Priscilla Henchman – (Director)
Priscilla began her career at Saint Paul’s CDC in 2007 as a teacher in the 3 year old program. She took over as Director in the fall of 2011. Prior to working at St. Paul’s she was a Director and teacher for 15 years at a preschool in Milford. Priscilla earned her Associates Degree in Special Education, and a CDA from the National Association of Young Children. In addition, she recently completed course work through The Connecticut Charts-A-Course program and received her Connecticut Director’s Credential for directors of early care and education programs from Charter Oak State College, and is a member of her local NAEYC Affiliate. Priscilla is a dedicated educator and administrator who is committed to providing quality care to the community she serves.
Priscilla has two grown, married sons and a new granddaughter who brings special joy to the whole family! She is a boater and enjoys sailing with her husband. Additionally, she is an avid reader who enjoys reading with her book club members and is an avid tennis player.
Barbara Leoncini – (School Administrator)
Barbara has been the School Administrator for the past 15 years. She has worked at St. Paul’s CDC in various capacities prior to that. In total, Barbara brings 25 plus years to the school. Barbara feels very strongly about working with young children, their families and community to bring quality to the profession, and is a member of her local NAEYC Affiliate. She has two grown, married sons, enjoys reading, dinners out with her husband and has recently taken up the game of golf!
Kristine Komorowski – (Head Teacher, Curriculum Specialist)
Kristine began teaching at St. Paul’s in 2007. She brings many years of experience working with children as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher, family day care provider and stay-at-home mom. She earned a B.S. degree from the State University of New York and has several credits towards her Master’s degree in Education. She is also a member of her local NAEYC Affiliate. While at St. Paul’s, she has participated in the NAEYC accreditation process, as well as intensive training in “Intentional Teaching” and Learning Experience Plan development. Kristine loves working with young children and developing their “love of Learning”. She appreciates the uniqueness of each child and hopes to bring out the best in every child she teaches. In her spare time, Kristine enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters, reading and going to the beach.
JoAnn Syzgiel – (Head Teacher)
JoAnn has been a teacher at St. Paul’s CDC for the past 18 years. She has her Bachelor’s in Education with course work in Early Childhood Education. She is a veteran teacher and loves working with young children. JoAnn enjoys reading and brings her love of books to her classroom. JoAnn has three grown children and the “love of her life” is her new granddaughter, Sophie. JoAnn enjoys shopping and going to the movies.
Cathy Mears – (Head Teacher)
Cathy first became involved with Saint Paul’s CDC in 1994 as a parent of a four year old daughter. She was impressed with the caring atmosphere of the staff and school. She enjoyed using her creative talents to help in the classroom and eventually came on board as a part-time teacher. In 2004 she received her certificate of Early Childhood Education from Housatonic Community College and started working full-time for the school. Cathy loves bringing her interests in cooking, sewing and crafts into her classroom to teach math, science and literacy in a fun hands on experience.
Karen Williams – (Teacher)
Karen Williams began teaching for Saint Paul’s CDC in the spring of 2007. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently matriculating towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Karen loves children and being a teacher and looks forward to having children of her own one day. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, and going for walks in the park. Karen believes strongly in the NAEYC philosophy, and the accreditation process reaffirmed her passion for providing a safe, nourishing learning environment for the children she teaches.
Jamie Taveras – (Teacher)
Jamie began teaching for Saint Paul’s CDC in January 2007 and has seven years of teaching experience. She grew up in New York and moved to Connecticut to attend college, and studied at Southern Connecticut State College and Norwalk Community College, where she obtained her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Working at Saint Paul’s has given Jamie the opportunity to gain experience with the NAEYC philosophy and with the state’s School Readiness Program. Jamie is married and has 3 children, an 18 month old son and 3 year old twin daughters who currently attend the program. Jamie enjoys spending quality time with her family and sightseeing. She has had a passion to be a teacher since she was a little girl, and was inspired by this anonymous quote; “Teaching is touching life”.
Sandra Gomez – (Teacher)
Sandra has been working at Saint Paul’s CDC since January 2008. Prior to that she taught preschool at the YMCA of Bridgeport. Sandra holds a Child Development Credential Associate (CDA) and is currently matriculating towards her Early Childhood Associates Degree at Housatonic Community College. Sandra loves working with children and she would eventually like to obtain her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys spending time with her friends, her family and shopping. Additionally, she loves to travel and also learning about other cultures.
Patrice Kitchen – (Teacher)
Patrice has been working at St. Paul’s CDC for the past four years, and loves every minute of it. In 2007 she decided to further her education in early childhood, and is currently attending Housatonic Community College where she is matriculating towards her Associates Degree in Early Childhood, with plans of earning her Bachelors in ECC. She also recently completed her Child Development Associate Credential course work, and is awaiting receipt of her credential. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an avid fan of music and dancing.
Simone Kirton - (Teacher)
Simone is our newest staff member and is happy and excited to join our teaching team. She recently graduated from Housatonic Community College with her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education. Simone enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and in her spare time loves to read, exercise and travel.