Our Staff
Our teachers attain 20 continuing education hours per year. They attend workshops, seminars and conferences sponsored by the National Association, the Connecticut State Association, and the Fairfield County Association 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 sits on the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council; is a member of the Board of Fairfield County Association for the Education of Young Children; is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders; and is an accreditation validator for the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. She grew up in Fairfield, and now lives in Stratford with her family. Email: Directors@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 Fairfield County 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: jbartko@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Head Teachers
Susan Byrne graduated from City University of New York, Queens College, with an M.S. in Education. Before joining St. Paul’s in 1996, Susan taught 3-to-6 year-olds for 18 years at Holy Trinity Community School in New York City. Susan rejoined our staff in 2001 after a brief sabbatical. She lives with her family in NY. Email: sbyrne@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Laurie Ehlers holds an M.S. in teaching from Long Island University, C.W. Post Center, and graduated with a B.A. in English from Fairfield University. Laurie joined our staff in 1996. After a brief leave, she rejoined our staff in 2006. Laurie lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: lehlers@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. 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: lknisely@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007 and continues as our music teacher. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise is pursuing early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: dlynch@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: jpurcell@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Stefanie Richthammer joined our staff in 2010. She is a graduate of State University of New York at Fredonia and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Stefanie lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: srichthammer@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Bridget Toothaker joined our staff in 2015. Bridget holds and M.S. in Education from SUNY Cortland. Prior to joining us, she taught at the YMCA, Fairfield. She is pursuing early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. Bridget is a past member of our Board of Trustees; she lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: btoothaker@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lynn Van Deusen joined our staff in 2014. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College as well as an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from Sacred Heart University. She also earned her Child Development Credential (CDA) and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Lynn resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: lvandeusen@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Assistant Teachers and Support Teachers
Lori Babey attended Endicott College and has taken Early Childhood Education classes at Housatonic Community College. Lori joined our staff in 2002 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our four-year-old classroom. She resides in Stratford with her family.
Claudia Brown joins our staff this year. Last year, Claudia launched our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes; this year she will also be a Support Teacher in our two-year-old classroom. 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.
Meredith Donahue joined our staff in 2015. She received her M.S. in Education from Sacred Heart University and earned a B.A. at Villanova University. Meredith is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; this year she is both an Assistant and Support Teacher in our two-year-old program. Elizabeth is a graduate of Boston College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Elizabeth’s lives in Fairfield with her family.
Daphne Fernandes joined our staff in 2014, after working as a substitute teacher in our school. This year, 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 Teacher in our four-year-old program, 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.
Tricia Caira-Herlet joins our staff this year, after working as a substitute teacher. Tricia has earned early childhood education credits from Wheelock College, and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our four-year-old program. Tricia lives in Fairfield with her family.
Susan Innaimo joins our staff this year, after working as a permanent substitute teacher last year. Susan is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. Susan holds a BA from Marist College. Susan and her family reside in Fairfield.
Amy McCarthy joins our staff this year as a Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. She holds a BS from St. Michael’s College. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family.
Jeanie Melvin joined our staff in 2016. She is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-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 CT State University. Jeanie lives with her family in Fairfield.
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.
Additional Support Staff
Christina Boehk joins our staff this year as our Creative Movement teacher. She holds an MS from Rhode Island College. Christina comes weekly to do creative movement with the four-year-old and Pre-K children. She resides in Fairfield with her family.
Maggie Taylor joins our staff this year as a certified Yoga teacher. She will visit bi-weekly and introduce our four-year-old and Pre-K children to yoga. Maggie resides in Fairfield with her family.
Tony Rago is our ever-diligent crossing guard. Tony joined us in 2006 and has been invaluable in keeping our families safe. Tony came to us with several years of crossing guard experience. Tony lives in Fairfield with his wife.
Our teachers attain 20 continuing education hours per year. They attend workshops, seminars and conferences sponsored by the National Association, the Connecticut State Association, and the Fairfield County Association 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 sits on the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council; is a member of the Board of Fairfield County Association for the Education of Young Children; is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders; and is an accreditation validator for the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. She grew up in Fairfield, and now lives in Stratford with her family. Email: Directors@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 Fairfield County 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: jbartko@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Head Teachers
Susan Byrne graduated from City University of New York, Queens College, with an M.S. in Education. Before joining St. Paul’s in 1996, Susan taught 3-to-6 year-olds for 18 years at Holy Trinity Community School in New York City. Susan rejoined our staff in 2001 after a brief sabbatical. She lives with her family in NY. Email: sbyrne@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Laurie Ehlers holds an M.S. in teaching from Long Island University, C.W. Post Center, and graduated with a B.A. in English from Fairfield University. Laurie joined our staff in 1996. After a brief leave, she rejoined our staff in 2006. Laurie lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: lehlers@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. 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: lknisely@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007 and continues as our music teacher. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise is pursuing early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: dlynch@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: jpurcell@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Stefanie Richthammer joined our staff in 2010. She is a graduate of State University of New York at Fredonia and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Stefanie lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: srichthammer@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Bridget Toothaker joined our staff in 2015. Bridget holds and M.S. in Education from SUNY Cortland. Prior to joining us, she taught at the YMCA, Fairfield. She is pursuing early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. Bridget is a past member of our Board of Trustees; she lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: btoothaker@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lynn Van Deusen joined our staff in 2014. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College as well as an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from Sacred Heart University. She also earned her Child Development Credential (CDA) and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Lynn resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: lvandeusen@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Assistant Teachers and Support Teachers
Lori Babey attended Endicott College and has taken Early Childhood Education classes at Housatonic Community College. Lori joined our staff in 2002 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our four-year-old classroom. She resides in Stratford with her family.
Claudia Brown joins our staff this year. Last year, Claudia launched our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes; this year she will also be a Support Teacher in our two-year-old classroom. 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.
Meredith Donahue joined our staff in 2015. She received her M.S. in Education from Sacred Heart University and earned a B.A. at Villanova University. Meredith is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. She lives with her family in Fairfield.
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; this year she is both an Assistant and Support Teacher in our two-year-old program. Elizabeth is a graduate of Boston College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Elizabeth’s lives in Fairfield with her family.
Daphne Fernandes joined our staff in 2014, after working as a substitute teacher in our school. This year, 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 Teacher in our four-year-old program, 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.
Tricia Caira-Herlet joins our staff this year, after working as a substitute teacher. Tricia has earned early childhood education credits from Wheelock College, and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our four-year-old program. Tricia lives in Fairfield with her family.
Susan Innaimo joins our staff this year, after working as a permanent substitute teacher last year. Susan is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. Susan holds a BA from Marist College. Susan and her family reside in Fairfield.
Amy McCarthy joins our staff this year as a Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. She holds a BS from St. Michael’s College. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family.
Jeanie Melvin joined our staff in 2016. She is currently an Assistant Teacher in our three-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 CT State University. Jeanie lives with her family in Fairfield.
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.
Additional Support Staff
Christina Boehk joins our staff this year as our Creative Movement teacher. She holds an MS from Rhode Island College. Christina comes weekly to do creative movement with the four-year-old and Pre-K children. She resides in Fairfield with her family.
Maggie Taylor joins our staff this year as a certified Yoga teacher. She will visit bi-weekly and introduce our four-year-old and Pre-K children to yoga. Maggie resides in Fairfield with her family.
Tony Rago is our ever-diligent crossing guard. Tony joined us in 2006 and has been invaluable in keeping our families safe. Tony came to us with several years of crossing guard experience. Tony lives in Fairfield with his wife.
