We Only Provide the Best for Your Child
At Zion Kidz Academy & Learning Center, our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to ensuring your child’s overall well-being through countless opportunities for optimal growth and development.
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Caring Hearts, Skilled Hands, Bright Futures.
Our child-centered activities, services, and programs are implemented by professionals who are passionate about fostering children’s growth in a safe, nurturing environment. Guided by our established childcare standards, every staff member undergoes:
- Professional training
- Background checks
- Skills assessments
- In-depth interviews
These measures ensure that your child is always cared for by skilled and compassionate professionals in compliance with the academic standards set by the State.
Leadership Team
Safe, Skilled, and Centered on Your Child.
Pastor John Richardson CEO & Founder
John is the Pastor of the Zion Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and serves as the CEO and Founder of Zion Kidz Academy & Learning Center. ZKALC was founded in 2003 in the Southern sector of Dallas before transitioning to Lancaster in 2012.
It was reestablished in hope of making an impact on all children for God.
Pastor Richardson also founded Zion Chapel Economic Development INC., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization that provides summer meals and activities during the summer months. His experience in working with children spans back 30+ years as a youth leader in the church, youth pastor and overseer of the ministry. Pastor Richardson can be seen at the center throughout the week comforting and holding babies and is affectionately known as “Papa”.
He is educated and certified in the State of Texas in the childcare industry on the State minimum Standards, Childcare Management. He works closely with the Lancaster ISD, and a mentor for the school age kids. In 2020, Zion Kidz opened its Zion’s Computer Center to teach arious software and system packages.

John Richardson
Pastor of the Zion Chapel Primitive Baptist Church
First Lady Patricia RichardsonOwner/Director
Patricia Richardson is “Mimi” as you will hear throughout the center. Patricia comes to Zion Kidz with 30 years of accounting, management, and team building skills derived from UPS (United Parcel Service). She retired from UPS in 2016.
Patricia initially came to the center bi-weekly to assist and was bitten by the Zion Kidz bug! She found a new love and desire to make the lives and growth of the children in our care better and more efficient for the staff. She quickly moved from the classroom to Assistant Director and after much hard work and determination, she earned her CDA certificate and now serves as the Director of the center.
Patricia attended TWU and specialized in the care and development of special needs children. She is the First Lade of Zion Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and serves in several capacities throughout the church and in our District and State meetings. She also served as the national Ministers Wives President for 12 years, but no greater satisfaction to her is that of servicing the children and parents of Zion Kidz Academy & Learning Center.

Patricia Richardson
Owner/Director
The Hutchins Location
Nurturing Young Minds with Care and Guidance.

Sarai Freeman
Administrator
Sarai Freeman Administrator
I’m thrilled to rejoin ZKALC as part of its exciting expansion. My journey with ZKALC began in October 2016, where I initially took on roles as a Substitute Teacher and Administrative Assistant. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, including:
- 2017: Lead Teacher for the 3 and 4-year-olds
- 2018-2021: Assistant Director
- 2019-2021: Lead Teacher for the 1 and 2-year-olds
After leaving ZKALC for another opportunity in late 2021, I’m excited to return in 2024 to help open ZKALC’s new second location. I’m genuinely happy to be a part of ZKALC’s continued growth and development.
I’m continually inspired by the joy and creativity of the children at Zion Kidz as they explore and learn about the world. Being part of their journey from infancy to the readiness for BIG SCHOOL is incredibly rewarding. I cherish the opportunity to help them develop academically, socially, and developmentally.
What I love most about teaching is witnessing the remarkable growth and change in children. It’s a privilege to be part of their formative years and to contribute to their development in meaningful ways.
Looking forward to another wonderful chapter with ZKALC!

Tamara Henry
Teacher
Tamara Henry Teacher
I joined the ZKALC team on January 3, 2024!!!
What I love most about teaching is I love seeing children grow as far as they can in their colors, shapes, new words and exploring the world.
What inspires me to work with children is their willingness to learn and knowing that they are our future leaders of the nation.

Kyla (Ms. K) Wallace
Teacher
Kyla (Ms. K) Wallace Teacher
This is a new opportunity and field for me to grow into, and I’ve always had favorite teachers at each step within my own education. I’m excited to be a part of this community and find my passion to teach.
I am inspired to work with children because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives at such a critical time in the development process. I look forward to and am excited to make a difference in each of their lives

Rosalinda Garcia
Teacher
Rosalinda Garcia Teacher
I joined Zion Kidz Academy August 16, 2024. I am so happy and grateful to be a part of the team.
What I love the most about being a teacher is helping them grow and learning right from wrong. I love teaching and showing them how to get along with other children and exploring other things as a child with other children.
As a mother of five children of my own, I was inspires me to join Zion Kidz. I like being around kids, playing, having fun with one another. I like to see the child just being a child and having lots of fun together.

Tijuana Young-Collins
Part-time Teacher
Tijuana Young-Collins Part-time Teacher
I joined the team March 25, 2025; after a 5-day orientation, I started teaching at the Hutchins location.
What I love most about teaching, I love making learning fun. I love interacting with the students with songs and dance.
What inspires me to work with children, the students are like sponges; they love to absorb knowledge, and I love pouring into them.
The Lancaster Location
Excellence in Learning, Compassion in Every Step.

