Faculty and Staff

  • All Staff
  • Administration
  • Forest Toddlers
  • PreK
  • Kindergarten
  • Lower School
  • Middle School
  • Special Subjects

Jennifer Gresens

Head of School


Education:

M.S. Education, Hunter College; B.A. Art History and Psychology, University of New Hampshire

Lynn Schuster

Director of Academics and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion


Education:

M.S. Elementary Ed., College of Saint Rose; B.A. Political Science, SUNY at Albany

Matt Thornton

Director of Admission


Education:

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Lesley University; Non-Profit Leadership Cert., Georgetown University; B.A. Biology, Hamilton College

Andrea Hartman

Director of Communications


Education:

B.A. English, University of Iowa; BA Theater Arts, University of Iowa

Michele Ridgeway

Pre-K


Education:

B.S. Special Education, Certified Early Intervention Specialist SUNY Geneseo, M.F.A.Studio Art, Maine College of Art

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“You’ll make friends, I promise!”

Sarah Notaro

Pre-K


Education:

BA SUNY Cobleskill, Early Childhood Education, M.Ed SUNY

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Don’t let anyone tell you you’re bad at math.”

Charlene Hoffay

Charlene Hoffay

Pre-K Assistant


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“You’re amazing just the way you are.”

Hannah Rose

Pre-K Assistant & Before Care


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Be gentle with yourself, be true to yourself, and let your heart shine through all obstacles.”

Leigh Augustine

Kindergarten


Education:

M.S.Ed Early Childhood Education, Brooklyn College; B.F.A. New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“To thine own self be true.”

Suzi Miranda

Grades 1-2 Teacher


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your words have power.”

Debbie Hoffman

Grades 1-2 Teacher


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“It’s okay if you get a big blob of food on your shirt. That happens to everyone.”

Ashley Saupp

Grades 3-4


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Just remember that in this moment, you’re exactly who you’re supposed to be.”

Ian Marvinney

Grades 5-8 Language Arts


Education:

M.S. Education ELA, St John’s University; B.A. English, SUNY Binghamton

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Say ‘hi’ to everyone. They’re mostly nicer than you think.”

Katie Thornton

Grades 6-7 Language Arts


Education:

M.Ed. Harvard University; B.A. Sociology, Boston College

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Relax and be just who you are.”

Rose Nolan

Grades 5-8 Math


Education:

M.S. Education, Sage Graduate School; B.S. Business Administration, Marist College

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Don’t let anyone ever tell you your dreams are out of reach.”

John Sherry

Grades 5-8 Science


Education:

B.S.,Environmental Science and Policy, Clarkson University

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Being unique is much more important than fitting in.”

Derek Fox

Grades 5-8 Social Studies


Education:

M.S., Secondary Education, University of New England; B.A. History Education, College of St. Rose

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Take a breath.”

Claire Sherwood

Grades K-8 Art


Education:

M.F.A. University of Maryland; B.F.A. Bowling Green State University

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Stand up tall, laugh loudly, and believe in your work”

Sara Feltes

Grades K-8 Music


Education:

M.M. The Hartt School at University of Hartford; B.S. Music Education, College of St. Rose

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Don’t ever be afraid to shine.”

Darcy DeMaria

Grades K-8 Physical Education and Health, Athletic Director


Education:

BS Physical Education, Sage College

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Pay attention more!”

Leiana Hawkins

Grades K-4 Science, Forest Toddlers


Education:

M.Ed. in Science Education, North Carolina State University; B.S. Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Let people see your whole, true self. It’s the only way to find the place where you genuinely belong.”

Jennifer Baker

Grades K-8 Spanish


Education:

Ph.D. Spanish, SUNY Albany; M.A. Latin American and Caribbean Studies, SUNY Albany, B.A. Spanish, Wells College

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“You are a name and not a number.”

Laura Salisbury

Librarian


Education:

MLS Information Science and Policy, School Media Specialist SUNY Albany; BA English Literature, SUNY Albany; AAS Livberal Arts, SUNY

What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“It is never a mistake to be kind.”

Sharon Santacroce

Sharon Santacroce

Special Education- APCSD Resource Room


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“People are more concerned about themselves than me.”

Michelle Hefernan

Executive Assistant & Front Office Manager


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Live your life like a comedy, not a drama.”

Kristen Koehler

Comptroller


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Try your best to enjoy each day and what it brings. Time passes much quicker than you realize.”

Carol Turnbull

Book Keeper


What advice would you give to your younger self on your first day of school?

“Always believe in yourself – you can do it!”

Additional Staff

Wanda Budesheim -- Facilities Manager

Aponi Glover -- Aftercare Coordinator- [email protected]

Rebecca Everett -- APCSD Nurse