Stephanie Letizia
Director of South Church Preschool
Stephanie has been directing our Preschool Program at South Church for over 19 years. During this time, she has taught ages 3 through 5. She studied at Manchester Community College. Stephanie has designed a curriculum program that enhances both social and academic growth for our students. The program is inclusive of nurturing their early development through play and creativity. It is designed to empower their confidence and build the necessary skills they will need for their future kindergarten experience. The students do this within a caring developmentally appropriate environment. Stephanie owns and runs Summer Sprouts; a summer day camp for children ages 3 through 6. She is on her thirteeth year running the camp along with our Music Teacher, Kathye Flanagan.
Stephanie Murtha
Assistant Director of South Church Preschool
Stephanie has worked at South Church Preschool since 2018. Her current role is Assistant Director. Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College and a Master of Science in Childhood Education and Literacy Education from Long Island University NY. She has previously worked with children three to six years of age in a variety of childcare settings and schools both in NY and CT. Stephanie feels teaching preschool is so important because it is the ideal place to help children better understand and find their place within the world around them.
Stephanie Murtha
Assistant Director of South Church Preschool
Stephanie has worked at South Church Preschool since 2018. Her current role is Assistant Director. Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College and a Master of Science in Childhood Education and Literacy Education from Long Island University NY. She has previously worked with children three to six years of age in a variety of childcare settings and schools both in NY and CT. Stephanie feels teaching preschool is so important because it is the ideal place to help children better understand and find their place within the world around them.
Heidi Gourley
Registration Administrator
Heidi has been working at South Church since 2009. She previously spent six years as a head teacher and recently teamed with Stephanie Letiza to teach the 2-day program. Heidi's current role is Registration Administrator. Prior to coming to South Church Heidi worked in Human Resources and Marketing for Patrons Mutual Insurance Company. She attended Central Connecticut State University where she studied Communications and Psychology. She earned her Child Development Associate certification at Manchester Community College.
Tracy Bancroft
Head Teacher
Tracy has been with South Church Preschool since 2015. She graduated from the University of Richmond and earned her Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching from Rhode Island College. She taught in Rhode Island and the New York City public school systems. In addition to her employment as a Head Teacher in our 2 day program Tracy continues as the office manager of her husband's insurance office. Tracy finds it very rewarding to help young children with their early development, and our center has benefited from her dedication and patience with our students.
Lori Bigliazzi
Head Teacher
Lori received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern CT Community College and did her student teaching with four year olds. She received her Bachelors Degree from UConn in Human Services. She is currently the Head Teacher in the 3-day program. She has 13 year old boy/ girl twins that currently attend Nayaug Elementary. They attended South Church for two years and have wonderful memories there. For the past two years she has been assistant coach for first through third grade cheerleaders for the Glastonbury Tomahawks. Previously she worked as a Para at Hebron Elementary School. During her free time she loves to visit with her family in Oregon where she grew up. We are so excited to have Lori on board at our center.
Gabrielle Chiappetta
Head Teacher
Gabrielle is currently a head teacher in the 4 day program. She previously worked at South Church as a substitute teacher. She earned her BA from Fordham University and her MA in Childhood Education and Special Education from Hunter College. Gabrielle moved to Glastonbury from the New York City area in 2022 with her husband and two children. Prior to relocating, Gabrielle worked for several years as a fourth grade tenured teacher in a New York City Public School in Elmhurst, Queens. After the birth of her daughter in 2017, Gabrielle returned to the NYC public school system, working as a special education teacher support service provider where she coached small groups using their individualized learning goals and plans. She is a passionate cook and loves spending time outside hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, or playing sports with her family. Gabrielle loves writing, most often poetry and she loves to read, especially children’s books. Her first of many positive experiences with South Church began as a parent in the 2 day class and her son is now a recent graduate of the 4 day program. Gabrielle adores working with young children. She believes that all behavior is sensory related and helpful information. She loves using social-emotional strategies and stories to help kids feel seen, special, supported and strong in their classroom, at home and in their community. Gabrielle believes that children who are provided many opportunities for purposeful play and interest based learning develop a foundational love for knowledge and understanding that transcends the classroom and encourages them to become lifelong learners.
