Easterseals School for Limitless Learning - Meet the Staff
Dr. Janine Stewart, Program Director, DIR Floortime® Certified
Dr. Janine Stewart has been with Easterseals Florida since 2013 and currently serves as the Program Director for Easterseals School for Limitless Learning. With over 24 years of experience in early childhood education, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development, a Master’s degree in Human Services, and a Doctorate in Christian Education.
Dr. Stewart is passionate about creating enriching environments for children of all abilities, believing that "Every child has the potential to learn and grow, no matter their abilities." Her leadership ensures the highest quality of care and education for our programs.
Outside of work, Dr. Stewart enjoys family time, crafting, singing with her church’s worship team, and relaxing with movies.Contact Dr. Janine Stewart at jstewart@fl.easterseals.com or call 813-236-5589
Brandi Murphy, Program Assistant
Brandi Murphy, Easterseals School for Limitless Learning Program Assistant, has been a part of the Easterseals team since 2012. With 14 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, she holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has served in various roles, including Infant Teacher and Toddler Teacher.
Brandi’s organizational skills, attention to detail, and dedication ensure our programs run smoothly. Passionate about creating supportive environments, she believes "every child can reach their goals regardless of abilities." Her commitment to nurturing others makes her an essential part of our team.
Outside of work, Brandi enjoys family time, game nights, and water parks. She lives by the quote, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." – Babe Ruth.
Contact Brandi Murphy at bmurphy@fl.easterseals.com
Maureen Anderson, Toddler Teacher (1 - 2 year olds)
Maureen Anderson, our Toddler Teacher for 1- and 2-year-olds, has been an Early Childhood Educator for twenty-five years. She holds certifications in Childcare Center Operations, Director Credential, and Childcare Development Specialist.
Passionate about working with children of all abilities, Maureen creates a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom where every child can thrive. Her lessons are designed to meet developmental milestones, and she carefully observes and supports each child’s individual growth.
Living by the motto “Today I will make a difference,” Maureen is a dedicated motivator, caregiver, and teacher. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and nurturing growth in every form.
Shannon Jones, Pre-School Teacher
Shannon Jones, our Preschool Teacher for 3/4-year-olds, is a valued member of our team and has 11 years of experience. Shannon holds a National CDA and is VPK Certified.
Shannon's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that "no two children are the same, so education shouldn't be the same for all children." She strives to meet each child where they are in their educational journey and helps them blossom at their own pace.
Outside of teaching, Shannon enjoys photography, crafting, traveling, spending time with her family, and attending live music events. She finds inspiration in the quote, "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning."
Brandi Ruffner, Teacher, Lower Elementary
Brandi Ruffner is an experienced Lower Elementary Teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She is a Florida Teacher Certified in both Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 and Exceptional Student Education, bringing 12 years of experience to her role.
Brandi is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive classroom where every student can thrive. She tailors her teaching to each child’s unique needs, strengths, and learning styles, believing “Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.” Her goal is to help each student reach their full potential through individualized instruction and encouragement.
Outside the classroom, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going to the gym, watching movies, and completing puzzles.
Regina Taylor, Teacher, Lower Elementary
Regina Taylor is a Lower Elementary Teacher with 13 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in social work and is professionally certified by the State of Florida Department of Education in Pre-Kindergarten/Primary Education (Age 3 - Grade 3), School Social Work (Grades Pre-K - 12), with endorsements in ESOL (Grades K - 12) and Reading (Grades K - 12).
Regina believes every child can learn and focuses on meeting each student’s unique needs through individualized instruction. She is passionate about building strong connections with her students, living by the quote, “Every child deserves a champion.”
Outside of teaching, Regina enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Kayla Keefe, Assistant Teacher, Lower Elementary
Kayla Keefe is a dedicated and passionate Assistant Teacher in the Lower Elementary program. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and an Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Liberal Arts, bringing a strong educational foundation to her teaching role. With 8 years of experience, Kayla has honed her skills in creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for young students.
Her teaching philosophy is student-centered, emphasizing peer tutoring and project-based learning. Kayla believes in the power of interactive and collaborative education, where students can learn from one another and engage in hands-on projects that enrich their understanding and creativity.
Outside of the classroom, Kayla enjoys art, reading, exercising, and watching movies. Inspired by Picasso’s words, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow,” Kayla strives to cultivate creativity in every child she teaches.
Melisa Anchique, Assistant Teacher, Lower Elementary
Melisa holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. This background enables her to understand children's emotional and developmental needs, allowing her to support their learning journey with passion and care. Melisa is bilingual, which helps her connect with a broader range of students and families. With several years of experience working in schools and non-profit organizations supporting children with diverse needs, she is committed to making a positive impact in their lives. Melisa is passionate about working with children, immersing herself in their world to support their academic, social, and emotional growth.
Outside of work, she prioritizes spending time with her family. Melisa enjoys baking, engaging with the youth in the ministry that she and her husband lead at their church, traveling, and watching movies are her favorite ways to unwind. Melisa is dedicated to contributing to the growth of both children and young people in her community.
Yesenia Jaipersad, Assistant Teacher, Early Learning (1-2 year olds)
Yesenia Jaipersad has been in early childhood education for 17 years as a Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant. In addition to her years of experience in the area, she’s simultaneously taken the required training and credentialing mandated statewide to offer her best professionally in all the positions she’s held. Yesenia has taken ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes to become fully bilingual and has also been an ESOL Teacher Assistant off-and-on in her past employment. She was also a lead teacher in a Family Literacy/Migrant EvenStart Program in Hillsborough County Schools for 17 years. She’s passionate about the preschool environment and its importance in leading children to success socially and educationally.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys being with her family. She loves music, food, adventures, and getting to know new places and experiences. Her hobbies are decorating, crafts, and gardening. Yesenia's motto is “Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”
Nina Stokes, Program Support Coordinator
Nina Stokes brings a wealth of experience in education and community engagement. She holds a Master’s in Science Education and an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. With a background in teaching and educational coordination, she has developed and presented instructional materials for diverse audiences.
At Easterseals School for Limitless Learning, Nina manages marketing efforts, including print and social media, to support enrollment and brand awareness. She actively promotes the school through community partnerships, vendor events, and outreach efforts to increase visibility. Nina also enjoys spending time in classrooms, observing, and offering support where needed.
Outside of work, Nina enjoys spending time with family, running, photography, traveling, and reading.
Contact Nina Stokes at: nstokes@fl.easterseals.com
