Meet Our Team!
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Taylor
Education: Taylor has a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education and a Master’s in Special
Education. Has a dual-certified teacher in Special and Regular Education Birth - 6th Grade. Taylor has taught Kindergarten for 2 years. After having a classroom of her own, she became a behavior specialist for Kindergarten - 2nd Grade for a year. She is now excited to be in Preschool!
What Talyor likes about being a teacher: Taylor loves seeing the magic in a child’s eyes when they are truly learning! When a child is engaged in an activity, they become curious and intrigued with life. They ask questions that are so genuine and filled with knowledge. Children are a reminder that life is fun and filled with belly laughs!
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Ruth
Education: Master's Degree in Special Education, teaching with the agency for over 25 years!
What Ruth likes about being a teacher: “I enjoy seeing the children eager to learn and becoming excited about learning new things. I love hearing the children’s conversations, which are triggered by something they have learned, and how it relates to their lives!“
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Kayla
Education: Bachelor's in Special Education and a Master's Degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology
What Kayla likes about being a teacher: "I enjoy singing and dancing with the kids! I also love listening to their stories."
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Emily M.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Concentration in Special Education and General Education (B-9), Master's Degree in Literacy.
What Emily likes about being a teacher: “ I enjoy being a part of children’s lives and watching them learn and grow. Every day is a new experience and each moment in our classroom presents a new opportunity for learning!”
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Kristen
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education, Master’s Degree in Literacy
What Kristen likes about being a teacher: “I enjoy watching my students learn and grow throughout the year. I love guiding students in their exploration of the world around them, and helping them become lifelong learners!”
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Katrina
Education: Master’s Degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education
What Katrina likes about being a teacher: "The best part of my job is seeing the smiling faces of the kids every day. I enjoy seeing the expressions on their faces when they learn something new or master a skill they have worked so hard on. Working with young children brings fun, exciting, and new memories every day!"
Preschool Teacher: Ms Marlene
Education: Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. 26 years of teaching experience in early childhood education.
What Marlene likes about being a teacher: "Seeing the children come to school brings a smile to my face, knowing that I can teach them new things and have an impact on their lives means so much to me."
Preschool Teacher - Ms. Jenna
Education: What Jenna likes most about being a teacher is: I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood/ Special Education from The College of Saint Rose. I also received my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and instruction from The College of Saint Rose.
What Jenna likes most about being a teacher is: Forming
positive relationships and watching my students learn and grow as individuals.
Having the opportunity to teach and make a difference is incredibly
rewarding.
Preschool Teacher - Ms. Heather
Education: Working towards a Masters of Arts in Special Education. I have 6 years of experience in early childhood, primarily working with preschool aged children.
What Heather likes most about being a teacher is: being a part of the growth and development of so many unique young children and watching them learn and blossom.
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Cas
Education: Bachelor’s degree was obtained from SUNY Albany. She was an English Major Education Minor. Later, I received my Master’s degree in Special Education and Literacy from SUNY Albany. Has 7+ years of experience serving within the early childhood education field.
What Cas likes about being a teacher: " What I love most about being a teacher is that I get to be a catalyst for change in a young child’s life. The love that a teacher gives, the relationships we build, and the support we implement can set a child up to be successful for the rest of their life. I’m proud of that!”
Preschool Teacher - Ms. Courtney
Education: Courtney has been working in education since 2013 while attending Hudson Valley Community College for Early childhood education. She was a nanny for several families during that time. She also has experience as a lead teacher in a home daycare for 2 years. I started working in special education in 2016 as a teaching assistant. It was during her time as a teaching assistant that she decided to pursue a career as a special education teacher and go back to school. Courtney finished with her bachelor’s in childhood education from the College of Saint Rose in 2021. She is currently enrolled at the University at Albany in their special education master's program.
What Courtney likes about being a teacher: Courtney has always loved teaching and working with children. As a teacher, she enjoys being able to make a difference in the lives of her students by helping them learn and grow in a positive environment as well as supporting them to foster their own curiosities
through learning. Courtney enjoys building relationships with not only her students but their families as well.
Preschool Teacher: Mr. Trevor
Education: Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (Birth-2 years of age), working towards his Masters.
