Our Staff
Our teachers attain 20 continuing education hours per year. The Director earns 30 hours and the Assistant Director 25 hours each year. They attend workshops, seminars and conferences sponsored by the National Association, the Connecticut State Association, and the Greater Fairfield Region Chapter for the Education of Young Children, and the Association of Early Learning Leaders. Several teachers attend local colleges and universities.
Directors
Margee Ready, Director joined St. Paul’s in 1974. Margee has taught all ages and was our Pre-K teacher from 1992-2016. She has a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and has completed graduate courses from Fairfield University. Margee possesses both her Connecticut Director’s Credential and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Margee chairs the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council and has been a validator for the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. She is an Ambassador for and sits on the Board of Directors of the Association of Early Learning Leaders. Margee is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children (CTAEYC). She grew up in Fairfield, and now lives in Stratford with her family. Email: [email protected]
Jeanne Bartko, Assistant Director and Pre-K teacher graduated from Fairfield University with a B.A. in Sociology. She obtained her Connecticut Director’s Credential, Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate and her Early Childhood Education Certificate from Housatonic Community College. Jeanne is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders and a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children. Prior to joining us in 1994, Jeanne provided in-home childcare. She and her family live in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Head Teachers
Meredith Donahue joined our staff in 2015 as an assistant teacher in the three year old program. She and Jeanie Melvin are co-teachers in our four year old program. Meredith received her M.S. in Education from Sacred Heart University and earned a B.A. at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; this year she will co-teach with Lynsey McCloskey in our two-year-old program. Elizabeth is a graduate of Boston College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College and holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. Elizabeth’s lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Molly Galbo joined our staff in 2020. Molly earned her M.S. in Literacy, Birth-Sixth Grade from College of St. Rose. She has taught preschool in NY and Chicago. Molly is a Head Teacher in our two year old program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Margaret Hughes joins us this year and will be teaching in the four year old program.
Margaret earned her MA in Teaching and earned her BS from Boston University. Margaret has experience as an early childhood educator in a nature based program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. email: [email protected]
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. She and Denise Lynch are co-teachers in our two year old program. Lizzy is a graduate of the University of Richmond. She earned her B.A. degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education. Lizzy has also earned post baccalaureate credits in Education at Hood College. Lizzy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. Denise and Lizzy Knisely are co-teachers in our two year old program. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Prior to joining our staff and resuming this year, Denise will also be our music teacher. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: [email protected]
Amy McCarthy joined our staff in 2017. Amy is a head teacher in our three year old program. She holds a B.S. from St. Michael’s College as well as a CT Head Teacher Certificate and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Amy is also our Teacher Rep on the Board of Trustees. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Lynsey McCloskey joined our staff in 2020. This year she co-teaches with Elizabeth Duke in the two-year-old program. Lynsey holds a BA in Elementary/Special Ed from Keene State and has taken early childhood master’s classes at Southern Connecticut State University. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Jeanie Melvin joined our staff in 2016 as an Assistant Teacher in our three year old program. In 2020 Jeanie became co-teacher with Meredith Donahue in our four year old program. Jeanie earned a B.A. in Psychology from Marist College, with a Minor in Special Education. She also earned master credits at Central Connecticut State University. Jeanie lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Jane Purcell graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She also earned Early Childhood Education credits from Norwalk Community College and possesses a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Jane teaches in our three year old program. She joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
AJ Schwarz joined our staff in 2020. She is Head Teacher in our two year old program. She has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s College and has taught both preschool and Kindergarten. She also holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. AJ has previously been an active member of our school Board of Trustees. AJ lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Dede Traynor joined our staff in 2023. She is a head teacher in our three year old program. Dede holds an MA in education from St. Peter’s University and a BA from Fairfield University. Dede is also pursuing early childhood education credits through the CT. Community College system. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Liz Tumminello joined our staff in 2021 and is a head teacher in our four-year-old program. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University. She has many years of experience in early childhood education. Liz resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Assistant Teachers and Support Teachers
Rachel Alcosser joined our staff in 2004. Rachel graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations with a concentration in Early Childhood and holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. Prior to coming to us, Rachel was the Associate Director of Westport-Weston YMCA Childcare. She will be teaching in a three year old classroom. Rachel resides with her family in Fairfield.
