MEet our staff
Administrative STaff
Rafat Arain is the founder, owner, and administrator of Crescent Learning Center. In addition to her work at CLC, Sister Rafat has been serving on the Shura for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee for 25 years, has been instrumental in the creation and development of three Sunday School programs in the city, has been an active member of Milwaukee's interfaith community, and has done extensive volunteer work with refugees, homeless adults, survivors of domestic violence, and other people in need.
Lena Camara - Assistant Director of Crescent Learning Center
I started with the program in 2012 as a lead teacher after a Master Degree in French and
Sociolinguistics. As a teaching staff, I went through different group ages before starting my
administrative duties. Wearing many hats gave me a tremendous boost in my experience working
with children, children with disabilities, parents and is helping me leading my team as well.
I went back to school at UWM, earning my Administrative Credential after18 months of training.
I would like to extent my knowledge in Special Needs care and make sure that more early
childhood centers become inclusive with developmentally appropriate supplies and trained
teachers. I am a happy mom of 4 children and my hobbies are playing Trouble and Monopoly with then as
well as cooking delicious dishes.
I started with the program in 2012 as a lead teacher after a Master Degree in French and
Sociolinguistics. As a teaching staff, I went through different group ages before starting my
administrative duties. Wearing many hats gave me a tremendous boost in my experience working
with children, children with disabilities, parents and is helping me leading my team as well.
I went back to school at UWM, earning my Administrative Credential after18 months of training.
I would like to extent my knowledge in Special Needs care and make sure that more early
childhood centers become inclusive with developmentally appropriate supplies and trained
teachers. I am a happy mom of 4 children and my hobbies are playing Trouble and Monopoly with then as
well as cooking delicious dishes.
Teaching Staff
Mayra Rivera Geigal
I’m Ms. Mayra Rivera Geigel. I’m a bilingual lead teacher born in Puerto Rico and a single mother of 3 children ( 2 boys and 1 girl). My education background includes basic childcare courses also an Associates in the Medical Field with a few other individual classes. I’ve been volunteering for about 15 years in schools, churches activities and social extracurricular events. I enjoy working with children and how much they learn developing their skills growing in different ways. My goal as a lead teacher in this program is to implement a fun creative atmosphere for the children. Doing so, I’m hoping to get parents on board and build a resourceful and rich relationship based on trust with them. Working in diverse areas from this field has make me become that teacher who loves to learn as well as to teach.
Hola soy Ms. Mayra Rivera Geigle, maestra bilingue nacida en Puerto Rico y madre soltera de 3 ninos 2 varones y una hemb. Mi informacion academica inclye cursos basicos de cuidado infantile y un asociado en el campo media con algunas clases individuales. Yo he estado trabajando de voluntario alrededor de 15 anos en escuelas y en actividades de Iglesias en evnetos sociales extracurriculares. Yo difruto trabajarcon ninos y lo muchos que ellos aprenden desarrollando sus destrezas creciendo en diferentes maneras. Mi melta como maestro lider en el centro es para implementar una at,mosfere divertida y creative para los ninos tambien para ayudar a ganar esa confinaza en los padres y companeros de trabajo ayudando a que el entorno el centro de cuidado infantilde desarrolle de la major manera possible.
I’m Ms. Mayra Rivera Geigel. I’m a bilingual lead teacher born in Puerto Rico and a single mother of 3 children ( 2 boys and 1 girl). My education background includes basic childcare courses also an Associates in the Medical Field with a few other individual classes. I’ve been volunteering for about 15 years in schools, churches activities and social extracurricular events. I enjoy working with children and how much they learn developing their skills growing in different ways. My goal as a lead teacher in this program is to implement a fun creative atmosphere for the children. Doing so, I’m hoping to get parents on board and build a resourceful and rich relationship based on trust with them. Working in diverse areas from this field has make me become that teacher who loves to learn as well as to teach.
Hola soy Ms. Mayra Rivera Geigle, maestra bilingue nacida en Puerto Rico y madre soltera de 3 ninos 2 varones y una hemb. Mi informacion academica inclye cursos basicos de cuidado infantile y un asociado en el campo media con algunas clases individuales. Yo he estado trabajando de voluntario alrededor de 15 anos en escuelas y en actividades de Iglesias en evnetos sociales extracurriculares. Yo difruto trabajarcon ninos y lo muchos que ellos aprenden desarrollando sus destrezas creciendo en diferentes maneras. Mi melta como maestro lider en el centro es para implementar una at,mosfere divertida y creative para los ninos tambien para ayudar a ganar esa confinaza en los padres y companeros de trabajo ayudando a que el entorno el centro de cuidado infantilde desarrolle de la major manera possible.
