Hello, my name is Nicola (Nicky) Passarello. I grew up in Pearl River, New York and came south for my college education (Western Carolina University). Before coming to Southwestern Child Development, I was a teacher in the Georgia School System for 22 years with middle schoolers. I realized that the impact for children’s development/education needed to be made at a much earlier age. I decided to make a career change.

I have worked for Southwestern Child Development since the Fall of 1995. I have had a variety of jobs: teacher assistant, after school director, summer director for a developmental day camp and resource teacher. My previous position to my new one was Regional Intervention Specialist for Jackson, Swain and the Qualla Boundary, working with 0-5 year olds with special needs in Southwestern Centers, private centers, and in homes/community. For the last several years, I have served as resource teacher for Webster Early Education and Preschool for 3-5 year olds on the DD contract with Jackson County Schools. My education/credentials include a BS in Education from WCU, a MED in Reading Education from UGA, a BK teaching license through WCU, Child Care Credentials 1 & 2, an ITFS certificate and the Early Educator Certificate, Level 12.