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Our Teachers

Christina McKay-DiChristina, Ones classroom & GFNS Director

director@gfns.org

“Wednesday mornings are the highlight of my week! Teaching the Ones class is a joy!  Getting to know the children as babies and watching them grow into curious, inquisitive toddlers is truly priceless.  Getting to know the parents during this year is also very special, as we share the trials, tribulations, and fantastic wonders of gently guiding children through this early stage of development.  Classes are full of laughter and fun!  Together we observe the children gain comfort and confidence in a small group, gradually taking notice, then pleasure in their peers.  These first friendships and shared learning experiences form a foundation upon which the children continue to build and thrive through our Twos classes and beyond!  I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this important year of growth, and to be a part of this warm community and fantastic team of teachers at GFNS!”


Rhonda Doherty,  Twos classroom

“I enjoy coming to work each day and seeing my students’ smiling faces.  There is always something new to look forward to. I love watching the children’s eyes light up and how excited they get when they realize they have accomplished something new! Watching children learn something new is the most rewarding part of my job. I enjoy seeing the children in my classroom grow throughout the year. I find the staff and parents at GFNS warm and inviting, and I look forward to be a part of GFNS for a long time.”

 


Channing Murphy, Twos classroom

“I wanted to be a teacher from a young age, always playing the teacher while playing “school” with my friends. I always assumed elementary, but after visiting my aunt’s two year old classroom while in college, I knew I was destined for nursery school age children. After graduating college and moving to Connecticut from Maine, I was offered my first job three weeks later at a school in Westport. I fell even more in love with the profession during my three years there, moving each year to a new age group, gaining valuable experience. When that school closed, I found myself a little lost. Wanting to stay in the area, I was told to apply at Green’s Farms Nursery School and I’m so glad I did. I have my found my home here at GFNS. The school is so warm and caring, it can be felt just by walking in the front door. After teaching in the Fours, I am so happy to say I have found my “sweet spot” in the Twos Class! I love their sweet innocence and the huge smiles when they learn something new!”


Karen DeDomenico, Threes Classroom

“Working at GFNS for the past 10 years has been extremely rewarding. I started out as a sub, but loved working with the children and teachers so much that I knew I wanted to stay permanently. After becoming a co-teacher, I spent five years in the Twos, and one year in the Fours. Watching the students evolve and flourish is the best part of the job. GFNS has been a wonderful place for learning and growth. I love making connections with the children and families.  I’m so looking forward to seeing what the Threes will have in store for me this year, co-teaching among two other amazing teachers.”

 


Colleen Oppenheimer, Threes classroom

“GFNS is my extended family.  My two boys are alumni and made life long friendships. They are now 15 and 12!  I began my teaching journey here 9 years ago while my youngest was three. I have a BS in Music Education, and I’ve been fortunate to have taught Music, the Ones class, and currently Harmony Yoga and the 3s. As an educator and mom,  I am beyond lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of a nurturing, kind, and devoted community of parents and teachers.

We laugh, sing, and play. We comfort, love and hug. We teach, and form a warm bond with each child. I delight in who our children are today and take joy in helping them grow. I believe our children learn through motion, novelty, adventure, and play. Trust me, they’re learning! Every child in our class is someone’s whole world.  I am just so thankful to be a part of it! “


Riley Kelly, Fours Classroom

“Although this is my first official year here at GFNS, I can already feel the sense of family within this school that everyone describes. After being an assistant in the twos and threes classes last year, I knew that GFNS was special. The environment here is so bright, cheery, and inviting. I have felt so welcomed not only by the rest of the staff, but the by the parents and families as well! I am lucky enough to have gotten the opportunity to begin my teaching career in the Fours class, which has been amazing! I love seeing the children’s unique imaginations and fun, loving personalities. Every day is such a treat with them! One thing that I enjoy the most is making  special connections with each and every one of the children and seeing them grow and learn in their own ways. I’m looking forward to all of the exciting experiences to come during my time at GFNS! “


Kaitlyn Steffa, Fours Classroom

” I come from a family of educators and knew early on that it was a passion of mine, too. As one of the oldest of seven children, I was always finding ways to teach my younger siblings, although I’m not sure they always wanted to be my students!

