3816 Waldo Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10463  
(718) 884-3950  
info@rnsfc.org  

• Faculty •


The Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center sees the charge of educating young children as a partnership between the family and school with ongoing collaboration between the child’s significant adults and the child’s educational professionals. A skilled and experienced faculty work together to provide a positive and enriching preschool experience for each child and to support parents in the task of nurturing their children. Each class is conducted under the guidance of a skilled, well-qualified teacher, SEITs (special education teachers) and an appropriate number of assistant teachers to maintain an excellent staff-child ratio. Staff members have specialized training in child development and early childhood education. Professional expertise is enhanced through attendance at conferences and workshops, ongoing in-service training and collaboration with other educational institutions. In addition, a roster of professional consultants are available to lend guidance in support of the child, allowing the school to accept a diverse group of children that will benefit from placement in a mainstream educational setting. Unique to RNSFC is the counseling and preparation for post nursery school placements done by the Director and staff. Ongoing communication is maintained with the Riverdale and Manhattan Independent Schools, as well as local and specialized public schools.

• The Staff •


Ishil Kokoch, Director


Ishil was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. She attended Marmara University in Istanbul, where she received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. In Turkey, she worked as a teacher and administrator for preschool through first grade in bilingual and international schools.  Ishil moved to the U.S. in 2011.  Since moving to New York, she’s been a classroom teacher and administrator at several private schools in Manhattan and loves the creativity and inquiry inherent in early childhood education. Ishil holds masters degrees from Hunter College in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. She is passionate about supporting and nurturing each child’s passions and helping guide them on their journey.

Ishil loves traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with her loved ones. You might find her camping, at the beach, or trying new recipes in her kitchen whenever she is not at school. Ishil is thrilled to join RNSFC as the director.


Kathleen Delano, Administrative Assistant

Kathleen has been working as an educator for the last 15 years as a head teacher, assistant teacher, and tutor, and holds a Masters degree in childhood education. After taking time off from teaching for 3 years to raise her son, who is a student at RNSFC, she joined RNSFC as part of the administrative team. As a former teacher, she is passionate about her work behind the scenes, helping ensure that teachers can focus on what matters most: the children!

In her spare time, Kathleen loves to read, sing, dance, cook, and spend time in nature with her husband and son.


• Teachers •


Erin Booth, Head Pre-K Teacher

This is Erin’s 12th year teaching and she is so excited to be back with the 4s at RNSFC. Erin began her career teaching 3s at the Madison Playgroup. She taught kindergarten through 4th grade with The GO Project, and UPK at John Paulding School in Tarrytown. Erin has a master’s degree in childhood education from Hunter College and holds NY State certifications in both childhood and early childhood education. Despite teaching various ages, her goal remains the same for all of her students; for them to feel safe to explore, take risks, and have fun. Her classroom culture is rooted in kindness and inclusion, where students can realize their importance as individuals and as part of a larger community. Erin is busy keeping up with three toddlers of her own, but when she has some free time she loves art and watching a good movie.


Michelle Weiss, Head Pre-K Teacher

Michelle is delighted to return for her third year at RNSFC as a head teacher in Pre-K. With over 10 years of experience as a teacher, it has been her dream to work with the early childhood demographic. Michelle has a Master’s Degree in Education and holds current certifications both in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Her passion for teaching has led her to work with 4–5-year old children. This is the age where exploration, connections and learning develop in all aspects of everyday life. Her joy is seeing every child grow and be nurtured and is happy to see this develop at RNSFC this school year.


Melissa Hazlett, Head 3K Teacher

Melissa received her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education extension from Lehman College. She holds professional certifications in Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities (birth-grade 2) from NYS. Prior to joining the RNSFC team, she worked with the Committee of Preschool Special Education and Early Intervention, assisting families and children presenting with developmental delays. Before that, Melissa taught ages 2-5 years old for 10 plus years in both private and nonprofit school settings in the Bronx and Manhattan. When she's not in the classroom, Melissa can be found exploring nature and catching up with friends.


