The staff of the Rye Presbyterian Nursery School is made up of 26 caring and competent individuals who are experienced early childhood educators. Our current staff has over 300 cumulative years of teaching RPNS preschoolers. We are fortunate to have a compliment of administrative staff, a school nurse and additional part time providers and special educators, dedicated to enhancing the learning situation of our preschoolers. All teachers participate in a continuous program of in-service education and professional development in order to remain alert to the ever-changing needs of today's children and their families. Each teacher is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Westchester Association and the North American Reggio Educational Alliance. The Director is also an active participant in the Westchester Directors Association. Allow us to introduce our staff.
TWO YEAR OLD STAFF:
Terri R. begins her eighth year in the two year old program. Terri has her A.S. and is currently completing her Bachelors in Early Childhood. Terri and her husband, Lou, have three adult children, Louie, Michael and Kristen. She has had extensive experience with children of all ages as a preschool teacher, summer camp counselor, Cub Scout and Brownie leader, a reading and physical education teacher and a swim coach. Terri recently attended the 10 day international study leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy this past year and she is very excited about applying the principals that she learned in her twos classes this year. In her spare time, she enjoys her family, walking and life!
Beverly C. begins her first year at RPNS as a full time teacher with Terri Riccci in the twos. Bev has been a permanent substitute with us for the past five years, most recently, for several months in the two year old program this past spring. A past parent at RPNS, Bev has her RN Degree and is Board Certified in Psychology and Pediatrics. She has always had a love for young children and has tutored many children in Rye, as well as teaching CCD. Bev and her husband, Ron, have two children. Darin will begin college this September and Candace begins Rye High School this September. In her spare time, Bev enjoys bicycling, boating, researching on the internet and spending time with her family.
Kathy H. is beginning her twentieth year as a teacher in our two-year-old program. Her previous experience includes teaching elementary and special education classes in New York, Illinois and California, where she also served as Director of a summer camp for young children. Kathy holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and New York State Permanent Certification in Nursery through sixth grade, as well as Special Education. Kathy has also had the opportunity to attend the 10 day international study leave in Reggio, Emilia, Italy. Kathy and her husband, Marv, have two daughters, Erin, who lives and works in Washington, D.C. and Allison, who is a pre school teacher in New York. She enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening and volunteering for her Church’s organizations. Kathy also serves as an Administrative Assistant at RPNS
Pat W. begins her twentieth year as Kathy Henk’s partner and co-teacher in our two-year-old program. She has completed the Early Childhood Education Certificate Program at SUNY Purchase and was one of the staff who attended a 10 day international study leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy this past year. We benefit from Pat's extensive experience with arts and crafts, gained from running her own small craft business. She is also the coordinator of our teacher newsletters and resource library. She and her husband, Roger, enjoy their second home in the Adirondacks where Pat is a coordinator of special events for children at the local library. In her spare time she is a Brownie leader (4th time around) for her oldest granddaughter. Pat loves to read, crochet and spend time showing the world to her grandchildren. She has three grown children and eight grandchildren.
Lisa B. begins her fifth year as a teacher at RPNS where she teaches the Tuesday/Thursday AM and PM Two year old classes and M/W/F AM and PM 3 year old classes with with Holly B. Prior to joining our program, Lisa taught preschool and elementary school. She has her Bachelors Degree from Skidmore College, her Masters in Early Childhood from Fordham University and her second Masters in Education Administration from Mercy College. Lisa and her husband, Tony, have two daughters, ages 8 and 9. Lisa enjoys cooking, crafts, exercising and spending time with her family.
Holly B. begins her second year as co teacher with Lisa B. in the Tuesday / Thursday AM and PM Two year old classes and M/W/F AM and PM 3 year old classes. Holly has her BA in Early Childhood from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where she also interned at the Chicago Commons Reggio Emilia School. She has her Illinois State Teaching Certificate and her NYS Teaching Certificate is pending. Holly has also attended Bank Street College of Education. Her past experience includes teaching four year olds and two year olds at Ridge Street School and art / painting at Resurrection School. Holly and her husband Zachary have three children, ages 14, 10 and 8.
THREE YEAR OLD STAFF
Lisa B. and Holly B. also teach the AM and PM Mon/Wed/Fri threes class. Please see their biography above.
Dawn M. begins her 18th year as co teacher in the AM and PM Tues/Thurs threes and AM and PM Mon/Wed/Fri threes. Dawn has her Early Childhood Certificate from SUNY Purchase and during the summer months she is Directior of the children’s camp at the Rye Golf Club pool. Dawn was one of the staff who attended the 10 day international study leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy this past year and is looking forward to implementing the many things that she experienced during that trip. She and her husband, Lou have two adult children, Sarah and Christopher, who share in the family passion and vacation pastime of exploring and riding roller coasters. In her spare time she enjoys researching and writing children’s literature.