Kristen Armstrong joined us in 2023 as a two-year-old Support Teacher after having been a substitute teacher the past several years. Kristen earned a dual masters’ degree from University of Vermont and bachelor’s degree from Drexel University. Kristen resides in Fairfield with her family.
Claudia Brown joined our staff in 2017, after launching our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes in 2016. Claudia is an Assistant Teacher in two of our two-year-old classrooms. She’s obtained early childhood education credits from Norwalk Community College and attended Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras. Claudia’s resides with her family in Fairfield.
Lauren Caiati joined our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lauren holds a BFA with a certificate in art therapy. Lauren resides in Fairfield with her family.
Daphne Fernandes joined our staff in 2014, after working as a substitute teacher in our school. She is a Support Teacher in our Pre-K program. Daphne is a graduate of the University of Bombay. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Lisa Ferrio joined our staff in 2005. She is a graduate of Katherine Gibbs College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Housatonic Community College. Lisa is currently an Assistant and Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. Lisa resides in Fairfield with her family.
Allie Gallagi joined our staff in 2010, after working as a substitute teacher in 2009. Allie is currently an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K program. She is a graduate of Iona College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Rachel Horan joins our staff this year after substitute teaching with us last year. Rachel will be a Support Teacher in our two year old program. She holds a JD from Cardoza School of Law and a BA from Penn State. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Susan Innaimo joined our staff in 2017, after working as a permanent substitute teacher. Susan is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. Susan holds a BA from Marist College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Susan and her family reside in Fairfield.
Leslie Shannehan joins our staff this year as a Support Teacher in the three year old program after having subbed in our school over the last couple years. She holds a BA from Texas Christian University and resides with her family in Fairfield.
Lindsay Vaughan joined our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lindsay is a graduate of Boston College and resides with her family in Fairfield.
Eileen Weber joined our staff in 2019. Eileen holds an MS from Quinnipiac University and earned early childhood education credits through Charter Oak State College. She is pursuing her CT Head Teacher Certificate. Eileen is an Assistant Teacher in the four-year-old program. She lives in Fairfield with her family.
Margaret Wong joined our staff in 1998. She is a Support Teacher in our four-year-old program. Margaret taught kindergarten in Hong Kong before coming to America. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Our teachers attain 20 continuing education hours per year. The Director earns 30 hours and the Assistant Director 25 hours each year. They attend workshops, seminars and conferences sponsored by the National Association, the Connecticut State Association, and the Greater Fairfield Region Chapter for the Education of Young Children, and the Association of Early Learning Leaders. Several teachers attend local colleges and universities.
Directors
Margee Ready, Director joined St. Paul’s in 1974. Margee has taught all ages and was our Pre-K teacher from 1992-2016. She has a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and has completed graduate courses from Fairfield University. Margee possesses both her Connecticut Director’s Credential and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Margee chairs the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council and has been a validator for the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. She is an Ambassador for and sits on the Board of Directors of the Association of Early Learning Leaders. Margee is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children (CTAEYC). She grew up in Fairfield, and now lives in Stratford with her family. Email: [email protected]
Jeanne Bartko, Assistant Director and Pre-K teacher graduated from Fairfield University with a B.A. in Sociology. She obtained her Connecticut Director’s Credential, Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate and her Early Childhood Education Certificate from Housatonic Community College. Jeanne is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders and a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children. Prior to joining us in 1994, Jeanne provided in-home childcare. She and her family live in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Head Teachers
Meredith Donahue joined our staff in 2015 as an assistant teacher in the three year old program. She and Jeanie Melvin are co-teachers in our four year old program. Meredith received her M.S. in Education from Sacred Heart University and earned a B.A. at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; this year she will co-teach with Lynsey McCloskey in our two-year-old program. Elizabeth is a graduate of Boston College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College and holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. Elizabeth’s lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Molly Galbo joined our staff in 2020. Molly earned her M.S. in Literacy, Birth-Sixth Grade from College of St. Rose. She has taught preschool in NY and Chicago. Molly is a Head Teacher in our two year old program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Margaret Hughes joins us this year and will be teaching in the four year old program.
