Hello, from all of us!
Karen Werme (owner/director)
My eighth grade yearbook has a picture of me and underneath, my life goal: To Own my own Daycare. Owning Book Worms has been a life goal for me and I’m proud of myself for obtaining that goal. I now spend my time as the owner and director. Caring for children was a natural talent that started when I was 11 years old. The first children who were left in my care were three brothers all under three years of age. They were a handful and they taught me everything I know! I went to college and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. I moved to Philadelphia from Connecticut in 2002 and that September started working at a prestigious Center City private preschool. I was there for ten years and the last four I spent as Director. I should also mention that I owned a successful eBay selling business, which was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Luckily for me, I also have my own child, Mayson, whom I get to enjoy everyday. She is currently in sixth grade and is twelve years old. When I’m not working or hanging out with my daughter I like to eat out, run, exercise, visit family and rest.
Heather Jo
I feel blessed to be part of the Book Worms community, and i enjoy my job every day! I have over 15 years of experience working professionally with children, and am a resource parent (foster mom) in Delaware county. I have training and education in early childhood development, art education, child psychology, and behavioral development among other areas. I earned a BFA in Painting/Drawing and an MA in Museum Education from the University of the Arts. Previously, I worked for the University of the Arts as the Pre-College Programs Director, Delaware Art Museum as an art program manager, and Beginnings Learning Center as an art teacher. I have volunteered at several local Museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Please Touch Museum. After working as a director and administrator for several years, I decided to return to a day care/ PreKindergarten environment where I can do what I love most- taking young learners on a wonderful journey to discover their creative self!
In my free time I enjoy being a foster mom, hiking, traveling, painting, dancing and spending time with my awesome family
Courtney H.
Hello! My name is Courtney. I was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia and now currently live in South Philadelphia. Before starting at Bookworms, I worked at a previous daycare for over 8 years and nannied for 2 years while studying Early Childhood Education at Penn State Abington. From there, I spontaneously began working as a paralegal at an attorneys office. It took me working there less then a year for me to realize that my true calling really was to work with children. So now here I am at Bookworms and couldn’t be happier! I can truly say that I am genuinely happy to wake up and come to work each and every day. Being a part of the Bookworms community for the past few years has been such a unique and amazing experience. I look forward to continue forming amazing bonds with the children, families and staff here!
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, hanging out with my puppy and cat, running, reading, traveling as much as possible and sometimes just simply being lazy!
Danny W.
Hello! My name is Danny and I’m very excited to be working at Bookworms! I’m from a small town called Moscow in Northeast PA, about twenty minutes outside of Scranton. I came to Philadelphia as a Temple University student to study Secondary Education and History five years ago. From a young age, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher due to the impact of my own teachers and professors in my life. Although my degree is in Secondary Education, I discovered my passion for helping young children learn after working as a teacher in a daycare for a year in my hometown. Watching the children in my classroom grow over the course of that year was the most magical experience of my life, and is something I’m looking forward to doing for as long as I’m able. I’m very excited to help teach your children, and am equally excited to learn from them!
In my free time I love exploring the city for new restaurants, cooking, writing, and organizing and competing in tournaments for Super Smash Brothers with my friends at Temple.
Alexis
Hi! My name is Alexis and I am super happy to be working at Bookworms. I had a passion for caring for children from a very young age.
Previous to working at Bookworms, I spent past summers working as a summer camp counselor with kids ranging from 3 to 13 years old. Aside from being a camp counselor, I would also babysit for families and friends as well. I am grateful to be a part of the Bookworms family and helping your children grow and develop! In my free time you can find me on the beach, reading, or spending time with family and friends.
Aubrey W.
Hi! My name is Aubrey W, and I am so happy for this opportunity to be working at Bookworms!
I am from the Philadelphia area, and attend community college of Philadelphia. I have been working with children since the eighth grade where i started off as a summer camp counselor at my local recreation center. I worked there for about 6 years, then began babysitting and nannying on the weekends. I then worked at the Bridesburg Boys & Girls club during the school year and summer for 2 years. Now i am here at Bookworms and couldn’t be happier!
