Teaching. Mentoring. Inspiring.
Chelsea Watkins is an early childhood education leader dedicated to preparing the
next generation of educators through classroom instruction, mentorship, and hands-on
learning. As an Early Childhood Education Instructor and Preschool Director at Frank
H. Peterson Academies and Silver Eaglets Preschool, she leads an early childhood education
program serving approximately 90 students while overseeing a preschool laboratory
that provides practical training experiences for future educators.
Watkins has established a strong record of student achievement by maintaining a 100% certification pass rate for the Child Development Associate (CDA) and Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) credentials for three consecutive years. She also developed a workforce training model that provides more than 480 hours of hands-on learning, mentors student teachers, coordinates certification testing, and cultivates partnerships with Florida State College at Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, the Early Learning Coalition, and Head Start to expand educational and career opportunities for students.
Committed to developing future educators and serving her community, Watkins earned a Bachelor of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences (Business) from South Carolina State University before completing a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida. Beyond the classroom, she serves as an Early Childhood Education Advisory Board Chair, mentors college students pursuing careers in early childhood education, and has served as a foster parent to more than 40 children since 2019.
Educational Background
- Master of Business Administration, University of West Florida
- Bachelor of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences (Business), South Carolina State University