Our Staff
Administration and Office
Ms. Courtney
Waldo School Director, PYP Coordinator
Ms. Courtney graduated from Rutgers University in 2012 and earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a concentration in child development. She joined the school soon after, starting as a lead teacher before being promoted to head teacher. In 2016, she began her position as school director, first at the World of ABC Preschool campus for two years before moving to the World of ABC Waldo School campus in 2018. In addition to her role as director, Ms. Courtney is also the International Baccalaureate PYP Coordinator, and works to ensure students are learning in an inquiry-based, collaborative, and caring environment, where the goal is to prepare each student to be successful in an ever changing world. Her passion is to help teachers and students succeed with best practices in education in mind, and to make sure students love learning and coming to school each and every day!
Ms. Christina
World of ABC Preschool Director
Ms. Christina graduated from Montclair State University in 2008 and earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the past ten years, she was a teacher for grades PreK-3 through 3rd Grade. The thing she thrived for as a teacher was instilling a love of learning in her students. The reward was that her students came away with just that, a love of learning! She takes pride that she was a positive role model for her students. In the summer of 2018, Ms. Christina changed gears and is now the Director of World of ABC Preschool. Her job is to oversee that classrooms are running efficiently and to see that the students are happy, learning and even having some fun! Some of her hobbies include baking, traveling and listening to music. But most of all she is a new mom which takes up most of her time, and she is loving every minute of it!
Nurse Chris
Waldo School Nurse
Nurse Chris started her medical career over thirty years ago as a New Jersey state emergency medical technician. She has worked for several years on ambulances in both New Jersey and New York. Nurse Chris loves working with children and has worked with them in a childcare setting for over fifteen years. She loves watching them grow and learn, and loves to be a part of that!
Ms. Nicole
World of ABC Preschool Receptionist
Ms. Nicole has over ten years of experience in the customer service and relations industry in clerical and supervisory roles. She is very excited to be a part of the World of ABC Preschool administrative team and loves learning new skills each day! Since joining in 2017, she has completed her Understanding Licensing certification training and continues to further her studies with a focus towards early childhood education. During her downtime, Ms. Nicole enjoys cooking for family, reading, and traveling.
Ms. Ruth
Medical Staff
Ms. Ruth first started her journey of working with children when she was fourteen. She worked with children as a camp counselor in the summer. As the years went on, she went from camp counselor to assisting with homework after-school programs, to working as an assistant teacher in early childhood classrooms. She always had a passion for working with children, but also wanted to work in the medical field. Ms. Ruth went to college to pursue her nursing degree, and began working as a home health aid. She joined the school in 2017, starting as a preschool assistant teacher before being promoted to lead PreK-2 teacher. In 2018, she started her current position at our Waldo School location. Ms. Ruth loves spending time with each child in the school, getting to know them and helping to make them feel better in their time of need!
Mr. Chris
Waldo School Receptionist
Mr. Chris has over twelve years experience in the service industry and is also a a certified pool operator (CPO). He is excited to be a part of the Waldo School team and enjoys learning new skills every day! Since joining the school in 2017, he has enjoyed meeting many different people. During his downtime he enjoys drawing, hiking and watching movies.
Preschool
Ms. Shweta
Waddler Teacher
Ms. Shweta has over five years experience in teaching. She is a post graduate in Mathematics and is a mother to a 3-year-old. Ms. Shweta enjoys every moment of working at the school. To her, the most amazing thing is to see or hear when students apply the skills that they have been taught. Ms. Shweta believes that World of ABC Preschool is a wonderful place for your child to begin their education both academically and emotionally.
Ms. Piumika
PreK 2 Teacher
Ms. Piumika is a graduate of Jersey City University, with her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. She intends on pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work. Growing up, Ms. Piumika has always been around children. She loves children of all ages and her passion is to make a positive impact on their lives. She enjoys seeing her students grow and mature over time. She also enjoys interacting, learning and helping children understand the content of any material that is being taught in class, and the work they do to accomplish the task. Walking into a classroom full of smiles, laughter and love truly makes her happy. In her spare time, Ms. Piumika likes to go to the gym, go swimming, and spend time with her family and friends.