Abbey L. begins her second year at RPNS as co teacher with Dawn M. in the AM and PM Tues/Thurs threes and AM and PM Mon/Wed/Fri threes. Abbey has her B.A. in Early Childhood from Manhattanville College and is currently working on her Masters Degree. In her spare time, Abbey is working on incorporating the New York State Standards for Learning in literacy and art into an Early Childhood enrichment program. Her goal is to be able to work with several different community organizations in Westchester, in order to help promote Early Childhood literacy.
Jeanne K. began teaching our four day three year old program nineteen years ago, following 24 years of experience as a nursery school teacher in several other pre-schools. She also teaches the Friday class of threes that are with Dawn M. and Abby L. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jeanne has also attended the 10 day study leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy in 2006. A graduate of Endicott College, Jeanne and her husband, Frank, have two adult sons and a daughter who just graduated college. She describes her joys in life as her family, her many years of teaching, many wonderful friends, and her hobbies of tennis, gardening and her book club.
Yvette P. begins her second year as co teacher with Jeanne K. in the 4 day threes. A substitute teacher for the past four years at RPNS, prior to joining our staff full time, Yvette has her Masters Degree in Special Education from Hunter College and is New York State Certified. She has ten years of teaching experience, prior to moving to the Rye community. Yvette and her husband, Phillip, have two sons, ages 10 and 3.
Tracianne G. begins her thirteenth year as a teacher at RPNS. She and her partner, Kristin B. are co-teachers in the AM fours program and PM four day threes. Traci has her Early Childhood Certificate from SUNY Purchase and her B. A. in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle. Traci and her husband, Mauricio, are the proud parents of their first child, Gabrielle, who will be two years old in December. In her spare time, Traci enjoys building her photography business, which began as a hobby several years ago and is now well recognized in Rye. Traci also enjoys exercising and spending time with her dog, Mozart.
Kristin B. begins her second year as co teacher with Traci G. in the AM 4s and PM four day (M/T/Th/F) threes program. Kristin graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in both Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She has her Pennsylvania State Teaching Certificate. She was a member of the Bucknell Dance Company and holds a Minor in Dance. Kristin is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Education in both Early Childhood and Literacy at Long Island University.
FOUR and FIVE YEAR OLD STAFF:
Andi B. begins her fifteenth year as a co-teacher with Maria R. in our AM and PM fours. She has her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton and graduate school credits in gifted and talented education. Andi has also attended the week long international cstudy leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy, with the director and other staff, where she experienced, first hand, the world renowned preschool program. Andi is extremely active on community Boards and activities benefiting local hospitals, schools, and churches. Andi and her husband, John have two married children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, Andi enjoys playing with her grandchildren, tennis, cooking traveling.
Maria R. begins her sixteenth year of teaching at RPNS as co teacher with Andi B. in the AM and PM 4s. She began her dedication to RPNS many years prior to that as a Rye High School Intern and student teacher. Maria has her Bachelors degree in Psychology and her Associates Degree in Early Childhood. Maria and her husband, Jimmy are the proud parents of 3 year old twins and an 2 year old son! Maria is an expert decorator and loves sewing, exercising and spending time with her family and many friends.
Tracianne G. and Kristin B. teach an AM fours class. Please see their biography above.
Mary S. begins her ninth year as co teacher in the AM and PM four year old classes with Cathy McF. Mary has her B.A. from Drew University and in her spare time she is a Girl Scout Leader, enjoys swimming, fastwalking reading and gardening. In October 2003, Mary attended the week long study leave in Reggio, Emilia, Italy, where she experienced first hand the world renowned municipal preschool education program. She has also studied the “Reggio” or “Project” Approach at several other conferences in Providence, RI and North Hampton, Mass, where she was able to view other “Reggio Inspired” preschools in the US.
Cathy McF. begins her second year as a teacher in the AM and PM four year old classes with Mary Szamborski. Cathy has been with RPNS for the past nine years, having previously taught our 2s and movement classes. She has her Master of Science in Education, N-6, from Hunter College and her Bachelors and Masters Degrees of Fine Arts in Dance from the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. Cathy is also an instructor for the Rye School of Dance, where she enjoys sharing her love of dance with many of our alumni girls. She and her husband, Bob, have three children, all of whom are RPNS graduates. In her spare time, Cathy is a “Pilates” fanatic!
