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Paula Detar
Executive Director
(East)
Paula Detar is the Executive Director serving Corning Children’s Center since 2019. She values the first five years of development of children because this is the most rapid period of development when the brain is most flexible. This period is crucial for each child as early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in both school and life. She loves being able to connect with families, children and staff as we journey through these first 5 years at Corning Children’s Center together. Paula has served as a board member for the Corning Chinese School, participated in Leading with Racial Equity Initiative through Early Care and Learning Council, and is a member of the Southern Tier, Early Childhood Leadership Initiative. She has been serving in the early childhood education field both in the classroom and in leadership for nearly 20 years with extensive training and knowledge in Birth to 5 child development, sensory processing, brain development, Conscious Discipline, and curriculum implementation. Paula holds a Bachelor’s in Science in Elementary Education from Westminster College and a Master’s in Arts in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Birth to 5) from Montclair State University. She enjoys reading, baking, cooking, completing jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her family and friends around the table playing games or out in the woods camping and hiking. Her favorite color is purple and when she was growing up, she dreamed of one day being a teacher and a mom.
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Center Director
(West)
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Dakota Carr
Operations Director
(East)
Dakota Carr is the Operation's Coordinator for Corning Children's Center. Dakota has worked at the Center since 2018. He has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Dakota enjoys connecting with families, staff, vendors, and donors and strives to build a sense of community with all who enter our program. Dakota has contributed to the success of the Center by developing and implementing effective processes and procedures, allowing the center to work more efficiently. He also works closely with the People Operation’s Director to ensure the Center’s facility maintenance and cleaning items are in accordance with licensing regulations. When not at work, Dakota enjoys time in the Finger Lakes and traveling to visit friends in Miami. Dakota is passionate about supporting local businesses and serves on the City of Corning Comprehensive Plan Committee and supports the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce.
​His favorite color is blue. When he was growing up, he wanted to be an airline pilot.
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Velma Andrews
Finance Director
(East)
Velma Andrews is Finance Director at Corning Children's Center. She has over 25 years of experience in the finance field with 10 years in a non-profit environment. She attended Elmira Business Institute for Accounting. When not at work, Velma enjoys traveling, boating, crafting, and reading. Her favorite color is purple. When she was growing up, she wanted to be a teacher.
Laura Fish
Family Engagement Coordinator
(West)
Laura Fish is the Center's Family Engagement Coordinator. This role includes things such as enrollment, and partnering with families to help them access different types of support and resources, In addition, Laura manages health related forms such as physicals, immunizations, and MAT paperwork. Laura believes that the first 5 years of a child’s life are incredibly important for building a solid foundation for the rest of the child’s life. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early and Elementary Education from Buffalo State College. When not at work, Laura enjoys spending time with her 3 children, reading, and doing various outdoor activities. Her favorite color is purple. When she was growing up she wanted to be either a teacher or a counselor.
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Kate Downing
Community Engagement Coordinator
(East)
Kate joined our team at the Center September 2021, bringing with her a Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality from SUNY Delhi. She has a diverse range of experience in events and catering, administrative support, graphic design, and customer service. Outside of work, Kate enjoys traveling, exploring new foods, spending time with her four-legged best friend, an Aussie/Husky mix, and cherishing moments with loved ones. It's worth noting that Kate had previously worked at the Center as a substitute teacher before completing her college education. Her favorite color is purple. ​When Kate was growing up she wanted to be a marine biologist.
Rachael Spaulding
Human Resources Generalist
(West)
Rachael Spaulding is the Human Resource Generalist for Corning Children’s Center. She believes that HR is an essential piece of a nurturing and successful childcare program. Rachael chose to Join Corning Children’s Center because its mission and values align perfectly with her passion for helping others grow. She sees her role as not only supporting the team, but also empowering them with the proper resources, training, and encouragement that one needs to motivate themselves to give their very best to the children and the families they serve. Rachael holds her SHRM-CP certification and is a licensed notary public. Rachael has earned an associate’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. When she is not at work, Rachael loves to sing her heart out, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the little joys in life. Her favorite color is green, and as a child, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.
Jenny Snyder
Education Coordinator
(West)
Jenny Snyder is the Education Coordinator for Corning Children’s Center West. Jenny is passionate about play-based learning and the important foundation that Conscious Discipline provides - which will help children be successful for the rest of their lives. She supervises classrooms and helps with curriculum implementation. Jenny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Office Administration from Pensacola Christian College. She taught sixth grade for six years before entering the early childhood field. She was a lead teacher for a number of years in a daycare center before moving up into a Child Development Specialist role. After holding the CDS role for 2 ½ years, she took her current position as Education Coordinator. When not at work, Jenny enjoys relaxing with her cats, traveling, and volunteering at her church. She loves bright colors. When she was growing up, she always wanted to be either a teacher or a therapist.
