Atlas Training prides itself on offering a person-centered approach to training. With our program, you are not simply a username but a person with unique strengths, experiences, and training backgrounds. From the beginning, our team will reach out to you to welcome you personally into the program and will be there as a support as you progress through each of the six modules. Our team members are highly qualified to perform the services they offer within our organization. Our lead instructor holds a Ph.D. and has over 30 years of experience with facilitating CDA training. Other staff members have experience across multiple care settings, age groups, and service populations.
Elisa Wilson | Chief Operating Officer
Elisa serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Atlas Training. Prior to joining our team, Elisa served the urban community of Hartford, Connecticut by co-founding an early childhood/ School Readiness program serving children 0-5 years of age and later worked at the UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Elisa has a successful administrative background, and supports many business functions of Atlas Training. She is available to interested or existing users should you have questions regarding registration processes, payment options, program format, other areas. You may contact her at ewilson@atlastrainingcenter.com with any questions, concerns, or thoughts.
Dawn Longley | Director of Operations
Dawn has been involved in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years. She has worked in home daycare, in several centers and as a private nanny. Dawn has experience working with children from birth through high school. Dawn lives in Milford, Connecticut and spends most weekends in Vermont. Dawn values diversity and inclusion and is working toward opening a fully inclusive early learning center that will support families from a wide range of backgrounds, providing equal and equitable access to educational foundations for all children. She is excited to be working with the students at Atlas Training Center as she values the importance of educated teachers and the impact we all have on the young children and families we work with. You may contact her at dlongley@atlastrainingcenter.com with any questions, concerns, or thoughts.
Nicole Villanueva |Assistant Director & Spanish Instructor / Coach
Nicole is originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Connecticut in 2014. She has been working in the early childhood field for over 15 years, holding various roles as she has grown professionally within the field. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in English as a Second Language. Nicole’s goal as an educator has always been to create an enriching environment where children feel safe to explore, begin their learning journey, and build meaningful relationships. As part of the ATC team, Nicole’s mission is to connect with, support, and motivate everyone who engages with our services so that they can be successful within our training and within their classrooms! You can reach Nicole at: nvillanueva@
Prisely Martinez | Instructor/Coach
Prisely has worked in early childhood settings for over 15 years and has worked with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. She earned her CDA early in her career and moved on to eventually earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood. She serves as an assistant course instructor for the program and speaks both Spanish and English. You can contact Prisely at prisely2013@gmail.com
Caper | Emotional Support Associate
Caper serves as our team’s Emotional Support Associate. Caper joined the team in 2022 as an intern when an opening emerged within our growing organization. While team members initially voiced concerns regarding his performance, conduct, productivity, and unfortunate record of unapproved leave of absences, Caper’s enthusiasm and boundless energy persisted and he eventually won the team over. He was offered a full-time position with our organization in 2023 and has demonstrated ongoing dedication and commitment to his role since then. Caper’s presence and enthusiasm for learning help our team members to maintain their high energy and positive outlook. The team continues to appreciate Caper’s enthusiasm for his work. He is truly a very good boy.