EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR

Francie earned a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in Romance Languages and Civilization (with a concentration in French) and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Adelphi University. She has NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education, birth through 2nd grade. Prior to coming into the classroom, Francie did editorial work and translation at Doubleday & Co. in NYC. Francie has been a parent, teacher or assistant teacher working with all ages at GCNS for over 20 years. She has also been a parent educator and has taught Pre-K, Nursery, Lunch and Literacy and she has led the Science Explorations program since 2008.

Francie lives in Garden City; her 3 children are GCNS alumni. Her interests include art, music, dance, languages, literature, yoga, swimming, knitting, sewing and quilting. She is an active member of the Garden City Community Church where she was the Church School Administrator for 6 years. She has been a Deacon, Confirmation teacher, Youth Mission Trip leader, Vacation Bible School teacher and is currently on the Board of Membership, Life and Development.

BUSINESS MANAGER

Karey earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from UMass, Amherst and completed her MBA from the Darden School at University of Virginia. Prior to GCNS, she worked for Irwin Financial Corporation in general management and worked at Accenture before business school. Karey’s children are both GCNS alumni. Karey served as president of GCNS for the 2016-2017 school year and served as Treasurer for 2 years. Karey is a devoted GCNS alumni parent and brings her business acumen as well as her warm personality.

GCNS ADMIN

Cris earned a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Analysis from St. John’s University. She spent 25 years in banking as a corporate trainer developing programs for professional skills training and customer service training. She has been very active in the Garden City School District, serving as the president of the PTA and chairing committees for 15 years. She has been a parent, an assistant teacher and sub at GCNS as well as a past board member. Cris has served as President of the Garden City Hispanic non-profit organization HOLA, volunteered at the Mary Brennan INN, and other local organizations. Cris and her husband live in Garden City and have three adult children.

HEAD TEACHER | Pre-K

Jackie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Honors and a Master’s Degree with Honors in Early Childhood Education from Queens College. She has a NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education, birth through 2nd grade. Jackie worked as a Head Teacher teaching Pre-K in a private school in Long Island City, until the birth of her son Lucas (GCNS class of 2017). She has been a GCNS parent, served on the board, and works in the office supporting the school director. Jackie lives in Franklin Square with her husband and family.

HEAD TEACHER | Pre-K

Margie is a past GCNS parent. Margie has an MS degree from Adelphi University, School of Education, where she earned dual certifications from NYS in Early Childhood, and Students with Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2.) In addition, Margie has a NYS Certification for all grade levels in Visual Arts. Margie is currently an Education Specialist, working with school districts to provide individualized instruction, to students of all ages with a full spectrum of learning capabilities. Prior to this, Margie taught at the Adelphi University Early Learning Center, in a multi-age preschool setting using a modified Reggio Emilio approach with three to five-year-olds. Margie brings her early childhood expertise, her respect and love of children and nature, and warm demeanor back to GCNS.

HEAD TEACHER | Playgroup East
HEAD TEACHER | Nursery West

Christine graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and completed her Master's in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. Christine's career in education includes working as a substitute teacher for the Garden City School District, an Assistant Kindergarten Teacher for the North Shore School District and a Second Grade Teacher for the Elmont School District. Until the birth of her daughter Emma (GCNS Class of 2014), Christine worked for many years as a Human Resources Manager with JPMorgan Chase. Prior to leading Playgroup at GCNS, Christine assisted for five years.

She enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, movies, musical theater and attending hockey games. Christine also enjoys co-leading Emma's Junior Girl Scout troop. As a member of the Garden City Community Church, Christine coordinates Vacation Bible School and teaches children in the Church School.

HEAD TEACHER | Nursery East

Megan received her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences from SUNY Stony Brook and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is NYS Certified in General Education and Students with Disabilities, Birth through Second Grade. Megan began her career working with adults with disabilities and moved on to working with children, beginning as head teacher in an inclusion classroom in a center that provided early intervention services, followed by providing early intervention services on a full-time basis. She then pursued her BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), which gave her a better understanding of behaviors and how to work with children with various disabilities.

She enjoys spending time with her family (two girls, a boy and two dogs) and enjoys ice skating, traveling, watching the New York Rangers, leading two Girl Scout troops, swimming, and arts and crafts (both with and without her kids).