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Dawnelle Wilson
Child Development Specialist
(West)
Dawnelle Wilson is a Child Development Specialist at the Corning Children's Center. Dawnelle has spent her adult life working in a classroom helping children grow. She believes early childhood is the shaping of the future of children.-Building strong relationships with children and staff is important to Dawnelle and she values continued learning opportunities. She holds an AAS degree in Social Science and Human Services. When not at work, Dawnelle enjoys spending time with her four children and husband. They value our time together as a family and often host picnics with lots of swimming.
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Ayumi Pierrera
Child Development Specialist
(East)
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Kendall Austin
Education Coordinator
(East)
Kendall Austin is an Education Coordinator who works with staff to coordinate curriculum implementation including lesson plans, developmental assessments and screenings. She supports and oversees classroom staff with the goal of continual learning and growth. Kendall believes that working in an Early Childhood Education setting gives one the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and Management from Alfred State College When not at work, she enjoys gardening and spending time with family. Her favorite color is pink. When she was growing up she wanted to be a nurse.
Jessica Paul
Administrative Assistant
(West)
Jessica Paul believes that organization, cleanliness, strong communication, and a sense of humor are essential to keeping both homes and workplaces running smoothly and efficiently. She views the office as a second home—one that should be tidy, comfortable, and safe for everyone. By making these habits routine, she helps create environments that are both welcoming and productive for adults and children alike.
Jessica began her career at an early age, working as a childcare provider by age 10 after becoming CPR certified. She continued working with families throughout her youth before transitioning into the restaurant industry, where she advanced to a supervisory role by age 25. She then moved into sales with ASI Distribution, where her performance quickly set her apart.
Excelling in her field, Jessica became a Senior Account Manager and trainer at Jensen Beach Marketing. During her time there, she contributed to the creation of a successful national slogan for the U.S. Postal Service: “Save a Trip, Use Click-N-Ship.” Her achievements earned her two trips to Las Vegas to accept national awards—one for the lowest sales return rate in the country and another for helping build a million-dollar company within six months alongside a teammate.
Jessica later returned to her hometown of Horseheads to care for her sister with multiple sclerosis. During this time, she worked as a home healthcare provider with Family Services of Chemung County and the Center for Disability Rights in Corning, supporting numerous individuals with physical disabilities.
In 2010, Jessica began pursuing a business degree, earning placement on both the Dean’s List and President’s List each semester. She was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and graduated at the top of her class. Following graduation, she chose to prioritize time with her child while working for Unique Solutions Monogramming, a family-owned business. There, she developed skills in logo creation, operated screen-printing and vinyl press equipment, supervised store operations, and managed customer orders—all while continuing her caregiving responsibilities.
In 2017, Jessica joined an orthodontic practice as a clinical assistant and sterile processing technician. In 2022, she returned to full-time caregiving as her sister’s condition progressed, remaining by her side until her passing in January 2023.
In recent years, Jessica has embraced new personal milestones, becoming both a grandmother and a homeowner. She currently serves as an Administrative Assistant at the Corning Children’s Center in Painted Post, where she continues to bring dedication, compassion, and organizational expertise to her work.
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Jamie Roloson
Administrative Assistant
(West)
Jamie Roloson is an Administrative Assistant who works at the front desk helping with the day to day needs of our center. Jamie believes that providing a warm, welcoming, and helpful environment is key to helping children grow into their own confident person. In addition to managing the day to day needs of the center, Jamie also
Jamie is a graduate of Corning East High School and has many years of experience in customer service. When not at work, Jamie enjoys reading, spending time with her family and playing with her dogs. When she was growing up she waned to be a teacher or nurse.
Temma VanFleet
Administrative Assistant
(East)
Temma VanFleet has the role of administrative assistant at the front desk of the East building, with an illustrative background. She believes in helping people better themselves as a whole and starting the day with a smile when they walk through the door. Temma volunteers through many different programs and takes safety with the utmost care. She holds a BA in illustration through Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. When not at work, reading and drawing take up most of her time if she is not spending it with her family and friends navigating historical sites all over the country. Her favorite color is red, and she wanted to be a kid's book illustrator growing up.
Eileen Patocka
Administrative Assistant
(East)
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