Staff - First Church Preschool

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Beth Genovese, Director

Beth brings a wealth of teaching and leadership experience to FCP. She started her career at Greenwich Country Day School as a kindergarten teacher and has spent the last 10 years at Children’s Learning Centers in Stamford – most recently as a senior administrator overseeing the students, teachers and curriculum across 22 classrooms. During the interview process, it was evident that Beth excels as an effective, empathetic and hands-on leader and we believe she will be an incredible addition to our caring community.

Beth lives in Newtown, CT with her husband and has three grown children. In her free time, she loves to ski and spend time with her family. We are so excited to welcome Beth to FCP and can’t wait for everyone to meet her!

Kayla Vozzella, Assistant Director

Kayla Vozzella joins First Church Preschool with 13 years of experience in Early Childhood. Over the past 13 years she has worked in various roles, with most recently taking on the role as an interim Assistant Director at her previous center. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and has additional credits in ECE and elementary education. She has also obtained her Head Teacher certification from the State of Connecticut. She is very passionate about early childhood education and has a hands-on child centered teaching philosophy. She believes that every student is unique and has their own way of learning. As the Assistant Director it is her responsibility to mentor our teachers in creating lessons that will foster play-based learning and meet each child’s individual needs. One of her favorite parts about working in early childhood is also being able to foster relationships with the families, children, and staff. She is honored and excited to be a part of the administration team here at FCP!

TEACHERS

Stephanie Hicka

2s Teacher in the Green Door

Ms. Stephanie has a degree in Psychology / Behavioral Analysis and is currently in graduate school for her Masters in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Stephanie has been with First Church Preschool for 5 years. She is currently supported by one of our floating or substitute teachers.

Sidney Ambrogio

2s Teacher in the Red Door

Ms. Sidney holds a degree in psychology and joined our team early spring of 2021. She has been involved in coaching Greenwich Youth Athletics for several years. In addition to teaching at FCP, Ms. Sidney is an athletics coach at Greenwich High School. She is currently supported by Mrs. Mary Jane Kraus in the classroom.

Kimberly Lee and Ayaunna Conyers

2s Teachers in the Pink Door

Ms. Kimber holds a degree in International Studies. She has almost a decade of teaching experience and joined FCP in 2021. Mrs. Lee served on the Board of another local preschool and holds other community positions throughout Greenwich. Ms. Ayaunna is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Education degree and will be graduating in the spring of 2023. She has over a decade of early childhood experience including having worked at other local centers. She is a Greenwich native, having attended Greenwich High School and still lives locally.

Karen Grant and Ayesha Cadman

3s Teachers in the Purple Door

Ms. Karen holds a business degree and joined FCP in 2020, having experience in the Greenwich Public School system prior. She holds additional credits in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Ayesha is a Montessori trained educator with a decade of experience teaching Early Childhood.

Jena Palmer and Stephanie Sylvestre

3s AM and Ext. Day Teachers in the Purple Door

Ms. Jena and Ms. Stephanie both hold Bachelor Degrees with additional credits in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Stephanie is currently in Graduate School for Early Childhood Education. They bring over 25 years of combined experience as Early Childhood Educators.

Barbara Andersen and Katherine Vincent

4s Teachers in the Blue Door

Mrs. Andersen and Ms. Vincent hold education degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Ms. Vincent is also an Athletics Coach in Darien. They bring over 36 years of combined experience as Early Childhood Educators, accumulated at both FCP and other local preschools.

Madeline Alcantara and Hayley Andersen

4s Teachers in the Silver Door

Ms. Alcantara holds a degree in Behavioral Sciences and is working towards her Masters Degree. Ms. Maddie joined FCP last year and has an additional 13 years teaching experience. Ms. Andersen holds a degree in Human and Family Studies as well as a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Andersen joins FCP this year with over a decade of preschool teaching experience.

Donna Harrington and Michele Mozian

4s Teachers in the Gold Door

Mrs. Harrington and Mrs. Mozian both hold higher education degrees with specific training in Early Childhood Education. They bring over 79 years of combined experience as Early Childhood Educators, most of which has been accumulated as teachers at FCP.

Montserrat Thompson

Pre-K Teacher in the Orange Door

Ms. Montse holds an Early Childhood Education degree and brings over 20+ years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator.

Laura Peters and Donna Tarzia

Floater Teachers

Laura Peters (left) holds a degree in Elementary and Special Education as well as a Masters in Child Development. She has 30+ years teaching experience and joined FCP in 2021.

Donna Tarzia (right) holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, with 17 years of teaching experience.

Mary Jane Kraus (pictured) and Jeanne Raftery (not pictured)

Substitutes

Mary Jane Kraus (left) holds a degree in Elementary Education and has been part of the FCP team for the past 25 years. She left the role of classroom teacher to support the school as whole in 2022.

Jeanne Raftery holds a Bachelor’s Degree and lives locally. In addition to her extensive business career, Jeanne has coached youth swimming for the past decade, specialized with preschool children.

CUSTODIAL TEAM

Curtis Gay

Curtis has been keeping First Church Preschool clean and in great working order for about 30 years! If you ask him how he feels about working here, he replies, “I just love working here. I love the staff and the kids. The kids are great. Can’t beat it!” Judging by how excited the children are whenever they see Mr. Curtis around the school, it’s clearly evident that they love him, too!