Miss SAM, Executive Director

Education: Graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, Bachelor of Arts, NPTNJ Teacher's Certificate of Eligibility in children K-5, 5-8, and Children with Special Needs.    

Child Care Experience: I have been in the field of childhood education for over 10 years. I have always believed that our greatest teaching tool is a child’s natural sense of curiosity and that if we follow their lead we can all discover new ways to view this exciting world we live in. Living in a time when technology is so prevalent I feel it is so important for our children to get outside and play! On a personal note, I am a proud mother of a spirited six year old boy, who is the light of my life. We enjoy the outdoors and some of our favorite activities are tracking the lunar cycle and star gazing. We also like to walk the Henry Hudson trail regularly, and see how it changes with the seasons. We are animal lovers and advocates for a clean earth. We love the beaches of Monmouth County and enjoy searching for shells and rocks, even in the winter.

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I love learning in the outdoors. I find it fascinating! Studying the everchanging environment that we are surrounded with on Sandy Hook. Science, music and exploration are key points that I embrace in my everyday exchanges with my students.

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center:  What drew me to SHCCC is the perspective of learning from exploring Mother Nature. It is absolutely in my opinion the best developmentally appropriate way of learning.

MIss jenn, Asst-Director

Education: Graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in Communications, NPTNJ Teacher’s Certificate of Eligibility of children K-5, NJ Childcare Administrator’s Credential.

Child Care Experience: I started working with children as a PreK teacher in 2010. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Preschool aged children, but the growing brain of an infant/toddler brain always intrigued me so I had to continue learning more and more about their development. Through the various roles of Head Teacher, Group Teacher, Assistant Director and Director, and teacher mentor, I have continued to love learning about the growth and development of young learners as well the best ways to organize teaching strategies for learning opportunities.

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I love exploring scientific experiments and observing various items from nature. I also love to create opportunities for creative outlets such as musical “shows”, cooking in the mud kitchen, and of course visiting our local lighthouse for a story and snack under the trees.

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center: I love Sandy Hook Child Care Center because we can utilize the fascinating grounds of Fort Hancock for our classroom. Our location provides hours of learning experiences each and every day from observing wildlife, history, nature, and of course the “shore life”.

MISS Sharon

Education: Rumson Fair Haven High School, Brookdale Community College, currently pursuing a CDA certificate for Infant/Toddlers.

Child Care Experience: I have been babysitting since I was just 10 years of age. I worked as a nanny for many years before having two beautiful daughters. I was a stay at home mother for 10 years and then moved on to working at a local child care center for 11 years.  

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I love reading books to the children. Arts & craft types of projects is also one of my favorite activities to do with kids on a regular basis. I also love to cook with the children!

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center:  I love that Sandy Hook Child Care Center allows the children to be children. They get to discover their independence and positive self esteem. My fellow teachers here are amazing to work with and the children are so much fun!

Miss Drew

Education: Studying psychology at Brookdale Community College

Child Care Experience: I’ve had various experiences in child care prior to taking my position at Sandy Hook Child Care Center in late September of 2020 including babysitting, summer rec programs, and local child care centers.

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: My favorite activity to do with the kids is taking them outside. Whether we are going for a walk, playing in the backyard, splashing in puddles, or sledding when it snows, it is always so much fun for the kids. 

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center: I love Sandy Hook Child Care Center because our staff provides an enjoyable and fun experience for the children as well as helping parents out at the same time. 

Mr Guillerme “Mr Gui”

Education: Brookdale Community College, Middletown High School South

Child Care Experience: I’ve volunteered at Brave Beginnings, a center based early intervention program for 7 years. I have also worked various positions at local child care centers.

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I love to work with the kids and make them laugh - and they make me laugh too! I like getting outside with them to get fresh air.

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center: I really like that we spend so much time outdoors enjoying nature, it is so stimulating for the kids. We can make connections with each other and nature, it really is a special place.

Miss Neerja

Education: Bachelor of Arts

Child Care Experience: While raising 3 children of my own I have also taught Preschool students as well as worked with ages 5-16 in language studies.

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I prefer hands on activities with the children that help to prepare them for their next step in their schooling. I enjoy reading books to the children and art activities as well.

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center: I like that SHCCC gives me the opportunity to work with small children and get them to learn and play while having fun! I love the structure of the program and the nature aspect.

Miss Laureen

Education: Graduate Keansburg High School

Child Care Experience: I started babysitting for local families in high school. When a family member became ill, I became the full-time caregiver for her 3 children. WIth over 30 years of experience with children, moving to a preschool setting seemed like a natural fit

Favorite Activities to Do With the Kids: I love watching the kids do puzzles and seeing how they work to figure things out. I enjoy giving them clues when they need it, the smile on their faces when accomplishing a task can bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Why I Love Sandy Hook Child Care Center: I like that the center is small and personal. It’s like working for a big extended family, not a large cookie cutter corporation.