ST. PAUL'S NURSERY SCHOOL - Key Persons


Allie Gallagi

Allie Gallagi joined our staff in 2010, after working as a substitute teacher in 2009. Allie is currently an Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K program. She is a graduate of Iona College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. She resides with her family in Fairfield.

Amy McCarthy

Amy McCarthy joined our staff in 2017. Amy has taught in our three and four year old programs. She holds a BS from St. Michael's College, and is pursuing an Early Childhood Education Certificate at Norwalk Community College. Amy resides in Fairfield with her family.; Email: amccarthy@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Claudia Brown

Claudia Brown joined our staff in 2017, after launching our Spanish class for four-year-old and Pre-K classes in 2016; Claudia is both an Assistant Teacher and Support Teacher in our two-year-old classrooms. She's obtained early childhood education credits from Norwalk Community College and attended Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras. Claudia's resides with her family in Fairfield.

Daphne Fernandes

Daphne Fernandes joined our staff in 2014, after working as a substitute teacher in our school. She is a Support Teacher in our Pre-K program. Daphne is a graduate of the University of Bombay. She lives with her family in Fairfield.

Denise Lynch

Denise Lynch joined our staff in 2007 and continues as our music teacher. She became part of our teaching staff in 2014. Denise teaches in our two-year-old program. She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University. Denise is pursuing early childhood education credits at Norwalk Community College. She lives in Easton with her family. Email: dlynch@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Eileen Weber

Eileen Weber joins our staff this year after having been a permanent substitute teacher last year. Eileen will be in the four-year-old program. She lives in Fairfield with her family.

Elizabeth Duke

Elizabeth Duke re-joined our staff in 2015; this year she is an Assistant Teacher in our two-year-old program. Elizabeth is a graduate of Boston College and is pursuing Early Childhood Education credits at Norwalk Community College. Elizabeth's lives in Fairfield with her family.

Jane Purcell

Jane Purcell graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She also earned Early Childhood Education credits from Norwalk Community College and possesses a Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Jane teaches in our three-year-old program. She joined our staff in 2001 and lives in Fairfield with her family. Email: jpurcell@stpaulsnurseryschool.net AJ Schwarz joins our staff this year. We've added a two-year old classroom and AJ will be its head teacher. She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph's College and has taught both preschool and Kindergarten. AJ has previously been an active member of our school Board of Trustees. AJ lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: ajschwarz@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Jeanie Melvin

Jeanie Melvin joined our staff in 2016 as an Assistant Teacher in our three-year-old program. In 2020 Jeanie will be co-teacher with Meredith Donahue in a four year old class. Jeanie earned a B.A. in Psychology from Marist College, with a Minor in Special Education. She also earned master credits at Central CT State University. Jeanie lives with her family in Fairfield. ; Email: donahuemelvin@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Jeanne Bartko

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director
  • Director
Jeanne Bartko, Assistant Director and Pre-K teacher graduated from Fairfield University with a B.A. in Sociology. She obtained her Connecticut Director's Credential, Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate and her Early Childhood Education Certificate from Housatonic Community College. Jeanne is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders and a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children. Prior to joining us in 1994, Jeanne provided in-home childcare. She and her family live in Fairfield. Email: jbartko@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Laurie Ehlers

Laurie Ehlers holds an M.S. in teaching from Long Island University, C.W. Post Center, and graduated with a B.A. in English from Fairfield University. Laurie joined our staff in 1996 and teaches in our three-year-old program. After a brief leave, she rejoined our staff in 2006. Laurie lives in Fairfield with her family.; Email: lehlers@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Lisa Ferrio

Lisa Ferrio joined our staff in 2005. She is a graduate of Katherine Gibbs College and is earning Early Childhood Education credits at Housatonic Community College. Lisa is currently an Assistant Teacher in our two-year-old program, and our three-year-old program. Lisa resides in Fairfield with her family.

Lizzy Knisely

Lizzy Knisely joined our staff in 2010. She teaches in our two-year-old program. Lizzy is a graduate of the University of Richmond. She earned her B.A. degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education. Lizzy has also earned post baccalaureate credits in Education at Hood College. Lizzy resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: lknisely@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Lori Babey

Lori Babey attended Endicott College and has taken Early Childhood Education classes at Housatonic Community College. Lori joined our staff in 2002 and is currently an Assistant Teacher in our four-year-old classroom. She resides in Stratford with her family.

Lynn Van

Lynn Van Deusen joined our staff in 2014 and teaches in our four-year-old program. She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College as well as an Associate's Degree in Fine Arts from Sacred Heart University. She also earned her Child Development Credential (CDA) and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Lynn resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: lvandeusen@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Margaret Wong

Margaret Wong joined our staff in 1998. She is a Support Teacher in our three and four-year-old program. Margaret taught kindergarten in Hong Kong before coming to America. She lives with her family in Fairfield.

Margee Ready

Job Titles:
  • Director
Margee Ready, Director joined St. Paul's in 1974. Margee has taught all ages, and was our Pre-K teacher from 1992-2016. She has a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and has completed graduate courses from Fairfield University. Margee possesses both her Connecticut Director's Credential and Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. Margee sits on the National Accreditation Commission's Policy Council; is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children (CTAEYC); is an Ambassador for the Association for Early Learning Leaders; and has been a validator for the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. She grew up in Fairfield, and now lives in Stratford with her family. Email: mready@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Meredith Donahue

Meredith Donahue joined our staff in 2015 as an assistant teacher in the three year old program. This year she and Jeanie Melvin with be co-teachers in a four year old class. Meredith received her M.S. in Education from Sacred Heart University and earned a B.A. at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Fairfield. Email: donahuemelvin@stpaulsnurseryschool.net

Molly Galbo

Molly Galbo joins our staff this year. Molly earned her Master's in Literacy, Birth-Sixth Grade from College of St. Rose. She has taught preschool in NY and Chicago. Molly will be a Support Teacher in our three and four year old program. She resides with her family in Fairfield.

Pam Ryan

Pam Ryan rejoined our staff in 2018 and teaches in our four-year-old program. She holds a teaching certificate from the College of St. Elizabeth and a BA from Villanova University. Pam has experience as both a preschool teacher and an early elementary educator. She resides in Fairfield with her family. Email: pryan@stpaulsnurseryschool.net