Owner-Operator
Bio
Owner-Operator
Bio
Let’s launch their lifelong love of learning together. Contact us to visit Celebree School of Fishtown!
Mike Sapperstein, Co-owner of Celebree School of Fishtown, is so happy to serve the families of Fishtown and provide a place to “Protect, Educate and Nurture” every child that walks through the doors. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Public Financial Management from Indiana University Bloomington in 2008, Mike went on to complete his Masters in Accounting from the University of Baltimore in 2012.
While he spent the past 12+ years working as a CPA, Mike unlocked his true passion for education through his volunteer experiences tutoring undergraduate students and coaching youth hockey. It was these experiences that ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in early childhood education.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Mike is a dedicated member of the Jewish Community Services Board, where he serves as Assistant Treasurer, and the Boys’ Latin School of Maryland Alumni Board, where he is the Treasurer. He is passionate about giving back to his community and is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families he serves.
Caroline Sapperstein is thrilled to bring her wealth of knowledge in education to her role as co-owner of Celebree School of Fishtown. Currently a high school social studies teacher at her alma-mater, Caroline is eager to apply her expertise to her new role at Celebree and will be an invaluable asset in the areas of child, parent, and teacher advocacy. She graduated from West Virginia University in 2008 with a degree in Political Science before earning her Masters of Arts in Education from Johns Hopkins University in 2010. Caroline is excited to use her experience in education to help make a positive difference in the lives of the students, families, and educators at her new school.
Mike and Caroline Sapperstein have two wonderful sons, Cormac and Keegan. The family is thrilled to have the opportunity to “Grow People Big and Small”, provide the very best early childhood education experiences for the families of Fishtown, and create a true sense of family within the walls of their school and the greater Fishtown community.
Louis (Lou) Sapperstein is delighted to bring his decades of entrepreneurial expertise to Celebree School of Fishtown as a co-owner. With 45 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and business consultant, Lou founded his regional consulting and CPA firm Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander, LLC in 1979 and holds an undergraduate degree from the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. He is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants.
Lou is a firm believer in the potential of individuals and is passionate about coaching, developing, and supporting the growth of children and adults alike. He truly represents our motto “We Grow People Big and Small”. Lou’s unwavering commitment to providing the best quality of educational experiences to the children of Fishtown is matched only by the determination to invest in his employees, empowering them to reach their greatest potential. Lou’s goal is to cultivate a positive, nurturing environment within the school and community. In his personal life, Lou has been married to his wife Jill since 1977. He enjoys spending time with his three grown children (including Mike) and six grandchildren, who bring him boundless joy.
My name is Ms. Courtney Wells, and I am the proud director of The Celebree School of Fishtown. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, my passion has always been to nurture and educate young minds. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with both special needs and typically developing children, allowing me to develop a comprehensive understanding of diverse educational needs.
I hold a B.S. in Educational Studies from Chestnut Hill College and am on track to graduate with my M.Ed. in August 2025. My professional journey includes roles as a director, truancy manager, and admissions coordinator for various educational programs in Philadelphia. These positions have equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to create enriching and supportive learning environments.
Joining The Celebree School of Fishtown was a deliberate choice driven by my alignment with the Celebree Mission. Our professional and dedicated team nurtures and educates infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children through a wide range of childcare programs. We focus on helping children develop positive social skills and values and learn about their world through age-appropriate play, projects, and activities. The stable and secure learning environment we provide fosters a solid foundation for lifelong success, which aligns perfectly with my educational goals and philosophy.
Working with children requires being a kid at heart, and I embrace this wholeheartedly. I enjoy activities like bowling and painting, which allow me to connect with my playful side. Additionally, I am a foodie who loves exploring new cuisines and culinary experiences. Outside of my professional life, I am an animal lover and proud mother of two amazing children—my daughter, who is 14, and my son, who is 11. I am excited to collaborate with you as we guide your children through their early years of development, ensuring they learn and grow in a nurturing and supportive environment.
My name is Jamillah Meekins, and I am excited to join the Celebree School of Fishtown team as your new Assistant Director. I bring with me over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, including more than 8 years in school leadership. I hold an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Philadelphia and am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University.
I am deeply passionate about the growth and development of young children. I believe that children are natural explorers, and it is our role as educators to guide them in their exploration of the world around them. Our goal is to nurture their curiosity, support their learning, and reinforce their love of discovery through diverse experiences and social interactions.
Outside of my work in education, I am a proud mother of three girls and have two fur babies, a dog and a cat. I am also a musician who sings and plays the viola, and I’m currently learning to play the bass guitar! In my spare time, I enjoy creating art and gardening.
I look forward to meeting all of you and learning more about the wonderful community at Celebree. I’m confident this will be an amazing year ahead!
My name is Aaliyah Bohannan, and I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Currently, I serve as the Operations Support Manager at Celebree School of Fishtown, where I work closely with an amazing team to ensure that both children and staff have the support they need to thrive.
I have been working with children for over eight years, and it has become my true passion. The joy of helping young minds grow and develop is what motivates me every day. My long-term goal is to continue expanding my expertise in this field and eventually open my own daycare, where I can create a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn and play.
In the meantime, I am fully dedicated to providing exceptional care to the children at Celebree and contributing to a positive, supportive learning environment.
Stacie is excited to join the Fishtown community as Celebree School of Fishtown’s Regional Director of Education. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Instruction and a New Jersey State Preschool – Third Grade teacher certification from The College of New Jersey, as well as a B.A. in Health and Exercise Science and a New Jersey State K – 12 Health and Physical Education teacher certification from Rowan University. She previously served as both Director and Assistant Director for preschools in Philadelphia and South Jersey, and believes the Celebree School curriculum offers invaluable, authentic learning experiences that foster a genuine love of learning.
Stacie values the Celebree School commitment to Grow People Big and Small. In addition to supporting young learners in their educational journey by overseeing a high-quality learning environment and interest-based curriculum, she is equally committed to providing exceptional professional developmental opportunities for the teaching team of Celebree School of Fishtown. Stacie realizes that teachers who are provided with the opportunity to receive continuing education and training in the field of Early Childhood Education will improve their knowledge base and skill set, allowing them to successfully meet the needs and interests of a diverse group of learners and their families.
Stacie has 3 daughters, Zoe (15), Laila (9) and Yasmine (1) and is thankful to have her youngest daughter be part of the Celebree School of Fishtown school community. Stacie knows that her little learner will be encouraged to explore in a safe and supportive learning environment where we work together to protect, educate and nurture all children in our care. Welcome to Celebree School of Fishtown!