Ms. Amisha
PreK 2 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Amisha has been teaching for six years and is currently continuing her education at Hudson County Community College. She is pursuing her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught children ranging in age from 1.5 to 4 years old. She loves being able to see her students progress over time. Not only does she love to teach, but she also loves to draw, dance and travel.
Ms. Samantha
PreK 2 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Samantha has worked closely with children under the age of two. Her favorite thing about teaching is finding the strengths in her students and helping them to accomplish all of their goals. She is so proud to take the teaching route in her life. Her favorite things to do are drawing and dog walking. Her classroom will always be an art gallery for her students.
Ms. Jessica
PreK 2 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Jessica has over six years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers during the school year, summer camp and Sunday school. She has also worked with friends to organize events and collections for the elderly and for child's homes. Her goal as an assistant teacher is to create a passion for learning for each of her students. Her hobbies include dancing, crafting, and drawing, among others. She shares these passions with her two sons. She encourages their artistic talents. She also has interests in workshops relating to life preparations and in-home gardening.
Ms. Millie
PreK 3 Teacher
Ms. Neu is looking forward to a progressive year at World of ABC Preschool in Jersey City. She has earned a Bachelors degree from Thomas Edison State College in Child Development, and an Associates in Early Childhood from Hudson County Community College. She also has a certification in Early Childhood Montessori Education from the North American Montessori Center. Ms. Millie has over 30 years of experience teaching young children from PreK 3 to Kindergarten in the City and New Jersey in different settings, including the past several years in Hoboken. Ms. Millie lives in Edgewater. She enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband and college-aged daughter. She is an avid reader and loves to walk. She cannot wait to start new reading adventures with all of her students!
Ms. Rehana
PreK 3 Teacher
Ms. Rehana graduated from Caldwell University with her Bachelor's in English (so naturally, she loves reading!). Her passion to become a teacher was there as long as she could remember. She simply loves children! She loves that she can inspire them and make them shine brighter. She has been around children all her life, and her passion for teaching continues to grow. Her dreams have been fulfilled by being able to teach, and she is so grateful to be where she is today. Ms. Rehana is fun, energetic and caring, and brings all of these characteristics into her classroom. Other than being buried in books and teaching, she loves to travel and be with her family!
Ms. Aseefa
PreK 3 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Aseefa graduated from Hudson County Community College with her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently enrolled at New Jersey Cit University, pursuing her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. She first began working with the school in 2012, and has worked with all of the various ages in the school, from infants to 5th Grade. Ms. Aseefa strongly feels that "if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." Being there to witness the growth of each of her students that she has cared for has brought her joy. She cannot wait to see the impact and types of changes her students will have on their community.
Ms. Nashwa
PreK 3 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Nashwa is currently pursuing in Biology degree with a minor in Psychology. She loves working with children, getting to know them and being able to watch them grow throughout the year. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Ms. Cyre
PreK 4 Teacher
Ms. Cyre has been working with children for three years before joining World of ABC Preschool in 2016. She loves working with the school and teaching because it gives her the opportunity to make a difference in students' lives and prepare them for the future. She has her Associate's degree in Sociology and is currently a senior at New Jersey City University, pursuing her Bacehelor's in Art Therapy. Upon graduating, she plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology. Ms. Cyre has a nine-year-old brother on the autism spectrum, which is why she initially decided to pursue her degree in Art Therapy. She loves incorporating aspects of art therapy into her classroom lessons! During her free time, she enjoys painting, spending time with her little brother, and reading.
