School Director

Jeanne Mueller

After working in the legal field for many years and then raising my own children, I became fascinated with child development and early childhood education.  After completing a Child Development Associate, I taught 3-year-old classes here for many years and then moved on to the Director role for the past 9 years.  My passion for working with young children and their families has certainly been a rewarding and fulfilling experience.  Here at PCNS, we desire to maintain a curriculum based on play where children can explore learning and socialization in an environment that helps them soar.  PCNS creates a community that children and families cherish.  I am proud of helping provide a great first step in the educational journey for children and their families.

Teacher

CAREY Pollacchi

As a fine arts major, it has always brought me great joy to create art with children that inspires and facilitates learning and development.  My son is an alumnus of PCNS, and I knew then that being a part of this amazing team was a personal goal of mine.  It is here that I can assist the seasoned educators, share my own experiences, and continue to foster the environment of learning through play.

Teacher

Nicole Marucci

I've been a PCNS mom for 3+ years with my two littles and instantly fell in love with the school and staff. The environment is so warm and inviting for my children and I, it felt natural to want to be more involved with the school.

During childhood, I set up my own school in our basement, requiring all my neighborhood friends to become students, and even saving my money to purchase items from The Teaching Room! While I pursued a bachelors in business, my love of children always remained.

Education has always played an important role in my life as the daughter of two educators. I have always loved learning and I am currently obtaining my Child Development Associate certificate through college courses.

Teacher

Louise Russ

I’ve been a Teaching Assistant in the 2s and 3s and lead teacher in the 2s classroom at PCNS for the past 5 years.

Two of my three children came to PCNS and when the opportunity of a job came up, l grabbed the chance and applied as l knew what a wonderful place PCNS was/is.

My Nursery School training was completed in the UK where l obtained an Associates degree in Nursery Nursing. After school, l worked for an agency that placed me in various childcare facilities on a temporary basis until l came over to the US in 1998. My experience with children has ranged from newborn up to pre teen in private homes and schools.

I chose this field of work because l enjoy the curious minds and lovable nature of children in the early childhood years. It is wonderful to experience life and the joy of learning through their eyes.

Teacher

Annmarie DeMarzo

My name is Annmarie DeMarzo, and I will be the new Pre-K 4 teacher at PCNS. I have been happily married for 10 years and reside in Sussex County with our three boys (ages 1.5, 5 years old, and 6.5 years old). My oldest two children attended PCNS, and since then, I have always had a deep admiration and love for the school and parish community. In 2016, I graduated from Montclair State University with a master’s degree in Teaching and am certified to teach Preschool through 3rd grade, as well as Special Education. I have been a preschool teacher for the last 10 years, teaching preschool, pre-K, and self-contained special education in Newark Public Schools for most of my teaching career, as well as leading and assisting in pre-k and transitional kindergarten classrooms at both Sprout House (Chatham, NJ) and Van Riper Ellis Christian School (Fair Lawn, NJ).

I have always had a passion for early childhood education, and truly love the philosophy of PCNS’s program. I believe that the knowledge, talents, and creativity your children bring with them into the classroom are of the highest value, and should be celebrated, shared, and nurtured. I strongly believe that within a thriving learning community, everyone teaches, and everyone learns. We, as the adults, are the guides and facilitators, but certainly not the only “teachers” in the classroom. Children bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experiences that they can share with their peers. Allowing children to teach their peers develops a sense of confidence and community, and fosters the development of vital social, emotional, and academic skills. I also believe very much in the old saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Parents’ and family’s expertise and insights about their own children are an invaluable tool that I use to inform my practices, planning and daily instruction. It is my belief that children’s success and growth in the early childhood classroom is highly dependent upon the continuity and communication which is developed between home and school. I look forward to working together with families to ensure that every child has the very best experience in our pre-k program and is instilled with a lifelong love for learning.

Teacher

amy mehl

My name is Amy Mehl and I am a mother of three (Bennett 14, Camryn 11, and Caleb 9).

This is my 7th year working as a teaching assistant and I absolutely love it.  Being able to be a part of your children’s first experience at school and develop friendships and explore their personalities is truly a joy.  

In my downtime I enjoy watching my kids at all of their sports events, spending time with my husband Brad, traveling and reading.

Lead Teacher | PreSchool

Karen Healy

My name is Karen Healy and I have been working here at PCNS for the past 17 years.

My love for Early Childhood Education started at a very young age. I attended Morris County Vo - Tech for Early Childhood Education during my senior year of high school.  I knew then that this was the path I wanted to follow.  I developed a passion caring for and guiding young children in their first steps in their journey of education. 

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After getting married and starting to raise my family, I received a Child Development (CDA) Pre-School certification in 1993.  I have continued my training and maintained my certification in Early Childhood Education.  The past 31 years has been truly rewarding. My passion for working with young children and their families has given me opportunities and experiences that have strengthened my knowledge and love of early childhood education.

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I have had such a great experience working here at PCNS. What I love most is the way we all connect with the families. It truly is a team effort in educating young children. Here at PCNS, I find that the support of families and staff is what brings me back each year. 

Assistant Teacher | Pre-K

Jennifer Oberding

I am a graduate of Indiana University of PA.  I have been a part of the PCNS family since 2006 when my own three children attended preschool here!  During those years, I formed a deep attachment to our special school, and when the opportunity to join the staff came, I happily accepted it! Over the last 10 years, I have worked as a teacher in both the two and three year old programs, as well as an assistant in the pre-kindergarten class.   I feel a great enthusiasm in the preschool classroom setting and I enjoy assisting children to develop their full potential in their preschool journey.  I am currently enrolling in a certification program for child development to enhance my skill set working with young children.  I am thrilled to be working with our Pre-K students again this year!

Assistant Teacher | Preschool

Robin Fitzgerald

Robin has been with PCNS for 10 years.