Rachelle Ritch
Director Lancaster
Rachelle Ritch Director Lancaster
I joined Zion Kidz Academy August 8, 2025. I am honored to be a part of an learning center that is interested in meeting their students’ needs by stabilizing the home environment and helping to make home conducive for learning, living and strength.
After reading the school’s values, for example, they strive to educate the whole child, child’s needs, mental health, home life, and the parent’s needs.
What I love the most about teaching is the joy of helping a student reach they goal that he, or she never felt they could reach or master.
My inspiration came from wanting to help children on the south side of town, complete 6 – 12 grade then select a college, trade school, a full time job, Jr. college, trade school or a branch of service, rather than drugs, jail or the well-fair systems.

Ashley Vernon
Assist. Director/Teacher
Ashley Vernon Assist. Director/Teacher
Mrs. Vernon is one of our Little Leaders Teachers and she previously worked in multiple childcare institutions. She was employed in the Lancaster ISD as a Program Manager of the Right at School After School Program.
Ashley joined the Zion Kidz team i February of 2020.
What she loves most about being a teacher, is helping children discover their creative gifts and talents. She also loves to encourage them to cultivate their skills and thinking.
Working with the children always inspires her and no two are the same for they are all a child of God. She believes it becomes our job to show them their individual value. It gives her joy to know that she is a part of a child’s growth process. She loves educating and cultivating the CHILDREN here at Zion Kidz Academy & Learning Center.

Sheri Thompson
Admin.
Sheri Thompson Admin.
I joined the Zion Kidz family this year, July 2023. Being in the corporate world for 30+ years can become unpleasant at times, and sometimes you need a change in the atmosphere.
I prayed for God to bless me with a job doing what I love and able to give me the flexibility to care for my dad and brother. God truly answers prayers.
The staff and the kiddos are a joy to see every workday and to be a witness of the little one’s growth. I love to see them come down the stairs and give me a hug or a high five.

Loretha Williams
Teacher
Loretha Williams Teacher
I have always loved working with babies and children. It has become a passion of mine to be a part of their growth and development. Molding them into self-sufficient little people gives me great joy. As their personalities blossom, they are fun to be around and give me (as their teacher) strength and joy as well.
I also enjoy watching them experience their “first” and develop their likes and dislikes, tastes, favorites and preferences. Working with babies reminds me of how amazing God’s creation is and our hands and voice help mold them into little LEADERS.
Here at the Zion Kidz, we strive to go above and beyond the normal and bring out the excellence in every child.

Pamela Brooks (Ms. Pam)
Teacher
Pamela Brooks (Ms. Pam) Teacher
I joined the ZKAL family on July 19, 2022.
It was like, I was being called back to help the little ones.
What I love the most about being a teacher is I love how the kids interact when teaching them new things. How they love to sing and dance when prompt.
What inspires me to work with children is, I did it once before when I was much younger for about 4-1/2 years. Working with children is a passion of mine. I love their energy and the need to explore new things.

LeShauna Dotson
Teacher
LeShauna Dotson Teacher
Growing up, I witnessed a lot of students misunderstood by teachers who didn’t care, no outlet at home because of abuse. Most of those students gave up on school. That alone inspired me to work with children. My desire is to provide a safe, loving environment where each child know their dreams, thoughts, education, and feelings matter to somebody.
I get to act like a kid (when appropriate) for me being a teacher isn’t about separating myself from kids and bringing them to my level, it’s about exploring their minds, finding out how they learn best and building onto their skills by helping them grasp new concepts so they can develop their own unique worldviews. I enjoy the opportunity to dive into their worlds as they lead me where their mind goes. Working with kids reminds me of how carefree childhood was before becoming an adult and the challenges that come with it. My passion for early education comes naturally because I choose a field that I enjoy. Not only am I making a difference in my student’s life but their parent’s life as well. I find it very fulfilling to provide peace of mind to each family I interact with by simply providing a nurturing, quality environment. Working with kids gives me a sense of purpose. I absolutely love teaching!

Mayra Rodridguez
Teacher
Mayra Rodridguez Teacher
November 27, 2023, the best decision I have ever made. ZKALC teach me more than what I need to know about children and work ethics also teamwork. ZKALC is helping me become a better me.
I love that children go home and tell their parent’s what they learned and improve more as we learn different things every day.
I love making a connection with children, learning who they really are, helping them learn what’s going on in the world and how to handle different situations the correct way. I love teaching the children what I want my children to learn, and children inspires me to be the best mother I can be in the future.

Sandra Euceda
Teacher
Sandra Euceda Teacher
I joined Zion Kidz Academy February 6, 2025. I am so happy and grateful to be a part of the team.
What I love the most about being a teacher is the moment when something clicks for someone, when they go from confusion to understanding. It’s incredible to help someone to learn (rewarding).
My inspiration to work with children comes from their curiosity, creativity and the way they see the world with fresh eyes. I also love the idea of helping shape a child’s confidence and love for learning.

Morgan Shepherd
Part-Time Teacher’s Aide
Morgan Shepherd Part-Time Teacher’s Aide
I joined the ZKALC family in August of 2024.
I am in my first year of college at Cedar Valley.
I enjoy teaching the children songs. I enjoy seeing them smile and learning how to walk and talk.
I am inspired to work with children because I enjoy the laughter they experience. I love seeing them learn something new and it brings me joy knowing that I am a part of their growth in learning.
Part-Time / Subs / Intake

Myyon Hardeman
Part-time

Tiffiny Echols
Part-time
Visit Us
Hutchins Location
- 122 Franklin St., Hutchins, TX 75141
- 972-218-9805 ext. 1
- zionkids122@gmail.com
Lancaster Location
- 1004 N. Jefferson St., Lancaster, TX 75146
- 972-218-9805 ext. 1
- zionkids14@gmail.com
Have Questions?
If you have further inquiries, contact us today by reaching us here.