Our Teachers

Our teachers provide a wealth of experience to Children First. All lead teachers have an Associate or Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. All assistant teachers have or working towards earning their Child Development Credential (CDA). All staff are certified in CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention, Communicable Diseases along with six (6) hours of continuing education annually.

Half of our teaching staff have been employed at Children First for over 20 years!

Director

Tiffany Hance

Tiffany is from Westerville, Ohio and resides in Lewis Center, Ohio with her family and 2 dogs. She has an AS in Early Childhood Development from CSCC and has a BS in Early Childhood Education from University of Cincinnati. She is a certified Children’s Vision Screener with Prevent Blindness. She serves on the Eastland-Fairfield Employability Prep Advisory Board. Tiffany joined Children First in 1991. She enjoys exercising and volunteering in my free time. Her favorite part of her day is getting out of the office and spending time in the classrooms or on a field trip.

Lead Teacher Bear Room

Toddlers

Crystal Walls

Crystal has been teaching at Children First since 1990. She has a BS in Child Development from The Ohio State University. She is a widow with two sons, Marcus (29) and Nicolaus (20). She also has a step-daughter, Navy (6). She enjoys teaching and watching children grow and learn.

Bumblebee Room Teacher

Younger Infants

Haley Moss

Haley's bio is coming soon!

Butterfly Room Teacher

Older Infants

Natalie Sohalski

Natalie's bio is coming soon!

Butterfly Room Teacher

Older Infants

Sondra Asare

Sondra has been with Children First since 2005. She graduated from Columbus State College with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood. She has a passion for working with young children and seeing them grow as well as learn new things. Sondra is married to her husband, Ramsey, for 10 years and counting! She comes from a big family of six--her family and going to church is very important to her.

Bumblebee Room Teacher

Younger Infants

Emily Fithen

Emily's bio is coming soon!

Bear Room Teacher

Toddlers - Early Preschool

Christine Wilkins

Christine has taught at Children First in the Chicks Room since 2002. She is a mother of two daughters and a grandmother of four grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and activities with her grandkids. Fall and Halloween is her favorite time of year. She loves working at Children First with the toddlers!

Bear and Penguin Room Teacher

Toddlers - Early Preschool

Amanda Tilley

Amanda's bio is coming soon!

Penguin Room Teacher

Toddlers - Early Preschool

Mariah Mathews

Mariah began teaching at Children First in January 2024. She joined CF after teaching at another downtown center. She has a two-year old daughter, Charlotte, who is in the Bear Room. She was born and raised a Notre Dame fan, although she's lived in Columbus her whole life. Mariah and her fiancé enjoy traveling to the beach and are currently fostering a young dog. She is excited to join the CF family!

Elephant Room Teacher

Preschool

Tatjana Cotton

Tatjana's bio is coming soon!

Elephant Room Teacher

Preschool

Josh Tully

Josh's bio is coming soon!

Elephant Room Teacher

Preschool

Annette Hobson

Annette has been a teacher at Children First since 1997. She has a background of Early Childcare Development after attending The Ohio State University. Annette is originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio and is the youngest of four children (she has two older brothers and one older sister). Her hobbies are sports, all things Cleveland, movies, good reading, crafts, spending time with family and friends. Most of all, she enjoys learning from her younger friends--your children--and loves all the laughter they give!