What Trevor likes about being a teacher is "Teaching and working with children is such a joy! I like that I can have lessons that amplify the student's voice and that invite students to pull from their experiences, culture communities, and histories as a valid source of information.
Preschool Teacher - Ms. Kasia
Education: Kasia holds a bachelor’s degree in English Philology with a specialization in teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and a Master’s degree in Special Needs. She has been an early childhood educator for about a decade.
What Kasia likes about being a teacher: “Despite following a consistent routine, no day looks like another in the classroom. Each student presents a set of unique characteristics, goals, and challenges that require teachers to observe and adjust methodology to meet their needs. I enjoy the pace as well as the ability to work alongside other dedicated teachers to bring out the best in the youngest of learners."
Preschool Teacher - Ms. Alyson
Education: Bachelors Degree in Childhood Education with a minor/concentration in English Language Arts from The College of Saint Rose. In January 2022 I am furthering my education by beginning my coursework online for my Graduate Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I have worked in Early Childhood for roughly four years altogether. Throughout college I worked in a UPK/EPK setting for Albany City CSD. This opportunity taught me a lot, it familiarized me with the curriculum and the field itself.
What Alyson likes about being a teacher is: “What I love about being a teacher is that it’s a job that continuously challenges you. Each child is different and what works for one, may not work for another child. You are responsible for brainstorming, researching, and trying different methods all of the time. It’s an occupation that forces you to grow and go outside of your comfort zone.
Children are the brightest lights; they are unapologetically themselves, they are silly, they
say whatever is on their mind, their way of thinking is curious and creative, and they are in a stage
that just amazes me every single day. Spending your day surrounded by them, I am not sure
who wouldn't love their job! Teaching also gives you the added bonus of watching them form
friendships, find themselves, learn, grow, and explore, which truly makes it the most rewarding job
in the world.”
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Alissa
Education: Alissa graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education with a concentration in English. She is dually certified in General Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Birth - 2nd grade. Currently in the process of getting her master's degree in Literacy at UAlbany. She has worked at a daycare center for four years and then worked as a substitute teacher for about a year.
What Alissa likes about being a teacher is: that it brings her so much joy. She loves interacting with children and watching/ listening to how they play. Young children have the most creative imaginations, and it is intriguing to hear the things that they come up with when playing with both adults and peers. Her favorite thing about being a teacher is seeing a child make gains or master a skill they have been working on. It is beyond amazing how children absorb knowledge and put it to use in their own way.
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Emily
Education: Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) and a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education (Birth-Grade 6). She has 10 years of formal teaching experience in the early childhood field, varying in ages 18 months to 12 years old, along with experience as an Interim/Assistant Director.
What Emily likes about being a teacher is: “Although each day is structured as far as routines, my favorite parts are the ones that are not anticipated on our lesson plans. The spontaneous moments and things that the children say may be brief, but those are what leave the biggest impressions in my heart that turn into lifelong memories. Seeing the children’s progress throughout an entire school year is astounding, but specifically, seeing the children’s personalities develop and their social-emotional growth is what reminds me how early childhood education can create a foundation for the future. The children form such strong friendships and bonds with one another as well as with their teaching team that showcase how genuine and nurturing children innately are. As the world we live in is full of unexpected events and uncertainty, children are so resilient, and their daily interactions are the reminders that show us that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.”
Education: Kaitlyn has an associate in Early Childhood Education and is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Human Services with a concentration in Special Education. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 12 years now. I have held many positions as my career has developed, including Teacher's Assistant, Lead Teacher, and Director of a Montessori program.
What Kaitlyn likes about being a teacher is: Kaitlyn’s favorite part about being a teacher is “Watching the children grow and show progress in their goals right in front of you. It's exciting to see them light up and glow when they discover something new or are working on an activity that they love.”
Preschool Teacher: Ms. Rachel
Education: Rachel has a bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Rose where she majored in Early Childhood Education. She also has a Master’s Degree completed at the College of Saint Rose, where Rachel majored in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been involved in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 5 years now and has worked in her current position as a lead UPK teacher for almost a year.
