Brenda Ward-Kelley
Brenda holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.A. in Liberal Studies with minors in Psychology and Studio Art. She holds current Connecticut State Elementary Teaching Certification and has college credits in Early Childhood Education Administration, Management and Finance. She has many years experience as a family day care provider and worked as a preschool teacher in the Wallingford School System. Brenda began at 1st Church Preschool in 2004 as Afternoon Head Teacher and then taught in the 4’s Room classroom. Brenda became director of the program in December of 2010.
Maura Federico
Maura holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Art and has been working with young children since 1995. Her previous teaching experience includes the Children's Preschool in New Haven. Maura has been teaching at 1st Church Preschool in the 3’s Room since 2004.
Diane Miller
Diane has 5 years of experience as an Assistant Preschool Teacher and as a one-on-one paraprofessional teaching children ages 3 to 7 years old. Diane served as a Sunday School Director for many years working with children from birth to 10 years old. Diane joined our Blue Room Teaching Team in September 2019 and serves as the teacher liaison to the Board of Directors.
Melanie Perreault
Melanie holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a state certified Head Teacher and has been working with young children since 1996. Melanie has experience with infants through preschool age and began as Head Teacher of the 4’s Room Program in 2012-2017. Melanie took a brief leave to be home with her young children and returned as Teacher in the Orange Room in September 2021.
Karen Wu
Karen Helgeson Wu has worked in the field of early childhood for over thirty years. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology and a master’s degree in early childhood education. Karen also holds a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Karen joined the 1st Church Preschool Red Pre-K teaching team in August 2023.
Noel Savino
Noel enjoys working with children and joined our 1st Church Preschool staff in September 2021.
Cindy Cavallaro
Cindy holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and is a state certified Head Teacher. She has been working with young children since 1986. Cindy joined the staff of 1st Church Preschool in 1998 and also serves as the school’s Summer Program Coordinator.
Jenifer Popolizio
Jenifer has been working in the field of early childhood since 2012. Jenifer holds several degrees—A.S. in Early Childhood, B.S. in Child Studies, M.A. in Education and has almost completed her Med in Special Education. Jenifer worked as a Lead Teacher at the Hamden Early Learning Program for 8 years before joining the 1st Church Preschool Yellow Pre-K teaching team in the fall of 2022.
Tracy Colberg
Tracy has over 20 years experience working in three preschool centers. She holds a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate and has 49 credits in Early Childhood Education. Tracy has also taught in her church's Sunday School program for 10 years and worked with preschool age children. Tracy joined 1st Church Preschool in September 2023.
Audra Boccardi
Audra holds an A.S. in Early Childhood Education. She is a state certified Head Teacher and a state certified Educational Consultant. Audra has been working with young children since 1992. She operated a home daycare and has experience as both a preschool teacher and program director. Audra joined our staff in 2010.
Sarah Cantafio
Sarah has been working in the field of early childhood since 2014. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree from Albertus Magnus College in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling & Mental Health. She joined the Orange Room teaching team in the fall of 2022.