Our team makes this place special.

We are passionate educators with a mission to support children with love and understanding. Everyone, including the students, call us by our first names.  We are collaborators and co-constructors.

Our teaching teams are designed around the principles of collaboration.  The teachers in each classroom are known as Collaborative Teachers (rather than head/assistant teachers).  This provides opportunities for deeply reflective and interactive teaching practices and creates a rich, professional community of educators who share ideas, observations, and interpretations of children’s learning.

Among our faculty, more than half have Masters Degrees or are working towards completion of their Masters. We are also proud of the fact that many of our staff members have backgrounds in theater, history, and design.  We have practicing artists, photographers, dancers, and musicians, parents, and more! Our staff has a wide variety of backgrounds and interests and those interests and experiences are shared with our children.

Administrative Team

  • Kristen joined TCS in 2009 as a Pre-K teacher, becoming the director in 2010. Kristen attended Cornell University where she earned a B.S. degree in Human Development with concentrations in Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Education. At Cornell, Kristen was involved in research with infants and young children studying language development and spatial awareness. She then completed the Harris Fellowship in Child Development and Early Childhood Education at Yale University where she was a preschool teacher at Calvin Hill Day Care Center, a model progressive early childhood center, and also participated in seminars with the clinical child psychiatry team at the Yale Child Study Center. Kristen then went on to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a Master of Education degree in Human Development and Psychology. Her background in child development, developmental psychology, and early childhood education guides her work at TriBeCa Community School, implementing social constructivism and Reggio Emilia-inspired work with children, teachers, and parents.

  • Meg joined the TCS team as a teacher in 2012, and has been the Education Director since 2017. She worked as a classroom teacher with 2s, 3s and 4s children for fifteen years, served as the director of the West Side YMCA Summer Arts Camp, and was a drama and music specialist in after school programs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. She received a BFA at Tisch School of the Arts in Theater with Honors from New York University, and a MST in Early Childhood/Childhood K-6 Education from Fordham University. Additionally, she had the opportunity to study the Reggio Emilia approach firsthand at the Loris Malaguzzi Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Meg works alongside teachers as they develop curriculum and innovative learning experiences with the children.

  • Christina is thrilled to be our Admissions Director after teaching in our 2's classrooms and serving as Atelierista for the past five years. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently pursuing an MSEd in Early Childhood Development and Learning with a concentration on Severe/Multiple Disabilities at Hunter College School of Education. Christina has worked in education for over ten years as both a classroom teacher of Twos and Threes and, before TCS, as the special education coordinator for an upper Manhattan charter school. She is inspired by the Reggio Emilia pedagogy and is excited to share this educational approach with families.

  • Dawn has been a key member of the TCS family since 2018 and has been in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years.

  • Doug leads school operations, in collaboration with Kristen, and serves as the school’s Director of Enrollment. His previous experience was as a co-founder of Portfolio School (a project-based K-8 school in NYC). He also has been a creative project manager in media, film, children’s play systems, communications and graphic design. Doug holds a BA from Princeton, an MFA from Columbia and an MBA from Baruch College.

Educators

  • Amanda is returning to the TCS team for her sixth year as a 4s teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Keene State College and holds a Connecticut State teaching certificate. She has earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education at Pace University and has been teaching preschool for over five years.

  • Amber, a certified early childhood educator and published writer based in Brooklyn, is thrilled to embark on her fourth year as a 3’s teacher at TCS. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education and a minor in American Sign Language from New York University. With three years of experience as a public school teacher and two years as a Teacher Director at a play-based preschool in Bed-Stuy, Amber enjoys integrating all she's learned across New York’s educational landscape. She is dedicated to emergent curriculum design, partnering with children to enhance learning through play, investigation, and community-centered practices.

  • Annie is excited to be working in the 2s classroom in her fifthDE year at TCS, having previously taught in the 3s program. Prior to working at TCS, she had the wonderful opportunity to work in different schools and age groups including: River School as a 2’s teacher, as an ESL Teacher at Family Life Academy Charter Schools, and as an Educational Director at a preschool on the Upper East Side. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from NYU in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education and her Master’s Degree from CUNY Hunter in Teaching English as a Second Language. She is excited to be back for another wonderful year!

