Our Team
OCNS operates with a Co-Teacher model. Each class has two highly experienced, progressively trained co-teachers who equally manage classroom duties. Each teacher participates in ongoing professional development, and continued education courses and workshops.
Ms. Coralee
Director
Coralee began her early childhood education career in 2008 and joined Oneonta in the spring of 2015. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Cal Poly Pomona and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work. After 10 years of teaching, Coralee now leads the school as Director. Bringing warmth, experience, and a deep commitment her goal is fostering a supportive and enriching environment for children, families, and staff. She is a passionate advocate for children with special needs, inspired by her hero and niece, Kennedy Michele, who was born with Down syndrome. In her free time, Coralee enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her seven nieces and nephews.
Ms. Mary
Greenhouse Co-Teacher
Ms. Mary began teaching preschool in 2000 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Cal State LA in 2004. Her goal as a preschool teacher is to foster the children's emotional and social development while creating a safe environment for them to ask questions and explore. Ms. Mary took a break from teaching full time when her daughter was born in 2010 but continued teaching part-time. Even as a mom, she applied the same philosophies and practices she used as a teacher while raising her own kids. Ms. Mary joined OCNS in October 2022 and has since developed a deep appreciation for the co-op model, cherishing the relationships she builds with families and the community. On days she is not teaching or driving her kids around to their many activities, she enjoys watching shows and movies with her husband. She also loves getting lost in a good book and baking cookies.
Ms. Andrea
Sunroom Co-Teacher
Andrea received her B.S. in Public Relations, though always knew ECE was her passion. She also holds a Master Teacher Child Development Certificate. In 2012 she enrolled her children at OCNS and served on the Board for 2 years. When met with an opportunity to join the staff she pursued it wholeheartedly, becoming a teacher in 2014. She spent five years teaching in both The Greenhouse and The Sunroom. In 2021 Ms. Andrea enthusiastically returned to OCNS! Andrea supports students empathetically by modeling self-management behavior and helps develop social awareness to fosters relationship skills. She allows students to attempt tasks that are challenging and uses scaffolding to connect current knowledge to new knowledge. Ms. Andrea utilizes an emergent curriculum through observation where she encourages self-expression with dance, song, and play. When not teaching, Ms. Andrea spends her time on adventures with her two children and husband, and attends meditation retreats whenever possible.
Ms. Harriet
Sunroom Co-Teacher
Originally from the UK, Harriet trained professionally as a dancer at London Contemporary Dance School and California Institute of the Arts. After graduating and relocating to Los Angeles she shifted focus to early childhood and began sharing her love of music and movement with young children. When Harriet’s son began attending OCNS in 2022, she fell in love with the school and its magic. She jumped at the chance of joining the incredible team of educators! As an early childhood educator, her goal is to provide children with an enriching experience that empowers them to feel, explore and create. She also believes that nature is a huge part of learning and strives for a nature-based curriculum. When she isn’t teaching, Harriet enjoys adventures with her husband and son, spending time in nature, and crafting. You can usually find her drinking a cup of tea (with biscuits, of course!)
Ms. Caitlin
Treehouse Co-Teacher
Caitlin, originally from Pittsburgh, and her dog named Sloan and cat named Siffre have been in California for four years now! She is a champion of progressive and child-centered early education approaches with an AA in Early Childhood Education and is pursuing her BA in Child Development. Caitlin prioritizes professional development opportunities as she advances her career. She has been submerged in the childcare scene through daycares and nannying and absolutely loves forming connections with her little friends and getting to see them develop new skills and gain confidence. You can often find Ms. Caitlin working on fiber art in her spare time, you may even catch one of her handmade creations on display or use at OCNS!
Ms. Kaylin
Treehouse Co-Teacher
For most of Kaylin’s professional career she has worked in the film industry. She holds her BFA in Creative Producing and has worked on countless TV Shows, movies, and digital series, but always had a special place in her heart for the projects she worked on with child actors. This has lead her to go back to school and study ECE! This is her first year teaching while she continues her education. In her free time Kaylin can be found traveling, enjoying the outdoors, or reading with her cats!