Hummingbirds Team
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Hello my name is Loreen Forella but all of my Great Beginnings students and families call me Miss Loreen. I grew up in New York City and received my bachelors degree from Stony Brook University. While teaching in a Bronx Catholic school I received my graduate degree in early childhood, elementary and special education from Manhattanville College. I continued to teach in the Bronx and then Harrison until I moved to Mount Pleasant. I spent a few years at home with my own children and it was at that time that I heard about this wonderful preschool which was Great Beginnings. It was everything that I had wanted for my children and even more. I was so impressed by the entire program that in 2003 when my youngest was in the Songbirds class and a teaching position became available I quickly asked to be interviewed. Fast forward to the present and I am still impressed everyday by this magical place called Great Beginnings.
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Hello! My name is Nancy Pensabene, known as Miss Nancy by the Great Beginnings families. I grew up in Hawthorne and attended Westchester Community College. I have three daughters. My youngest daughter attended Great Beginnings and we just loved the program. I have been working here since 2006 and enjoy working with your children. I especially like guiding your children as they "cook" a theme based snack and seeing them enjoy eating, or at least tasting, the finished product.
Hello! My name is Nancy Pensabene, known as Miss Nancy by the Great Beginnings families. I grew up in Hawthorne and attended Westchester Community College. I have three daughters. My youngest daughter attended Great Beginnings and we just loved the program. I have been working here since 2006 and enjoy working with your children. I especially like guiding your children as they "cook" a theme based snack and seeing them enjoy eating, or at least tasting, the finished product.
Songbirds Team
Hi! My name is Ruth Fischer, known to the Great Beginnings families as Miss Ruth. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and moved to Pleasantville over 40 years ago (long enough to qualify as a native I would think). I have a Master's Degree from Lehman College and a NYS teaching certificate (Nursery through 6th grade). I have taught early childhood classes in the NYC school system for 8 years. After getting married I left to have a family, and was fortunate to be able to stay home with my children until they entered school. Both my children had attended Great Beginnings, which not only was an outreach program of my church but also embodied all the things that I was looking for in a preschool. Thus when I was invited to teach there in 1984 I joyfully accepted the invitation and I am still enjoying every minute working with the wonderful Great Beginnings staff and families.
In my leisure time I enjoy hiking and learning new things on the computer. I have 4 young grandchildren with whom I enjoy spending time.
Hi! My name is Liz Dieter, known to the Great Beginnings families as Miss Liz. I was born in New Rochelle and moved to Pleasantville 38 years ago. My husband’s family has lived in Pleasantville since the early 1900’s and we love being back. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. I began my career at Blythedale Children’s Hospital and have been in the recreational field ever since. I was fortunate to be able to stay home with my two children who both attended Great Beginnings. In 1994, I was asked to join the staff here and I was happy to accept the position. I worked in both the Songbird and Hummingbird programs until 2000, when I sadly left for full time employment.
In May of 2022, I retired from my position as a Recreation Supervisor for the Village/Town of Mount Kisco, where I ran the Senior Citizen’s recreation program for 17 years. Ruth invited me back to assist her in the Songbirds room and I was delighted to work with her and this magical group again.
I enjoy activities with my husband, two grown children, two grandchildren, three grand dogs and grand cat. I am an avid knitter, quilter, and crafter and enjoy exploring all things cultural and creative.
Hi! My name is Liz Dieter, known to the Great Beginnings families as Miss Liz. I was born in New Rochelle and moved to Pleasantville 38 years ago. My husband’s family has lived in Pleasantville since the early 1900’s and we love being back. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. I began my career at Blythedale Children’s Hospital and have been in the recreational field ever since. I was fortunate to be able to stay home with my two children who both attended Great Beginnings. In 1994, I was asked to join the staff here and I was happy to accept the position. I worked in both the Songbird and Hummingbird programs until 2000, when I sadly left for full time employment.
In May of 2022, I retired from my position as a Recreation Supervisor for the Village/Town of Mount Kisco, where I ran the Senior Citizen’s recreation program for 17 years. Ruth invited me back to assist her in the Songbirds room and I was delighted to work with her and this magical group again.
I enjoy activities with my husband, two grown children, two grandchildren, three grand dogs and grand cat. I am an avid knitter, quilter, and crafter and enjoy exploring all things cultural and creative.
Staff Photos by Matt Versweyveld of Everglow Photography
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