Colette Derks is Blossom’s Associate Director. She has been working at Blossom since it opened in August of 2003, starting as a Classroom Assistant, progressing to a Classroom Teacher, and is now part of Blossom’s Administrative Team. She has been involved with the Deaf community since 2001. Ms. Derks started at the Deaf Service Center (now known as the Deaf and Hearing Connection of Tampa Bay) as the receptionist, where she learned American Sign Language (ASL). Once proficient with ASL, she started working for the Deaf Service Center’s After School Program.
Ms. Derks is Montessori Certified for ages 3-6, and has completed her training for ages 6-9 as well. She has attained her Child Development Associate Equivalency (CDAE) and her Child Care Director’s Credentials, and taught in Blossom’s Preschool classroom for almost two decades.
Ms. Derks has three wonderful children, two sons and a daughter. When she is not at Blossom, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering at her children’s high school for the Band.
