Suzanne R. Boydstun became Director of The Early Childhood Center at Memorial United Methodist Church in 2009.  She earned a B.A. in American Studies from Lafayette College and a M.A. in Early Childhood and Special Education from Columbia University Teachers College.  One of her favorite parts of the day is greeting the children at the door each morning and watching their demeanor change from uncertainty in September to excitement as they adjust to the program.  She enjoys conversing with the children and hearing about what excites them. 

Debbie DiBetta has been a teacher at ECC for 21 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.

Jennifer Kraus joined the staff of ECC in 2009.  She earned her B.A. and certification in Childhood Education at Concordia College.  Ms. Kraus’ favorite part of being a preschool teacher is having the opportunity to see each child as an individual who grows at his or her own pace and through different methods of teaching.  She loves to read to the children and share in their activities at the art table and the playground.

Ursula Lang became part of ECC in 2008.  Mrs. Lang earned her M.S.E.D. in Early Childhood Education at Fordham University, where she was granted NYS Permanent Certification in Nursery through Grade 6. Mrs. Lang enjoys being a part of a child’s and his or her family’s early school experience and providing a positive school experience that will foster a love of learning in the later years.  The favorite part of Mrs. Lang’s school day is engaging in conversations with the children individually or in a group setting.  She feels that this is when the child reveals what is most important to him/her and lays the foundation for more in-depth exploration and learning.

Lisa Lowy joined the staff of ECC in 2008.  She earned her M.S. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Hunter College (CUNY) where she was granted NYS Permanent Certification in Nursery through Grade 6.  She loves when a child has an “Aha!” moment – when they discover something new, overcome a challenge or are able to do something on their own for the very first time.  Mrs. Lowy loves reading stories to the children.  Her favorite part of the day is circle time and the great conversations that emerge from it.

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!

Silvia Caputi started at ECC in 2004.  She earned an A.A. at the College of Westchester and a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential at the Child Care Council of Westchester.  While engaging with the children, Mrs. Caputi loves to see the excitement on their faces when they learn something new and their love of school shines through.  She enjoys reading and cooking with the children.

Mary-Jo Chevalier joined the staff of ECC in 2007.  She earned her A.A. in Early Childhood Education from Westchester Community College and her B.A. and M.A.T. in Behavioral Studies from Manhattanville College.  She holds NYS Professional Certification. She loves all aspects, and every minute, of being a preschool teacher – being with the children, watching them grow and develop.  Her favorite activity is conversing with the children and hearing what they have to say as they make sense of the world around them.

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.

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.

Nancy Garro joined the staff of ECC 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.

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.

Silvana Collobolletta 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.

Anica Dowo was part of the ECC staff from 2001-2007.  She left in 2007 to work as a nanny, but returned to ECC in 2010.  She is currently working towards her Infant/Toddler C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential. As a teacher of twos, Mrs. Dowo enjoys making children feel loved, respected and cared for outside of their homes and seeing children smile.  She loves dancing, singing and playing instruments with the children but especially enjoys playdough and messy art projects.

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.

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’s enjoys 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.