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
Our Dedicated Teaching Team
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.
Part-Time / Subs / Intake
Myyon Hardeman
Part-time
Tiffiny Echols
Part-time