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 The Owner

Jozalynne Byrd-Shakur

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.

Meet Our Staff

Ms. Chelly

Our TK Teacher

My name is Ms.Chelly & I’m the Tk teacher here at Creating Characters Academy. I have a 3 year old daughter Amiliya who keeps mommy on my 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. In my spare time I like to travel, cook, watch sports, and hang out with family. I’ve been with Creating Characters for about 8 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. I love creating new work stations that are both engaging and fun for both the kids and myself. 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. Mirena

Center Cook

Hello everyone, i have been the cook for CCPA about 6 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.

Ms. Mirena

Center Cook

Hello everyone, i have been the cook for CCPA about 6 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.

Ms. Jackie

Teacher Assistant

Hi, I’m Miss Jackie! I work mainly in the 2’s & 3’s classrooms but most of the time I’m everywhere. I enjoy working with all age groups because I get a little bit of everything & very class has their own personality…I absolutely love it! I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends & every weekend you’ll catch me at the movie theaters or trying out new restaurant’s with my boyfriend. Right after high school I had no idea what I wanted to do career wise & was offered a job at my local preschool. I accepted the position & instantly realized how much I enjoyed working with children. They keep me on my toes and I always look forward to seeing their little faces in the morning. My favorite season is fall because of all the different shades of brown & beige, which are my favorite colors. I love shopping at Target, Ulta & Amazon. Some of my favorite treats are spicy chips, sweet tart ropes, Dutch Bros & Starbucks coffee.

Ms. Mary

Toddler Teacher

Hello, I am Ms. Mary and have been a part of the Creating Characters family 3 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. 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. 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. In my spare time i enjoy SHOPPING, dancing and attending church. I am the mother of 1 son and have 6 beautiful grandchildren!

Ms. Mary

Toddler Teacher

Hello, I am Ms. Mary and have been a part of the Creating Characters family 3 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. 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. 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. In my spare time i enjoy SHOPPING, dancing and attending church. I am the mother of 1 son and have 6 beautiful grandchildren!

Mrs. Sam

Preschool Teacher

Hello, I’m Samantha but everyone calls me Mrs. Sam and I am the head 3 year old teacher here at Creating Characters Preschool Academy. I am a mommy of 3 kiddos and have 2 beautiful grand babies. In my spare time i enjoy relaxing at home and cooking some of 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.

Why Choose Us?

Safe and Secure
Environment

Your child’s safety is our top priority. Our facility is designed with secure access, childproofed spaces, and vigilant supervision to give you peace of mind.

Nurturing and
Caring Staff

Our experienced and compassionate team treats every child like family. We are dedicated to fostering a warm, loving atmosphere where your little one feels safe and valued.

Individualized
Attention

Every child is unique, and we tailor our care and educational activities to meet their specific needs, interests, and developmental milestones.

Focus on Learning
and Development

Our play-based curriculum inspires curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning while supporting the development of essential skills for school readiness.

Convenient and
Flexible Care

We understand the demands of busy families and offer flexible hours and programs to fit your schedule.

Inclusive and Diverse
Community

We celebrate diversity and foster an environment where all children and families feel welcome and respected.

Join Our Family Now!