Amy Mendel, Head 3K Teacher

Amy is so excited to return to the RNSFC staff for her third year in the position of lead teacher for the 3’s class. Amy has over 15 years of teaching experience. She worked at The Early Childhood Center at Sarah Lawrence College, Young At Art Workshop, Riverdale Country School and Solomon Schechter of Westchester with children ranging in age from 2-8 years old. Amy is licensed in NY state and has a Master’s Degree in Education from Sarah Lawrence College and an undergraduate degree from Vassar College. She is an extremely caring and patient educator. Providing an environment where children feel valued and are confident to share their unique talents and abilities is extremely important to her. Amy enjoys hiking, biking, cooking and spending time with her 2 children and her dog.


Marcella Lugo, Assistant 3K Teacher

Marcella is so excited to return to the RNSFC community for her second year in the 3s. Marcella has 13 years experience as a child care provider and is gifted with children. Her greatest passion is helping children be imaginative, creative, explore and, most of all, be themselves. When Marcella isn’t teaching, she is spending time with her toddler, who is also a member of the RNSFC family, or attending night school.

Latoya Johnson, Assistant 3K Teacher

Latoya has been working with children for the last eight years, returning to RNSFC for her third year. In the classroom, she is attentive and warm, while also supporting children to become independent problem solvers and thinkers. She strives to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and enjoys their time in school. Latoya enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.


Holly Durham, Assistant 3K Teacher

Holly, originally from South Carolina, has been living in New York for over 20 years. She has been working with young children for over 15 years as an assistant teacher and nanny. In the classroom, she fosters an environment of cooperation and mutual respect, utilizing her sense of humor and patience. She prioritizes reaching children on their level, while also nurturing and appreciating their individuality.

Outside of school, she can often be found in parks/museums with her teenage boys and her dog Dan.

 

Maria Bonilla Head Twos Teacher

Maria is delighted to join RNSFC in the twos program! It is her first year as a Head Teacher, although she has been in Early Childhood Education for 8 years, previously working with twos. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. In addition to her dedication to education, she is a doula, providing support and guidance to expecting parents and families during and after the journey of childbirth.

Her favorite pastimes include spending quality time with loved ones, exploring new destinations through travel, and savoring the joys of trying new foods from around the world.

 

Karina Gonzalez, Assistant Pre-K Teacher

Karina has been working with children for seven years and has experience working with infants through age 6. She graduated college with an Associate degree in graphic design and is currently enrolled in school pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and currently holds her Assistant Teacher Certificate (NYS ATAS). She believes that every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring, and engaging atmosphere to grow in.

Outside school she enjoys reading, drawing, and playing soccer. She also has a passion for helping animals and volunteers at her local animal shelter.


Monika Zsiga, Assistant Pre-K Teacher

Monika was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. She has been working with children for more than 10 years, primarily as an assistant teacher in preschool and a head teacher in an infant toddler classroom. She holds her Assistant Teacher Certificate (NYS ATAS) from Lehman College and Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials. As a teacher, she is dedicated to the social and emotional development of each child and providing the best care and love that all children deserve. She believes that children can teach us as much as we teach them, so she strives to honor each child’s unique needs and interests and meet them at their individual level. She is returning for her third year on the RNSFC teaching team and is looking forward to a fantastic year.

Outside of school she enjoys bike riding, taking nature walks, cooking, baking, and fishing with her 16 year old son. On Saturdays she teaches Hungarian to 14 Preschoolers. There, she is able to combine her passion for working with children and the love of her mother language, culture and heritage.


Cristina Hernandez, Assistant Twos and Pre-K Teacher

Cristina is delighted to return to the RNSFC family in the twos program. She has been working with children for 13 years, as an assistant teacher, gymnastics instructor, camp counselor and nanny. She believes in supporting children's independence and fostering a cooperative classroom community through positive reinforcement, patience, and playfulness.
In her spare time she can be found having quality time with loved ones,  friends and her cat, exploring in nature, surrounded in music and arts, longboarding, gardening in a community garden in Queens, and cooking up tasty meals in the kitchen.

Monica Wong, Assistant 3K Teacher

Monica is so excited to join RNSFC for the position of Assistant Teacher in 3K. Monica has 3 years of teaching experience with 3 year olds. In the past, she worked at a Spanish/Montessori school in Brooklyn. Monica has a passion for teaching young children. She holds a Bachelors degree in Hospitality and is trained in Early Childhood development.
Monica enjoys traveling, hiking,biking  and spending time with her family.




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