What Rachel likes about being a teacher: Rachel shared, “My favorite part about being a teacher is being able to see life through the eyes of my students. They each bring a new, and oftentimes, positive outlook on life that makes even the worst days a little bit brighter. I love knowing that not only am I able to have a positive influence on each of their lives but that they also have such a large and wonderful impact on my life every day.”
Site Director: Ms. Kelly
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Master's Degree in Educational Psychology
What Kelly likes about her job: “I truly enjoy supporting families as they make one of the most important decisions for their child: deciding the first stepping stone for their child’s education. I take pride in the exceptional programs Kids Express has to offer in the early childhood field. I have the opportunity to work with highly qualified educators who see the amazing potential of each child that attends our programs!”
Administrative Assistant and Marketing: Ms. Liz
Education: Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. 10 years of teaching experience and 5 years working with students with special needs.
What Liz likes about her job: “I thoroughly enjoy using the skills and techniques I have learned in the classroom and applying them to my administrative position!”
Social Worker, LCSW: Ms. Bre
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Master’s Degree and Clinical License in Social Work
What Bre likes about her job: “Working with children, their families, and the staff at Achievements! I love having the opportunity to see the growth of each kiddo throughout the year, and celebrating every success, big or small!”
IEP Coordinator / Pyramid Model Trainer: Ms. Jessica
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education (Grade 1-Grade 6), Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Birth-Grade 2), with over 10 years of teaching experience and Administrative Certification in NYS School Building Leader and actively seeking NYS School District Leader certification.
What Jessica likes about her job: My favorite part about my job is building connections and seeing the growth in students, families and staff. I love the dynamic program that Achievements has to offer with students and families as our priority. I also love how our staff are continuously learning and growing with our students in a developmentally appropriate and authentic learning environment. When we work as a unit with families we see the positive changes and growth in our students and that is the most rewarding experience. When parents choose our program for their child, they are choosing us as a part of their family and that is something that I value and respect. Welcome to the Achievements/Kids Express family!
OCFS Compliance: Ms. Sue
Education: AAS Human Services; working with children for approximately over 30 years in varies capacities and situation from youth groups, daycares to school.
What I love most about my job is I enjoy organizing things and using peoples input in order to assess what would best for a majority of various needs. I love seeing the kids grow and learn. I feel great reward when I see "the light go on" as a child learns something new.
Family Engagement / Pyramid Model Trainer: Ms. Noelle
Education: Noelle’s credentials include Board Certification in Behavior Analysis, a Master of Science in Special Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as 8 years of classroom instructional experience working with individuals of varying abilities.
What Noelle likes about being a part of Kids Express is “That teaching certainly provides me with a purpose and fulfillment in ways that have both challenged and motivated me. As an early childhood educator, promoting young children’s healthy social and emotional development is, and will continue to be, the foundation for learning. What an incredible responsibility it is to teach, model, practice, and encourage skills that are crucial to, not only being an upholding citizen, but are vital for relationship building, self-regulation, problem-solving, self-reflection, and any future learning to take place.”
Social Worker, LCSW and Family Support: Ms. Katie
Education: Has a Masters in Social Work from SUNY Albany and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Katie has been working in early childhood education for 4 years.
What Katie likes about being a part of Achievements/Kids Express is: "The best part of my job is helping children with their social emotional skills through their play. It is such a joy to see the growth children make throughout the year as they gain more skills to navigate social interactions with their peers and teachers.”
Administrative Assistant - Ms. Ellen
Education: Has a CDA (Child Development Associate) and has been working in the Child Care field for more than 30 years. Most of those years were as a Teacher working directly with the children but the past 5 or so have been in Administration.
What Ellen likes about her job: “I started with Achievements in late 2020. As Admin Support, I work in the office but I wear many hats. I love being able to be there for the classrooms to help them in any way I can. I feel lucky to be able to have a glimpse into every room and be able to meet ALL of the children. It's such a privilege to watch this dedicated team of professionals do what they all do so well and to watch the children thrive. I am constantly amazed at the work being done here!”
DAP/Curriculum Support - Ms. Remy
Education: Remy holds a BA in Liberal Arts and a MA in Early Childhood Education and is TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certified. She has over ten years of teaching experience in the US and abroad.
What Remy likes about her job is: “The best part of my job is working with such a dedicated, caring staff and getting the opportunity to watch children grow and learn in a joyful environment.”