HEAD TEACHER | Playgroup West
ASSISTANT TEACHER | Nursery East
ASSISTANT TEACHER | Pre-K

Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts in Micro and Molecular Genetics from the University of Vermont. She was a Special Education Home Support Provider for the Floral Park-Bellerose UFSD for eleven years and a child care provider for infants, toddlers and preschoolers at the Mother’s Center at the Floral Park United Methodist Church for seven years. Emily has assisted in Playgroup, Nursery and Pre-K since 2015, prior to her role as Head Teacher of Playgroup West. She has served as the Co-President of the PTSA at West Hempstead UFSD since 2018 and is the proud parent of two GCNS alumni.

Emily lives in West Hempstead with her husband and two children. She enjoys watching sports, reading, hiking/being outside, scrap booking and spending time with her family.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Pre-K

Gail received an Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences and previously worked as a legal secretary. Her exposure to and involvement with the cooperative nursery school philosophy goes back more than 25 years. She was very active at St. Mark's Cooperative Nursery School, where both her children attended. She has had the pleasure of working with the four-year-old class at the GCNS for the past 12 years. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and cook and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Pre-K

Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Georgetown University, and holds a Master’s in Art Education from Adelphi University. She worked at Conde Nast Media Group for many years before staying at home with her family. She is a certified art teacher who has been leading art classes at her in-home studio to children ages 4-12. She has also volunteered at Early Learning Center at Adelphi University. She is a mom of three and lives with her family in Garden City. Melanie brings her creative skills as well as her nurturing and warm personality.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Playgroup West
ASSISTANT TEACHER | Nursery West

Rebecca is a GCNS alumnae and is the proud parent of three GCNS alumni: Liana (2013), Nina (2016) and Gemma (2019). She recently served on the GCNS Board of Trustees as both the Co-Chair of Hospitality and the Co-Chair of the Children’s Event. Rebecca really embraces the GCNS philosophy of learning thru play and is an invaluable part of the GCNS staff.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Nursery West

Louise earned a Bachelor of Arts at Columbia University and her DDS at SUNY Stony Brook. is a graduate of our very own GCNS. Her own children have attended and helped out at GCNS and her 2 nieces attended, as well. She has practiced dentistry for over 15 years and is now transitioning into assisting teaching. Louise has been actively involved in the GC PTA and served as the director of Health and Safety for 2 years. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, painting, drawing and playing tennis. Dr. Hess brings all of her skills and expertise and love of children to our school.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Playgroup East

Dolores earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from LIU Post. She has lived in Garden City for the past 30 years and her four children attended GCNS. She has years of experience as parent at this school. She has been involved in many committees and activities within the GC school district. She currently volunteers for the Road to Recovery program, American Cancer Society and the Share a Meal program at St. Anne’s Church. Her interests include cooking, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Playgroup West ASSISTANT TEACHER | Nursery East

Vanessa earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance from SUNY Purchase and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Adelphi University. Vanessa has NYS Certification in Elementary Education, 1 - 6. She has taught as a substitute in the Garden City, West Hempstead and Roslyn School Districts. For five years, Vanessa taught dance to children ages 4 - 10 throughout the dance community. She was also an educator for Bright Horizons Family Solutions in NYC, working with ages 6 months – 6th grade. Vanessa returned to the classroom last year after leaving to raise her family. Vanessa loves reading, running and practicing yoga. She lives in Garden City with her husband and three children and enjoys spending quality time with her family.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | Playgroup East

MUSIC TEACHER | Playgroup East & West

Yasmine is a Board Certified Music Therapist and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. She has a Ph.D. from Lesley University in Expressive Arts Therapies; a MA in Music Therapy from New York University and a BS from Tufts University. Dr. Iliya sings with the Manhattan Choral Ensemble. Her children, Charlie and Oliver, are recent graduates of GCNS. Yasmine brings all her talents plus her positive attitude and smile.

ASSISTANT TEACHER | PreK Wednesday Extensions

Josephine is the parent of two GCNS graduates. She has been a piano teacher for over 40 years. Prior to joining GCNS, she was the music teacher and an assistant teacher at a local nursery school for 10 years. Josephine is passionate about working with children and helping them overcome any obstacles they may have. She volunteered for 15 years in the Special Education community of West Hempstead UFSD. Josephine loves animals, working out, skiing, hanging out with family and laughing!

MUSIC TEACHER - Nursery & PreK

Krysta graduated from Adelphi University with a Major in Music (emphasis on Classical Performance) and a Minor in Fine Art. She has worked with children privately for over six years, teaching both art and music. Krysta’s connection with GCNS also began as a parent; her son, Augustine, is an alumnus of the school. Last January, Krysta won the 24th Festival of Song USA competition, an international singing contest where the winner wins a trip to Italy to perform! Krysta will travel to Italy in mid-September for the Festival.