Bonnie has 28 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has been an administratopr for the past 13 years. She has a Bachelor's degree in Education, a certification in Preprimary and is working on her Master's degree. Bonnie has two grown sons and two grandchildren with another on due in July 2010. She lives in Rockaway with her three cats. (See longer version below)

Miss Johanna was recently promoted fromToddler Caregiver to Assistant Director. She works in the office along side our director to keep the center running smoothly. Johanna is a resident of South Orange, a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows and a graduate of OLS school. Johanna attended Seton Hall University and received a degree in art education in 2007 with a minor in Applied Music for Vocal Performance.

 When not working at The Nursery, Johanna substitutes in many of the local elementary schools including OLSS, South Orange/Maplewood and Milburn districts.

Johanna has been a summer camp counselor at The Baird center for 10 years. She is the oldest of 3 siblings and was the first girl out of 23 grandchildren.

 In her spare time Johanna likes to spend time with her cousins, going to the movies, concerts, working out, going to the beach and most importantly shopping!

Mary Beth has lived in South Orange and been a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows for 21 years. She lives with her husband of 27 years and has 4 children---Meghan--26,Max-24,Katie-21 and Jack-17. Mary Beth taught nursery school for 4 years after college but then started her own sewing, decorating business as a way to work from home while raising  her children. After closing her business 2 years ago she began a job as a companion to an older woman and then heard about the day care center opening. She LOVES her two jobs and is SO HAPPY!!

You will find Mary Beth working with the toddlers in the afternoons. She loves to sing and read with the little ones. Mary Beth is also very active running the Parish’s food pantry.

Miss Sarah is one of our toddler Caregivers. She joined The Nursery as one of the original staff members and helped to open the center early this fall. Sarah brings with her a background in Early Childhood Education. Her experience includes working with toddlers. Sarah has begun taking college coursework in Early Education at Union County College.  She has also participated in many workshops focusing on various aspects of Early Childhood Education.

Sarah is the proud Mom of Joshua, born on June 19, 2010. Sarah enjoys reading with the children and especially enjoys doing fingerplays and puppet time. Sarah also likes to go on adventures with the children, discovering new things through out the OLS campus.

Sarah grew up in Livingston and she attended William Paterson University where she studied anthropology.

When not working at The Nursery, Sarah’s hobbies include cooking, reading, walking and writing.  She has a dog named Lady, with whom she loves playing .

Kathi is the proud Mom of Gabriella  who is seven and Michael (Mikey) who is five. She is also honored to be a special needs parent.  Since Mikey was 6 weeks old they have been in and out of the hospital trying to figure out his health issues.  Now that Mikey is stable enough for Kathi to return to work in the field that she loves most, Kathi is delighted to be working at The Nursery with the toddlers. Kathi has taught children for  12 years  including toddlers and elementary aged children. Kathi says the toddlers are her favorites, for that is the age when most learning occurs.

Kathi’s education includes a bachelor’s degree from American University and an Early Childhood Education certification.

Kathi has learned so much from having a special needs child and it has helped her realize that all children are special in their own way. Kathi’s priority is children come first and her philosophy is that all children are equal based on their strengths and weaknesses. Every child is unique and can be successful. Kathi treats all children with respect  so parents can feel a sense of security knowing their child is being well cared for during the day.

Melissa joined the Nursery in December as an infant Caregiver and moved into the toddler room in February.

Melissa is working towards an Associates of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Essex County College. She will be returning to complete her degree this fall after taking time off to have a baby.

While still in high school Melissa

took Child Development courses which allowed her to work in the Preschool. This educational track provided Melissa with hands on experience as well as advanced placement course work in early childhood.

She has worked in Early Childhood Education for 5 years. The last year she was the teacher in a toddler classroom, making her a great match for our toddler room.

Melissa is the proud mother o one son, Lloyd, who is 2 years old.

Miss Gail is one of our Toddler Caregivers.  Her nickname is Pat. Gail grew up in a small town in Tennessee. She and her daughter, Robin moved to Teaneck, NJ in 1980 which was a culture shock for both of them but was also very educational. Gail left New Jersey five years ago to spread her wings in Chicago where she attended Olive Harvey College studying Child care and development.. Then after receiving great news from her daughter that she would soon be a Grandmother, Gail ventured back to New Jersey. She now has a Granddaughter named Raven who is her heart! Raven is four years old and very talented and smart. Raven is the youngest praise dancer at their church in Newark, Gail enjoys spending weekends together with Raven playing school, visiting parks and dramatic play.

Gail feels very fortunate to be working at The Nursery at Our Lady of Sorrows. She truly loves working with children because they are so honest.  Gail also enjoys her coworkers.

Some of Gail’s pastimes include jazz, cooking and plays.

M

y name is Elenora and I am a mother, grandmother, sister auntie, cousin and friend. I was born on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. I have travelled to quite a few places but have settled in Newark for the past ten years. I like meeting people of all cultures and ethnicities. I have a knack for learning languages. I am the one family and friends turn to for words of encouragement and good old home remedies. I have a keen interest in natural and holistic alternatives as a way of enhancing our lives. My free time is spent reading or playing and listening to music. I play some piano.

