Kathy is a certified teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and a Master’s Degree in Teaching. Kathy is also certified by the State of Connecticut as a Head Teacher and has completed all the requirements for the Connecticut Director’s Credential. She has taught in the Stamford and Fairfield Public Schools.  Kathy has worked summers at Camp Playland since high school! Kathy lives in Fairfield and is the proud mom to two adult children. When she’s not working, she enjoys baking, knitting, fostering kittens and spending time with friends and family.

Vivi is from Costa Rica. She has worked at Playland Nursery School since 2014, first teaching the two’s class and now teaching the 4’s (in addition to her duties as Assistant Director). She loves getting immersed in the children’s world and connecting with them. Vivi has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood, a Master’s degree in Special Education and a minor in Human Services. She lives in Trumbull with her husband and two daughters (both Playland alumni!). Vivi is an avid athlete who represented her native country of Costa Rica in various Worldwide swimming events. She is still the current record holder of the 200m back-stroke – women, back in her country! She loves to spend time with her family at the beach, riding bikes or dancing to latin music.

Kathryn began working full-time in Early Childhood Education after graduating from Clark University in Worcester, MA with a degree in Community, Youth, & Education Studies. She has served as a Lead Teacher of two and three-year olds, and as the Assistant Director of a Fairfield County preschool. Kathryn has also spent three years at Camp Playland in the Pre-K division. During college break, she subbed in the Polar Bears class at Playland and enjoyed that experience tremendously.  Kathryn loves dancing, volleyball, and the New York Yankees (Aaron Judge is her favorite!). And most of all, she loves Karev, her rescue cat.

Elizabeth (Liz) started working in Early Childhood in 1997 teaching Music and Movement classes. She received her CDA from Norwalk Community College in 2003, and began working in the classroom at The Cowan Center preschool for Greenwich Academy. Throughout the years she has worked with children in many different capacities, teaching gymnastics, Zumba, and Mommy and Me classes. In 2018 Liz retuned to the classroom as a 2’s & 3’s teacher. She feels very lucky to be able to help children learn and grow in so many different ways. Working in Early Childhood is a passion of hers, and finding fun and different ways to learn is her specialty! Liz is a Mom of 2 boys ages 18 & 24, and 2 dogs. She enjoys animal and people portrait drawing, and hanging out with her family.

Rachel has been at Playland since January 2014.  Rachel has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Franklin Pierce University and Head Teacher Certificate from CT State. She loves teaching preschool-aged children, specifically seeing their big smiles after new accomplishments. Rachel is a twenty five year resident of New Canaan and lives with her husband Matt, their two boys, Kyle and Dylan, and dog Bailey. Outside of the classroom Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Cara is has been teaching at Playland since 2015. She has a BA William Smith College and a MS Ed. Bank Street College and her Head Teacher Certificate from the State of CT Office of Early Childhood. Cara taught at Cisqua School and Brick Church School before stopping to raise her family. She has 3 children (two of which are Playland alumni!). Cara loves to ski, play tennis and is a very messy cook!!

Laurie began at Playland teaching Fit Kids and Movement after school enrichment classes and substituting in our classrooms. In 2020 she joined our staff as an Assistant Teacher and Music/Movement Instructor. She was the Head Gymboree Instructor in the Fairfield County franchise for many years and has taught enrichment programs in Norwalk and Rowayton preschools for over 12 years. Laurie loves using creative and engaging activities to engage with the children. Laurie is married and the mother of 3 young adults. Her youngest son is a counselor at Camp Playland. Laurie loves spending time with her family and dogs. She loves the beach, music and dancing.

Kim lives in New Canaan with her daughter Kendall who is a student at Saxe Middle School. She graduated from Union College and then completed her Masters in childhood education/special education in NY. Kim previously worked at Scarsdale Middle School, where she taught 6th grade English and Science. Kim works in the summers as the Camp Playland Ropes and Mats specialist. She is happy to be a part of the Playland Nursery School staff and looks forward to playing, growing, and learning with her students.

Vivi is from Costa Rica. She has worked at Playland Nursery School since 2014, first teaching the two’s class and now with the 4’s. She loves getting immersed in the children’s world and connecting with them. Vivi has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood, a Master’s degree in Special Education and a minor in Human Services. She lives in Trumbull with her husband and two daughters (both Playland alumni!). Vivi is an avid athlete who represented her native country of Costa Rica in various Worldwide swimming events. She is still the current record holder of the 200m back-stroke – women, back in her country! She loves to spend time with her family at the beach, riding bikes or dancing to latin music.

