Meet Our Teachers
Meredith Brown - Meredith is very excited to be a part of the ECF community this year! She loves working with children and watching them discover new things and develop new skills. Prior to joining ECF, Meredith started a children's consignment business when her children were young in an effort to help local parents "be green" and exchange gently-used children's items. After many years of successful events, Meredith has chosen to work more locally and looks forward to focusing on childhood education. Outside of school Meredith loves the beach and traveling with her husband Brian and their three children Trinity, Grace and Lily.
Jeanne Burbage - Jeanne has been a member of the ECF staff since 2018 and currently works in our Jr K classroom. Both of Jeanne’s sons attended school here and she is happy to be back in the ECF community. Jeanne’s warmth and enthusiasm make the children feel comfortable and confident that school is a safe and fun place to be. She especially likes to challenge the kids with activities such as puzzles, memory games and mystery bag which require the children to think creatively and strategically. In her free time, Jeanne loves to spend time with her family, traveling to new places and staying active.
Beth Clarke - Beth is very excited to join the ECF staff this year! She is committed to creating a fun and caring environment for the children to learn and play. Prior to joining ECF she worked in investment banking but her love of learning called her to teaching and she has been subbing pre school classes the last few years. Outside of school, Beth enjoys playing golf and traveling with her husband and three children Ryan, Johnny and Jillian.
Tracy DeMarinis - Having had her 3 children attend ECF, Tracy brings a unique perspective to the families she works with. We can always count on Tracy’s positive attitude, warmth and authentic love of young children to brighten our day. Her commitment to helping children develop a positive sense of self makes every child feel special. Tracy has been teaching at ECF for 10 years. Some of her interests include travel and spending time with her family. Tracy has a CDA certification in Early Childhood Education and has a B.A. in Marketing and Communications.
Patti Dickerson - Patti has been a teacher at ECF for over 30 years. Patti has an in-depth knowledge of child development, strong communication skills and a dedication to each child’s positive experience at school that cannot be matched. One visit to her classroom and you will be impressed with her creativity and sense of humor. When she is not teaching Patti enjoys hiking, snowshoeing and painting. Patti has completed CDA coursework for Early Childhood Education to supplement her teaching experience spanning over three decades! Additionally, Patti holds a B.A. in Art with a Minor in English and has a certificate as a paralegal.
Christina Kantzoglou - Christina has been a part of the ECF family since 2021 and is currently assistant teaching while finishing her BS in Psychology at Mercy College. Christina loves to enter the world of the children and encourages independent thinking through play. She believes that every child is unique and should be supported so they are met exactly where they are. This year she will be running The Breakfast Club program as well as Music & Movement Mondays, an extended day program tailored for the wiggles and giggles of every Pre-k kiddo. Outside of ECF you might find Miss Christina shopping for new plants, or on a hike with her family.
Diane Mcnulty - Diane has been a valued member of the ECF family since 2015 and is currently lead teacher to three day threes and facilitator to Together Time. Her unique ability to observe and support individual children in the classroom setting has contributed so much the differentiated approach that we take towards learning. Diane’s Crafty Fun Extended Day enrichment classes are a favorite option for families who want to encourage their children to be creative in a safe environment with a teacher they know and love. Outside of school Diane is kept busy with her husband Liam and three boys Emmett, Pearse and Liam.
Sooyoung Nemecek - Sooyoung has been teaching at ECF since 2015. She has degree in education and brings a wealth of international experiences into the classroom. She is committed to make every day a fun and safe environment for every child. She is warm, gentle and caring and helps children become confident in their abilities. She is a valuable asset to ECF. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, crafting jewelry and spending time with her family.
Laura Flannery Pettee - Laura has been a member of the ECF community since 2018. Laura greatly believes learning through play activities facilitates children’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. Additionally, Laura enjoys fostering a sense of independence and self-confidence in each child. Her positive attitude brightens everyones day especially the children's. Outside of school, Laura enjoys tennis, traveling and is kept busy with her husband, Jeff, and her four children, Spencer, Jennifer, Macklin and Katelin.
Cindy Randall - Cindy is thrilled to be back at ECF after working for the first time last year in the two’s classroom. She loves the loving and collaborative approach that ECF has and felt right at home. She strives to bring a sensitive, positive and caring style to the class and her first year at ECF was one of her most favorite work experiences. She and her husband Jack, are empty nesters who raised their three kids in Bronxville. She has twin boys who are sophomores in college and a daughter who is a recent college graduate. Cindy had a 13 year career in television and advertising sales in California before settling here with her husband. She is thrilled and honored to be part of this special place. In her free time, Cindy loves to travel, family time, reading and time spent with friends and cooking.
Jennifer Read - Jen’s children also attended ECF! In addition to her classroom practice, Jen runs our Healthy Snack program and teaches a cooking enrichment class after school. Her progressive approach to working with children is as fascinating as it is successful. Jen’s goal is to spark each child’s innate curiosity about the world around them, making her a perfect fit for our program. She has been a teacher here since 2011 and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Danielle Silkowski - This is Danielle's third year teaching at ECF. She is so grateful her son attended the ECF program! It was a wonderful experience. Danielle has a true passion for working in early childhood. She makes sure her classroom is a nurturing and warm environment focusing on kindness. Danielle has a great deal of empathy for the struggles that may come up when entering a school environment for the first time and works hard to make the transition a smooth one for both parent and child. She believes in making learning fun through play by paying attention to each child's individual interests. She loves creating art with her students and reading them stories but also listening to their stories. It brings her great joy to watch her students build friendships, grow as learners, and become overall more confident children. Danielle has a Bachelors degree in speech language pathology from Iona College and years of experience working in early childhood. During her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.
Vicki Tatarian, MSEd - Vicki has been an indispensable part of our staff since 2013. A true collaborator, Vicki’s contributions to curriculum implementation and design are a gift to the children and teachers she works with. Always ready with a hug, Vicki’s ability to empathize with the challenges of early childhood development is something that we can all learn from. Outside of school Vicki is the proud mother of two girls who keep her very busy. Vicki holds a MSEd with specialization in school counseling.
Caryn Kelly - Caryn has been subbing at ECF for several years now and is delighted to be joining us full time. Caryn has two children who both attended ECF and loves to spend time with them and her husband as much as she can. Caryn is excited to be contributing to the warm and nurturing environment at ECF and is looking forward to watching the children grow and learn.
Angelina Vivolo Lewis - After taking time to be home with her three children, Angie is excited to get back into the classroom! She previously taught in the NYC schools for several years and has a certification and MS in early childhood and special education. She is so excited to join the ECF community this year! Angie loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her husband and Kids, AJ, Vivi and Duke.