In my free time i enjoy reading a good book, watching my favorite movies, walking my dog, and spending time with family and friends.
Kate
Hi there! My name is Kate and I am so excited and grateful to be joining the Book Worms team! I have lived in South Philly for nine years and I have been working with children in various capacities for about 20 years. I spent 8 years teaching Pre-K at a center in the Graduate Hospital area, where I eventually became the director. I am really looking forward to getting back into a classroom setting!
I grew up in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. I have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Kutztown University and after I graduated, I worked as a nanny before moving to Bethlehem and working as a toddler teacher there. I really enjoy working with children and inspiring their innate curiosity and helping them develop meaningful, respectful relationships with one another. One of my favorite things about working with kids is getting to see those “A-ha!” moments and seeing them make connections through play and interactions with their friends!
In my free time, I love to read, be outside, and spend time with friends and family. I look forward to working with the children, families, and teachers at Book Worms!
Dominique
Hi! My name is Dominique and I am so excited to be working at Bookworms! I am from the South Philadelphia area, but I now live in Delaware County. I am currently finishing up my Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Neumann University & I am hoping to go back to school to get my Masters in Social Work once I graduate.
I am the oldest of four kids, so being around kids is like second nature to me. I have been babysitting my siblings and cousins since 8th grade. I’ve learned you can learn a lot from these tiny humans! I also have experience in the mental health field, as on the weekends I work with individuals who struggle with multiple serious mental illnesses. I am so excited for this opportunity to work with, teach, and learn from your children. When I’m not working you can catch me reading a new book, listening to music, or having fun with my friends and family!
Julia C.
Hi there! My name is Julia and I am super excited and grateful to be working at Book Worms. I’m 24 years old and I’m originally from Long Island, New York. I recently moved to Fishtown with my boyfriend and I have been having a great time exploring the city of Philadelphia. I’m currently finishing my Associates Degree in Business Administration at the Community College Of Philadelphia and I plan on hopefully continuing my bachelor’s degree at Temple University. I have always had a passion for working with children since I am an older sister to a younger brother so being around him and his friends when they were younger gave me a ton of experience and interest in working with them. I’ve worked in a montessori preschool and have also been a direct support professional for teenagers with special needs so I have done a variety of work with kids of all ages. In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, reading, taking walks, and going on vacation!
Samantha B.
Hello! My name is Samantha and I’m glad to be part of Bookworms. I was born and raised in New York, and recently moved to Old city.
While in New York I completed my bachelors in Children and Youth studies as well as my associates in Early education. Within my 7 years of experience I’ve worked as a nanny, and infant - pre k teacher.
I have always enjoyed working with children from a young age. I started working as a children’s party host when I was 18, and became a camp counselor shortly before starting my journey of becoming an educator.
In my free time I love traveling, and going to new restaurants. I grew up on Rockaway beach and enjoy going back as much as I can.
Cindy
Hi, my name is Cindy! I was born and raised in South Philadelphia. Currently, I am at Community College of Philadelphia pursuing my associate’s degree in psychology, with the goal of transferring to a university for my Bachelor’s, preferably in child development.
I am the oldest of six kids, with the youngest being 8 years old and the oldest being 18 years old, I've always been around children, so there is never a dull moment at home. In my free time, I enjoy going on hikes with my boyfriend, and listening to live music.
I'm super excited and grateful for the opportunity here at Bookworms!
Annie
Hi! My name is Annie and I’m so excited to be joining the team at BookWorms.
I’m born and raised in Los Angeles and came to Philadelphia for college. Since then I’ve been enjoying exploring the east coast and experiencing all the wonderful seasons! I am a current senior at UPenn studying chemistry. My mom began working at a daycare when I began high school which is when I began working with children. I worked at that daycare for about 4 years and I’ve also tutored a few kids throughout college. I love how energetic and fun kids are and I love being around them.
In my free time I like to go for walks and runs along the Schuykill, swim, and spend time with my friends.