Meet Our Staff
Director:
Margaret Rowan joined The Early Childhood Center at Memorial United Methodist Church in July 2014.
Margaret has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 30 years with her last 22 years spent as a director. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Mercy College and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of New Rochelle. Margaret loves working with children, families and faculty members. Her hobbies include reading, walking, exploring, talking with children, and learning new things. Her passions include spending time with friends and family, community service projects and learning anything new in the field of education or special edcation. Her favorite children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are.
Margaret has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 30 years with her last 22 years spent as a director. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Mercy College and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of New Rochelle. Margaret loves working with children, families and faculty members. Her hobbies include reading, walking, exploring, talking with children, and learning new things. Her passions include spending time with friends and family, community service projects and learning anything new in the field of education or special edcation. Her favorite children’s book is Where the Wild Things Are.
Fours Team:
Nicole Diz joined the ECC staff in 2015. She earned her MEd from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught special education for several years. Mrs. Diz is very interested in how children learn and feels lucky to be teaching the wonderful children at ECC. She enjoys making connections with the children individually and building relationships with parents. Mrs. Diz enjoys movement with the children best of all.
Soledad Tapia began at the ECC as a student teacher from Westchester Community college and earned her associates in Early Childhood. Miss Soledad's favorite part of being a preschool teacher is watching the children learn who they are as individuals and build different friendships. She also enjoys when the children share stories from home and how it affects their own views when interacting with their friends. Miss Soledad likes observing the children's interests and supporting by bringing in different materials and changing the environment.
Debbie Tashoff has been at ECC since 2008. She studied at Mesa College in California and at WCC (SUNY) with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Tashoff’s favorite part of being a preschool teacher is experiencing a child’s joy and excitement at a new discovery or the accomplishment of a new and challenging task. She loves to take the children outside to explore the natural world around them – rain or shine! Every year, Mrs. Tashoff teaches nature workshops to other early childhood educators.
Kim Vo-Tran has been part of the ECC staff since 2008. She holds a B.A. from Manhattanville in Early Childhood and Psychology. She enjoys being a part of the student’s learning and growing experience. Watching a child develop their abilities motivates her to challenge and encourage their creativity. Mrs. Vo-Tran most enjoys playing and conversing with the children.
Threes Team:
Louise Convey has been with ECC since 2007. She earned a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential at the Child Care Council of Westchester. She enjoys knowing that she is making a difference in a child’s life. Her favorite part of the school day is watching the children express themselves through art, when their imaginations and feelings emerge through their work.
Debbie DiBetta has been a teacher at ECC for 25 years and earned a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential at the Child Care Council of Westchester. Mrs. DiBetta’s favorite part of being a preschool teacher is watching children discover themselves. She especially enjoys engaging with the children in play, in the classroom, playground, during an art or cooking project. Mrs. DiBetta also teaches Little Chefs, one of our most popular Creative Kids classes, and leads ECC's summer camp program.
Nancy Garro recently celebrated 25 years at ECC, having joined the staff in 1990. She earned her C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential in 1995 and her A.A.S. from Westchester Community College in Early Childhood Education in 2008. Her favorite part of being a preschool teacher is to nurture, teach and help children grown both emotionally and physically in a happy and fun way. Mrs. Garro most enjoys interacting with the children during free play when she and the children can get to know each other. She finds delight in watching their curiosity and enthusiasm grow.
Janine DeNicola Gresham has been on the staff of ECC since 2006. She earned her B.A. at SUNY Albany, her MBA from Pace University and her C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential from the Child Care Council of Westchester. She enjoys encouraging the children to explore, try new things, become independent and make new friends. She finds it especially rewarding to see a proud smile on a child’s face when they have accomplished something new. During the day, Mrs. Gresham likes to talk to the children both individually and in groups while gently encouraging them to participate in art, cooking and various other activities.
Twos Team:
Silvana Collabolletta started at ECC in 2002. She earned an Infant/Toddler C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential from Westchester Community College. She enjoys watching each child learn and grow in his or her own creative way. She loves to see the children come in to school each morning with big smiles on their faces ready and eager to start playing with their peers.
Claudia Gardner started at ECC in 2009. She earned her A.A. in Early Childhood Education at Westchester Community College. As a preschool teacher, Mrs. Gardner enjoys observing the curiosity and excitement of children as they learn something new. Her favorite part of the day is circle time when the children sing and listen to stories.
Claudia Gardner started at ECC in 2009. She earned her A.A. in Early Childhood Education at Westchester Community College. As a preschool teacher, Mrs. Gardner enjoys observing the curiosity and excitement of children as they learn something new. Her favorite part of the day is circle time when the children sing and listen to stories.
Margo Markowitz joined the staff of ECC in 2006. She earned her C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential at the Child Care Council of Westchester. She enjoys being present as the children grasp a new idea while learning through play. Mrs. Markowitz likes playground time with the children as she helps them to take on new challenges.
Helen Bettino substituted in 2010-11 and became a staff member in 2011. She earned a B.A. from Colgate University with a degree in English Literature. Her favorite part of working in a preschool classroom is helping children build trust connections with other people as they explore the world. Mrs. Bettino enjoys reading with the children as well as watching their expressions when animals are shown during nature visits.
Administrative Assistant:
Silvia Caputi joined ECC in 2008. She earned an A.A. at the College of Westchester and a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate). Before taking on the Assistant role, Mrs. Caputi was in the classroom, working with the Threes and Fours teams. Mrs. Caputi loves to interact with the children and enjoys seeing the excitement on their faces when they are heading off to class and their love of school shines through.