A mother of four and grandmother of six, Jo-Ann began her career as a Registered Nurse. After working in the medical field for a number of years she decided her heart’s desire was to work with children and teach. She began as an assistant teacher at Playland with Missy Trenck as her mentor and took the courses necessary to obtain her Head Teaching Certificate from the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Jo-Ann has found great joy and satisfaction leading the Playland Polar Bears as they play, learn, and explore. Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her family, photography and playing with her dog Eddie.

Natalia graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 2017 with a Bachelors Degree in Child Development. She has been working in the child care setting since then. Natalia joined the Playland Nursery School staff in 2022. Each year she looks forward to getting to know the children and staff. In her free time Natalia loves the beach, reading and going to cycling class.

Anthony (“Ant”) was born and raised in Stamford and recently moved to Monroe with his family.  He enjoys playing soccer, singing, and raising his two year old godson! Anthony attends Western Connecticut State University and is pursuing a degree in Theater Performance. Ant works at Camp Playland in the summer, most recently as the Theater Specialist.  Ant feels teaching is extremely rewarding; he is very excited to be a part of the Playland Nursery School staff. 

Caroline is very excited to start her first year at Playland Nursery School. She grew up in Stamford, CT and continues to live there with her sister and dog. Over the years she has worked as a part time and full time nanny for two families, two daycares, and an after school program. She studied Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education at Grand Canyon University and hopes to transfer schools to finish her Bachelors degree in the future. She enjoys hiking, the beach, and spending time with her friends and family and of course the love of her life – her dog Lulu!

Jenna started at Playland as a high school intern and has worked at Camp Playland ever since!  She’s spends her summers with the Pre-K camp groups and is excited to be part of the nursery school staff as well. She lives in Norwalk and is a recent graduate Johnson & Wales University where she majored in psychology. Jenna hopes to take more classes towards Early Childhood Education.

Jess is delighted to teach music at Playland Nursery School!  After receiving a BM in Music Education from Gordon College (Wenham, MA), Jess went on to teach music in the public schools to students in grades preschool through eight, prior to taking a break to raise her family.  She has directed both instrumental and choral performing ensembles at the elementary and secondary levels.  She currently maintains a private piano studio of twenty students.  Jess is passionate about setting all students up for success in being active music makers, from the very youngest on up, so they discover that “doing music” is fun!  Her favorite thing about teaching music to preschoolers is the pure joy on their faces and the light in their eyes as they experience a wide variety of imaginative songs, rhymes, simple instruments, games, and movement based activities in each lesson.  Fun fact:  Jess first attended Camp Playland as a child, then went on to work many summers as a swim instructor…but most recently this past summer as camp music specialist.  Jess and her husband Brett have an exciting house with five daughters, two dogs and a big veggie garden!

Lucy lives in New Canaan with her loving husband and four wonderful kids, three of whom are Playland Nursery School alumni! Before getting married, she worked at The Family School in midtown Manhattan for two years and  received Montessori training at the Princeton Montessori School in New Jersey. Lucy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. She is excited for the privilege of returning to Playland as a teacher after being a Playland parent.

Rhona graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University with a BS in Psychology and a BA in social work. She worked as a Special assistant and community liaison for a New York state Senator until moving to CT to raise her family. She lives with an Avid baker, who happens to be her husband and has 3 grown children. Rhona has been involved at Playland as a mom, an assistant teacher and substitute teacher since she first moved to CT when her oldest began nursery school at Playland. Her children are alumni campers and counselors. This will be Rhona’s 19th year as a Camp Playland swim instructor and preschool teacher/substitute. Obviously Rhona loves Playland! When she is not there she is happy to entertain and see friends, walk with their dog Levi, and spend time with family.

Stef received her Bachelors Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020,  graduating top of her class. She joined the Camp Playland staff in summer of 2021 and Playland Nursery School in the fall of 2021. Stef’s babysat for many years and has always wanted to be in a classroom. Stef loves seeing children grow and learn new things. In her free time she enjoys going on hikes, cooking and spending time with my niece and nephew. Fun fact: She harvests pumpkins every year!