🌻 Meet The Owner 🌻

Hey There! Im Jozalynne Byrd-Shakur, the founder and CEO of CCPA. I have been apart of the ECE field since 2006 & operated my own family childcare in-home preschool for approximately 9 years prior to opening up the academy in 2021. I am a mother of 3 boys and a wife to my amazing husband of 21 years. In my spare time i enjoy trying new foods, spending time with family & traveling to warm destinations. I have always had a passion and special connection to work with young children & with a whole heart i’ve believed & known the importance & high value of instilling positive characteristics into our youth. Taking the time to implement characteristics such as love, humility, self-control, perseverance, confidence and compassion is important to begin EARLY ON while they are still young and impressionable. I take pride in providing all of my families with high quality care and building relationships amongst our small community.

🌻 Our Core Values 🌻

At Creating Characters Preschool Academy, our values reflect our unwavering commitment to providing a loving, safe, and enriching environment for every child in our care. These guiding principles shape our approach to early childhood education and ensure that your little one’s well-being and development are always our top priority.

Nurturing Environment

We provide a warm, loving, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued.

Respect and Diversity

We celebrate diversity and teach children to respect and value differences in others.

Health and Wellness

We promote healthy habits through nutritious meals, physical activity, and emotional support.

Learning
Through Play

Our programs encourage curiosity, creativity, and discovery through engaging, age-appropriate activities.

Open Communication

We value the trust you place in us and maintain open, transparent communication.

🌻 Meet Our Team 🌻

Ms. Chelly

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Ms. Chelly & I’m the Tk teacher here at Creating Characters Academy. I have a daughter, Amiliya, who keeps mommy on her toes, just as much as the kids in my class.

 

The thing I love most about TK students is the independence they all bring to the class. I love to see how accomplished and proud of themselves they are once they achieve even the smallest goals. They all have such different personalities but come together for groups so well. I love creating new work stations that are both engaging and fun for both the kids and myself. 

I’ve been with Creating Characters for about 10 years now and never would have imagined I’d be so in love with working with kids as much as I do now! I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

In my spare time I like to travel, cook, watch sports, and hang out with family.I love LOVE sports! San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Sacramento Kings are all of my favorite teams. I love all varieties of foods and hanging out with my family. Some of my favorite colors are lavender, browns, black, and purple.

Ms. Jackie

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher/Assistant Director

Hi! I’m Miss Jackie! I am the Transitional Kindergarten Teacher and am excited to begin my new role as Assistant Director this school year. While you’ll primarily find me in our TK classroom, I’ll also be supporting our teachers, students, and families throughout the school.

One of my favorite parts of working in early childhood education is building relationships with children of all ages and watching them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Every classroom has its own unique personality, and I love being a part of each one!

After graduating high school, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to pursue. When I was offered a position at my local preschool, I quickly discovered my passion for working with children. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several different age groups, each one teaching me something new. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences that have led me here, and I’m excited to continue growing both as a teacher and as I step into my new Assistant Director role.

When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my fiancé. On weekends, you’ll usually find us at the movie theater or trying out new restaurants. Fall is my favorite season because I love all the cozy shades of brown and beige. I also enjoy shopping at Target, Ulta, and Amazon. Some of my favorite treats are spicy chips, Sweet Tart Ropes, Dutch Bros, and Starbucks.

Ms. Mary

Toddler Teacher

Hello, I am Ms. Mary and have been a part of the Creating Characters family 5 years now. I am the lead 2’s teacher & absolutely love this room because the kids keep me on my toes and always help me achieve my daily step goals! Lol. I have been teaching kids over 30 years and have a variety of experience in the ECE field. I’ve been a director, infant, toddler and after school teacher throughout my career. 

Those little ones hold such a special place in my heart and it makes me extremely proud to witness them grow & develop at such a fast pace. 

In my spare time i enjoy SHOPPING, dancing and attending church. I am the mother of 1 son and have 6 beautiful grandchildren!

Ms. Jada

Toddler Teacher

Hi, I’m Jada! I am a Teacher’s Assistant with a passion for creating a warm, positive, and supportive environment where every child feels seen, safe, and encouraged to grow. One of my favorite parts of working with children is watching their personalities blossom as they learn new skills and gain confidence.

 

I chose to work in early childhood education because I have always had a heart for helping children. Every day reminds me how important it is to have caring adults who encourage curiosity, kindness, and a love for learning. My long-term goal is to become a child psychologist, where I hope to support children’s emotional, social, and mental well-being while helping them navigate life’s challenges and reach their full potential.

 

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy the fall, spending time with my family and friends, reading, listening to music, traveling , everything pink lol and being active in my church community. I am grateful to be part of each child’s learning journey and look forward to making a positive impact every day🌸🤍

Ms. Sam

Preschool Teacher

Hello, I’m Samantha but everyone calls me Mrs. Sam. I am the head 3 year old teacher here at Creating Characters Preschool Academy. I love working with this age group because I am able to give more one on one attention to each child individually and help guide/support relationships within the classroom.

I am a mommy of 3 kiddos and have 2 beautiful grand babies. In my spare time I enjoy relaxing at home and cooking. 

Ms. Vivian

Preschool Teacher

Hi, I’m Ms. Vivian! I have always been a big kid at heart, which is one of the many reasons I love working with young children. I enjoy creating fun, hands-on learning experiences through arts and crafts using a variety of materials, and I truly appreciate the unique personalities each child brings to the classroom—Especially those who keep us on our toes!

Building meaningful relationships with children and helping them grow is the most rewarding part of what I do.

Outside of work, I’m a proud San Francisco 49ers fan and a self-proclaimed winter baby who loves the snow. On my days off, you’ll usually find me deep cleaning around the house or relaxing with my PS5 and playing video games online.

Ms. Mirena

Academy Chef

Hello everyone, i have been the cook for CCPA about 7 years now and absolutely LOVE IT! Cooking has always been a true passion of mine and i enjoy preparing dishes for the students that they authentically enjoy. I love witnessing them enjoy their lunch & trying new foods they’ve never had. Originally my family is from Texas so everything i prepare is made with flavor & love. My meals are balanced, healthy & guaranteed tasty! I am the mother of 3 beautiful children and 3 grand boys whom i love all very much. Outside of cooking i enjoy hanging out with my family, reading & shopping.

Our Gallery

🌻 Parent Testimonials🌻

At Creating Characters Preschool Academy, we believe the best way to understand the impact we have on children and families is through the words of those who experience it firsthand. Our families are at the heart of everything we do, and we are honored to play a role in their child’s early development.