After being a substitute teacher at GFNS, I’m so happy to have officially joined the Greens Farms Nursery School community in 2020.  The staff and families have been so warm and welcoming! I absolutely love working in the Fours Classroom, witnessing the students’ curiosity and eagerness to understand the world around them. I love asking the questions, “What do YOU think?” or “How can we solve this problem?” I enjoy helping the children cultivate friendships within the classroom and love to incorporate singing and dancing into our day. More than anything, I welcome the knowledge and experience I’ve gained by working alongside such phenomenal educators.”


Megan Adams, Long-day Fours classroom

“I have had the privilege of working at GFNS for the past nine years and it has been a wonderful experience. The support and passion from both the families and staff has been amazing.  The atmosphere here is kind, nurturing, and warm.  Five women have joined the staff as educators after their own children attended school here.  I feel that in itself is a true testament to our school and its philosophy.  I am very lucky to be a part of this community and team.”

 


Pat Workman, Long-day Fours classroom

“Over 35 years ago when I was looking for a warm, safe & nurturing Preschool environment for my children to successfully grow, learn and discover, I found Green’s Farms Nursery School.  I loved the “old fashioned” play and learning through hands-on discovery that was evident in the classrooms.  There was a climate of mutual respect, family involvement, and community involvement which allowed all children to discover the world that awaits them and prepare them to enter elementary school.  I loved the atmosphere of fostering independence by helping the children make appropriate choices while building the foundation for later learning.  GFNS has been my second home for more than 30 years.  As a Fours teacher, I have dedicated myself to providing an exciting and enriching classroom for my children where learning is fun.  A little bit of each child I have had in my care remains dear in my heart – those rewards are immeasurable!  Together we have laughed, lived, loved and learned – GFNS enriched the lives of my own children and I hope I am passing that along to all my students.  Many of those former students are now parents here at GFNS – and I have had their children in my class.  Many of my former student’s parents are now staff members here at GFNS.  I can’t say enough about our caring, nurturing staff – we’re the best and so is GFNS.  “GO GREEN”!”


Christine Hecker, Fives/Transitional Kindergarten Classroom

“I feel so lucky to be able to say that I have found my true passion, which is teaching. I have had the privilege of working with children ranging in age from toddlers all the way up to third grade! Teaching each age group has been so rewarding and I feel so fortunate that I have had such wonderful experiences along the way. 

When I was looking for a teaching job in Westport after I had moved to town, I didn’t have to look far! When asking around to some local families about preschools, I kept hearing GFNS’ name over and over again. After interviewing and meeting with Christina and the incredible faculty, I knew I wanted to be a part of the GFNS community. It is one of the most welcoming, nurturing and amazing schools that I have ever stepped foot into. Every time I walk in the doors, I feel like I’m coming home. I can’t wait to continue to grow as an educator at GFNS and I look forward to being a part of this wonderful school for many years to come. “


Laura Juhl, Fives/transitional Kindergarten Classroom

“I love teaching. It is such a huge part of me that I can’t really imagine doing anything else!  Having taught in the Threes and Fours at GFNS for several years, I was delighted to move up to Kindergarten, which I truly enjoy because it all starts here. Kindergarten is not just about teaching the ABCs and 123s, but it is a HUGE year for learning social skills and independence. I have found that the key to school success is the ability to get along with others and to be confident in oneself – and that is what we strive to teach every day! The way we set up the room and activities allows for integrated learning, communication and language development, exploration, and new discoveries, problem-solving and tackling challenges and building friendships for life. What I love most about teaching at GFNS is being part of a wonderful group of teachers who truly care about creating a warm and caring environment for children. I also love how we collaborate as teachers and support each other, and the children feel that. I feel honored to have an opportunity to teach at GFNS. “