Margaret earned her MA in Teaching and earned her BS from Boston University. Margaret has experience as an early childhood educator in a nature based program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. email: [email protected]
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. She and Denise Lynch are co-teachers in our two year old program. Lizzy is a graduate of the University of Richmond. She earned her B.A. degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education. Lizzy has also earned post baccalaureate credits in Education at Hood College. Lizzy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. Denise and Lizzy Knisely are co-teachers in our two year old program. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Prior to joining our staff and resuming this year, Denise will also be our music teacher. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: [email protected]
Amy McCarthy joined our staff in 2017. Amy is a head teacher in our three year old program. She holds a B.S. from St. Michael’s College as well as a CT Head Teacher Certificate and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Amy is also our Teacher Rep on the Board of Trustees. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Lynsey McCloskey joined our staff in 2020. This year she co-teaches with Elizabeth Duke in the two-year-old program. Lynsey holds a BA in Elementary/Special Ed from Keene State and has taken early childhood master’s classes at Southern Connecticut State University. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Jeanie Melvin joined our staff in 2016 as an Assistant Teacher in our three year old program. In 2020 Jeanie became co-teacher with Meredith Donahue in our four year old program. Jeanie earned a B.A. in Psychology from Marist College, with a Minor in Special Education. She also earned master credits at Central Connecticut State University. Jeanie lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Jane Purcell graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She also earned Early Childhood Education credits from Norwalk Community College and possesses a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Jane teaches in our three year old program. She joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
AJ Schwarz joined our staff in 2020. She is Head Teacher in our two year old program. She has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s College and has taught both preschool and Kindergarten. She also holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. AJ has previously been an active member of our school Board of Trustees. AJ lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Dede Traynor joined our staff in 2023. She is a head teacher in our three year old program. Dede holds an MA in education from St. Peter’s University and a BA from Fairfield University. Dede is also pursuing early childhood education credits through the CT. Community College system. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: [email protected]
Liz Tumminello joined our staff in 2021 and is a head teacher in our four-year-old program. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University. She has many years of experience in early childhood education. Liz resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: [email protected]
Assistant Teachers and Support Teachers
Rachel Alcosser joined our staff in 2004. Rachel graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in Human Development and Family Relations with a concentration in Early Childhood and holds a CT Head Teacher Certificate. Prior to coming to us, Rachel was the Associate Director of Westport-Weston YMCA Childcare. She will be teaching in a three year old classroom. Rachel resides with her family in Fairfield.
Kristen Armstrong joined us in 2023 as a two-year-old Support Teacher after having been a substitute teacher the past several years. Kristen earned a dual masters’ degree from University of Vermont and bachelor’s degree from Drexel University. Kristen resides in Fairfield with her family.
Claudia Brown joined our staff in 2017, after launching our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes in 2016. Claudia is an Assistant Teacher in two of our two-year-old classrooms. She’s obtained early childhood education credits from Norwalk Community College and attended Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras. Claudia’s resides with her family in Fairfield.
Lauren Caiati joined our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lauren holds a BFA with a certificate in art therapy. Lauren resides in Fairfield with her family.
Daphne Fernandes joined our staff in 2014, after working as a substitute teacher in our school. She is a Support Teacher in our Pre-K program. Daphne is a graduate of the University of Bombay. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Lisa Ferrio joined our staff in 2005. She is a graduate of Katherine Gibbs College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Housatonic Community College. Lisa is currently an Assistant and Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. Lisa resides in Fairfield with her family.
Allie Gallagi joined our staff in 2010, after working as a substitute teacher in 2009. Allie is currently an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K program. She is a graduate of Iona College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Rachel Horan joins our staff this year after substitute teaching with us last year. Rachel will be a Support Teacher in our two year old program. She holds a JD from Cardoza School of Law and a BA from Penn State. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Susan Innaimo joined our staff in 2017, after working as a permanent substitute teacher. Susan is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. Susan holds a BA from Marist College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Susan and her family reside in Fairfield.
Leslie Shannehan joins our staff this year as a Support Teacher in the three year old program after having subbed in our school over the last couple years. She holds a BA from Texas Christian University and resides with her family in Fairfield.
Lindsay Vaughan joined our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lindsay is a graduate of Boston College and resides with her family in Fairfield.
Eileen Weber joined our staff in 2019. Eileen holds an MS from Quinnipiac University and earned early childhood education credits through Charter Oak State College. She is pursuing her CT Head Teacher Certificate. Eileen is an Assistant Teacher in the four-year-old program. She lives in Fairfield with her family.
Margaret Wong joined our staff in 1998. She is a Support Teacher in our four-year-old program. Margaret taught kindergarten in Hong Kong before coming to America. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
