Co-owners

Emmalia Lutz
Emmalia joined the Childspace team in August 2018.  As a former Childspace parent, Emmalia knew that Childspace is where she wanted to continue her career as a professional educator.  Emmalia started here as the lead preschool teacher and soon moved into the role of co-owner and administrator, which allows her to still draw on the children as a daily source of inspiration.  Emmalia began her career as a teacher while attending graduate school in Gainesville, Florida.  Upon her return to her hometown of State College, she continued her education and got her Master’s degree in Elementary School Education along with a PA K-6 teaching certification.  She spent five years as the lead fourth grade teacher at State College Friends School before partnering with Kelly, whose son was one of Emmalia’s favorite fourth grade students.  Emmalia lives locally with her husband and four children.  In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, reading, cooking and traveling with her family.

Kelly Johnson
I have been learning about and working with young children for most of my life, starting as a 10-year-old with a new baby sister, continuing as an undergraduate student, completing a Master’s degree, working in various jobs, and as a mother.  I have worked in the profession for over 30 years, as a classroom assistant, classroom teacher, and administrator in childcare centers, an advocate for early childhood teachers and programs, a family childcare home owner, a teacher coach and student teacher supervisor, and a grant writer and grant reviewer for the Office of Head Start.  

Because of Childspace's unwavering commitment to playing and loving young children, I was pleased and proud to join the Childspace family in 2014 and appreciate the opportunity to guide this unique program into the future. 

--MS Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education
--BS  Human Development and Family Studies, Infant and Early Childhood Option