Jerralee E. begins her tenth year at RPNS teaching the AM and PM 4s with co teacher Margaret O'N. Jerralee has worn many hats at RPNS for the last 24 years, including that of parent, RPNS Board Chairman, substitute teacher and classroom teacher. Jerralee has her BA from Knox College, in Illinois and last year she attended the week long study leave in Reggio, Emilia, Italy. She and her husband, Manfred, have three adult children, Lars, Andrea and Lauren. Jerralee enjoys kayaking, exercising, reading, cooking and the family dog, Harper.
Margaret O’N. O’Neill begins her forth year at RPNS as co teacher with Jerralee Ernst in the AM and PM fours. Margaret moved back to her native New York, following seven years of teaching preschool in Washington D.C. and Hartford, CT. She has her BS in Elementary Education, her MS in Special Education and has NY State Permanent Certification, Nursery through Grade 6. She has also served as a pre school administrator in several capacities and was responsible for bringing the “How Does Your Enging Run?” program and training to the children and staff at RPNS. Margaret was one of our staff who attended the 10 day international study leave in Reggio Emilia, Italy this past year, and we look forward to the sharing of her experience and expertise in the 4s.
Deirdre W. begins her 32nd year at RPNS, initially teaching threes, then fours and now five-year-olds with Julie Cotter in the AM. As our Assistant Director, Deirdre has had extensive teaching and administrative experience in the preschool setting. Deirdre has been the main force behind our “Reggio” initiative. She received her Bachelors Degree from the College of New Rochelle, and is continuously involved in taking workshops and coursework in the many aspects of early childhood. Deirdre has also attended the week long study leave in Reggio, Emilia, Italy, where she experienced first hand the preschool program that she has been researching for the past twelve years! Most recently, her professional development has concentrated on exchanges with other Reggio inspired schools in the US and this past year she attended a conference at the renowned, “St. Louis Collaborative” in Missouri. She and her husband, Bill, have four adult children, (two sons and two daughters) and seven grandchildren! In her !
Julie C. begins her ninth year as a team teacher with Deirdre W. in the AM 5s and Allison P. in the PM 4s. Julie received her BA from SUNY New Paltz and her Masters in Education from the College of New Rochelle. She is N. Y. State Certified N-12 and has been teaching preschool for the past 15 years. In 2004, she attended the international conference on Early Childhood in Reggio Emilia, Italy along with the director and other staff. Julie and her husband have three adult children, Caren, Kristy and John. Julie enjoys kayaking, boating, aerobics, walking and gardening in her spare time.
Shirley L. begins her sixth year at RPNS. Shirley teaches in the morning 5s class with Mrs. Winters’ and Mrs. Cotter and in the afternoons she provides enrichment programs in children’s literature and cooking. Shirley has her Bachelors Degree in Asian Studies from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, her Certificate in Childcare from New York University and her CDA (Child Development Associate) from New York State. After many years as a nanny and caregiver, Shirley has become well known throughout the Rye community for her babysitting prowess and her gracious care of others! She began lecturing at Resurrection Church this year and in her spare time she loves cooking, baking, white-water rafting, camping and riding her bike. We are ever grateful to her for her dedication and service to the RPNS community!
Allison P. begins her 1st year at RPNS as Julie Cotter’s partner in the PM fours class. Allison has been a teacher for the past six years at Horace Mann School, in Riverdale, prior to leaving for her maternity leave. She has her Masters in Elementary Education and Special Education from Manhattanville and is NY State certified, Nursery through fifth grade and Nursery through High School for Special Education. Allison and her husband, Ryan are the proud parents of 16 month old, Ben, who will eventually be attending RPNS. If Allison did have spare time, with her toddler, she would enjoy reading, traveling and scuba diving!
ADMINISTRATION:
Cheryl Flood begins her twenty fifth year as Director of our school. She has her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont and is N.Y. State certified N-6. Her Masters degree, also from the University of Vermont, is in Special Education and her Early Childhood Administration credentials are from SUNY. Her previous teaching experience includes several years of teaching 2s and 4s in preschool, as well as Kindergarten and first grade. Cheryl was an adjunct professor in teacher education at the University of Vermont and has been a Special Education program administrator. Cheryl has been instrumental in developing the Reggio inspired program at RPNS and for the past five years, she has taken a different group of RPNS staff each year to the international conference in Reggio Emilia, Italy for professional development. She has two adult sons, Deane and Sean and two grandchildren. Cheryl enjoys gardening, swimming, kayaking and spending time with her family and her dog, Schuyler.
Deirdre W. serves as our Assistant Director, as well as our AM co-teacher of the fives with Julie C. Please see “Four/Five Year Old Staff” for her biography.
