Roux-Neal

Welcome aboard the Ark!

It is a pleasure sailing with a wonderful group of staff, children and parents.

I am a Jacksonville native and come from several generations of educators. After graduating from Bethune-Cookman College with a degree in elementary education, I began to teach in the Duval County Public School System. Teaching at Loretto Elementary School for 12 years gave me the opportunity to educate hundreds of students and their families. It was an experience that will continue to weave its way through my life and the way I view education.

My involvement with the Ark started in 2000 after being invited to join its board of directors. August of 2001, my son Reuben was enrolled in the Lions' room. I was very impressed with how loving the environment was. He enjoyed it so much that there was no doubt that Helena would be placed on the waiting list before she was born.

Making the decision to become the director was an easy one because there had been so many great experiences at the Ark to draw from. Now, Lena is a Bear and Reuben is a graduate of the Ark. Time sure flies on this boat.

Patrice Roux-Neal - Director

Ahoy Mates!

I have been with St. Mark’s Ark for 17 years in October. Throughout the years I have seen many smooth and rocky seas. I could write a book. Children say the cutest things. We started the Ark with the 3 and 4 yr olds in August 1990. In October 1990 the board of Directors and Betty Waldrep who was the Director at that time decided that they wanted to add a Toddler program.

I was a stay at home mom at the time and had decided I wanted to get back into the workforce since my children were in middle school and did not need a full time mom at home. After working in pre-school at my church I knew God had chosen a field for me other than the banking I had done prior to having children. We started the toddler program with 11 children from the age of 12 months up to age three. Our class soon grew into 3 classes. After eighteen months Betty asked me to come into the office and help her with administrative duties. I soon became the Assistant Director. I must say I thank God everyday for the opportunity to work in an environment where you receive hugs and smiles from the children. Quite often my husband and I will be out to dinner and we will see former students of the Ark who are now entering college. I love that they recognize me and remember the good times at pre-school. Wow, hard to believe time goes by so quickly! I tell parents quite often, “love your children, count every minute as precious with them because before you know it they are grown and you will wonder where the time went.' We are blessed to have such a good staff, parents and the support of our Board of Directors. Here's to smooth sailing with your child.

^{_{Cathy Kirby, Assistant Director}}