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 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 sits on the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council; is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children (CTAEYC); is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders; and has been a 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 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: jbartko@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 a four year old class. 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: donahuemelvin@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Molly Galbo joined our staff in 2020. Molly earned her Master’s in Literacy, Birth-Sixth Grade from College of St. Rose. She has taught preschool in NY and Chicago. Molly will be a Head Teacher in our two-year-old program as well as a Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: mgalbo@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. She teaches 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: lknisely@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. Denise teaches in our two-year-old program. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise is pursuing an Early Childhood Certificate at Norwalk Community College. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: dlynch@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Amy McCarthy joined our staff in 2017. Amy has taught in our three and four year old programs. She holds a BS from St. Michael’s College, and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: amccarthy@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Missy McGuire joined our staff in 2021. Missy holds a Master’s Degree in Education, Childhood & Special Education, advanced certificates and a Bachelors from Skidmore College. Missy has many years of experience as a special education teacher, early elementary teacher and preschool teacher. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: mmcguire@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 a four year old class. 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. Email: donahuemelvin@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 teaches in our three-year-old program. She joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: jpurcell@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
AJ Schwarz joined our staff in 2020. She is Head Teacher in a two-year old classroom. She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s College and has taught both preschool and Kindergarten. AJ has previously been an active member of our school Board of Trustees. AJ lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: ajschwarz@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Pam Ryan rejoined our staff in 2018 and teaches in our four-year-old program. She holds a teaching certificate from the College of St. Elizabeth and a BA from Villanova University. Pam has experience as both a preschool teacher and an early elementary educator. She resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: pryan@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Liz Tumminello joined our staff last year and teaches in our four-year-old program. She holds a Masters in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University and a Bachelors from Washington University. She has many years of experience in early childhood education. Liz resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: tumminello-weber@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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. 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.
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 joined our staff in 2017, after launching our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes in 2016. Claudia an Assistant Teacher 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 joins 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.
Erin DiGuido joins our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Erin holds a BS degree from Connecticut College. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; she is an Assistant 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. 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 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.
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.
Lynsey McCloskey joins our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lynsey hold a BA in Elementary/Special Ed from Keene State and has taken early childhood masters classes at Southern Connecticut State University. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Cathleen O’Boyle joins us this year. Last year Cathleen worked as a sub in many age groups and finished the year as a long-term sub in the PreK. Cathleen has prior experience in early childhood education and will be a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program.
Lindsay Vaughan joins 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 is acquiring early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. 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. 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 sits on the National Accreditation Commission’s Policy Council; is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children (CTAEYC); is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders; and has been a 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 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: jbartko@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 a four year old class. 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: donahuemelvin@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Molly Galbo joined our staff in 2020. Molly earned her Master’s in Literacy, Birth-Sixth Grade from College of St. Rose. She has taught preschool in NY and Chicago. Molly will be a Head Teacher in our two-year-old program as well as a Support Teacher in our three-year-old program. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: mgalbo@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. She teaches 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: lknisely@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. Denise teaches in our two-year-old program. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise is pursuing an Early Childhood Certificate at Norwalk Community College. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: dlynch@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Amy McCarthy joined our staff in 2017. Amy has taught in our three and four year old programs. She holds a BS from St. Michael’s College, and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: amccarthy@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Missy McGuire joined our staff in 2021. Missy holds a Master’s Degree in Education, Childhood & Special Education, advanced certificates and a Bachelors from Skidmore College. Missy has many years of experience as a special education teacher, early elementary teacher and preschool teacher. She resides with her family in Fairfield. Email: mmcguire@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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 a four year old class. 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. Email: donahuemelvin@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 teaches in our three-year-old program. She joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: jpurcell@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
AJ Schwarz joined our staff in 2020. She is Head Teacher in a two-year old classroom. She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph’s College and has taught both preschool and Kindergarten. AJ has previously been an active member of our school Board of Trustees. AJ lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: ajschwarz@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Pam Ryan rejoined our staff in 2018 and teaches in our four-year-old program. She holds a teaching certificate from the College of St. Elizabeth and a BA from Villanova University. Pam has experience as both a preschool teacher and an early elementary educator. She resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: pryan@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
Liz Tumminello joined our staff last year and teaches in our four-year-old program. She holds a Masters in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University and a Bachelors from Washington University. She has many years of experience in early childhood education. Liz resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: tumminello-weber@stpaulsnurseryschool.net
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. 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.
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 joined our staff in 2017, after launching our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes in 2016. Claudia an Assistant Teacher 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 joins 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.
Erin DiGuido joins our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Erin holds a BS degree from Connecticut College. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; she is an Assistant 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. 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 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.
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.
Lynsey McCloskey joins our staff in 2020 as a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program. Lynsey hold a BA in Elementary/Special Ed from Keene State and has taken early childhood masters classes at Southern Connecticut State University. She resides with her family in Fairfield.
Cathleen O’Boyle joins us this year. Last year Cathleen worked as a sub in many age groups and finished the year as a long-term sub in the PreK. Cathleen has prior experience in early childhood education and will be a Support Teacher in the two-year-old program.
Lindsay Vaughan joins 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 is acquiring early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. 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.
