Tashya Adamcik – Director
Tashya loves what she does and views her work as a labor of love. She is honored that so many families have entrusted their children to her care. Tashya has a deep commitment to nurturing every student at Inspire Me and coordinates with parents to develop a plan for each child.
Each year Tashya personally designs Inspire Me’s annual music recital and preschool graduation ceremony.
Tashya started Inspire Me Learning Academy in 2018 and has steadily gained more and more students every year since. Tashya has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and has continued her studies in Child & Adolescent Development. Previously, she worked as the assistant director of Learning, Inc. music and tutoring school. She was a teacher at the Lansdowne Presbyterian Preschool Academy and has also coordinated many youth development programs in Philadelphia since 2008. She has been a franchise owner for 18 years at CleanNet USA and is an accomplished entrepreneur.
Tashya loves spending her free time with her family, especially her two sons John and Takai, and her grandmother. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and sharing her passion for teaching and is dedicated to making a difference.
Janice Vlahovich
Tutor, Music Teacher
Janice has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania and has done post-graduate work in math and computer programming at Temple University and St. Joe’s University. After graduation from Penn, she was the head of the computer unit for 15 of her 19 years with Psychopharmacology Research at the University of Pennsylvania. She also taught undergraduate and graduate computer programming classes as an adjunct instructor at Widener University. Before college, Janice studied piano in St. Louis, MO, where she periodically performed classical piano selections on the radio. She also studied violin in her home town in Illinois and played violin throughout her high school years with the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1989, Janice left her position at the University of Pennsylvania to start Learning, Inc., where she has been directing the programs and following her passion for teaching ever since. Her teaching goals are to help students both to succeed at reaching their full potential and to grow in their love of learning.
Lisa Richardson
Tutor
Lisa is currently a high school English teacher at Upper Darby High School. Beginning her career as a certified Reading Specialist, Lisa has taught students from grades K-12 in a variety of traditional and non-traditional educational settings around Philadelphia since 1994. She approaches teaching by first building a rapport with her students. She has a B.A. in English Writing and a M.A. in Educational Psychology with a focus on Remedial Reading. She is a mother of four sons and very active in the William Penn School District where her children attend school. She also advocates for the health, safety and education of the youth in her Philadelphia hometown by planning and implementing events and programs with a moms’ group which she cofounded. Lisa is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools needed for them to achieve the success they are capable of.
Jack Zaferes
Music Teacher
Jack attended Temple University in Philadelphia with a focus on Jazz Performance. Since then, he’s heavily toured the United States and Europe as a touring bassist for multiple groups throughout the past decade. In addition to performance, Jack has a revolving ensemble of musicians that he performs his original work with. He composes, produces and engineers all aspects of the project. His most recent release “Ghosts” can be found on all streaming services. Jack has an extensive background in production and performance and he is excited to teach the Inspire Me students a curriculum that is not only fun but academic as well. Jack teaches lessons on guitar, bass, drums, and piano.
Milton Taylor
Music Teacher
Milton Taylor was born in 1968 in Kingston Jamaica. He became interested in music as a young boy after playing the piano while attending St Jude’s Primary School. From the first time he played the song “When the Saints Go Marching In”, he was hooked! He wasted no time in joining the school band. He later studied music at the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts where jazz pianist Jill Gibson taught him. Milton has been a concert pianist/accompanist for several years and holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz and popular music studies.
Some of the schools he taught at after Merl Grove High School were Ascot High School, Glengoffe High School, Eltham High school, Hillel Academy and Edith Dalton James High school. Each school choir and band entered the Jamaica school festival competition and copped several gold, silver and bronze medals. Students were also successful after sitting the ABRSM piano exams throughout his 24 years of service. Milton Taylor is now residing in Philadelphia, and is currently one of the piano instructors at the Guitar Center in Ardmore.
Milton truly enjoys his job, however, he will be upfront with you by letting you know that it doesn’t come without challenges. Milton Taylor believes that “failure is inevitable but giving up is unforgivable.”
Lydia Boatemaa
My name is Ms.Lydia and it is a pleasure to be here! I am originally from Ghana and I have two wonderful older children. I have an extensive background in Nursing and Midwifery. It brings me great fulfillment to take care of others. I believe that children are the light of the world and I am very excited to be part of each child’s growth and development!
Trudy Henry-Simpson
My name is Ms.Trudy and I am very delighted to be part of the Inspire Me Team! I am from Jamaica but I recently came here with my husband and 22 year old daughter. My background is in Early Childhood Development. I have worked mostly with older toddlers during my teaching career. My belief is that every child learns differently. My goal is to provide individual support to help each child reach their full potential.
Pamela Rauch
Art Teacher
We invited Ms. Pam to join Inspire Me Academy in 2019 to fill our open position for an art teacher. With an art degree from Sullivan County College in upstate New York, we determined she was a perfect for our kids. Prior to joining us, Ms. Pam enjoyed a successful career in the insurance industry in addition to volunteering at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Ms. Pam is also an accomplished writer, has published two children’s books and recently published her first gothic fiction novel.
Throughout her career, she has also been actively involved with charitable organizations including The Salvation Army and Covenant House. Ms. Pam explains her devotion to helping those less fortunate as a “driving force” in her daily life, something she was taught at a very young age. Now that she has the opportunity to spend quality time with our kids, Ms. Pam admits her life has never been more fulfilling. Children see magic in everyday things and Ms. Pam is quite determined to keep that magic alive!
Cassidy Carrera
Teacher
My name is Cassidy Carrera and I’m from Drexel Hill, PA. I am a graduate of Upper Darby High School and have been working at Inspire Me for four years! I truly love teaching and plan to do something related to children’s wellness in college at West Chester university! I find beauty and joy in watching the children grow!
Machelle Scott
Teacher
Hi my name is Ms. Machelle. I’ve been teaching for four years. In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping and learning about astrology. I have a two-year-old daughter who is my absolute world and inspired me to start my teaching career!
Marina Olokuni
Teacher
Medical Qi Gong Teacher, Certified Natural Health Consultant, Certified Pangu Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, Energy & Bodywork specialist. Currently under the tutelage of Sehu Khepera Ankh studying Ancient Egyptian Medicine. Marina has studied natural healing, various forms of sound healing, mediation, pain medicine and food science. She has recently received the transmission of Pangu Yoga in which only 3 teachers in the world hold this designation to date. She teaches Kemetic Yoga in Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia and tri state area. Marina enjoys organic farming, Capoeira Angola, Afro-Cuban Orisha dancing, and teaching various forms of meditation and Yoga to all!
Adeline Bien-Aime
Teacher
My name is Adeline Bien-Aime. I’m from the country of Haiti. For the past 3 years I’ve been living in Lansdowne. I have 4 birds that live with me at home. I have over 20 years of experience in childcare. Taking care of others brings me joy.
Sarah Guydon
Teacher
My name is Ms. Sarah and I’m super excited for this school year. I have over 12 years experience working with children ages infant to school age. I enjoy traveling and making memories with family and friends in my free time! I can’t wait to meet you all!
Tinu Abbas-Olubajo
Teacher
My name is Tinuola Abbas-Olubajo, and I am from Lagos, Nigeria. I am a retired nurse leader from Lagos Nigeria where I worked for 35 years. I have been living in Lansdowne for about 6 years with my daughter and her family taking care of my grandchildren. I am excited to be a part of the teaching staff and I’m looking forward to a year full of love, learning, and fun activities!
Gifty Wilson
Teacher