Directors
Co-Director of Child's Way
Judy Haverlah
I grew up San Antonio, and married Neil, my high school sweetheart. We have three grown children , Neilynn, David and Daniel and four wonderful grandsons. I have been blessed that all of my grandchildren have been students of Child’s Way.
My College background is Elementary Education. I attended San Antonio College and The University of Texas. I fell in love with preschool when my first child started her preschool program. I would volunteer at first, and then was their #1 substitute teacher. My career as a preschool teacher began when my youngest child started Kindergarten.
I was the Lead Teacher for the 3 year old class for 12 years in my church program, and was the Director for the last 7 years. . For 5 of those years I also taught the 3 year old class in Ms. Rebecca’s church program. We had such a great working relationship we decided to open our own school. That was 16 years ago and the beginning of Child’s Way Creative Learning Center.
Child’s Way and all the children here are my passion. I still love to come to work and be silly, sing songs with the children and fix their Booboos. I will always be the luckiest grand mother ever, thanks to all our precious children at Child’s Way.
Co-Director of Child's Way
Rebecca Galindo
I want to welcome any new family that enter our doors, with a warm greeting and an assurance that your child will be loved, nurtured and taught by the best pre-school teachers in town. My husband Dan and my three adult children, Gina, Gregory and Matthew are so blessed to call Austin our home after spending 20 years moving around the country.
My very first introduction to pre-school education was 27 years ago in West Germany, where my husband of 40 years served as an officer in the Air Force and my youngest son attended a Montessori school. I served on that board for 3 years and was a substitute teacher for 2-5 year old children. I then realized I had found myself in a career that I truly loved and pursued when we returned to the states.
I began teaching here in Austin in September, of 1985 at a Montessori school as a teacher assistant. I then accompanied another teacher who opened her own Montessori school, where she allowed me to go through training and become a certified teacher in primary education. I take great pride in the fact that Child's Way incorporates much of Dr. Maria Montessori philosophy.
My first attempt of branching out on my own, was the conception of a Parent's Day Out program that I started in the fall of 1990, at my parish, St. Catherine of Siena in Oak Hill.
After directing and teaching there for 5 years as well as teaching under Ms. Judy's direction at Abiding Love Lutheran, we both realized an opportunity was available for us to branch out further and open what we feel is the love of our lives, Child's Way Creative Learning Center.
After 16 years as co-owner, I still feel that same joy and passion when I enter the red doors each day. I am so blessed to know that my five grandchildren have been loved and cared for over the years by some incredible educators at our school.
Debbie O'Donnell
This is my sixth year as Assistant Director, and my eighth year at Child's Way. I love working with children and have learned if you take the time to look at life through the eyes of a child you will enjoy life so much more.
I have had the privilege to work in the child care industry for over 17 years off and on. I have worked in Mom's Day Out program, taught Sunday School, been a Church Child Care Director, been a teacher in the 2s, 3s, and 4s classes, and now have become an assistant director. Last year I went thought the Austin Community College Child Development Program for Child Care Directors Track Program and earned a 4.0! This year I am working on completing my Associates Degree in Child Care Development through Austin Community College. I am excited to be able to continue my education in this capacity.
I am also a proud mom of three adult children. My oldest, Kelly, is now a second grade teacher in Bryan. My son, Travis recently completed his senior year of college with a psychology degree after being on a baseball scholarship during his collegiate years. He also just recently married! My youngest, Shelly, is in college at Texas State University working on her psychology degree also. I am also a grandmother! By far the greatest job in the world is being a grandparent. I have two grandgirls, My first is Morgan, who is now ten, is going into the fifth grade. She went to Child's Way for three years and I am so thankful for the foundation she gained here before going to elementary school. I also have another granddaughter, Payton, she is six and will be in first grade. I am blessed to have the children in my life!
One of our babies! What a cutie!