Kathy P. joins the RPNS staff as Coordinator of Curriculum and Professional Development. In the Reggio tradition, Kathy is our new “Pedegogista / Atilierista”. She will be visiting classes each day, providing resources and curriculum support to teachers on current projects, as well as activities with children and parents in our new art studio. In addition, Kathy will provide administrative support to the program through parent activities, communication and supervision. Kathy has been in early childhood for the past 35 years, beginning her career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, then teacher and director of the oldest cooperative preschool in Virginia. After studying in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Kathy founded the St. John’s Episcopal Preschool, a Reggio inspired school in Washington, DC, where she served as Director for ten years. From August toOctober of 2005, Kathy served as a Consultant for 3EI(Explore, Experiment, Express) International Kindergarten in Beijing, China, where she worked with an early childhood staff from Michigan State University to coordinate principles of the Reggio Philosophy with traditional Eastern teaching for preschoolers. Following a transfer to the NY area, Kathy became Director of Admissions for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Manhattan, where she has been for the past two years. Kathy has her BSN from Duke University and her MSN from the University of Virginia. She and her husband, Tom, have three adult children. In her spare time Kathy enjoys running, reading and spending time at her family lake cottage in New Hampshire. We are delighted to have Kathy with us to support our Reggio journey.
Our Administrative Assistant, Mary C. has been our Treasurer and secretary for the past twenty years. She brings with her twenty five years of accounting experience, a wonderful smile, and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. As a parent, you will probably be greeted first by our wonderful Mary, and quickly learn that she is the resource for most of your needs. Mary and her husband John have two adult children, Jeanine and Johnny. Besides enjoying her varied responsibilities at school, Mary loves to garden, swim, knit and to go on family vacations to her new summer home in Montauk.
Kathy B. begins her fifth year as School Nurse /Administrative Assistant at RPNS, after many years as a permanent substitute and parent. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, Kathy will be managing the daily health issues of our children and staff, as well as assisting the Director each day with the safety supervision in front of the school building. Kathy and her husband, Chris, have a wonderful daughter, Ali, who is a graduate of RPNS. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys everything she does with her family! You will enjoy seeing her enthusiastic smile each day in the front office as she answers your questions or fixes your child's boo boos!
PART TIME STAFF
Dr. Paul D., Ph.D. begins his seventh year on our staff as Consulting Psychologist, every Thursday. Dr. Paul is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who brings services in staff training, teacher consultation, child observation and assessment, as well as individual consulting with parents. As the Director of Child Development Associates in Scaresdale, Paul is the co-author of Mental Health Consultation in Early Childhood and he lectures on a wide array of child development topics. He has been active in designing mental health services for Head Start and has served on a national committee charged with rewriting the federal definition of mental health in childhood. Dr. Paul also serves as a consultant to the Columbia University School of Public Health, the Georgetown University Child Development Center and the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
Sally W., Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist, has been providing speech and language therapy at RPNS for the last nine years. She will be serving children at our school on Mondays and Tuesdays and will be available for informal speech evaluations on those days, as well. She has a Masters Degree and a Bachelors Degree of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from New York University, as well as a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is also certified as a teacher for the Speech and Hearing Handicapped. Sally and her husband, Richard, have 2 children, Sheri and Heath, both of whom attend college. In her spare time, Sally enjoys tennis, exercising, traveling, dancing, theater and art, cooking and spending time with her family.
Christa R., Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) begins her fifth year of bringing Occupational Therapy services to children on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Christa is also available on those days for workshops with parents, staff training and OT Evaluations. At a time when “Sensory Integration” deficits and other “OT” issues are being identified as prime factors in a child’s educational and social success, we feel fortunate to have such a qualified specialist on staff. Christa has her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has been and continues to be a staff Occupational Therapist at JCC of Mid Westchester, in Scarsdale, since 1999 and has served as a Senior Occupational Therapist at Westchester Occupational Therapy Associates, PC, in Armonk from 1998-2002. Christa and her husband have two young children.
Delores “Jigi” begins her twelth year as a music teacher for RPNS. Combining singing, rhythm instruments, dramatic arts and movement, with just plain fun, Delores plas her guitar and the piano with our 2s, 3s and 4s twice a month. Delores has her degree in teaching and drama from the University of California at Berkley. A well known presenter at early childhood conferences, she teaches classes in her own studio and performs at children’s parties and concerts. In her classes there is constant movement to the beat, in her speech where she rhymes the children’s names and phrases and in the music that she leads the children in singing and playing.
Marty S. is a wonderful, creative, talented and much appreciated “SEIT”, (Special Education Itinerant Teachers) who has worked in our preschool for several years. He serves the specific needs of identified children within our classrooms, as well as sharing his insight and experience with other RPNS staff, parents and administration. We are very fortunate to have the benefit of his expertise.