 | Name: Christine M. Rinella Title: Owner/Director |
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| Bio: Christine is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Early Childhood. She opened the PUMPKIN PATCH Nursery School in Cohoes, New York in January, 1975. Seeing the need for full day child care she opened the PUMPKIN PATCH Child Care Center in Guilderland in July, 1989. In addition to directing both child care sites for over 33 years, (the Cohoes site closed in June, 2006), Christine develops and regularly presents professional trainings with an emphasis on child care administration, marketing, program and staff development and parent communication. She has presented programs in New York City; Binghamton; Saratoga Springs; Boston; Richmond, Virginia and Anchorage, Alaska. Infant/Child First Aid and CPR trained. |
 | Name: Barbara Munro Title: Infant Teacher |
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| Bio: Barb started working at the PATCH in January 2000. Although she started as an Infant teacher, Barb is trained to work at all levels in the Center. She is presently a permanent fixture in the Infant room. Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained. |
 | Name: Ginae Warner Title: Infant Teacher |
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| Bio: Ginae began teaching with us in August 2001. She attended SUNY Cobleskill with an emphasis in Early Childhood. She has been working in the childcare field for 18 years and now has a family of her own. When she is not working, she loves to spent time with her own 2 kids and take family trips. Ginae is also Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained. |
 | Name: Julia Mangold Title: Preschool Teacher |
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| Bio: Julia has worked in the child care field for 13 years. She has taken care of children in all age groups but currently teaches in the preschool room. Julia is a wonderful asset to the center and she makes us laugh daily. Julia's is enrolled in classes inwhich she will obtain her CDA. Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
 | Name: Bridget Bauer Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Bridget began working at the Center in June 2001 as an Infant teacher. She now is a floater and works in all rooms. She attended Maria College with an emphasis in Early Childhood and has recieved her degree from University of Phoenix in Paraprofessional Education. Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained. Bridget is also a licensed KINDERMUSIK instructor. |
 | Name: April Martin Title: Floater |
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| Bio: April attended Saint Rose College in Albany and has received her Masters in Education. She has been a substitute for Scotia -Glenville and Averill Park school districts. We are very happy to have her as part of our team. Infant/ Child CPR and First Aid trained. |
 | Name: Hsiumei Huang Title: Toddler Teacher/Floater |
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| Bio: Hsiumei was just driving by and came in to see if there were any job openings and we are so happy she did. She immigrated here from Taiwan in 2006 and received a job at a children's center. She is a great asset to our center and the children fell in love with her immedietly. She will be in the toddler and preschool rooms. Infant/ Child First Aid and CPR trained. |
 | Name: Gail Tidmarsh Title: Toddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Gail started working at the PATCH when she was in high school. Over the years she has worked as a full time teacher in every room at one time or another and received her associates degree from SUNY Cobleskill. About 3 years ago Gail left us to extend her family from one child to two and recently returned to work for us part time. Infant / Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
 | Name: Meghan Leddick Title: Asst. Director/Floater |
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| Bio: Meghan is a Pumpkin Patch Alumni. She and her brother both attended Pumpkin Patch when they were preschoolers and both of them returned to work for the center. Meghan began working with us while in high school and is now a sophmore at The College of St. Rose and is an amazing asset to the center. She can work in any room and acts as Assistant Director. Meghan is a volunteer firefighter at the McKownville Fire Dept. and is also Infant/ Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
| Name: Taylor LaDue Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Taylor is a Guilderland High School student who will be floating throughout the center after school. Taylor has shown amazing natural ability in this field and we are lucky to have her. You will see her primarily in the Waddler Room. |
| Name: Colleen Donnelly Title: Toddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Colleen is the co-teacher in the Preschool Room. She has her BA and teaching certificates from Utica College of Syracuse University and has worked as a nanny for children of all ages. Colleen is currently enrolled at Russell Sage College pursuing her Masters degree in Special Ed. and Literacy. We are excited to add her to our Pumpkin Patch Family. |
| Name: Andrea Benetiz Title: Waddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Andrea came to us from working as a 1:1 Aide in a Special Education pre-school. She has completed the BOCES course in Early Childhood Education and is a wonderful asset to our center. Curtaintly, Andrea is working on obtaining her CDA. |
| Name: Sara Milano Title: Toddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Sara is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a BA in studio art. She is also a certified Visual Arts teacher. She has 6 years experience working with children and has tons to add to our program! |
| Name: Amanda Pouchak Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Amanda is currently attending school at St. Rose for Early Childhood Education. She works as a part time floater in all rooms during the school year but she especially loves the Toddler Room. |
| Name: Alyssa Bencivengo Title: Waddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Alyssa is a graduate of SUNY Albany with a dual degree in Psychology and Education. She is presently enrolled at the College of St. Rose studying Early Childhood. Alyssa is originally from Long Island and has worked at the Montessori Magnet school in Albany. She has also been involved in the Big Brother’s, Big Sister program. She will be working in the Waddler Room. |
| Name: Shari Pelletier Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Sheri is a graduate of Siena College with a BA in Psychology. She is originally from Connecticut and has come to the Albany area to pursue her Masters in Early Childhood Education. Sheri will be working as a floater. |
| Name: Abigail Rose Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Abigail is a graduate of Cazenovia College with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has worked at many daycares in Vermont and has recently moved back to the area. Abigail will be working as a floater, you will see her primarily in the preschool room. |
| Name: Caitlin Roddy Title: Toddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Caitlin is a graduate with honors from Mount Saint Mary College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has worked as a substitute teacher in the capital district and has interned at Unity House of Troy working with the domestic violence unit. While in college she worked with Project Life and oversaw daily activities. Caitlin has fit right into our toddler room and has made a wonderful addition to our center. |
| Name: Ashley Markellos Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Ashley is a graduate from Guilderland High School and is currently enrolled at Hudson Valley Comunity College with an undeclared major. She is actively involved in community theatre and has a passion for singing and performing. |
| Name: Jen Denny Title: Infant Teacher |
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| Bio: Jen is a Graduate of Schalmont High School and is currently enrolled at the University of Albany pursuing her bachelors degree in psychology. Jen takes great care of our infants here and just recently had a baby of her own. Jen is a great asset to our center and were happy to have her. |