Mr. Danny
PreK 4 Teacher
Mr. Danny currently has his Associate's degree and will be graduating in May 2019 with his Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications. He has been working with children since joining World of ABC Preschool in 2015, and he has found it to be one of the most rewarding parts of his life. He enjoys working with children because it gives him the opportunity to make a lasting impression on their futures. During his time at the school he has had the opportunity to work with children of all ages and backgrounds, which has helped him to become a well-rounded educator. On his free time, Mr. Danny loves walking around the city and finding new places to eat. On the weekends, he likes to visit art galleries and museums.
Ms. Alyssa
PreK 4 Teacher
Ms. Alyssa is a graduate of Kean University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and also holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. Ms. Alyssa has ten years of teaching experience within the field of Early Childhood Education. Before Joining the Waldo School, Ms. Alyssa was the lead PreK teacher as well as the Assistant Director in her previous school. Ms. Alyssa always strives to make sure that every student o hers feels like they are at their "home away from home" when the enter her classroom. Teaching has always been Ms. Alyssa's passion; it is very rewarding and fulfilling to her to know that she plays a big role in the development of young children. Ms. Alyssa is thrilled to join the Waldo School and to continue what she loves doing each and every day.
Mr. Dante
PreK 4 Assistant Teacher
Mr. Dante has over four years of experience in the customer service industry, and is no stranger to working with people. He joined the school in 2017. He believes that it is important to work hard, yet have fun at the same time, so it was only natural for him to work with children. He enjoys working with each child while making laughs in the process. On his free time, Mr. Dante enjoys visiting new places, scenic drives, and taking pictures.
Ms. Crystal
PreK 4 Assistant Teacher
Ms. Crystal is a full-time student at Saint Peter's University, majoring in communications. She expects to graduate in 2021. She is also the Media Director of Voices of Praise on her campus. She believes that children's imagination is inspiring to be around daily. She also has interests in art history and creative writing.
Ms. Kaydee
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Kaydee has been a staple and valuable member of the World of ABC, Waldo School family since September 2011. She has childcare experience in Pre-K 2, Pre-K 3, and PreK-4 as an assistant teacher and is always willing to lend a helping hand in any of the classrooms. Ms. Kaydee's passion for children and their well-being is vital in the day-to-day operations in the school. After school hours, Ms. Kaydee nannies for a family with two children aged nine and five years, and has been with them for over five years. Ms. Kaydee's care for children stems greatly from her love and time she spends with her nieces and nephews on the weekends.
Ms. Patricia
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Patricia is a graduate of New Jersey City University. She holds her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Sociology. She has facilitated a conference for public high school sin the Jersey City area and has been an active participate on campus. She emphasized career development for students and relevant workshops in NJCU. She was a math tutor for five years and was actively involved in her Honors program at her university. Ms. Patricia has a passion for teaching and child development.
Ms. Angela
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Angela has been working with the World of ABC, Waldo School for three years. We are proud to have Ms. Angela with us as a classroom assistant and our Indian Instrumental Club teacher. Ms. Angela is currently attending New Jersey Institute f Technology, majoring in Computer Engineering. Along with her beautiful laugh, Ms. Angela gives the children love and care that is above our imagination. After school, Ms. Angela babysits for many of our school community families; she is trusted and loved by all. She is a wonderful addition to our school family. Ms. Angela loves to see all the children grow educationally and socially and we at the World of ABC community love to see her grow with us!
Ms. Gianelle
PreK 2 and PreK 3 After School Teacher
Ms. Gianelle graduated from Hudson County Community College with her Associate's Degree. She is currently enrolled at New Jersey City University for her Bachelor's degree. This is her first year teaching and she absolutely loves it! When she's not teaching, her hobbies include reading and being a dog mom!
Ms. Bethany
PreK 4 Afterschool Teacher
Ms. Bethany is currently pursuing her degree in Special Education. She has been teaching and working with children for over five years. Her favorite thing about teaching is creating a safe place for her students away from home. She takes joy in creating a family full of brothers and sisters at school! Her classroom is always full of adventure. Ms. Bethany's hobbies include softball, singing, cooking and traveling.
