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Staff

“As a teacher I view myself as a protector of children’s play. My job is to create a safe inviting space with engaging play materials, then step back and let the children take the lead while I look for ways to enhance and extend their play. One of the great pleasures of teaching is that it is never stagnant, there is always room for growth and each year brings a fresh start. It is difficult to articulate what quality play looks like, but it is easy to recognize when we see it. Good teaching is about recognizing that spark and nurturing the flame.”

– LINI ECKER

Directors

Mary Nevin Gauthier

Administrative Director
Mary Nevin joined CCNS as a parent in 2018 and has served as the Administrative Director since 2022. Before becoming a Director, Mary Nevin worked in a variety of roles at CCNS, including classroom assistant and president of the board. She holds a MBA from Georgia State University and worked in advertising prior to joining CCNS. Additionally, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace & Conflict Studies from Guilford College, where she first fell in love with cooperatives. Mary Nevin serves on the RTM as well as on the boards of the Rowayton Parents Exchange and Tokeneke PTO. Mary Nevin and her family enjoy traveling, nature walks, gardening and being outside as much as possible! Both of her children are recent CCNS alums.

Dana Gorman

Educational Director and Fours Teacher
Dana has dedicated her life to early childhood education and is passionately committed to teaching children through play by inspiring them to be curious and creative learners from their first introduction to education. Dana joined CCNS as a mom in 1999, took over as Educational Director in 2002, and became the head fours teacher in 2005. She received extensive training on the Project Approach from its developers Lillian Katz, Sylvia Chard and Judy Helm. Dana was recognized by Stepping Stones Museum, winning the prestigious 2010 Playful Practices in Teaching Award. Dana taught kindergarten at North Mianus School in Riverside, CT for nine years before coming to CCNS. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University and a Masters of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia Teachers College. Each of her three children attended CCNS.

Click here to see Dana’s blog, Playfully Learning.

Twos

Lini Ecker

Twos Teacher
Lini’s love of educating young children is obvious and infectious. One of the most creative teachers around, she is constantly researching and learning new ideas and approaches to enhance her students’ learning experience. She came to CCNS from Playspace, an extremely successful preschool program for 2-and 3-year-olds she created and ran from her home in Norwalk for 16 years. CCNS was so lucky to have her bring her rich experience here where she started the innovative twos program in 2009. Lini holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston. She taught for six years in Cambridge, MA before moving to Connecticut. Lini loves being active and outdoors – she enjoys pilates, yoga, walking, and riding her bike – which you can see her doing to-and-from school when weather permits. Her passions also include photography and Myers Briggs Type Theory. She and her husband have two grown sons.

Carolyn Barrese

Assistant Twos Teacher
Carolyn has been working with kids of all ages since she was a teen.  She graduated from Pace University with a degree in Human Resources and a graduate degree in Elementary Education.  She was the Director of Student Activities and Orientation  at Pace, and then a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children.  She taught many years of religious education at St. Anthony’s in Nanuet, NY and at St. Jerome’s here in Norwalk.  After teaching 2’s at the Wilton YMCA for 5 years, she became the EdgeKids supervisor at The Edge Fitness in Norwalk and then moved to another child based role at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT.  Carolyn spent many years volunteering at her children’s schools and was a founding member and head of the parent board at Extreme Cheer CT.  A Long Island native, she has lived in Westchester and Rockland counties in NY, and settled in Norwalk in 1997.  She enjoys yoga, pilates, traveling, the beach and spending time with friends and family.

Threes

Adele Evershed

Threes Teacher
It is no wonder Adele is adored by all of her students – her sense of humor, her love of music and dance, and the joy she gets from teaching are obvious the second you walk into her classroom. Adele joined CCNS as a mom in 2008 and joined the staff as an assistant teacher in 2011. Adele taught elementary school for 11 years in London and Manchester before moving to Asia. While in Hong Kong, she ran a “Mommy and Me” group for ages 18-months to 3 years old at the Canadian International School. A UK native, she is active in the expat community here in Fairfield County where she runs a group to help newly arrived expats build a community mostly through socializing. She also writes and directs the annual British Group Pantomime that benefits Neighbors Link Stamford, an organization that helps immigrants integrate into the community. Adele has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Exeter in the UK and a Postgraduate Teaching Degree from the University of Surrey. Adele has four children, the youngest of which attended CCNS. Her family keeps her quite busy, but in her free time she enjoys reading and going to the theater.

Rebecca Sandoval

Assistant Threes Teacher
Becca joined CCNS as a substitute in 2022 and has now taken on the role of the 3’s assistant teacher. Becca is grateful to join the CCNS community and further her pedagogy of teaching. Becca knew from a young age her love for children and immense patience would lead her to someday become an educator. What began with babysitting for family and friends grew into a clear educational career path. She earned her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood/Childhood Education from Iona University in New Rochelle, NY in 2018. Her love for incorporating Spanish instruction stems from her love for her Mexican culture and traditions. Becca was able to fully submerge herself in the fieldwork opportunities, such as Preschool, Elementary, Special Education classrooms, and tutoring—throughout NY and CT. Becca was born and raised in Norwalk, CT, and has been able to build a family of her own, including her husband and daughter. They love creating unforgettable memories with friends and family, traveling, and learning new cooking recipes.

Fours

Dana Gorman

Educational Director and Fours Teacher
Dana has dedicated her life to early childhood education and is passionately committed to teaching children through play by inspiring them to be curious and creative learners from their first introduction to education. Dana joined CCNS as a mom in 1999, took over as Educational Director in 2002, and became the head fours teacher in 2005. She received extensive training on the Project Approach from its developers Lillian Katz, Sylvia Chard and Judy Helm. Dana was recognized by Stepping Stones Museum, winning the prestigious 2010 Playful Practices in Teaching Award. Dana taught kindergarten at North Mianus School in Riverside, CT for nine years before coming to CCNS. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University and a Masters of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia Teachers College. Each of her three children attended CCNS.

Click here to see Dana’s blog, Playfully Learning.

Jessica Serrano

Assistant Fours Teacher

For as long as she can remember, Jess has had a heart for young children.  In college, she found that she also enjoyed business classes and received a degree in Business Administration from Mercy College.  After a couple of years working in marketing, she realized that her true passion was working with children and she left the business world for a position at Manhattan Christian Academy teaching third grade.  She absolutely loved teaching and being in the classroom, but a relocation and caring for her own two children had her leave this position.  During the time of raising her young children, she realized her true calling was working with very young students and she returned to Manhattan Christian Academy to teach the three year-olds. While working there she earned her Christian Child Development Certificate.  Jess is thrilled to be a part of the exciting child centered curriculum that CCNS offers.  While not teaching at CCNS, she home schools her two children and runs the education department of her church in New Rochelle, NY.  Jess also enjoys crocheting and reading.