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Early Education Program STAFF

Administrative

Teresa Doermer, Director of Preschool

Teresa has her Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education and enjoyed teaching for over 20 years as a Special Education teacher. After obtaining a School Administration Supervisor degree from Canisius College she is currently the Education Director for the Olmsted Center for Sight’s Early Education Program.

Luann Chambers, Office Administrator

Luann has over 20 years experience and brings a diverse work experience to the Olmsted Center.  As office administrator she is responsible for assisting the Director, billing and managing the preschool’s day-to day operations.

Shannon Ayotte, Nurse /Daycare Administrator

 Shannon has 12 years of nursing experience working with children. She has been at the preschool for 3 ½ years, not only as a nurse, but assisting the Director in Daycare regulations and other office responsibilities.

Support staff
 

Mary Anne Herzog, Occupational Therapist

Mary Anne is a licensed Occupational Therapist. Mary Anne works diligently to ensure the therapeutic needs of all students are met. She works closely with parents and classroom teachers to assist them in understanding the unique needs of their children and to provide them with techniques and strategies to better accommodate for each individual child.

Melissa Ray, Physical Therapist

Melissa graduated from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program from the University at Buffalo in 2007.  She completed her final year long residency in pediatrics prior to graduating and finishing the Physical Therapy program.  Melissa has always loved working with children of all ages and regards her time spent with them as invaluable.

Stephanie Hereth , Speech and Language Therapist

Christina Paszkowsky, Speech and Language Therapist

Steve Hagen, Vision Teacher

Kellie Rizzo, Physical Therapist

Stacey Morrisey, School Psychologist

Kim Bandura, Orientation and Mobility Instructor

Teachers

Wende Essrow, Special Ed. Teacher

Wende graduated with a Master’s Degree in Special Education from S.U.N.Y. College at Buffalo and has been teaching preschoolers with special needs for over 20 years.  She has been with the Olmsted Center for Sight-Early Education Program for five years. 

Mary Jo Hallett, Special Ed. Teacher

 Mary Jo is certified in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education,  and has a Mater’s degree in Special Education from Daemen College.  She has worked for the Olmsted Center in the Preschool Program for three years.  Mary Jo has worked primarily with preschoolers, she loves this age group and all aspects of her job!

Carrie Lynch, Special Education Teacher

Carrie holds a Masters Degree in Special Education. She has been teaching students with special needs for the past three years. Carrie enjoys meeting the unique needs of each student she works with and is a strong believer in response to intervention strategies. She is passionate about education and truly enjoys each and every day in the classroom!  Carrie is attending a Hybrid program at Dominican College to get her degree in Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

April Aumick, Special Education Teacher

Teacher Assistants

Cynthia Chiarmonte, Teacher Assistant

Cynthia is a New York State Level III Teaching Assistant in the integrated four year old class at the Early Education Program.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, having majored in Exceptional Education.  She has many years of teaching experience and has worked at the preschool since 1990.

Gina Garippo, Teacher Assistant

Gina is a New York State Level III Teaching Assistant. She works closely with the students and their parents to create a wholesome environment focused on student achievement. Gina incorporates the New York State Fine Arts Standards into her every day classroom activities. She is a talented dancer and uses music to reach all children.

Emily Zeldina, Teacher Assistant

Emily works as a Certified Teacher Assistant in the 3-year Integrated class.  She has a Bachelor's Degree in Music.  She has many years of teaching experience and has worked at the preschool since 2002.   Emily loves working in the classroom.  

Kellie Zych, Teacher Assistant

Kellie worked as a 1:1 aide for 3 years and is now a Teacher Assistant.  She is an enthusiastic and energetic employee who makes the classroom a fun and exciting experience for all students. Kellie works hard to find unique ways to assist all students in participating in the classroom environment.

1:1 Aides

Bob Buckley, 1:1 aide 

Bob works as a 1:1 aide.  He has worked for the Olmsted Center for 3 years. He has a gift for working with Autistic children.  Bob is also the singer/songwrite of Free Henry Band.  Check it out at freehenryband.com

Laurie Frears, 1:1 aide

Laurie works as a 1:1 aide. She is MAT certified and works closely with the nursing staff to ensure the health and safety of the students in our school. Laurie is a skilled dancer and has been teaching dance lessons to children with disabilities for over 8 years.

June D'Orazio, 1:1 aide

June works as a 1:1 aide. She has been working with students with special needs for over 12 years. June is skilled in educational practices and contributes daily to the planning and preparation of classroom activities. June brings great humor to the classroom! 

Shannon Mack, 1:1 aide

Shannon works as a 1:1 aide.  She was just accepted to the University of Buffalo. She will be majoring in Social Work with a minor in Education.

Ben Ziller, 1:1 aide

Ben works as a 1:1 aide. He is a graduate of New School University.  He will be pursuing a Masters in Education in the spring.