Staff | lionsdendayschool

Our Staff

Our staff is a group of woman dedicated to give your child the best care possible. We all participate in several hours of training every year along with health and safety training and CPR and first aid. Every lead teacher is holds a CDA or higher along with a Louisiana Ancillary teaching certificate.

Anita Planchard

Anita wears many different hats at the center. She has owned and operated Lion's Den for the past 16 years, she is the director as well. Ms.Anita has been in child care for the over 20 years and has earned her CDA and holds a Louisiana Ancillary teacher certificate as well.

Anita and her husband, Reed, has been living and raising their 7 children in the Vinton community for the past 25 years. Reed and Anita are involved in the local community helping with fundraisers and the local recreation department when needed.

Lead teachers and support staff

Gloria Payne-Ms. Gloria has been at Lion's Den since we opened in 2007. She is a vital part of the center by preparing the student's lunches, supervising the afternoon staff, and being there at pick up plus much more. Ms. Gloria and her husband has lived in Vinton raising all three of their daughters in the community.

Mical Payne-Dunning- Ms. Mical has been a part of the Lion's Den since 2015. She is a lead teacher in the 2/3-year-old room. Ms. Mical knows how to successfully encourage growth in the students and meets them where they are at in their academic and emotional needs.

Kristi Brady- Ms. Kristi loves her babies. She has been our lead infant teacher since 2019. She came to us already holding her certificates and dove right in. She is someone that everyone can count on and always scores high on her observations.

Brittany Moran- Ms. Brittany came to us in 2021 and started off as an assistant teacher. She has since moved up to a lead teacher. Ms. Brittany is great with the students earning their love and respect. She gets them where they need to be to succeed.

Calli Granger- Ms. Calli started at Lion's Den in 2021 and is the afternoon teacher. She is here when the students go home in the afternoon. Ms. Calli is currently attending McNeese university to become a teacher.

Wendy Thibodeaux- Ms. Wendy is our CPSB teacher. In partnership with the school board, they have allowed Ms. Wendy to come in and teacher a grant funded classroom. Ms. Wendy has been an asset to our program with her years of experience and knowledge. All the staff, parents, and students love her.