Meet Our Staff

Directors:

Class	Days	Head Teacher	Assistant

2's 2 Day AM	Tuesday & Thursday	Mary Parravani	Mimi Amodio
2's 3 & 5 Day AM	Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Pam Zawiski	Mary Parravan

3's 2, 3, & 5 Day AM	Tuesday & Thursday Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Dana McTiernan	Linda White
3's 2, 3 & 5 Day PM	Tuesday & Thursday Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Dana McTiernan Linda Collins	Pam Pollio

4's 3 & 5 Day AM	Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Linda Collins	Kecia Salino
4's 3 & 5 Day PM	Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Joy Bergins	Paula Stolecki

3's & 4's Combo AM	Monday, Wednesday & Friday Monday - Friday	Kristine Collins	Paula Stolecki


Lunch Bunch		Paula Stolecki Pam Zawiski

Enrichment Classes	Music - Monday 12:30-3pm	Jennifer Arco	Pam Zawiski
	Science - Tuesday 12:30-3pm	Linda Collins	Pam Zawiski
	Fun With Friends - Wednesday 12:30-3pm	Pam Zawiski	Lucia Vogel
	Look Who's Cooking - Thursday 12:30-3pm	Pam Zawiski	Lucia Vogel
	Art Class - Friday 12:30-3pm	Mary Parravani	Kecia Salino

Joy Bergins

I have been a teacher of early childhood education for over twenty five years at the Church in the Highlands. I have taught the five afternoon fours as well as three morning fours. I have also run parenting classes here and at the YWCA for many years.

I am a graduate of Boston University where I received my BA. I received my Masters in Teaching from Manhattanville College. I also have a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University as well as a Certificate in Childhood and Adolescent Therapy.

It is my goal to provide a rich and stimulating environment that is at the same time, warm and loving and supportive of the child's own learning priorities and pacing. It is my belief that within a nonpressured environment that young children acquire a solid sense of security, positive self esteem, and a long term enthusiasm for learning.

It is my job to develop the curriculum and creative learning experiences for the children, as well as providing body and sensory awareness, emotional development, conflict resolution and kindness in young children.

I find that the children are inspiring and wonderful to be around. I enjoy working with them and seeing them grow and flourish. Childhood is JOURNEY and should be savored and enjoyed!

Joan Bivas

I have been a part of the Church in the Highlands Family for the past 8 years. I started as an assistant teacher in the 2’s and3’s program, worked with the tiny tots and many summer camps. I was the assistant director for 8 years before taking over as the administrative director last year.

In my capacity as the administrative director my responsibilities include being a liaison between parents and teachers, scheduling tours for prospective families, fundraising, planning family events, and many other duities. I truly enjoy my job here simply because of the children, parents, and staff- they are great!

I have been married for 25 years and am the mother of three boys. I enjoy as much family time as I can get, my favorite things to do on the weekends would be watching the boys play baseball, reading and taking long walks with friends. I always look forward to family vacations in the summer. I’m a huge New York Mets and Jets fan, I try not to miss too many games if I can help it.

Paula Stolecki

My name is Paula Stolecki and I am the 2's AM Head Teacher and an assistant in the PM 4's class. I have worked at Church in the Highlands for 26 years and hae enjoyed every minute of it. Watching children grow and learn in my class each day is what I love about my job.

I am a graduate of Evander Childs H.S. in the Bronx and attended Westchester Communit College for my certificate in Early Childhood Education. I have attended many workshops over the years and enjoy learning about topics related to young children.

I am the mother of five, grandmother of seven. My daughter even worked as a junior councelor for summer camp! I enjoy reading and traveling with my husband in my time away from school.

Mimi Amodio

My name is Mimi Amodio and I'm a Teacher Assistant in the morning two's program on Tuesday and Thursday's. I have been working here for two months now and love every minute of it!

What I like about working here is the energy and enthusiasm of the children and their love for learning. I also love working with our wonderful staff!

I have lived in Westchester my whole life and in White Plains for 13 years, since I have been married. I have three wonderful children ages ten, eight and five. In my spare time, I love to read, cook and exercise.

Pam Zawiski

Graduate of Berkeley College.

Worked a total of fifteen years at IBM then for six years I was a caregiver for four children.

I am married with two children who both went through Church in the Highlands Nursery School. My son is currently Dean of Students and teaches at JFK High School in Somers and my daughter is attending Westchester Community College working on her degree in nursing specializing in Pediatric Trauma. As you see even my children are mentoring children.

I have worked at Church in the Highlands for twenty four years, mainly in the 2-year-old class. I have also done Tiny Tots and currently work as an assistant in 2's and Science. I enjoy doing "Fun with Friends" and "Fun with Cooking." I also do Lunch Bunch and sometimes Early Drop and substitute in classes when needed.

I was a Girl Scout leader for ten years, volunteer in my parish overseeing Altar Servers, maintaining the Sanctuary, assisting at Religious Education on Sunday's. In the summer I also work with the swim team at our swim club and chair the Leukemia/Lymphoma Swim-a-Thon at our club. I also volunteer for the Light the Night for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. I am an officer in our church's Women's Guild and the Columbiettes (the women's branch of the Knights of Columbus)

I truly enjoy being with children and hope that in some way I can give them confidence and find school fun. Hopefully they learn to play together and respect each other as well as those they will deal with as they grow. I don't think I will ever tire of listening and watching children grow. If I didn't do what I do for a living I am sure I would do it just for the pure joy of it.

