Meet the ACP Staff

 Anita Ford

Director 
I am a native of Baltimore City.  I graduated from the University of Virginia at Wise with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  august 2021 marks my 20th year of teaching at A Child’s Place.  During that time, I have served as a prekindergarten and kindergarten teacher as well as Assistant Director.  My philosophy is that young children learn best through play.  Therefore, that is how I have always planned and implemented my lessons based on early learning standards.

 

 

Robin Lopez

Lead Twos Teacher
I graduated from Towson University with a degree in education and the Institute of Children’s Literature with a focus in Special Education. I also earned a Music Education degree from Essex Community College. I have been teaching for over 30 years. I am also a graduate from the Ringling Brothers College. I am passionate about sharing with others. I use my skills in drama, music, and sign language when working with young children. I believe “teamwork makes the dreamwork” and “keep reaching for the stars, for only as high can I reach will I grow!”

 

 

Anne Marie Addicott

Lead Threes Teacher
I am originally from Sacramento, CA but I have frequently traveled between the East and West coast for work. I graduated from California Lutheran University with a bachelor’s in history. I received my master’s degree in public history from California State University [CSU] in Fullerton. Mother to a 16-year-old boy, I am no stranger to childcare! I have acted as assistant teacher for a variety of private preschools such as the Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City, Maryland and at St. Paul’s Preschool for Girls in Baltimore, Maryland. I have regularly and frequently assisted lead teachers across various age groups, from infancy to toddlerhood. As I further my career, my specific focus within education is to inspire children to learn from a love of exploration. In my free time, I love to read, craft, knit, cross stitch, and garden.

 

Lara Simmons

Lead Fours Teacher
Ms. Lara has been in education for nearly 20 years. She started her education experience in environmental education, after graduating with a BA in environmental science from Washington College. She worked for Glen Helen Outdoor Education center, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, affiliated with Antioch College. Then the Osprey Wilds Center, affiliated with Hamline University in Sandstone, MN. This brought her back to The Maryland Zoo for educational programs, and to Maine to work for a summer camp program for foster care and low-income families. In 2010, wanting to try classroom teaching before investing in a master's degree in education, moved to China. She taught for English First in Shenyang, China, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and Xian, China. This had her working with students as young as 3 with a young learner program, as well as kindergarten programs, middle school and high school programs and elementary school programs and tutoring programs for TOFEL and IELTS. Upon returning home to the states, she then enrolled in a Master's degree program in education. She worked for the National Aquarium and Pratt Library for educational programs in addition to STEM programming. She taught for a Howard County pre-school and She also has worked for Sheppard Pratt schools and as a registered behavior technician. She wrote an AI curriculum for the Center for Equitable AI and Machine Learning (CEAMLS') at Morgan State University, which included running programs with the Pratt Library. In her free time, she enjoys conservation work, Jay Flemming workshops, the Baltimore Orioles, and helping with BARCS.

 

Naz Khandoker

Assistant Teacher
Hello! I am a transplant from Baton Rouge, LA; I graduated from LSU with a Bachelors in Kinesiology. I joined Notre Dame of Maryland’s inaugural class of Doctor of Occupational Therapy and graduated in December of 2024. My specialty within Occupational Therapy [OT] moving forward will be split between pediatrics and mental health work with US veterans. I have an extensive background working with children. Being the oldest sibling in a large household, I found myself a caregiver and teacher/tutor well before my teenage years! As a staff member at A Child’s Place, I will act in an advisory capacity both as an assistant teacher and OT to support my fellow teachers and the children. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, learning new languages, writing, and volunteering with rescue animals.