Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Marsha Gossage
Co-Owner, Administrator, Lead Teacher
June 11, 1984 - Present
Marsha is one of the owners and administrators of Children's Choice. In addition to those titles, she is the lead teacher for the Pre-K class. She obtained her Early Childhood Education degree after graduating from high school and worked at two established childcare centers during that time. When not busy at the Center, she enjoys spending time with her mom, Bubu, and her husband Ron, as well as her wonderful grandchildren Harper and Lucas (and of course their parents). She enjoys helping others, being outdoors, going on family trips, and snuggling with her sweet dog Joey.
A Word From Marsha After lots of fun years working with children, all I can say is "Wow!" We have had so many children come through our center as infants, 3, 4, or 5-year-olds, and may not leave until 12-years-old...But, what makes our hearts the happiest is for them to return and choose us for their own children. Each year goes by so fast and brings many changes - some great and some challenging. I will say, we have been TRULY blessed to ALWAYS have great children and parents and even more blessed to have ALWAYS had a WONDERFUL staff. We would not be where we are today without our staff. We will always be grateful and praise God for our many blessings.
Mitzi McDanial
Co-Owner, Administrator, Lead Teacher
June 11, 1984 - Present
Mitzi McDaniel is one of the administrators, owners, and teachers at Children’s Choice. After deciding, as an elementary child, that she wanted to work with children, she was given the opportunity to work at a local child care center just before graduation. The idea of working with children was renewed, and she enrolled in UNCG, earning a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Relations. During her time at school, she worked at UNCG child care centers and centers in the general area afterwards. Finally, the dream of a Child Care Center became real, and Children’s Choice opened its doors to our 4-classroom center on June 11, 1984.
A Word From Mitzi Through the years, we have welcomed so many children and parents into our doors. It has been a fun ride, but not many people are blessed to be able to do a job that brings so much fun and joy to their hearts. Yes, challenges, such as having my second child 6 months after opening, and adding 5 more classrooms years later, but so many wonderful rewards. In my spare time, I have watched my 3 children in sports at Northwest High School, and now they are all married and have children of their own. So, any free time is spent going to Charlotte, Knoxville, and Miami to visit my adult kids, and my 8 grandchildren, or hanging out with my mother (Grandma BuBu) and my 4 sisters and their families who live in the area. We are blessed to have such a close large family to get support from and give support. Children’s Choice would not be the “children’s choice" if it were not for our devoted and talented teachers. Through 41 years, we have met and worked with many teachers. The teachers at Children’s Choice are not just teachers, they are family. When we opened in 1984, we used the phrase, "Home away from Home." That phrase has stuck with us, and has been relayed to us by many counselors and inspectors over the years, telling us it feels like home. That is a tribute to our personal grandparents, parents, and the wonderful teachers who daily provide a loving, friendly environment that reflects the love the children have at home in the school setting. We are blessed beyond measure for each of these special teachers, and know with confidence that they are playing a special part in the life of each child.
Mrs. Lisa Swain
Lead Teacher
June 8, 1988 - Present
We have been blessed to have Mrs. Lisa join our staff right after graduating from high school in June 1989. She has LOVED helping children learn all her life. She holds a childcare "Lead Teacher" credential and has experience with all ages, but specializes in 2-year-olds, whom she loves to refer to as her "little peeps." When not teaching, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, mom, grandchildren, and family and friends. She loves music, dancing, and scrolling on Facebook.
A Word From Lisa I dearly LOVE my job. It is the hugs and smiles from all the children that I get when I come thru the door in the mornings. I feel one who does anything for a child is a hero - and TEACHERS are HEROES. I love my work family, and I am blessed to be a teacher.
Pauline Bull
"BuBu" or "Grandma Bull"
Lead Teacher
January 4, 1993 - Present
We have been blessed to have BuBu with our Children's Choice staff since January 1993 - and that is after working at Sears & Roebuck Co. in Greensboro for 20 years. She has her childcare "Lead Teacher" certificate and has worked with ages 2-12-years-old. She loves any age - but has TRULY loved teaching "her" 2 and 3-year-old classroom for many years now. And, of course, she loves arts and crafts, which many children have grown to love as well. When not teaching, BuBu enjoys reading her Bible and spending time with her family of 5 daughters & their husbands/significant others, 13 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. She also loves checking out deals and browsing crafts on Pinterest on her iPad.
A Word From Pauline I have enjoyed watching children grow while here at Children's Choice. I have watched many grow into adults and come back to bring their children to where they went to school. The children enjoy it here, too, and that helps the parents feel good about leaving them for the day. The food is always good, and many children always ask for more. The owners and teachers have a positive impact on the children. They have patience, creativity, and LOTS of teamwork - and, we have fun working together.
