Established in 1981, Katonah Playcare Early Learning Center is a preschool located in Katonah, New York, serving children ages 21 months to 5 years of age.
Established in 1981, Katonah Playcare Early Learning Center is a preschool located in Katonah, New York, serving children ages 21 months to 5 years of age.
Meet our staff
Co-Directors
All of our staff are highly trained, seasoned educators who create engaging classroom environments through collaboration, monthly professional development sessions, and by attending professional development programs.
A Theme-Based Approach to Early Education
Gail Porter
Mother of two and grandmother of five, Gail Porter has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Education and an MS in Family Counseling. She has had extensive teaching experience in various grade levels including a mainstreamed preschool, and has served as substitute teacher in the Bedford School District.
Gail has run parent support groups and preschool workshops on literacy, cooking, science and parenting. She has helped coordinate "Staff Development Day" for area preschools and the "Everything You Wanted To Know About ‘Getting Ready’ For Kindergarten" Meeting for preschool parents with the K/L School District. Gail has served on her church board and was a Cub Scout Leader. She started at KPCELC over 30 years ago, and is the Co-Director of the School.
jeannine dibart
Jeannine DiBart is a mother of 3 and a former Elementary School Teacher and Staff Developer. She holds a BA in Elementary Education and English, and an MPS in Special Education and Reading. Jeannine began her teaching career right here at Katonah Playcare ELC, in the Yellow Room! She then spent much of her career at the Wooster School in Danbury, CT, where she taught kindergarten and first grade.
Jeannine also worked for LitLife, a private consulting company where she worked as a Staff Developer and Consultant to several Westchester area schools. Jeannine’s three children are all KPCELC alumni. She loves that she has come full circle as Co-Director of the school. Jeannine is an avid baker and she loves to read. Her passion for Early Childhood Education makes her a strong Co-Director here at Katonah Playcare.
Two's Program
Eliana oertel
Eliana Oertel is an educator and the mother of a Katonah Playcare graduate. Eliana holds a BA in Human Development and Family Studies and a Masters in Teaching with a NYS Certification in Early Childhood Education. Eliana has had various professional roles working with children and families. She has many years of teaching experience primarily with the preschool age group. Before having her daughter, she taught for several years in NYC as a Pre-K teacher in their Universal Pre-K program. Eliana was the Head Teacher in the Orange Room 4’s for several years and is currently the Head Teacher in the 2's classes.
Tara Tobin
Tara Tobin is a mother of two teenage children. Tara studied philosophy and information technology in University in Ireland before moving to the US over 30 years ago. She then travelled extensively around the United States as a nanny before settling in New York. Tara currently runs her family business. Tara brings to KPC a passion for working with children. Her years as a professional nanny provided the privilege of deeply connecting with children and their families and she is excited to bring that warmth and individualized attention to the classroom. We are so happy to welcome Tara as the Assistant Teacher in 2's classes here at Katonah Playcare ELC.
Three's Program
Jessica amico
Jessica Amico is the mother of 8 year old twin girls. She spent 5 years at Katonah Playcare as the 3's Head Teacher. She then was the 2's Head Teacher for 6 years. Jessica holds her Child Development Associate’s Certification in Early Childhood Education from the Childcare Council of Westchester. She has over 10 years of experience in the Early Childhood field, and continues her professional development by attending early childhood conferences and workshops. Jessica believes in a child-centered, nurturing educational approach to teaching young children. She has a true understanding and respect for her students which is so important to a successful preschool experience. Jessica is currently the Head Teacher in the Red Room 3's class.
Christine Zimbelmann
Christine Zimbelmann holds a BA in Elementary and Special Education and a Masters Degree in Dance Movement Therapy. She has worked with children and adolescents in hospital settings, developing and implementing programs using dance and movement as therapy, and in preschools and after-school programs in NYC. Christine has led developmental movement classes for infants with their care-givers as well as mommy and me Creative Movement classes. She has worked in private practice as a therapist and supervisor/mentor as well as an adjunct Professor at Pratt Institute. Christine has led numerous professional workshops for educators and is particularly interested in incorporating movement, music, and dance in the classroom setting. Christine is the mother of three and is currently the chairperson of her PTA Green Committee. She was the Head Teacher in the Orange Room 2's class and is currently in her eighth year as the Head Teacher in the Blue Room 3's.
Lauren Tuchman
Lauren Tuchman is a wife and mother of three daughters. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Hartford as well as a Masters of Education with a concentration in Media Science from William Paterson University. She was an aide in a special education classroom and then took on the role as the Media Specialist for two years at Netcong Elementary School in NJ. She then worked in Ridgewood, NJ at Somerville Elementary School as the Media Specialist for another two years. After staying home to raise her three daughters, she re-entered the work force and pursued another one of her passions, baking, at BreadsNBakes in Pound Ridge NY. Lauren has also volunteered at The JCCA in Pleasantville for 10 years, and is a peer facilitator at Wagon Roads Camp in Chappaqua. Both of these roles are centered around children. Lauren is quite familiar with KPCELC as two of her three daughters are graduates! She loves children and loves to help mold and educate them. She is passionate, enthusiastic and organized and looks forward to wonderful years ahead at KPCELC. This is Lauren's second year as Assistant Teacher in the Red Room 3's.
Chrissy COLOMBO
Chrissy Colombo is a mother of three and was a long-time sub for us here at KPCELC before she joined our staff full-time. She is also a Katonah Playcare graduate! Chrissy has completed 2 years of child development classes and has a great deal of experience with children as a class mom for all of her kids, as well as, team mom for her son’s football and wrestling teams. Chrissy brings her warmth, natural instinct, and positive attitude to Playcare! Chrissy has been the Assistant Teacher in the 3's and the Assistant Teacher in the 2’s class. She is currently in her eighth year as the Assistant Teacher in the Blue Room 3's class.
Four's Program
Alli Brown
Alli Brown is a mother of 2 and has a BS in Psychology and a Master’s in Education, Pre-K-Grade 6. She has had many years of teaching experience including all levels of preschool—Twos, Threes, and Fours, primary school-age children, and children with special needs. She taught at such schools as Rippowam Cisqua, Mt. Kisco Elementary School, St. Patrick’s CCD, and Carmel Nursery School. Her natural teaching abilities and ability to connect to and help every child reach their fullest potential make her an outstanding teacher. Alli has been a frequent Substitute Teacher in all age levels and was the Assistant Teacher in the Blue Room 2's. This is Alli's twelfth year as the Head Teacher in the Green Room 4's.
Josie Stoner
Josie Stoner is a mother of two. She has a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Elementary Education, K-6. Before joining KPC she worked in the Ossining Public Schools as a second and third grade teacher. While in Ossining she worked in various collaborative settings, including working with children with special needs. She also worked as a staff developer implementing new reading programs, and presented at several New York State Reading Conferences. Josie enjoys volunteering in her community. She was a Girl Scout Leader for seven years, and was very active in her children’s school as a class parent and library volunteer. Josie was a frequent Substitute teacher in all of the KPC classrooms. This is Josie's fifth year as the Assistant Teacher in the Green Room 4’s.