June Pluskota
Hello my name is June Pluskota. I have 33 years of experience in Early Childcare. I am a teacher in the Teddy Bear toddler classroom for 5 years. I have an Infant Toddler CDA and an Infant and toddler credential. I am certified with level 9 in the Registry and have classroom training in Early childhood I and II. I am also CPR, SIDS + Shaken baby trained. I have many hours of inservice training. I provide a safe, secure, fun and loving environment for the children. Many of the children in my class are in a structured environment for the first time, they are scared and confused. With love and patience, I work with the children on their skills and help them feel loved and comfortable. I try to make their experiences in my classroom fun. Here they grow in their skills and abilities. My greatest joy is when I see a child do something that we are teaching, do it for the first time, like sharing a toy, learning to say words, counting or cleaning up for playtime. I am married to my wonderful husband for over 30 years and I have a son who is our pride and joy. I enjoy my time with my sister and family gatherings. I always look forward to prayer time and church activities; and walking with my friends for exercise.
Hello my name is June Pluskota. I have 33 years of experience in Early Childcare. I am a teacher in the Teddy Bear toddler classroom for 5 years. I have an Infant Toddler CDA and an Infant and toddler credential. I am certified with level 9 in the Registry and have classroom training in Early childhood I and II. I am also CPR, SIDS + Shaken baby trained. I have many hours of inservice training. I provide a safe, secure, fun and loving environment for the children. Many of the children in my class are in a structured environment for the first time, they are scared and confused. With love and patience, I work with the children on their skills and help them feel loved and comfortable. I try to make their experiences in my classroom fun. Here they grow in their skills and abilities. My greatest joy is when I see a child do something that we are teaching, do it for the first time, like sharing a toy, learning to say words, counting or cleaning up for playtime. I am married to my wonderful husband for over 30 years and I have a son who is our pride and joy. I enjoy my time with my sister and family gatherings. I always look forward to prayer time and church activities; and walking with my friends for exercise.
Assistant Teachers |
Hawa Abdi
My name is Hawa Abdi. I fell in love with the childcare field in March 2012 when I first started my first job at Crescent Learning Center as an assistant cook. Now I am a mother of 7. Coming from a big family I wanted to demonstrate how to spread love, joy and give the smaller generation the proper tools to be productive in their environment. As a refugee from Somalia, I arrived in the United States in 2003. I met Sister Rafat. She was dedicated and someone I always looked up to. She blessed me with a position in her center and since then I’ve been pushing myself and that is how I received my credential in Infant and toddler ranking myself at the level 9 on the Registry. Being in this field is challenging but I would not trade the knowledge and experience I am gaining for anything else. My goal is to keep learning by enrolling in ESL classes and then get my GED and be an asset for this program.
My name is Hawa Abdi. I fell in love with the childcare field in March 2012 when I first started my first job at Crescent Learning Center as an assistant cook. Now I am a mother of 7. Coming from a big family I wanted to demonstrate how to spread love, joy and give the smaller generation the proper tools to be productive in their environment. As a refugee from Somalia, I arrived in the United States in 2003. I met Sister Rafat. She was dedicated and someone I always looked up to. She blessed me with a position in her center and since then I’ve been pushing myself and that is how I received my credential in Infant and toddler ranking myself at the level 9 on the Registry. Being in this field is challenging but I would not trade the knowledge and experience I am gaining for anything else. My goal is to keep learning by enrolling in ESL classes and then get my GED and be an asset for this program.
Zahra Omar
My name is Zahra Omar. I am 26years old. I came to America from Somalia when I was 12 years old. I got married when I was 17. I have 7 children. My oldest is 9 years ols and my youngest are my twins boys. When I first came, I did not know any English but I learned quick in the school. I became a US citizen in July 2017. My children speak Somali and English. I have been working in childcare for 5 years. I enjoy working with children and helping them learn. I believe it is important to be a good role model to the children because they are looking up to me as a mother because I am with them 8 hours a everyday. My goal is to go back to school for ESL and my GED. I would like to open my own business and make a good life for me and my children.
My name is Zahra Omar. I am 26years old. I came to America from Somalia when I was 12 years old. I got married when I was 17. I have 7 children. My oldest is 9 years ols and my youngest are my twins boys. When I first came, I did not know any English but I learned quick in the school. I became a US citizen in July 2017. My children speak Somali and English. I have been working in childcare for 5 years. I enjoy working with children and helping them learn. I believe it is important to be a good role model to the children because they are looking up to me as a mother because I am with them 8 hours a everyday. My goal is to go back to school for ESL and my GED. I would like to open my own business and make a good life for me and my children.