![]() | 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: Megan Rempe Title: Infant Teacher |
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| Bio: Megan is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, in Cobleskill, NY. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood. She is now attending the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY to obtain a degree in Elementary Education. She can work in any room but has taken a strong liking to the Infants. Megan acts as the Co-Assistant Director. She also has her certificate in Violence Prevention and Intervention. 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 13 years. 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. She works in the preschool room with Alina. Julia is a wonderful asset to the center and she makes us laugh daily. Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
![]() | Name: Bridget Bauer Title: Asst. Director/ Toddlers |
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| Bio: Bridget began working at the Center in June 2001 as an Infant teacher. In the fall of 2003 she changed rooms and began teaching the four year old class. She attended Maria College, Albany, New York with an emphasis in Early Childhood and is now finishing her education at the University of Phoenix. Bridget is in charge of all of the fundraising events and acts as the Assistant Director. She has developed and presented workshops pertaining to curriculum development. 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: Floater |
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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. She left us about 3 years ago to extend her family from one child to two and recently returned to work for us part time. She will be working primarily in the preschool room but you will see her helping out all over the center. Infant / Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
![]() | Name: Sara Knaggs Title: Toddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Sara is a former employee of the Pumpkin Patch. She left briefly after getting married to try other career paths. She returned to the Patch as a Toddler teacher and we couldn't be happier. She holds an Associates from Schenectady County Community College in Human Services. She is currently expecting her first child. Infant/ Child CPR and First Aid Trained. |
![]() | Name: Meghan Leddick Title: 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. She is a Junior at Guilderland High School and is a amazing asset to the center. She can work in any room but is found most of the time with the Preschoolers. 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: Brianna Stevens Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Brianna is another Guilderland High School student that will be working after school and during breaks. She will be working primarily in the Preschool room but can also be seen in Toddlers. The children absolutely adore her and so do the staff. |
![]() | Name: Colleen Donnelly Title: Waddler Teacher |
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| Bio: Colleen will be taking over the waddler room with Sarah O. She has her BA and teaching certificates from Utica College of Syracuse University and has worked as a nanny for children of all ages. We are excited to add her to our Pumpkin Patch Family. |
![]() | Name: Megan Denny Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Megan is a Schalmont High School student that will be floating between rooms after school. She also teaches religion classes at her church and has worked in all rooms at the Patch. Her passion is definitly for the babies and you will see her primarily in the infant room. |
![]() | Name: Andrea Benetiz Title: Toddler 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. She has fit right into our Toddler Room and has made a wonderful addition to our center. |
![]() | Name: Yuliya Kornueva Title: Floater |
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| Bio: Yuliya has worked as a French Instructor from 1998-2007 in the Ukraine. She moved to the US after her marriage. In addition to working at the PATCH she also works part time at the Academy. She has a Masters in French and English. |