  • Ashanti has been a floating teacher at TCS since 2018. As a floater she spent time in each classroom, working with all children and teachers in our program. Now she’s excited to continue in the role of a collaborative teacher for her second year. Prior to working at TCS, she spent an amazing two years at a preschool in Queens where she taught 2-year-olds.

  • Christine is overjoyed to be spending her second year with the 2s. She recently graduated from NYU with her masters in Documentary Film, Community Activism, & Arts Education. Christine finds delight in incorporating elements of personal storytelling, creative collaboration, and empathy building with the children and youth she co-creates with. She continues to be inspired by the curiosity, innovation, and resilience of children, an unhindered creativity she aspires to within her own life.

  • Clare is excited to be returning to the 3’s at TCS for her seventh year, and her eighth year of teaching! She holds a BA from Wheaton College, Massachusetts in Creative Writing and Literature and an MA from Bank Street College in Early Childhood Special and General Education. In her free time Clare enjoys reading, drawing, and spending time in nature in and out of the city.

  • Devinah is delighted to begin her second year teaching in the 3s classroom at TCS. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University in California. Before joining TCS, Devinah taught in San Francisco for 14 years and experienced working in 2s, 3s and 4s classrooms.

  • Dzuli has been a floating teacher at TCS since 2016. She spends time in each classroom, working with all children and teachers in our program.

  • Eleni is so excited to start her first full year at TCS! She has spent most of her life working with children through nannying, and graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has focused on child development in her studies, as well as in her work after graduating, working in Special Education. She is currently working towards her Master’s in Psychology at the New School and hopes to continue on to her PhD, and continue concentrating on development and work with children. In her free time she loves to explore New York, play with her cat, and paint!

  • Florence is thrilled to be returning to TCS for her fourth year in the Two's room, having previously taught in the Threes as well. Prior to joining the TCS team, she was an assistant teacher at the Bankstreet Family Center for several years. She also spent 2 of those years as a paraprofessional. Florence has been a part of the education field for 20+ years.

  • Grace is so excited to be joining TCS for her second year as a 4s teacher! She holds a Bachelor of Science in Educational Theatre from New York University. She has spent the past six years teaching performing arts to children of all ages, and always strives to bring such creativity to the classroom. She loves how much there is to be learned from young children, and is passionate about fostering their senses of community and curiosity. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys dancing, baking, and reading. 

  • Hayley is thrilled to return for her second year at TCS as a teacher in the Twos program. Before joining the TCS team, she taught both Twos and Threes classes for four years at a preschool in Washington Heights. Hayley earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health at USC, as well as a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street.

  • Heather is joining us for her first year at TCS! She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in General and Special Early Childhood Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. Originally from a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, she has been living in Brooklyn for almost 15 years now. She has worked professionally for more than 10 years as a caretaker, developing arts programming for young children and previously working at schools from ages 3 months to 6 years. Outside of teaching, she enjoys photography, fitness, and all the fun adventures that this exciting city has to offer!

  • Katie is an Early Childhood Educator, mother of two young children, artist, musician and parent and professional educator as well. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Art from NYU and a Master of Science from the University of Kansas in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She taught for four years at a Reggio inspired IB school in Kansas, and three years teaching at a Classical School on the UWS. This is her third school year at TCS! She has a deep passion for educating parents and professionals about the importance of the early years, developmentally appropriate education and discipline for young children, as well as inquiry-based learning.

  • Kenzie is pleased to be returning to TCS for her second year in the Twos program, which she adores. Kenzie holds a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught preschool for the past twelve years, most recently in Brooklyn and before that, in Oregon and in California, where she is from.

  • Lizzie is thrilled to return for her fourth year at TCS as a 3s teacher. Before joining TCS, she taught children ages two to four at a preschool in Park Slope, Brooklyn for six years. Lizzie graduated from Mitchell College in Connecticut with a Bachelors in Liberal and Professional Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She is continually inspired by her students and eager to help foster their love of learning and discovery. Lizzie is passionate about teaching children to be kind to one another and creating an environment where children feel welcomed.

  • Molly is happy to be back for her third year at TriBeCa Community School as a Threes teacher. 

    She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies from Ithaca College. Molly has been working with preschool and elementary-aged children for the past 5+ years in a variety of roles, but it has been her time spent with three and four-year olds that inspired her to become an early childhood educator. Born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen, Molly is passionate about the imperative role of community in the approach to learning, and feels honored to nurture children’s immersive, educational adventure at TCS.