Larissa Nardi
Head Teacher
Larissa has been teaching at South Church Preschool for over nine years. She has her Masters Degree in Pedagogy and a background of more than fifteen years in Education. Larissa is a Head Teacher in the 5 day Pre-K program and is our Spanish Enrichment teacher. Her energy and spirit enhanced our program in every way.
Susan Thompson
Head Teacher
Susan is one of the longest running staff members at South Church Preschool. She has been working in our program for fifteen+ years. Sue began her career as a Program Assistant in many of our classes and has been the Assistant Teacher in our Pre K program for the past five years. Susan's current role is Head Teacher for the Pre-K program. She has an Associates Degree in paralegal and legal studies. She also has attended Early Childhood workshops and seminars consistently. Her experience working with our 3 to 5 year olds has been extremely valuable to us here at South Church.
Susan Thompson
Head Teacher
Susan is one of the longest running staff members at South Church Preschool. She has been working in our program for fifteen+ years. Sue began her career as a Program Assistant in many of our classes and has been the Assistant Teacher in our Pre K program for the past five years. Susan's current role is Head Teacher for the Pre-K program. She has an Associates Degree in paralegal and legal studies. She also has attended Early Childhood workshops and seminars consistently. Her experience working with our 3 to 5 year olds has been extremely valuable to us here at South Church.
Jennifer Basile
Assistant Teacher
Jen is currently an Assistant teacher in our two day class. Jen has worked with children in various capacities for over 20 years, from camp counselor to first grade teacher and everything in between. Jen received her bachelor's degree from The College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass and her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds CT state certification in elementary education and has over ten years classroom experience, having taught second grade in New York City and first grade in CT before taking a pause when her daughter was born. Both of her children attended South Church Preschool and had a fantastic experience. Jen is excited to work with the wonderful children of the South Church community.
Jennifer Ruchwa
Assistant Teacher
Jennifer has worked with children since 2002 and as a Pre-Ki teacher for seven years. She has worked in a variety of early childhood education settings including, both state and privately funded nationally accredited programs, an enrichment after school program and a private art program. Jennifer incorporates her experience and love of art, through lessons focused on age appropriate activities surrounding the principles and elements of art.
Jennifer received an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Manchester Community College, as well as a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Visual Arts and a Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
Prior to South Church Preschool Jennifer worked at the Child and Family Development Resource Center at Eastern Connecticut State University as a program assistant. Jennifer enjoys sharing her passion for art with her students and will be teaching art enrichment as Assistant Teacher in the Pre-K.
Angela Salonia
Assistant Teacher
Angela is currently an Assistant Teacher for the 3 day class. Angela received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Siena College. After graduation she worked at a Children's Mental Health Clinic in Syracuse, NY. Then she moved to Albany NY where she received her Master's and Licensure in Social Work. She worked for NYS Department of Children, Youth & Families for six years. Angela moved to Glastonbury five years ago and is excited to be joining the team.
Kelly Tavano
Assistant Teacher
Kelly is currently an assistant teacher in the 4-Day program. She is married and has two wonderful daughters. Kelly grew up in Florida and attended the University of South Florida. Kelly's professional background is in Orthodontics, where she worked with children and families as they had treatment that brought them smiles and self-confidence! Kelly's volunteer work consistently led her to caring for young children. Kelly has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with little ones in elementary school while my own children attended, as well as teaching religious education in my church community. Kelly's philosophy is that each child is unique, therefore they learn and thrive at their own pace. Kelly enjoys seeing the excitement and pride in each child's eyes as they discover new things and ideas. When she is not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and our two labrador pups, Braley & Magic!
Melissa Uriarte
Assistant Teacher
Melissa has worked at south church preschool since 2017. She has her bachelors degree in psychology from Central Connecticut State University. Melissa has been working in education in some capacity for over 15 years. Some of her experience includes working as an ABA therapist for CREC River Street Autism Program, supervising visits for DCF clients, working as a mental health counselor at Manchester Hospital, substitute teaching in the Glastonbury public schools, as well as assistant teaching in second grade and preschool. Melissa’s view on education is that every child is unique and should have a variety of learning opportunities and approaches in which to help them succeed in her free time, Melissa enjoys reading, pottery, and spending time with her two children.
