Our Teachers
At NPS we have an awesome staff who are so excited to engage with our children. Our teachers are experienced, with most of our staff having more than 10 years early childhood experience. In each of our four classrooms, at least one teacher holds an Office of Early Childhood Head Teacher Certification. All teachers are Pediatric First Aid and CPR certified. All full-time staff complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development training, annually.
Blue Room (Infant & Toddlers)
This classroom accommodates no more than 12 children, with a 1:3 teacher-to-student ratio.
Zalla Giuffrida
Zalla has been working in childcare for 10 years. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching the kids grow and learn new things. She has two dogs, loves being outside and hiking. She also loves the colors purple and grey, loves to travel and going on adventures.
Allison (Allie) Rourke
Allie has been working with children of all ages since 2015. She has worked at both before and after school programs as well as summer camps with children in elementary school. She has also worked in a middle school Special Education program. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her 4 year old son, her family, hiking and going to the beach.
Brenda Padykula-Smith
Bio Coming Soon
Julia Mitchell
Bio Coming Soon
Yellow Room (Infant & Toddlers)
This classroom accommodates no more than 12 children, with a 1:3 teacher-to-student ratio.
Tori Machado
Tori has happily been with NPS since August of 2019, but her passion and adoration for young children spans back many, many years before. Throughout her life, she has had the joy of working with children of all ages, from infants up to 6th grade. Some of her more notable experiences include helping manage a children’s event group while in college, handling responsibilities as a Lead Toddler Teacher for 3 years at Bright Horizons in Pittsburgh, Pa, and before coming to NPS, working as the Lead Infant teacher at the ESPN KidsCenter in Bristol, Ct.
One of her greatest achievements in life has been becoming a parent to her own children. She always loves bringing her experience and passion to the classroom and building meaningful relationships with children and their families. She looks forward to continuing on this journey for many years to come.
Luz Davila.
I enjoy working with small minds. I am creative and like the outdoors. I am passionate about making a difference in our children life and also love to be involved in children’s organizations or events that help out the community. “ Our children are very important, and to them we are the important ones!”
CAROLINE
Caroline began working at NPS as a substitute teacher in the summer of 2022, and was hired full time as an Infant/Toddler Teacher in the fall of the same year. She has previously worked as an early childhood caregiver, camp counselor and as an intern at Middletown Youth Services Bureau. When not at NPS, Caroline is working towards completing Bachelors degrees in Astronomy and Physics, which she began Wellesley College before moving back home to Middletown, where she is a fourth generation resident, during the pandemic.
Tracy Banks
Bio Coming Soon
Orange Preschool Classroom
This classroom accommodates no more than 14 children, with a 1:7 (and oftentimes lower) teacher-to-student ratio.
Christina (Tina) Brockett
Tina has a Bachelor's degree from ECSU in sociology and criminal justice and has many years experience working with children. She also enjoys being outside, hiking, going to the beach, and loves to read. Tina joined NPS in April 2022 and is very excited for this opportunity.
Green Preschool Classroom
This classroom accommodates no more than 14 children, with a 1:7 (and oftentimes lower) teacher-to-student ratio.
Ashley Natale (Lead Teacher)
Ashley Natale is the lead teacher of the Green Room preschool at NPS. She has been a dedicated staff member since 2007. She graduated from Middlesex Community College with an associates degree in early childhood education. From there, she completed her bachelors at Charter Oak State College with a degree in child studies. Teaching has been her passion for many years. To her, it is rewarding to see the growth and development of the children under her care. She brings joy, creativity and positive energy to make the experience of early childhood memorable for each student.
allie tetrault
My name is Allie Tetrault and I have been working in the early childhood field for 3 years now. I am currently finishing my Associates degree and will be going to get my Bachelors degree in 2025. Outside of school and work I love to garden, paint and bake. I also enjoy spending time with my family and my cat, Judy.
FLOATING SUBSTITUTE FOR ALL CLASSROOMS
Emma Arroyo
Emma is from Middletown originally and has always loved Wesleyan's beautiful campus and the diversity it brings to our city. When she’s not working she loves walking her dog "Kobe", cooking, baking, and visiting the beach. She loves a good movie and quiet nights playing board games with friends.