About Us
MISSION
St. Elijah Mom’s Day Out and Pre-K, a ministry of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church, nurtures and challenges children in body, mind and soul for lifelong learning and Christian faith.
CHOOSE US
Why Learn With Us?
St. Elijah Mom’s Day Out and Pre-K provides a unique approach to learning that encompasses all aspects of the child: mind, body and soul. For nursery school, a Montessori approach is combined with the “High Reach” curriculum. We also offer a specially formulated Pre-K program with emphasis on literacy and math skills. Our teachers incorporate all areas of learning such as art, science, language development, reasoning, problem solving, and social skills. Students in our program enjoy the following benefits:
Orthodox Christian Teachings, Values and Principles
Daily Prayers and Stories From the Bible, and Weekly Chapel Service
Monthly Cultural Celebrations
A Music Program Taught by a Certified Professional
An Beautiful Outdoor Playground Facility and Garden
A State-of-the-Art Gymnasium
Thank you for taking an interest in our wonderful ministry. We look forward to meeting you and your family!
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
STAFF
Our Administration
Director
Sara Cortez
Ms. Sara Cortez has worked with children as long as she can remember. “Their smiles make my day,” she says. She enjoys how St. Elijah operates like a school, not a daycare. “We follow a curriculum and are able to spend time with each child individually to really get to know their needs.
Ms. Sara has more than ten years of experience, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kansas State University. In addition, she holds a Texas Teaching Certificate.
Ms. Sara has a daughter, Caroline, who attends St. Elijah MDO.
Director assistant
Rawan Shawareb
Ms. Rawan Shawareb collaborates with the director on daily operations and researching new ideas and plans for St. Elijah Mom’s Day Out and Preschool. Born and raised in Jordan in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, Ms. Rawan is a member of St. Elijah.
Ms. Rawan joined MDO in 2009 as the two-year-old classroom teacher and was named director assistant in 2010. She says it is a blessing to be a part of this ministry and to see faith and love grow in the children, including her own.
Ms. Rawan studied at Rosary College and the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in marketing. Ms. Rawan and her husband Tamer have three children, Farris, Raya and Karam.
Chapel Services
St Elijah Mom’s Day Out and Prekindergarten students who are three years of age and older attend Chapel Services with their class Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:45am to 11:00am. Please see the school’s calendar for changes in the Chapel schedule and for special feast day celebrations.