At the Union Congregational Weekday Nursery School, our teachers and assistants are our primary assets.  Each teacher is certified in Early Childhood Education and possesses at least a four-year degree in education.  The members of the staff bring with them their own unique experiences and abilities that combine to bring enthusiasm, professionalism, and a genuine sense of caring to our classrooms.  Below is a brief description of our experienced teaching staff.
 
Director/Head Teacher
Ursula Costin: Ursula has worked in various educational settings for 20 years, in addition to 10 years spent volunteering in schools while a stay-at-home parent. She received a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Learning Disabilities from Bank Street College of Education. Ursula has also taken graduate- and post-graduate- level courses in Education and School Psychology at New York University, the University of Vermont and The College of New Jersey.  She is a life-long collector of feathers, rocks, acorns and shells; Ursula created her first Fairy House at the age of 4, and feels so much at ease in the Reggio atmosphere at UCWNS! 

Office Administrators
Sue Lotz: Sue joined the staff of UCWNS after her own children graduated from the Nursery School.  Sue has taught preschool and kindergarten children and has her Bachelor’s degree in Nursery School/Kindergarten Education from the University of Delaware. 

Lynn Kulik: Lynn has been a UCWNS parent and served on the Nursery School Leadership Team while her children were in the school.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early and Middle Education from Radford University.  Her teaching experience includes Kindergarten and mixed Kindergarten-First grade classes. She has led many outreach programs in the Montclair area, organizing over 60 volunteers in Habitat for Humanity, Soup Kitchens, Schools and Literacy Programs. 

Teachers
Gladys Cepeda: Gladys has a Bachelor's degree in English Education, and a Master's in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University. She also has A. A. degrees in Early Childhood Education and English Literature. Gladys has worked with children in settings which include day care, nursery school, and camp.

Constance DeMartino: Constance has a Bachelor's in English Literature from Montclair State University, where she returned to pursue certification in grades Pre-K through 3. Since joining the staff at UCWNS, Constance has worked with children of all age groups.

Paula Fields: Paula holds a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Montclair State University. She brings with her experience as a teacher in after-school care, and as an early childhood needs specialist working in a social service agency.  Paula was a delegate on a Study Tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 2003.

Sarah Geiger: Sarah has a Bachelor's in American Studies from Colby College, and just completed classes toward a Master's Degree/dual certification in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Montclair State University. She worked as a Graduate Assistant at the university's Children's Center, and prior to embarking on her Master's Degree, Sarah spent a year working at UCWNS, where both of her children were enrolled.

Samantha Grab: Samantha has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Bard College, and a dual certificate Master's in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College. She has taught in public and private schools in Manhattan and New Jersey, including The School for Children at Bank Street and City and Country.

Emma Hellman: Emma received her Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Montclair State University. She has also studied at William Paterson University.  Emma has taught as both a lead teacher and a group teacher at area early childhood programs.  She became acquainted with UCWNS as a parent when her daughter started in the Young 3 program.

Krista Leonte: Krista earned her Master’s degree from Montclair State University with highest honors. She is an active alumna of Pennsylvania State University, and has been an involved parent volunteer and Studio Teacher when her son and daughter were students at UCWNS. Krista is passionate about photography!

Julie Piccoli: Julie received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child Development from Rutgers University, and her Master’s in Education from Montclair State University.  She has taught young children in a variety of educational settings including the pediatric unit at the Hackensack University Medical Center, and in traditional classrooms.

Carol Stoddart: Carol holds her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Kean College.  She has completed course work at Bank Street College and besides teaching in Vermont and the Washington, D.C. area, she worked as a teacher of three-year-olds at the Montclair Cooperative before joining us here.  Carol is currently working toward certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell College.

Studio Teachers
Cathy Grupper: Cathy has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Cornell University and a Master’s from Bank Street College in museum education.  She has worked in Central Park, Brooklyn Children's Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  She works part-time at Hillside Elementary School managing the Writers' Room program. 

Myra Lango: Myra comes to us with a Bachelor's degree in Art with minors in Art History and Psychology from Hofstra University. She has worked in publishing, and has had extensive experience with special education programs in the Verona public schools. Photographing children has been her life-long passion.

Ginger Nufrio: Ginger received her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising Design from Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey). She has extensive experience as a Graphics Designer and also does mural work for children's rooms. Ginger has worked with children as a counselor and has used her creative skills and graphic arts experience to teach specialty classes. She has taken classes in puppet production and performed shows for children ages 3 to 7.

Teacher Assistants

Jennifer Gladsky:  Jennifer is currently enrolled in the Elementary Education Certificate program at Montclair State. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Washington University, and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Jennifer worked as an assistant teacher for a preschool during college and later mentored disadvantaged high school students.  Her professional experience includes work in banking, law and publishing. Both of her daughters are proud UCWNS alums.

Judy Karp: Judy has worked in business at AT&T Corporate Headquarters, provided in-home childcare for children when her own child was young and worked as a teacher's aide for the Kearny Board of Education.  In May 2003, Judy received her Child Development Associate from Montclair State University.

Judith Leporati: Judith received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Montclair State University.  She worked for years in banking and in theatre.  She has two children of her own and is delighted to be here at UCWNS to pursue her dream of working with children on a daily basis.

Eleanora (Ellie) Linder: Ellie has a dual Bachelor's in Psychology and Music and achieved her AMS Montessori Certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University She attained her P-3 Early Childhood Certificate from William Patterson University, and is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in curriculum and learning. Ellie was a deligate on a Study Tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy, in May, 2010.

Mnnie Lozano:  Mnie has spent more than 15 years working with young children in private and public settings. Minnie’s skills and experience from both the education and business worlds include curriculum development and teaching in a hospital-affiliated day care center. Minnie has completed early childhood education courses in best practices and prevention of child abuse.

Susan McIntosh: Susan has her LPN from Overlook Hospital School of Nursing and has had a variety of professional nursing experiences in both hospitals and private duty nursing.  Her experiences with children include volunteer work and raising her own three children.  We are glad that Susan is able to be a medical resource person as well as teacher assistant.  She received her Child Development Associate from Montclair State University in 2004.

Vera Roebuck: Vera studied psychology at Rutgers University and, before coming to UCWNS, worked with young children in an area nursery school.  She also has 13 years of experience working in special education classes in the Verona school system.  She received her Child Development Associate certification from Montclair State University in 2004.

Eileen Sammon: Eileen, who has taught at UCWNS since her children attended, has completed courses in Recreation Therapy at Montclair State University. She has had experience working with young children in hospital and private child-care settings.  In May 2003, she received her Child Development Associate certification from Montclair State University.

Jim Rohe-Music Teacher:  Jim enriches UCWNS through the musical curriculum that he has developed, called Gentle Rhythms.  He plays guitar, harmonica, and tambourine and also uses a variety of instruments from around the world.  He is a Master Storyteller and leads the children through folk songs, funny tunes, and sing-a-longs synthesizing movement and finger plays with his music experiences.