I have worked in early childhood most of my adult years both as an occupation and as a vocation. I look forward to my tenure here and hope to develop a mutual respect for and relationship with the administration, the staff, the parents and most important the children whose care has been entrusted to me. Please always remember: “Our children are the greatest gift of all.”

We recently welcomed Lindsey to The Nursery staff. Lindsey will be an afternoon Caregiver in the toddler room. Lindsey comes to us with an extensive background in education. She received her elementary education degree from The University of Scranton in 2005.  While pursuing her degree Lindsey worked at the college preschool and  a Montessori school, teaching preschool and kindergarten. Lindsey has been a substitute teacher and paraprofessional  in Springfield since 2003. She has also been a paraprofessional and assistant teacher at ECLE of Chatham. Lindsey has worked as a Sunday School teacher and volunteer for her church since she was 9 years old. Lindsey is married and has a three year old son, David. In her spare time Lindsey spends time with her brother and his family including a 7 year old nephew, a one year old niece and a brand new nephew.  She likes to crochet and sew, read and play outside, especially in the rain. Lindsey has been a vegetarian for 17 years.

We are thrilled to have Lindsey as a member of our staff!

You will find Miss Maria working in the infant room in the mornings.  Maria was the first Caregiver hired for The Nursery. She was working with the preschool summer camp and kept checking in on the progress of the  renovations. When I found out that she was available to work at The Nursery we jumped at the chance to get such a caring, responsible woman as an employee. Maria helped me through all of the open houses during the summer.

Maria has worked at Our Lady of Sorrows School (the elementary school) for  years as well as being a parent of a seventh grader at Sorrows. Maria grew up in South Orange and lives in the house she shared with her parents for many years. Maria has one daughter, Alexis. Maria attended business school and also went to school to be a licensed manicurist. Maria has found her true calling of working with young children.  Maria loves all of “her babies and gives them so much TLC. Maria makes The Nursery a home away from home for the infants.-              

Josie is one of The Nursery’s afternoon Caregivers. She works with the Infants and is one of the Caregivers that closes the center and keeps it spic and span clean. Josie joined The Nursery  in December and we are thrilled to have her.

Josie grew up in The Philippines in a very large Catholic family. Josie received a Bachelors of Science degree in agriculture.

Josie moved to the United Sates in 1986 with the family for whom she was a nanny.  Josie is married  and has a 17 year old daughter. She has lived in South Orange since 1993.

Josie works at Marshall and Clinton Elementary Schools as a lunch aide. She was an assistant troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 654. Josie is a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and is very active in several ministries.

Josie has a special way with the babies and they all love her. Of course the feeling is mutual and Josie looks forward to each day with the infants.

My name is Aisha Harper and I am an Infant room Caregiver at The Nursery at OLS. I am very excited to be teaching and caring for your children. I am an avid crafter as I take photographs and make scrapbooks frequently. I love to get creative with different art mediums, so look forward to lots of memories as your children learn through sensory experiences!

I have three and a half years of experience working at the Diane Lindner Childcare Institute in Hempstead, NY, working much of that time in the Infant and toddler classrooms. I also worked at The Holy Innocence Daycare in Uniondale, NY for a year. There I worked with children from infancy to twelve years old. More recently I worked for over two years at the Richard Blake Children’s Center in Cedar Knolls as a Group Teacher.

Presently, I work full time for Children’s Home Society housed in a Hudson County DYFS office. I am pursuing a Post Bachelor’s Certificate from Montclair State University as well as a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall. I am adequately qualified and well prepared to make sure that your children have a safe and fun time at The Nursery

Miss Shanequa is one of our morning infant Caregivers. She joined The Nursery team in October.  Shanequa has over nine years of experience working with young  children and was highly recommended.   Along with in classroom experience, Shanequa is a Mom to three children and a brand new Grandmother.

You will often find Shanequa sitting on the floor with babies all around her listening to her beautiful singing voice and sharing fun fingerplays.  Shanequa is instrumental in helpingour older infants prepare fopr the toddler classroom through her circle times and reading activities.

Keeya was born and raised in Newark where she went through the Newark school system. Keeya has  a long background in the Early Childhood Education field, having work in child care for over ten years. Her extensive experience includes working with children ranging from newborns to five year olds. While working as an Assistant Teacher,  Keeya pursued and achieved her Child Development Associate credentials.

Keeya is the very proud Mom of three children and Grandmother of  one grandchild, whom she loves very much.  Keeya’s hobbies include roller skating and reading.

Keeya’s goal is to have a positive impact on our future leaders and believes it is important to provide a child with a good learning environment early in life.

Trisha has been a member of The Nursery staff since April. She works in the infant room from 11-5 most days. Trisha has worked in Early Childhood for almost 9 years. Trisha graduated form Union County Vo-Tech with a certificate in Child Development in 2004 and then obtained her Child Development Associate -Infant    Toddler Endorsement  in May of 2008.  Before joining The Nursery Trisha taught     preschoolers in East Brunswick and prior to that she was a lead toddler teacher. Trisha began her career in Early Childhood working as a floating Caregiver, experiencing all different age groups.

Trisha was married on June 19th of this year and she lives with her new husband in Rahway. She enjoys spending time with her almost two year old nephew. Trisha loves the beach and spending time at the Jersey Shore. She also likes concerts and live music, baking desserts and Karaoke.

Trisha is a wonderful addition to our staff and the babies love her.