“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 Education Committee in Darien, CDSP and is Vice Chair of the Tokeneke PTO. Mary Nevin and her family enjoy traveling, skiing, sailing, gardening and being outside as much as possible! Both of her children are CCNS graduates and remain curious lifelong learners thanks to their time at the school!
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 children.
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.
Amy Essex
Assistant Threes Teacher
Amy comes to CCNS with more than ten years of teaching experience and a true love for working with young children. She earned her Master’s degree in Childhood Special Education from Fordham University and spent the early part of her career teaching in both public and private schools across Manhattan. In her final year with NYC public schools, Amy served as the Special Education Coordinator for her entire elementary school. In that role, she supported both students and teachers, collaborating with administrators to design curriculum and create learning environments where every child could thrive.
After stepping away from full-time teaching to raise her two children, Emmett and Andie—both proud CCNS alumni—Amy found her way back into the CCNS community as an enrichment teacher and substitute. It was there that she fell in love with early childhood education, the cooperative model, and the joy of play-based learning. She is now thrilled to be teaching in the Threes program and to be part of the school that has meant so much to her family.
When she’s not at CCNS, Amy can often be found walking her golden doodles, Flash and Shadow, getting a good workout in, curled up with a book, or spending time with her family.
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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.
Becca Sandoval
Assistant Fours Teacher
Becca joined CCNS as a substitute in 2022 and a short time later officially joined the staff as the 3’s assistant. After being in that role for 3 years, she and has now taken on the role of the 4’s assistant teacher. Becca is grateful to be a part of 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 and son. They love creating unforgettable memories with friends and family, traveling, and learning new cooking recipes.