CHRIST'S CHURCH NURSERY SCHOOL
Meet our
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Director
ANN HIRSCH
I am so excited to start my seventh year at CCNS Rye. It really does not feel like work when you have the pleasure to spend your days with amazing teachers and families. Having spent over 25 years working in this field, I can tell you unequivocally that it is the greatest pleasure to watch children grow into their very best selves and to be able to support them on their journey. I am committed to the parent-teacher relationship so together we can create the best experiences for your children. I am committed to supporting my teachers to learn and grow and bring the best to their classrooms every day. I am committed to the children so that they can learn and grow in a stress-free, fun, challenging program that supports their age appropriate development. I will always push for Christ's Church to deliver the best nursery school experience possible and we will, of course, have some laughs and smiles along the way.
Admissions Director
SUE KELLY
Sue is happy to help our families with the enrollment at our school. Having spent two years as an assistant teacher here at CCNS, she brings a unique understanding of what we do, and how we do it. Sue’s degree in Communications, coupled with her extensive knowledge of the Rye community, makes her an exceptionally helpful resource to our families’ needs.
Administrative Assistant
DARCEY PINEDA
dpineda@ccnsrye.org
Returning for her fifth year at CCNS, Darcey previously worked in a local Nursery School as an Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper. Darcey loves working with young children and has really enjoyed getting to know all your children and families. She is the happy voice on the phone ready to assist any way she can.
TEACHING STAFF
Meet our
Debbi Dee
HEAD TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM & PM
2’s
Debbi is a graduate of Mills College of Education, The New School and NYU with a BS in Elementary Education and a Masters in Reading. She has worked extensively in the 2's, 3's and 4's. Debbi believes each child is a special individual and should be taught as such.
Maria Denti
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM & PM
2’s
Maria came to CCNS in 2019. Maria has been working in the early childhood field for over 25 years and holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children of many different ages, from birth to four years of age. Her outside interests include teaching religious education and assisting with bible camp at her parish in Tuckahoe.
Kathy Moran
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM
2’s
Kathy is a lifelong resident of Westchester and is one of our longest tenured teachers, having joined CCNS in 2003. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Iona College and an MS in Special Education from the College of New Rochelle. Prior to CCNS, Kathy taught at Central School and Mamaroneck Ave Pre-k. To spend any time around her is to know that her students truly benefit from her dream to be a teacher and work with children. Her outside interests are a good book, the beach and spending time with her four daughters and grandchildren.
Michelle Nickels
HEAD TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM
2’s
Michelle has been working within the nursery school setting since 2001 and at CCNS since 2016. She graduated from Concordia College with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Michelle recently completed her Early Childhood Master of Education from American College. It has been a dream of hers to be a teacher ever since she was a child. She loves to work in CCNS’s nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play.
Erica Kinstel
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM
2’s
Erica is excited to join the CCNS team! She recently had the opportunity to work as a leave replacement teacher aide at Osborn for grades 1-3 this past school year, and she worked at the Rye Recreation Kiddy Camp as a head counselor with children ages 3-5. Erica feels she has finally found her calling and is ready to put her best foot forward to help the young students do their best and enjoy their early educational experiences.
Jamie Depauw
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM
2’s
Jamie is a lifelong resident of Rye who has worked in early childhood education for the past 5 years. Although she has a degree in pharmacology, Jamie has focused on her true passion, working with children. Jamie loves spending time with young children guiding and nurturing them to learn and grow. In her spare time Jamie likes spending time with her family and their dogs.
Michelle Nickels
HEAD TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM PM
3’s
Michelle has been working within the nursery school setting since 2001 and at CCNS since 2016. She graduated from Concordia College with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Michelle recently completed her Early Childhood Master of Education from American College. It has been a dream of hers to be a teacher ever since she was a child. She loves to work in CCNS’s nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play.
Erica Kinstel
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM PM
3’s
Erica is excited to join the CCNS team! She recently had the opportunity to work as a leave replacement teacher aide at Osborn for grades 1-3 this past school year, and she worked at the Rye Recreation Kiddy Camp as a head counselor with children ages 3-5. Erica feels she has finally found her calling and is ready to put her best foot forward to help the young students do their best and enjoy their early educational experiences.
Erin Cassin
HEAD TEACHER, THREES CLASS
GREEN ROOM
3’s
Erin joined CCNS in 2016 to teach in the threes program. She absolutely loves teaching this age group and finds every day to be exciting. Erin holds a Bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University, Erin previously taught third and fourth grade at The Churchill School in NYC.
Liz Savino
ASSISTANT TEACHER, THREES CLASS
GREEN ROOM
3’s
Liz begins her third year at CCNS in the 3's program. Prior to coming to CCNS Liz worked in Early Childhood Education in Greenwich. Liz relates to the feeling of children being your pride and joy and is thrilled to be in such a caring environment where she can nurture them and help them to learn and grow.
Myrna Kara
HEAD TEACHER, THREES CLASS
GOLD ROOM
3’s
Myrna holds a BA in Language Arts and French Literature from Damascus University in Syria. Myrna joined the faculty of CCNS in 2012 and has been a dedicated and inspiring teacher at CCNS. Myrna is very passionate about teaching and inspiring children to love to learn.
Leah Yusi
ASSISTANT TEACHER, THREES CLASS
GOLD ROOM
3’s
Leah recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sports Studies from Manhattanville College, and she plans to pursue a Master's Degree in a child-related area. Leah has been working with kids for eight years, and during that time, she has had the chance to work with kids with special needs. For the past seven years, she has worked at the Westchester Country Club Beach Club, where she spends her summers working with children as a Camp Counselor. Leah has a strong interest in child development and loves working with children to help them acquire the core skills that will help them in school and beyond. We are excited to have her join our CCNS team!
Florence Taylor
HEAD TEACHER, FOURS CLASS
BLUE ROOM
4’s
Florence Taylor joined the staff of CCNS in 2015 and she holds a BS/BA in Psychology/American History from SUNY Binghamton. Her MS ED is from Brooklyn College with post-graduate studies at Bank Street School of Education. She is a great resource for our families and our staff and brings unbridled energy to her classroom.
Roseanne Lovallo
ASSISTANT TEACHER, FOURS CLASS
BLUE ROOM
4’s
Ro is a lifelong resident of the Sound shore, and came to CCNS in 1999! Roseanne holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with every age group at our school. Her compassionate and kind nature has endeared her to our many new and long-time families!
Andra O'Brien
HEAD TEACHER, FOURS CLASS
PURPLE ROOM
4’s
Andra is a lifelong resident of Westchester. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Science in Education from The College of New Rochelle. Andra is a certified teacher and has taught for 14 years. Before staying home to have a family and bring up her children, Andra previously taught at Midland School in Rye for 7 years.
Jaime Tanaka-Boulia
ASSISTANT TEACHER, FOURS CLASS
PURPLE ROOM
4’s
A native Californian, Jaime has lived in New York ever since college, where she graduated with a BS in Studio Art from NYU. Her son attended CCNS, at which point, she knew she wanted to devote herself more to the amazing CCNS school community. Previously, she has taught in the after-school program at the RyeNeck School system in addition to having daycare experience with children as young as three months to five years old.
Natalie Ballone
HEAD TEACHER, FIVES CLASS
ORANGE ROOM
5’s
Natalie brings her passion for working with children and her extensive experience to CCNS. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Elementary Education, pre-k to 6th grade and a Master of Science Degree in Education. Natalie previously worked at Rye Country Day School and Resurrection. She is also an elementary tutor at the Achievement Learning Center in Larchmont working with children of all ages and needs.