Mrs. Debbie Lusk
Lead Teacher
May 2002 - Present
Mrs. Debbie began with the Children's Choice staff in May 2002. After 3 years, she took a few years off, and we were blessed to have her return in January 2005. She holds her childcare "Lead Teacher" credential and has a gift for working with children of all ages, so she has served as a lead teacher for infants, toddlers, 1-year-olds, 2 & 3-year-olds, and our afterschool group. We love that she is flexible. She loves to sing, and you can often hear her through the halls. While not teaching, Debbie enjoys going to church, spending time with her husband, 2 adult children, and her sweet momma and family who live in West Virginia.
A Word From Debbie We build a bond with your children. They seem like our own. It is wonderful when I come to work in the morning and they up for a hug. That's precious! Sometimes there can be rough days, but overall, it is a loving job. We ALWAYS have good parents and children. I have wonderful co-workers and our administrators are awesome and understanding - and I love that!
Mrs. Lynn Nelson
Lead Teacher
August 1984 - Present
Mrs. Lynn began with Children's Choice in August 1984, only 2 months after we opened. She was with our infant/toddler classroom for 25 years. She took a few years off, and we feel blessed that she made the heartfelt decision to return in November 2015 to continue her passion to care for children. Since returning, she has helped with students of all ages and in all classrooms. She has her "Lead Teacher" credential and has been with our 4 and 5-year-old pre-k classroom for many years now, which she loves. When not teaching, Lynn enjoys spending time with her family at Holden Beach and here, including her husband, 2 adult children/spouses, 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
A Word From Lynn I have enjoyed working with two ladies, Mrs. Mitzi and Mrs. Marsha - and we ALWAYS have a GREAT STAFF. They are all awesome people. But, the best thing of all is to see kids that I had in our infant class (after 25 years) bring their own kids to us. That is a lot of kids that have come through this center. I love them all like they are my own.
Mrs. Marcia Tilley
"Little Marcia"
Lead Teacher
2006 - Present
Mrs. Marcia became a Children's Choice staff member while in high school in 2006 and worked while earning her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She was a lead teacher with infants to 2-year-olds for 14.5 years and left to pursue a different career. After missing something in her life, she made the heartfelt decision to return because she realized working with children is truly where her heart is - and we feel blessed to have her return in July 2025. She is our Lead Teacher in our 1-year classroom. When not teaching, Marcia enjoys spending time with her husband and son and hanging out with her pups.
A Word From Marcia I love that working with 1-year-olds means the rewards of finger paint smears, mystery goo on my clothes, sticky kisses, and total chaos equaling a successful day. My daily cardio is chasing someone who refuses to wear their shoes, and the calm time that is nap time...maybe. However, there is nothing like witnessing the joy and growth you see in the children each day.
Mr. Joshua LaFon
Assistant Teacher
August 15, 2018 - Present
Mr. Josh began with Children's Choice in 2018 as a substitute and assistant teacher. He has helped as an assistant with ages 1-5-years-old. He began working as a full-time assistant in February 2022. Mr. Josh is flexible, and he loves helping all the children learn and grow. And, the children enjoy having a male teacher to hang out with. When not at Children's Choice, Mr. Josh enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and making videos for his YouTube channel.
A Word From Josh Everyone is treated like family here, and the staff are all wonderful. Even on the hectic days, one of the teachers will make things better by making you laugh or smile. It's a family-owned center, and you can tell from the love that the staff have for each other and the love for the families of each child.
Miss Madison Smith
"Maddie"
Assistant Teacher
February 2022 - Present
Ms. Maddie joined our staff at Children's Choice in February 2022 and worked with our 2-year-olds before moving to Sparta with family. She returned in May 2025, and we feel blessed that she chose to return. She has been an assistant and a teacher with 1-, 2-, and 3-year-olds and loves working with children. When not at Children's Choice, Maddie loves spending time with her family and making memories.
A Word From Maddie Working at Children's Choice is a joy. They always make you feel like family. I love helping children learn, grow, and discover new things every day. Their curiosity and energy make the work incredibly meaningful. It is rewarding to know that I can support their development in a safe, caring, and fun environment.
Miss Hannah Bennett
Assistant Teacher
2024 - Present
Hannah started with Children's Choice as a 1-year-old and left after she aged out at 12 in our after-school program. We enjoyed watching her learn and grow during this time. Then, Hannah decided to join our staff in 2024 for the summer months. She now comes in after school, has been an assistant to children of all ages, and enjoys being with the children. When away from Children's Choice, Hannah enjoys going shopping and hanging out with her family and friends.
A Word From Hannah Working at Children's Choice has been such a positive experience where I feel supported by the staff and feel fulfilled by helping the kids learn and grow. It has taught me a lot about patience, teamwork, and the difference a caring environment can make. I feel proud to be a part of the staff.
