The MECK Pre-K Team

Mary-Margaret Kantor has served as Chief Early Education Officer of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and MECK Pre-K since September 2021.

Mary-Margaret is a recognized professional in early childhood education and organizational administration with proven results in creating and sustaining relationships that result in personnel, program, and institutional excellence.

Mary-Margaret oversees MECK Pre-K, providing strategic oversight and direction in coordination with County and Smart Start leadership. She also provides thought leadership and assists with the execution of initiatives and programs that directly affect Pre-K learning.

Rita Frye has served as Enrollment & Placement Director of MECK Pre-K since 2020.

In her role, Rita oversees program operations and reports on all aspects of program implementation to the Chief Early Education Officer. She assists in recruitment and supervision of program staff to ensure all program services meet the MECK Pre-K child policies.

Prior to MECK Pre-K, Rita worked as Project Manager at Directors Leadership Academy, an extension of Child Care Resources Inc. A former center director and head start teacher, Rita has been involved with classrooms from Michigan to Nevada for over two decades.

Shakekia Moss has served as the Curriculum and Teacher Support Director with Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and MECK Pre-K since August 2021.

In her role, Shakekia oversees daily operation of the MECK Pre-K Program Support office, providing support, resources and professional development to coaches, teachers and site providers.

Prior to her time at MECK Pre-K, Shakekia served as an educator for over 15 years, in classrooms ranging from preschool to second grade.

Brittany Smith joined Smart Start of Mecklenburg County as a Child Development Consultant in January 2022 and became the Child Development and Family Support Director in January 2023.

Brittany leads and designs implementation of the Smart Start strategy needed to meet the social, emotional and developmental needs of children ages 0-5, with a primary focus on age four or preschool/prekindergarten aged children. Brittany and her team implement comprehensive strategies that enable parents and teachers/staff working young children to identify and understand young children’s social and emotional needs and to be supportive of the development of those children.