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.
Sue Murphy
Sue holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in English as well as an A.S. in Early Childhood Education with state certification as a Head Teacher. Sue previously taught at Scooter School and has been teaching preschool children since 1998. She joined our Red Pre-K Room teaching team in 2015.
Nina Vianese
Nina holds a B.S. Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a M.S. Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Nina has worked as a Speech/Language Pathologist and has many years of experience working with young children as both a preschool teacher and as a sports and fitness coach. Nina joined our 1st Church Preschool teaching staff in September 2020.
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.
Haleigh DePalmer
Haleigh is currently pursuing her A.S. Degree in Early Childhood at Southern Connecticut State University. She has worked as a substitute teacher at 1st Church Preschool and joined our staff as Assistant Teacher in our afternoon Yellow Pre-K Classroom in September 2020.
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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 and serves as the teacher liaison on the preschool 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.
Janet Jacaruso
Janet holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and coursework in Early Childhood Education. Janet was the Director and Head Teacher of Scooter School where she taught and operated the program for over 25 years. She is a state certified Head Teacher and taught in the Orange Room from 2015 to 2018. Janet returned as teacher in the Orange Room in September 2021.