Our Administrative Staff
Susan Gibson, Executive Director
Hello! My name is Susan Gibson and I am the new director at New Day Children’s Center. Although I was born in Watertown, I moved to Buffalo, NY as a young child. I began working in the field of childcare as a teacher assistant and worked my way up to a director position. I was also given the opportunity to work as a curriculum coordinator and assist teachers with activity planning. While in Buffalo, I also worked as a director at three childcare centers, two of which were accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I also presented training at National Association conferences at the local, state, and national levels. I am very excited to continue my career at New Day Children’s Center. I sincerely hope to continue the excellent care that we provide for your children by supporting our staff, as well as the families we serve. If we have not met yet, please feel free to stop into the office (office #21). I will also be present in the halls at drop off and pick up times on some days. I look forward to meeting you!
Bekha Stevens, Assistant Director
I knew at a young age that I wanted to work with children, watching with enjoyment, as my younger family members played, learned, and developed when I would babysit them. When I reached high school, that passion grew into the desire to pursue an education in child development. I attended BOCES for Early Childhood Development during my junior and senior year at Watertown High School. After graduating from high school in 2009, I was accepted into the Early Childhood Development program at Jefferson Community College. During college, I moved to Florida to participate in the Disney College Program, where I learned professional management skills. I received my Associates degree from Jefferson Community College in Early Childhood Education in 2014. Throughout high school and college, I interned at New Day Children’s Center, as well as worked for the YMCA in the school age program and as an infant/toddler floating substitute. Both these hands-on experiences opened my eyes to the possibilities that professional child care environments offer. I look forward to working at New Day in my new position as Assistant Director. Meeting all the wonderful families that share their children with us is what I look forward to each day.
Hello! My name is Susan Gibson and I am the new director at New Day Children’s Center. Although I was born in Watertown, I moved to Buffalo, NY as a young child. I began working in the field of childcare as a teacher assistant and worked my way up to a director position. I was also given the opportunity to work as a curriculum coordinator and assist teachers with activity planning. While in Buffalo, I also worked as a director at three childcare centers, two of which were accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I also presented training at National Association conferences at the local, state, and national levels. I am very excited to continue my career at New Day Children’s Center. I sincerely hope to continue the excellent care that we provide for your children by supporting our staff, as well as the families we serve. If we have not met yet, please feel free to stop into the office (office #21). I will also be present in the halls at drop off and pick up times on some days. I look forward to meeting you!
Bekha Stevens, Assistant Director
I knew at a young age that I wanted to work with children, watching with enjoyment, as my younger family members played, learned, and developed when I would babysit them. When I reached high school, that passion grew into the desire to pursue an education in child development. I attended BOCES for Early Childhood Development during my junior and senior year at Watertown High School. After graduating from high school in 2009, I was accepted into the Early Childhood Development program at Jefferson Community College. During college, I moved to Florida to participate in the Disney College Program, where I learned professional management skills. I received my Associates degree from Jefferson Community College in Early Childhood Education in 2014. Throughout high school and college, I interned at New Day Children’s Center, as well as worked for the YMCA in the school age program and as an infant/toddler floating substitute. Both these hands-on experiences opened my eyes to the possibilities that professional child care environments offer. I look forward to working at New Day in my new position as Assistant Director. Meeting all the wonderful families that share their children with us is what I look forward to each day.
Anne Stone Forbes, Program Coordinator
“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.” – Alfie Kohn
There is nothing better than a child’s smile and enthusiasm as they arrive each day to the center. During the past 35 years I have had the pleasure of working here at New Day Children’s Center. Through the years, I have worked with each of the age groups. Over the past few years, children I taught are returning to New Day to enroll their own children. It is nice to see people returning to their hometown to raise their families! Since 1997 I have been the Program Coordinator here. While I am not in a classroom every single day, this role requires me to wear many hats, including but not limited to, teacher, health advisor, and mentor.
I have an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Canton and a BS degree in Sociology from SUNY Oneonta. In my spare time, my husband and I enjoy traveling and visiting new places. The ocean, Narrigansett Rhode Island, and Block Island are among our favorite places to visit.
“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.” – Alfie Kohn
There is nothing better than a child’s smile and enthusiasm as they arrive each day to the center. During the past 35 years I have had the pleasure of working here at New Day Children’s Center. Through the years, I have worked with each of the age groups. Over the past few years, children I taught are returning to New Day to enroll their own children. It is nice to see people returning to their hometown to raise their families! Since 1997 I have been the Program Coordinator here. While I am not in a classroom every single day, this role requires me to wear many hats, including but not limited to, teacher, health advisor, and mentor.
I have an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Canton and a BS degree in Sociology from SUNY Oneonta. In my spare time, my husband and I enjoy traveling and visiting new places. The ocean, Narrigansett Rhode Island, and Block Island are among our favorite places to visit.
Karin Scott, Bookkeeper
Carol Flood, Administrative Assistant
I moved to Watertown about 4 years ago after raising my family in Syracuse. Quicker than I ever imagined, my children were grown. When my daughter started college, I also began classes and earned an AAS in Medical Assisting. While I never worked as a medical assistant, those skills as well as others I learned, have helped me in various positions I have held since graduating. I enjoy helping in the classrooms when needed and listening to the stories the children tell me. I truly appreciate the hard work the teachers put in to make New Day such a wonderful center.
I moved to Watertown about 4 years ago after raising my family in Syracuse. Quicker than I ever imagined, my children were grown. When my daughter started college, I also began classes and earned an AAS in Medical Assisting. While I never worked as a medical assistant, those skills as well as others I learned, have helped me in various positions I have held since graduating. I enjoy helping in the classrooms when needed and listening to the stories the children tell me. I truly appreciate the hard work the teachers put in to make New Day such a wonderful center.
Our Kitchen Staff
Lora Soluri, Head Cook (1989)
The children call me 'Ms. Lora' and it makes my day when they let me know that they liked what was prepared for breakfast or lunch. Being a part of making their day brighter is very rewarding and makes it all worthwhile.
Lora Soluri joined New Day in 1989 and is responsible for creating the menus, preparing and delivering healthy and nutritious meals for the children. Lora is a graduate of Watertown High School and comes from a big family, one of 10 children, and she enjoys the "big family" that is New Day, interacting with staff and children on a daily basis. Lora's daughter, Rose, is head teacher in the Infant Rooms at New Day.
Janelle Avery, Assistant Cook (2012)
I enjoy visiting and talking with the children when I bring them their food each day!
Janelle joined the kitchen staff at New Day in July of 2012 and quickly became another welcoming face greeting the children each day. She is a graduate of Sackets Harbor Central School and worked for 8 years at Claire’s before coming to New Day. Janelle has three children who keep her quite busy during her spare time!
The children call me 'Ms. Lora' and it makes my day when they let me know that they liked what was prepared for breakfast or lunch. Being a part of making their day brighter is very rewarding and makes it all worthwhile.
Lora Soluri joined New Day in 1989 and is responsible for creating the menus, preparing and delivering healthy and nutritious meals for the children. Lora is a graduate of Watertown High School and comes from a big family, one of 10 children, and she enjoys the "big family" that is New Day, interacting with staff and children on a daily basis. Lora's daughter, Rose, is head teacher in the Infant Rooms at New Day.
Janelle Avery, Assistant Cook (2012)
I enjoy visiting and talking with the children when I bring them their food each day!
Janelle joined the kitchen staff at New Day in July of 2012 and quickly became another welcoming face greeting the children each day. She is a graduate of Sackets Harbor Central School and worked for 8 years at Claire’s before coming to New Day. Janelle has three children who keep her quite busy during her spare time!
