Teachers 

"Childhood is a journey, not a race"

Janet De Falco ~ Teacher (4 year-olds)
Janet is a trained Montessori teacher with ten years of combined experience working with children 18 months - 2nd grade. She began her career at Princeton Montessori School in NJ where she taught the toddler full day program then working as a TA in the public school system primarily with K-2 classes.  This will be Janet's sixth year teaching the 4 yr olds at SNS.  She has enjoyed many volunteer opportunities through PTC, Girls Scouts, Elementary Drama Club & Music Boosters.

Dawn Walker ~ Teacher (4 year-olds)
We are happy to welcome Mrs. Walker to our SNS staff. She brings along one of her four sons to join us in the Three's Program. Dawn is New York State Certified.  She has her BA from SUNY Cortland in Early Childhood and Childhood Education  with a dual certification Birth-Grade 6, with a minor in English and a concentration in
Literature and Writing. Mrs. Walker has her Masters from Walden University in Elementary Reading and Literacy.  She has experience as a teacher with Head Start, Moravia Elementary, and has developed curriculum PreK - grade 6. Dawn has also assisted K-5 AIS support for
Reading and Math.

Kristi Peterson ~ Teacher (4/5 year-olds)
Kristi has been a part of our program for many years as a parent, Board Member and Classroom Aid;  Mrs. Peterson is New York State Certified and has over 10 years of experience teaching in PA and NY State. She has her BA in Political Science/English from SUNY Oswego, Teacher certification from SUNY Cortland and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Oswego. Kristi's experience will be a great addition to our SNS staff.

Allison Teachout ~ (3 year-olds)
Allison majored in Physical Education at Old Dominion University and is a certified personal trainer and an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.  She has taught "Little Sneakers" an exercise class for 3,4 & 5 yr olds and many preschool group swim lessons.  This experience has given Allison the opportunity to work with special needs children.  Being a SNS parent inspired her to pursue a career in early childhood education.  She was a TA at Holy Trinity Preschool and she will be enjoying her fourth year here at SNS.

Joy LoPiccolo ~ Art/Music Teacher
Joy graduated from Syracuse University with a BA degree in Fine Arts and a dual Masters in Social Work and School Counseling.  She completed several internships before working as a school counselor from 1997-2000 in Rochester NY.  Joy has been involved in numerous volunteer positions such as Project Star and PTC.  Joy has brought a lot of energy and creativity to SNS for the last six years.

Danielle Cheney ~ Director
Danielle graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a BA in Education.  She is NY State certified and began her career as a preschool teacher at Hoboken Day School in NJ.  Danielle enjoyed eight years teaching grade 6 in Ridgewood NJ before moving back upstate.

In conformity with the NY State Department of Education, each of our teachers at Skaneateles Nursery School has background training and experience in fields of education.