Our team makes this place special.

We are a team of passionate educators who support children with love and understanding. Everyone, including the students, call teachers by their 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 has been at TCS since 2012, and has been the Education Director since 2017. Meg works alongside teachers as they develop curriculum and innovative learning experiences with the children. Previously, she worked as Threes & Fours teacher at TCS, and as a Twos & Threes teacher at Barrow Street Nursery School for nine years. She served as the director of the West Side YMCA Summer Arts Camp, and as 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 at Fordham University. Additionally, Meg had the opportunity to study Reggio Emilia approach firsthand at the Loris Malaguzzi Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

  • Paige is starting her tenth year at TCS, having previously taught in the Twos, Threes, and Fours classrooms, and has over ten years experience teaching and tutoring in New York City. She received a BS in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and History, and a Master’s degree in Literacy Education from New York University. Paige is very excited to be continuing her role at TCS as Admissions and Enrichment Director, as well as being a TCS parent.

  • 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, as serving as the schools 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

A collage of 24 women of diverse ethnicities and ages, smiling and posing against a brick or plain wall background.

  • 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 third year as a 3’s teacher at TCS. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education, along with 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 that 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.

  • 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.

  • Camille is rejoining TCS for her second year, previously working as a 2’s teacher. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Camille has been working with children professionally for over 5+ years as a care-taker, developing art’s programming for young children, and previously working at a preschool with both infants and young toddlers. She has a Bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago in Visual Arts Management. Camille is passionate about cultivating nurturing environments for children to thrive in.

  • Christina is thrilled to be back at TCS for her fourth year, previously having worked as Twos teacher. 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 dual certification in Early Childhood Special Education at Hunter College School of Education. Christina has worked in education for eight years as both a classroom teacher of Twos and Threes and, most recently, as the special education coordinator for an upper Manhattan charter school. She is inspired by the Reggio Emilia pedagogy and is excited to be back working with the children.

  • Clare is returning for her sixth year at TCS. She is excited to be teaching in the Threes this year, and has previously taught the Threes and Fours at TCS as well as the Kinder Enrichment Program a few years back. Additionally, Clare worked at The Mandell Preschool, and has always loved working with children. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Literature with a minor in Psychology from Wheaton College, where she completed coursework in education and childhood development. Clare is currently completing her Masters degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education at Bank Street.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Gillian is excited to be back for her second year at TriBeCa Community School as a Threes teacher. She graduated from Brown University and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Teaching at Fordham University. Prior to joining TCS, Gillian worked at Avenues: The World School for eight years teaching students in Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten. While at Avenues, she had the opportunity to travel to Italy for an immersive training institute in the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy. Gillian is continually inspired by her students, the Reggio Emilia pedagogy, and the ethos of TriBeCa Community School.

  • 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.

  • 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. 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.

  • Lizzie is excited to be back at TCS team as a collaborative teacher in the Threes room for her third year! She graduated from Mitchell College in Connecticut with a Bachelor's in Liberal and Professional Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Lizzie comes to TCS after teaching children ages two to four at a preschool in Park Slope for a wonderful six years.

  • Molly is excited to return for her second year at TCS! Born and raised in NYC, Molly grew up with an ingrained passion for art and education in communal, accessible spaces from her working-class upbringing. She has spent the past five years working with children, and it is her time spent with three and four year-olds that has inspired her to become a pre-k teacher. She earned her BA in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies at Ithaca College. Both within and beyond the classroom, she enjoys watercoloring, collaging, and gardening.

  • Nadia is excited to return for her fifth year at TCS as a Fours teacher. Nadia earned her B.S. in Health Science at Mercy College before gaining more than 10 years of teaching experience in NYC. She finds children to be fascinating people capable of doing amazing things, is enthusiastic towards arts education, and naturally passionate about building the artistic sensibilities of children.

  • 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 fourth 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.

  • 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 4'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!