Heather Bronzi
Program Assistant
Heather is the program assistant for the 5 day Pre-K. She has been teaching for 5 years, working with kids ages 2-18. Heather has had schooling for early education as well as special education and has also worked as a behavioral therapist. Outside of teaching pre-k, Heather is also a dance teacher as well as a professional dancer. She loves bringing a caring and creative environment into the classroom and seeing the kids grow as students as well as people!
Tamara Carella
Program Assistant
Tamara has been with South Church Preschool since the Spring of 2016. She started as a long-term substitute and is currently a Program Assistant Teacher in the 4-day program. Graduating from UConn with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, she has been working with school aged children for over 10 years in both public and private education. She has also worked in the corporate sector, with 15 years’ experience, in marketing and management. She integrates her professional and educational experience, creativity and organizational skills to help students develop a strong foundation for their educational journey. This is very rewarding to Tamara and she loves to see the student’s growth from the beginning to the end of the year. Tamara is a valued member of our staff and is excited to be part of our team at South Church Preschool. Tamara lives in Portland, CT with her husband and two children.
Sophia Cicchiello
Program Assistant
Sophia received her B.A. from Fordham University in Psychology with a minor in music Starting from a young age and throughout her life, she has always been enthusiastic about teaching children. After college she worked as a preschool teacher on Long Island before she moved to Connecticut to start her family. Sophia has experience teaching parent/tot classes and has also worked as a Teaching Assistant in a PreK 3s classroom here in CT. Sophia loves working with the little ones, she is energetic and loves getting to know each and every child in her class. She and her husband, Manny live in South Glastonbury with their three children: Adrianna, Amelia and Andrew.
Christie Grant
Program Assistant
Christie has worked at South Church Preschool since 2022. Through her time she has been assisting with children ages three-five years old. Christie graduated with a Bachelors Degree from The Ohio State University and has worked in many childcare settings including being a Faith Formation teacher at Saint Isidore and Maria in Glastonbury from 2008-2021. Further, she was the Head Glastonbury Cheerleading coach form 2007-2019. Her squads consisted of children from grades 1st-8th. Being the mother of five children she is able to adapt and appreciate all children's personalities. As the mother of preschool alumni from South Church, her heart is warm to continuing being a part of the preschool family.
Lucy Hartnett
Program Assistant
Lucy Hartnett is a program assistant for the 3-day class. She is married with 4 loving, active children with one child at Glastonbury High, one at Smith Middle school and two at Nayaug Elementary school. Lucy graduated from UCONN with
a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has worked in many different settings with various age groups. Being involved in the many different activities with her children keeps her busy and she cherishes the time with them. Last year, Lucyjoined the South Church community as a substitute teacher. She also volunteeredto help care for young children at a daycare setting at a church ministry. In herfree time, she enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with family. Lucy is soexcited to be a part of this wonderful team at South Church!
Mrs. K
Program Assistant
Mrs. K is a program assistant for the 4-day class. With a background in Engineering and experience as a teacher's assistant at the University of Connecticut, I bring a deep passion for fostering a lifelong love of learning, particularly in math and the natural sciences. Having worked with engineering students, I developed a strong foundation in education and the ability to break down complex concepts for young minds. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for STEAM fields, especially in making them accessible to girls, and look forward to bringing this dedication and patience into the preschool environment, nurturing curiosity and a love for learning in four-year-olds.”
Claudia Marcinczyk
Support
Claudia has been at South Church Preschool for over 6 years. This year our beloved Claudia is our floating substitute and a favorite of all the children. She has her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Nursing from Boston University. Pediatrics was her specialty practicing in Boston, San Francisco and New Haven. She also has an MBA from UCONN in Health Care Administration. After a 30 year career as the CEO of VNA EAST, Claudia came back to her first love-working with children!!