Dr. Clifford Daugherty, Founder and President of Agape Schools
Dr. Clifford Daugherty is the President of Valley Christian Schools (VCS), the Quest Institute for Quality Education and Neighborhood Christian Schools. He served as Founding Principal at Los Altos Christian School in Los Altos, California and founded the Santa Clara County Christian School Association (CSA) in Silicon Valley.
Dr. Daugherty is the author of Quest for Excellence and Fly with Your Dreams. He and his wife Kris have two children and five grandchildren.
Julie Kennedy, NCS Executive Director
Julie Kennedy joined Neighborhood Christian Schools as the Executive Director of the San Jose campus (NCP) in August of 2014. Born and raised in Washington State, Ms. Kennedy began her early childhood ministry in 1991 serving in 1 of only 2 Intergenerational programs in the United States. After completing her undergraduate work she moved to the Bay area to finish college and began serving in ministry as both a teacher and director. Ms. Kennedy currently also serves as an associate professor for San Jose City College, Foothill, and DeAnza, Partnership projects include her work on the NAEYC accreditation team for SJCC, the CAP program with the State of California, coaching and mentoring teachers through the CA permit process, and speaking at Early Education conferences.
A. Concordia University – Curriculum and Development – Specialization in Leadership
A. Saint Mary’s College - Early Education - Specialization is Supervision and Leadership
A. Saint Mary’s University – Business Management
California Child Development Permit – Program Director
Certification – PITC/Environmental Rating Scales/California State Permit Process
Jessica Talavera, Campus Director
Shelly Frost, NCS School Support Director
Shelly Frost has worked in Early Childhood Education for over 25 years and is passionate about supporting children, families, and Christian preschool programs. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bethany University and has served in a variety of leadership and educational roles throughout her career.
Her experience includes working as an Elementary Extended Care Director, Preschool Teacher, Assistant Preschool Director, Preschool Director, and currently as the School Support Director for Agape School Inc.’s Neighborhood Christian Schools. In her current role, Shelly supports multiple preschool campuses by helping strengthen school operations, staff support, licensing coordination, and program development.
Shelly values creating warm, organized, and supportive environments where children and staff can thrive. She enjoys encouraging others, building strong relationships with families and educators, and serving the preschool community with care and dedication.
Outside of work, Shelly enjoys hiking, exercising, reading mystery novels, spending time with family and friends, attending church, and helping others whenever opportunities arise. She is also a lifelong animal lover, especially when it comes to dogs.
Kathy Harmon, NCS Family Engagement Coordinator
Kathy Harmon has worked with infant and preschool-age students for thirty-five years at a local private Christian school in the Santa Clara Valley. For nineteen of those, she had the privilege of being the director and mentoring new teachers. She loves working with young children and helping them develop socially, emotionally, and physically.
Creating a partnership between families and schools for the betterment of the children is one of the core principles she believes in. She also values allowing children the opportunity to be creative, collaborate, and enhance their cognitive abilities while utilizing a play-based framework. Working with infants and preschool children is truly a calling and a blessing from God.
During her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandson (who will be attending preschool here), going to Disneyland, and taking her dog for walks. She and her husband have two daughters, one grandson, and four “grandpets”. She looks forward to utilizing her prior experience and coming alongside you all for children and families at NCC and NCP.
Dayna Pawlowski, NCS Marketing Director and NCP/HNA Subsidy Specialist
Dayna Pawlowski has many roles at NCS. Mainly, she is our Marketing Director and Subsidy Account Manager.
Dayna began working in the Early Childhood field in 2000 as a Preschool teacher and later as a Kindergarten teacher after studying Child Development and Business at West Valley. She has been with the NCP family since 2014, helping out wherever possible. Outside of school, Dayna loves to cook! She runs her own catering business and cannot wait to teach your little one in her new cooking class!