton, Sheraton and Hyatt hotels before starting a family. Being a full-time parent paved the way for a career in education. Corina has worked in early childhood education since 2000 and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from NOVA University. Corina is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Christian Preschools Association (CPA), where she is also a board member. Watching children grow, develop, and learn from rich and meaningful daily classroom experiences is immensely rewarding. Sharing her knowledge about child development and the importance of the early years in education is something she feels passionate about. Corina joined The Growing Place in 2013, with a strong commitment to offering high quality education and care in a faith-based setting. In addition to leading The Growing Place, Corina holds a dual role as Executive Director for First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables. In her free time, Corina enjoys and values spending time with family. Traveling, enjoying nature, and reading are her favorite hobbies.

Alexandra Kagan is a lover of learning who joined the TGPS family in 2021. Originally from New York, Alexandra has taught, lived and traveled around the world to develop broad knowledge of child development over the last 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chinese Studies, a Master’s of Education in Elementary Education/ESOL, and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Graduate School. ​ Alexandra believes in the unique talents, capabilities, strengths, and individuality in every child. She is passionate about supporting children, families, and teachers to be the best version of themselves. ​ A big fan of teamwork, collaboration, and connection, Alexandra enjoys being active in the community. When not focused on education, Alexandra can be found discovering new restaurants, experiencing the arts, and exploring the beauty of Miami with her family.

Alita joined our team in 2024, and after studying business administration at the University of Utah and living in Salt Lake City, Utah, she moved to Coral Gables and raised her three daughters. After working in the corporate world for many years she found purpose and passion while volunteering at a local nonprofit that helps keep kids safe, healthy and drug free. That experience led to her next career as she began working in the nonprofit industry twelve years ago. She comes to The Growing Place after managing the United Wesley Foundation at the University of Miami, a ministry of the United Methodist Church, for eight years. She is thrilled to be working with young children once again. In her spare time, she likes to read, go to the beach and bake.

Maddie was born and raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and moved to Florida in 2012 to attend Flagler College where she received her bachelor's degree in communications and minor in graphic design. She moved to Miami in 2021 where she continued her education, and she received her second bachelor's in Special Education, Educational Foundations, and Policy from Florida International University.  Maddie has prior experience as a special education teacher and director of enrichment, aftercare, and summer camp programs. An aunt to five nephews and three nieces, Maddie loves working with children, and strives to ensure every child has a meaningful and positive experience during their time in her care. Maddie hopes that in her role at The Growing Place School, she can seamlessly extend the wonderful environment that the educators and other professionals have created in the classroom to after school programs, summer camp, and other extracurricular activities.  In her free time, Maddie loves hanging out with her two cats, Casey and Frankie, enjoys the occasional tennis match, and exploring all the natural beauty South Florida has to offer.

For over a decade, Jasmin has dedicated her life to nurturing young minds as an Early Childcare Educator, a role that allowed her to blend her love for teaching along with the magic of storytelling. Her journey in education is decorated with national certifications in early learning, with a focus on developmentally appropriate practices and supporting children in reaching key milestones. She has completed a variety of courses designed to master different approaches to fostering learning and development through age-appropriate methods. Additionally, Jasmine is a rising children's book author and is continuing her studies focusing on child-centered learning goals and diverse curriculum practices

Emily was born and raised in Miami, and comes from a big Cuban family. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in public relations and concentration in international communications at the University of Florida, she worked for the marketing department at the University Press of Florida, a scholarly publishing press for the State University System of Florida. She then moved back home to Miami, where she began working as an application reader for the University of Miami. ​ With a background in marketing and admissions, she is delighted to be working in a position that allows her to utilize her greatest skills to show families the beauty and passion of The Growing Place School. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling the world, and being with her friends and family.

Catherine was born in San Francisco, California, with her parents moving to Florida when she was six months old. Catherine is of Nicaraguan descent and holds an associate degree in Human Services and is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has over ten years of experience in logistics and is thrilled to now be working with children, helping with daily operations and managing the inner workings of a school. Catherine is also a mother and stepmother to three amazing children: two girls and one boy. She enjoys spending time with her family and watching movies in her spare time.