Dana McTiernan

I am excited to join the staff of Church in the Highlands Early Childhood Center as the Head Teacher of the morning 3’s class and the Tuesday/Thursday Head Teacher in the 3’s pm class.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Iona College and a Masters Degree in Special Education from the College of New Rochelle. I have my New York State Certification in Education. As an educator, I have ten years experience teaching children of various ages from preschool to eighth grade. I have also worked with children who are blind and visually impaired.

As a mother of four young children I understand the importance of wanting a safe and nurturing environment where my child’s needs can be met and enriched. I enjoy teaching, and love being an active participant in a child’s education.

Linda White

My name is Linda White and I am a teaching assistant in the Monday – Friday morning 3’s class. This is my second year working at Church in the Highlands and I am enthusiastic about the upcoming school year. My son attended the 4’s program and had such a positive nursery school experience that I am happy to be part of such a wonderful team! I live in White Plains with my husband and almost six-year old son. I have been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years and before the birth of my son I enjoyed a 14-year career in advertising.

Linda Collins

I have been a preschool teacher for over 25 years, developing curriculum and creative instruction. I have been the Head Teacher of the morning four year olds since 1984 and afternoon three year olds since 1992. I have been co teaching in the afternoon inclusion program since 2003. I taught a Kindergarten Enrichment program for 20 years and since then have been teaching a Science Program for four year olds on Tuesday afternoons. This program has been recognized by the NY State Department of Pre K Education, which requested my input for science learning standards.

My undergraduate degree is from SUNY New Paltz and my Masters Degree is from the College of New Rochelle with a certification in reading disabilities. My husband and two sons attended the CITH!

I enjoy looking at the world through a child's eyes and orchestrating their play for constructive social and academic interaction. My motto is "Kids under construction, the paint is still wet. Kids under construction, the Lord isn't finished yet!"

Pam Pollio

My name is Pam Pollio and I am currently the teaching assistant for the AM 3 year old class Monday - Friday and the PM 3 year old class on Tuesday and Thursday. I have had the pleasure of working at Church in the Highlands since 1999.

I was originally involved with the school as a class parent for my four sons who all attended the 3's and 4's program starting in 1992. I will treasure the memories of the special crafts/gifts, class trips, and pot luck dinners that my boys experienced during their years at Church in the Highlands. The nursery school staff is extremely caring and very approachable which is why I welcomed the opportunity to work with them. It is a very cheerful and nuturing environment for the children to be in.

I enjoy interacting with the children and teaching them new things such as songs and finger plays, using scissors or even coloring in the lines. It pleases me when a child feels happy and safe and wants to learn more while playing and having fun.

I live in the Highlands with my husband Joe and four sons Joey (20), Michael (18), Chris (16) and Tom (14) and our Alaskan Malamute Holly. I enjoy summers at our Cape Cod home with my family and friends and watching my boys at their sporting events.

Kecia Salino

Bio to come ...

Kristine Collins

My name is Kristine Collins, and I am the lead teacher in the morning combo M-F 3’s and 4’s class, a long with Catherine Berrettini. This is my second year at the Church in the Highlands. About two years ago I decided to change careers and become a teacher and I am so happy I did. I received my bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Iona College and worked in production and advertising for 5 years. I will be receiving my Masters in Early Childhood/Childhood Education as well as certification in Special Education. I love interacting with children and working with them to reach their milestones is very rewarding. I truly enjoy working with this age group and love doing fun and creative things in the classroom. On my down time I enjoy spending time with my husband and our families, as well as traveling to different places, I love being at CITH and am looking forward to another great school year!

Mary Parravani

I have been a part of Church in the Highlands family for the past 12 years. I started as a teacher in tiny tots and a full time substitute teacher in the 2's,3's ,4's and summer camp.
Also for the past 5 years i have been the teacher of the Art Enrichment Program.

I have 17 years of experience teaching and working with children in Art Enrichment clubs and work shops in Westchester schools. I enjoy teaching and love being a part of a childes education.

I am excited to join the staff as one of the teacher of the morning 2's am class 5 days a week.

I am a mother of two outstanding children, My daughter Jenny is in her 2nd year at James Madison University in VA. and my son Nicky is a junior at Harrison High School.

Jennifer Arco

When asked about the start of my musical career, my parents often say that, ‘I sang before I talked and danced before I walked!’ I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by music, theater and a love for the arts. As a young child I performed in dance recitals at Carnegie Hall and performed selections from my father’s original children’s album on national television. I studied piano and guitar privately and graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center with a degree in Musical Theater. I have taught creative movement to young children both privately and at the Harkness Dance Center in New York City.

Originally from Manhattan, I moved to Westchester when I got married and have been living in White Plains for the past five years. My daughter started in the afternoon 3’s program this past fall and has loved every minute! I too have enjoyed every moment of teaching my ‘Melody in Motion’ music & movement program here at The Church in The Highlands. The children’s enthusiasm and eagerness to sing and dance is truly an inspiration!