early education news

Ahead Start, LLC
114 Laurens Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607
864.235.3394
Alt Phone: 864.569.9995

Our Team

Ahead Start has an experienced and dedicated staff serving the upstate area.  We have thirteen South Carolina Credentialed Early Interventionists. 

• • Deidre Freemon - Co-Founder and Director of Ahead Start

  • • I have always loved working with children and helping people. Throughout high school and college, I volunteered with several programs and events associated with the special needs population. This volunteer work directed me to my present career path. I graduated from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Soon after graduation, I became an Early Interventionist (EI) and I have continued on that career path for the past 10 years, ultimately co-founding my own early intervention organization, Ahead Start. I am eager to share with parents and families every aspect of my job: empowering a parent to advocate for their child, assisting a child to reach his or her full potential, and seeing the positive impact of EI services! I am dedicated to providing quality EI services; I feel privileged to work with such an amazing team at Ahead Start. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family, running, and competing in triathlons.

• • Christy Upton - Early Interventionist and Co-Founder of AheadStart, Supervisor

  • • I have worked for fifteen years with children and young people, from birth to 18 years old. I earned a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrated areas in Education, Psychology, and Sociology. I am also certified in infant child massage. My love for children and their families began with work in childcare centers and churches, and I realized my passion for serving families when given the opportunity to work as an Early Interventionist eight years ago. I co-founded Ahead Start in 2007. I find joy in empowering families as they strive to help their own children meet their potential. There is nothing more fulfilling than being with a family to witness their child's first word or first steps. As an Early Interventionist, I like to think of myself as more than the child's teacher or the parent's trainer—I become part of the family with each home visit or meeting.

• • Stacey Chapman - Early Interventionist, Supervisor

  • • I grew up in Greenville and returned here after graduating from Erskine College in 2002 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology. In 2006, I earned a Master's in Education in Community Counseling from Clemson University. I am also certified in infant child massage. Throughout high school and college I worked with children as a babysitter, tutor, daycare worker and volunteer in a children's home. I began work as an Early Interventionist in 2004 and started working with Ahead Start in March of 2008. I enjoy watching the progress the child makes with early intervention services and providing assistance families may need to learn and grow with their children. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends.

• • Valerie Hunt - Early Interventionist, Supervisor

  • • I graduated from Lander University in December 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. For six years I worked at a daycare center with young children, and taught in public schools for three years before beginning a career as an Early Interventionist. I chose this profession based on personal experience with my own son's early intervention and therapy services. I wanted to help children and their families reach their goals through informing and providing necessary early intervention services. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, photography and spending time with my family.

• • Amanda Wilson - Early Interventionist

  • • I graduated from North Greenville University with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with Early Childhood Education and Psychology/Counseling. My goal has always been to work with children, and I began my career as an Early Interventionist in August of 2009. I find work as an Early Interventionist rewarding as I help children meet and overcome obstacles. I maintain my lifelong love of children and extend my involvement with them beyond work to service as a Sunday school teacher for five to seven-year-olds.

      In my spare time, I enjoy scrap booking, hiking, and riding four-wheelers in the country. My husband and I also enjoy simply hanging out with family and friends.

• • Mary Jo Ray - Early Interventionist

  • • In 2006, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Presbyterian College. After graduation, I spent several years living and working as an elementary school teacher in Southeast Asia. This experience combined with my love of children lead me to Early Intervention, a career that allowed me to serve children, families, and the community. I enjoy spending time visiting with friends and family, leading women in Bible studies, running, and working on projects. My favorite activities include cleaning, cooking, gardening, and decorating.

• • Diana Hall - Early Interventionist

  • • I am a graduate of USC-Upstate where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2005.  I have previous experience working with children as a director of an Early Childhood Preschool.  I enjoy furthering my knowledge in child developemnt by attending trainings and workshops to increase my ability to make a difference in a child's life.  I currently live in Taylors, SC and enjoy the outdoors in my spare time.  I look forward to being a part of the Ahead Start Team and working with children to enrich their lives. 

• • Lindsay Moore - Early Interventionist

  • • I grew up in a small town in Southwest Virginia.  I went to Virginia Tech and have a bachelors degree in Human Developement with an emphasis on infancy and early childhood.  I knew my passion was to help children with delays and special needs after completing an internship in special education.  In addition I also worked as an infant teacher at two child care centers.  It is very rewarding to help children and to see the progress they make each week.  I have only been in Greenville for a year, but I am enjoying the opportunity to explore and learn the area even more each day. 

• • Katie Farmer - Early Interventionist

  • • I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyme University in Hickory, NC with a major in Human and Community Services and a minor in Psychology.  I grew up outside of Charlotte, North Carolina but I recently moved to Greer, South Carolina and now I am enjoying my time in the Greenville area.  I have two older sisters and a newly born nephew--he is the light of my life.  I love working with children and I love my new opportunity to pursue this path at Ahead Start.  Outisde of work I enjoy retail therapy and spending time soaking up the sun.

• • Katy Holloway - Early Interventionist

  • • I graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.  I completed my early childhood education internship assisting a second grade classroom.  During my time in the classroom I was able to meet several early interventionists.  I quickly recognized the importance of an early intervention program as I watched the interaction between student and teacher.  I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in Early Childhood Intervention.  In my spare time I love to be outdoors.  I am engaged and I have two dogs, a Boston Terrier Mix named Gypsy and a Chiuahuah named Bitsy.  I also love to go camping and spend time on the lake.   

• • Faith Brown - Early Interventionist

  • • I attended Furman University and graduated with a degree in Psychology.  I have worked for Piedmont Mental Health as a clinical counselor with children and adolescents and for Gateway House as a rehabilitation specialist with adults with chronic mental illness, but I have always been drawn toward Early Intervention.  I am passionate about working with children.  I also have a personal connection--I've seen the benefits of early intervention make a huge impact with my own nephew.  In my spare time I love to stay active.  I enjoy hiking, playing basketball, and water skiing. 

• • Lindsay Jones - Early Interventionist

  • • As an Ohio native, I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2008 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, I moved to Greenville and taught for 3 years in the school district. During this time, I discovered my true passion was focusing on children with special needs. I was fortunate to have two children in need of early intervention services in my class.  These experiences lead me to pursuing a career in Early Childhood Intervention. I'm excited to further my knowledge and skills of Early Intervention at Ahead Start and to spend time with amazing children and families. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, shopping, and trips the beach.  

• • Amy Taylor - Early Interventionist

  • • Working with children has always been my passion, and I cannot remember a time when I wanted to do anything else.  I graduated from Charleston Southern with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy and Psychology.   I had my first experience as an Early Interventionist (EI) in 1998.  While working as an EI, I also taught children in an Applied Behavior Analysis Program and practiced Music Therapy.  After having my two children, I decided to work as a stay at home mom.  When returning to work, I taught K4 for two years before accepting a position in administration at a local school.  One of my happiest days was when the opportunity arose for me to return to the field of Early Intervention.  Outside of work, my family enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, and swimming.

Call Ahead Start today to get your child's training underway!