  • Nicole is excited to return for her second school year at TCS. She holds a BFA in Theater and has been a professional working actor on stage and screen for the past 30 years. When her two children were young, she pressed the pause button on her acting career to go back to school and get her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught 2nd grade and Pre-K while living in New Jersey before moving back to New York City in 2018. She is excited to be back in the classroom with your children, integrating her training as a singer and musician into their daily rituals. She is also looking forward to resume teaching piano to children after school hours at TCS (please reach out to her for rates/availability) in addition to teaching infant/toddler music classes! While adjusting to life with her oldest child in his first year at college and her youngest beginning high school, she enjoys making time for long walks in nature, yoga and reading.

  • Rachel is delighted to begin her sixth year working with the TriBeCa Community School. The Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy is at the core of all of her work in Early Childhood Education. Rachel attended Queens College where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with minors in Cultural Anthropology and Education. Her favorite aspect of teaching is sparking children’s curiosity and their sense of wonderment in nature.

  • Rachel is excited to be joining TCS for her second year as a Twos teacher! She earned her BA in History and Theatre and her MAEd in Early Childhood Education. This is Rachel’s seventh year as a teacher--previously, Rachel was teaching at other Reggio-inspired schools in Manhattan.

  • Rozzy is excited to be returning to TCS for her second year as a floating teacher. Having graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Master of Arts in Art History, she went on to gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from University College London. Rozzy taught pre k at a state primary in London for a number of years, before discovering the wonderful Reggio approach. When the opportunity arose for her to move to New York, she was thrilled to be able to become part of TCS and develop her practice within a creative, supportive environment. Rozzy loves working collaboratively with the children in her care, and enhancing learning through playing, questioning and wondering.

  • Sadie is an artist and educator returning to TCS this year as the 2s/3s Atelierista. She has facilitated material explorations in school, museum, community, and outdoor education settings for the past 9 years. She is passionate about learning alongside young children and supporting their curiosities, especially about the natural world. Sadie received her MA in Art Education from NSCAD University and her BA in Visual Art and Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College.

  • Sam is an early childhood educator, artist, and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is passionate about teaching, learning, and encouraging young children to be curious, respectful, and lifelong learners. Sam's classroom learning environment promotes creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community. She is influenced by the writings of John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky and the philosophy of the Reggio Emilia Schools. Sam has worked with museums, public/private schools, and nonprofits to design and implement personal and authentic learning opportunities for young children and their families. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Urban Studies from The New School University and is currently pursuing a Master of Education (M.Ed) focused in Early Childhood and Art Education.

  • Born and Raised in NYC, Stephanie is very excited to begin her third year at TriBeCa Community School back in New York City after spending 30 years in Los Angeles. She has 16 years experience working with young children, 13 of which have been in the role of Atelierista. She is passionate about facilitating children’s capacity to theorize and co-create knowledge through what Loris Malaguzzi called The 100 Languages. She earned her BFA in Printmaking from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and is working on her Masters in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. As an artist herself, Stephanie is deeply inspired by the way young children perceive and make connections to the world around them.

  • Tiffany is delighted to return to TCS as a dedicated 5's teacher! She proudly holds a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Lehman College. Beyond the classroom, Tiffany finds joy in baking delectable treats, uncovering the hidden gems of NYC, and embracing the journey of being a new mom to a precious little girl. With genuine enthusiasm, Tiffany is excited to deepen her engagement in Reggio-inspired teaching methodologies and glean insights from TCS's exceptional educators: the students themselves!

  • Tanisha is excited to begin her second year teaching at the Tribeca Community School. She attended Hunter College where she obtained her BA  in Psychology and MS in Early Childhood Education. The Reggio Emilia Approach used at TCS continues to influence her growth as an educator as she delves deeper into the approach and its principles. At the root of her teaching philosophy is her desire to honor children’s learning process and their theories about the world around them.

  • Tracy is beyond joyful to be returning for her second year at TCS! Originally from Washington state, she majored in Early Childhood Education and Musical Theatre. In her free time she enjoys swimming, dancing ballet, and playing chess. She's passionate about incorporating music & natural materials into the classroom environment and can't wait to meet you!