St. Catherine Preschool Teacher Bios

I have been a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish since 1998. My two children attended our preschool and currently attend the Elementary and Middle School. I hold a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. I have experience working with children and their families in the mental health field, as well as from teaching classes at Gymboree. I am looking forward to working with all of our families and watching all of our students grow here at St. Catherine’s.

I have been teaching for 13 years, and this is my 9^th year teaching at St. Catherine of Siena. I hold a Bachelors of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin. Early childhood education is a time for children to explore and observe by using all of their senses to discover how the world works in a school setting and outside the school. It is a time for children to strengthen their social skills and self-esteem with their peers. Early childhood education is a time to learn through play. Play is important because it fosters social skills and children learn by doing with their peers and teachers. Plus it is having fun while learning.

This is my 5^th year working on the staff at St. Catherine of Siena Early Childhood Center. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business-Marketing Emphasis from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I believe children learn through play. It is with play that they practice doing everyday tasks that stay with them throughout their life. The satisfaction a child receives when they accomplish a task after working at it for several weeks brings a warm feeling to my heart!

I am thrilled to be returning to St. Catherine’s for my 5^th year and my 4^th year teaching with Malissa Eisel. I have my BS degree in elementary education from SUNY Oswego. After teaching in early childhood education in Brooklyn, NY and the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York; I went to SUNY Geneseo to get my Masters degree in Elementary Ed/Early Childhood Ed. I have taught preschool for nearly 40 years as well as teaching early childhood educators at the college level. Children learn best when given new information in context with their interest level. Observing children’s interests and spring-boarding lesson plans from their interests makes learning meaningful and exciting!

This is my fifth year as a teacher at St. Catherine of Siena. I have an Associate of Arts Degree from Seminole State College, and I am currently taking classes towards a Degree in Early Childhood. I hold an Early Childhood Credential from the State of North Carolina. I firmly believe when parents and teachers partner, they provide the best possible environment for the growth and development of each child.

I have been teaching young children in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Raleigh for the last 17 years. This will be my seventh year at Saint Catherine of Siena ECC. In addition to my course work at UNC Chapel Hill for my B-K Teaching License, I have a BA in History from Douglass College in NJ and a Masters in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University in Washington DC. I have also completed a 90-hour course to prepare me to teach Religion using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method. The Four Year-Old curriculum encourages children to continue to learn as they did in the Three-year-old classroom by exploring and interacting with the world that God has made for us. Children are invited to practice their skills in all areas of development by engaging in developmentally appropriate activities.

This is my first year teaching at St. Catherine of Siena. I have a degree in General Studies, and I am currently working on my NC Professional teaching license. I have taught for three and a half years in the Catholic school system. My greatest thrill as an educator is having the opportunity to nurture, celebrate, and guide the unique spirit of each child as they discover their own very special talents and gifts. I am a member of Holy Infant Parish in Durham.

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware with additional coursework to be certified through 6^th grade. I have taught kindergarten for five years and first grade for two years with experience in both Catholic and public schools. I strongly believe in a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Preschool is a special age because there is so much growth physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. They are very interested to learn about God. Please know that families provide an invaluable support staff to their child’s teacher. We cannot do it without you! I am looking forward to teaching the two and three year olds this year.

This is my first year as a teacher at St. Catherine of Siena ECC. I have completed and received my North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials. I thoroughly enjoy working with children and believe they need a safe and caring environment in which to explore and discover intellectually, physically, and socially.

I have been teaching Creative Movement and Dance in the Raleigh area for several years. What an honor to work with such dedicated and talented teachers and staff at Saint Catherine of Siena Early Childhood Center. For the young child I believe in motor development through play by incorporating techniques I have learned and designed over years of teaching. I offer engaging ways for children of all abilities to develop cognitive, gross and small motor skills and with that comes social skills. I am looking forward to having fun with your child!