I have experienced St. Peter's Nursery School on many levels: first, as a parent, then teacher and now as the director. I started teaching at St. Peter's in 1983 when my youngest son went off to kindergarten. Prior to that I taught first grade in the West Orange school system for six years. 

After graduating college with a teaching degree in Elementary Education, I taught for six years in fifth grade, first grade and kindergarten. I realized then my love of teaching younger aged children. When my sons were born, I happily became a stay-at-home mom for a few years. My first step back into teaching was at the preschool my youngest son attended, where I taught for two years as the head teacher for the three year olds class. 

My name is Kara DeFuria and I am thrilled to be a part of the St. Peter's Nursery School staff. My experience with St. Peter's began in 1999 as a parent. I loved the school and its philosophy of learning through play and taking everyday experience and turning them into teachable moments. I have had three children attend St. Peter's, all with very different personalities and needs. The staff at St. Peter's has always gone above and beyond in embracing each of my children and making their nursery school experience second to none. 

My name is Linda Egan. I have been teaching at St. Peter's Nursery School since January 2001. My initial contact with the school began in 1994 as a parent. I truly enjoyed my experience and my children received an early childhood education that was filled with the love of learning. My positive experiences as a parent led to an appointment as a Board of Trustee member for two years. At the conclusion of this time, I found myself very tearful as I drove away from this wonderful school. 

Hi, I am Cathy Laracy. I have been a teacher at St. Peter's Nursery School for the past twelve years. During that time I have had the pleasure to teach all age levels and watch the amazing growth of many children. I graduated from Kean University and hold teaching certifications in both elementary education and art education K through 12. I have taught in various public and private schools throughout New Jersey. 

I have been teaching at St. Peter's Nursery School since 2005. Before having my three children, I developed and taught the pre-school and kindergarten program at St. James School in Springfield, New Jersey for 11 years. I graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. 

I have been teaching at St. Peter's Nursery School for 15 years. My first teaching experience was as a kindergarten teacher. I have an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Reading. My first introduction to St. Peter's was as a parent. The wonderfully warm and caring environment for children is as present now as when I was a parent of young children. The joy of watching the delight of a child learning and mastering new skills is why I continue to teach. I am privileged to have been allowed to teach so many wonderful children. 

My name is Jody Tole and I have been teaching at St. Peter's Nursery School since 2006. All three of my daughters attended St. Peter's and I am honored to have the opportunity to work in such a wonderful environment. After starting my family, I received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Montclair State University. I was thrilled to be offered a position at St. Peter's when my youngest daughter was starting kindergarten. 

My name is Kristen Ishigami and I began teaching at St. Peter's Nursery School in 2010. Before then, I experience St. Peter's as a parent, with my daughter attending for three years. I received my Bachelors Degree from William Paterson University and have been working with children for 20 years. I took a break from working with children early on, and taught investment and retirement education classes to large corporations. 

My name is Marissa Devincenzo and this is my first year teaching at St. Peter's. Like many of our teachers, my first experience here was as a parent. I have two children who came through the program and have fond memories of the school. Beyond the strong foundation of learning they obtained from their years at St. Peter's, what they still remember is the warm, loving and safe environment that was provided for them. 

I graduated from Kean University with a BA in Fine Arts Education, but realized during my first job that I was not interested in teaching older children. I began substitute teaching the preschool level and found that I loved being involved with the children's first learning experiences in a school setting. Their curiosity and willingness to try new things excited me. I took some time off when my two children were young, however I remained involved with young children as a Girl Scout leader and religion club teacher, while substitute teaching at my children's preschool.