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. |
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.
Hi, I'm Grace Villucci, or Miss Grace to your children. I have a degree in Social Work with a minor in Early Education from Fordham University. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and have lived in Thornwood for the past fifteen years. I am the mother of four boys, and my youngest attended Great Beginnings in 2008. It was at this time that I began working at this wonderful school. I was quickly taken with not only the outstanding curriculum, but also the staff and children. My son remains friends with many of his fellow Great Beginnings graduates to this day, and they often speak of their fond memories of their time at our special school.
Songbirds Team
Hi! My name is Ruth Fischer, known to the Great Beginnings family 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 Carol Migliorelli and I go by Miss Carol here at Great Beginnings. I grew up in Pelham New York and moved "upstate" to Hawthorne when I got married. I have a degree in Fashion Design from Marist College. I also have a degree in Design and Textile Design from Como Italy where I lived and worked for several years. I have many diverse certifications that pertain to health and fitness and I am lucky enough to also teach in several local clubs and recreation departments.
My daughter attended Great Beginnings and in 2000 Miss Ruth called to ask if I would be interested in working in the Hummingbirds classroom. I told her that I would love to but for only a year or two.... I was going to go back to the Design world when the kids were old enough. Well I'm still here, and I am still having fun with each new class!
I have two fun young adult children and when they are around we like to kayak, ski and spend lots of time taking in the sights and museums of NYC and Westchester.
Hi! My name is Carol Migliorelli and I go by Miss Carol here at Great Beginnings. I grew up in Pelham New York and moved "upstate" to Hawthorne when I got married. I have a degree in Fashion Design from Marist College. I also have a degree in Design and Textile Design from Como Italy where I lived and worked for several years. I have many diverse certifications that pertain to health and fitness and I am lucky enough to also teach in several local clubs and recreation departments.
My daughter attended Great Beginnings and in 2000 Miss Ruth called to ask if I would be interested in working in the Hummingbirds classroom. I told her that I would love to but for only a year or two.... I was going to go back to the Design world when the kids were old enough. Well I'm still here, and I am still having fun with each new class!
I have two fun young adult children and when they are around we like to kayak, ski and spend lots of time taking in the sights and museums of NYC and Westchester.
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Hi! My name is Linda Blizard and I go by Miss Linda here at Great Beginnings. I grew up in Hawthorne and attended Westlake HS and Westchester Community College. I was introduced to Great Beginnings when my children attended. I enjoyed helping in the classroom as a co-op parent and was happy to join the staff in 2016 when my son started kindergarten. I have volunteered with the Mount Pleasant PTA and the Girl Scouts. When not working I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my husband and children. |
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Hi! My name is Laura Kretzmer and I go by Miss Laura here at Great Beginnings.
I am a Pre-K to 6 certified teacher with a MS in Elementary education. I am married and the mother of two teen age children. I have volunteered with the PTA, the Girl Scouts, and Meals on Wheels. I enjoy working with children and teaching is truly my passion. I have worked in the elementary schools but have found that in doing so it was difficult to keep the balance I want in my life for my family. Teaching at Great Beginnings allows me to use my creative skills in the classroom and also have a balanced work/family life.
Staff Photos by Kevin Carter of Milestones Studios, Poughkeepsie, NY
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