Elementary School
Ms. Thalia
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Thalia graduated from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and two courses shy of a minor in Sociology, and was recognized for academic achievement by the dean of her college. As a student-athlete, she was also a part of the NJCU, NCAC softball team for four consecutive years. She is currently enrolled in the Alternate Route Program for Education at NJCU. Ms. Thalia has taught both PreK-4 and Kindergarten at the Waldo School. Her hobbies include softball, spending time with her dogs and her family, and enjoying the company of her current Kindergarten class! This is also Ms. Thalia's 3rd year as the head high school softball coach at St. Mary's High School. Aside from curriculum, Ms. Thalia teachers her students to overcome adversity, that it is okay to fail, but not to give up. She is excited to continuously share her knowledge and experience with the students she teaches daily, to make sure they always try and go above and beyond no matter the circumstances.
Ms. Vanessa
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Vanessa has her Bachelor's in Psychology from New Jersey City University and also her Associate's in Elementary and Secondary Education from Hudson County Community College. Ms. Vanessa has over ten years experience working with children. She joined the school in 2012 as an assistant teacher before quickly being promoted to lead teacher, and has since worked her way up to head teacher. She is currently applying to graduate school to pursue her Master's degree and state license to become a school counselor. Ms. Vanessa loves working with young children, and believes in the development of the whole child; children should succeed not just academically, with hands-on learning experiences, but also socially and emotionally. She believes that a strong foundation in social-emotional skills will help students not only in their school careers, but also in the real world!
Ms. Jeannie
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Ms. Jeannie received her associate's degree in 2005. Since then, she has pursued different job opportunities, but above all has loved helping people and working with children. She finds that being in the classroom and helping children reach their milestones is very rewarding. Ms. Jeannie also has two children; her youngest is currently attending the Waldo School.
Ms. Jacquilyn
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Jacqui spent her teen years babysitting the children in her neighborhood as well as her younger cousins. It was these experiences that made her pursue a career in education. She has a passion for helping children and showing them that anything is possible if you believe in yourself! Ms. Jacqui graduated from Saint Peter's University in 2012 with a degree in both communications and elementary education. After graduation, she began working in a private school in Bayonne, NJ, where she spent two years teaching second grade. She then began working in fifth grade in Old Bridge, NJ. She spent the next four years in that district, and now she is happily teaching Kindergarten here at the Waldo School. She is eager for all the fun and amazing adventures the Kindergarteners will experience!
Ms. Kim
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Ms. Kim is currently a teacher's assistant in the 2nd Grade class. She has been an assistant teacher in World of ABC, The Waldo School for five years. Prior to working with the second grade class, she has worked with the Waddler room, Pre-K 2, Kindergarten, and Pre-K 3. Working and helping children succeed in their educational journey has become a true passion of hers, so much so that she is now pursuing an associate's degree in education. She is looking forward to many more happy years at The Waldo School!
Ms. Danielle
1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Danielle is a graduate of La Salle University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, with a minor in American Studies. She has taught in the early childhood education field for three years before coming to The Waldo School in 2018. She strives to ensure her students are both kind and well-educated learners. She believes in using hands-on experiences in the classroom where students can actively learn about the world around them and ask questions in a safe place. Along with teaching, Ms. Danielle has coached fundamental gymnastics for many years. She has taken this experience with her and is currently the cheerleading coach for The Waldo School.
Ms. Kristy
1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Kristy has dreamed about being a teacher ever since she was a young girl. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Special and General Education from St. Thomas Aquinas. Ms. Kristy has been working with special needs children for four years prior to joining us at The Waldo School in 2018, where she is now the 5th grade teacher. Ms. Kristy loves working with the IB curriculum because she believes learning should be fun and meaningful for each of her students, with connections to the real world. She aims to push her students to think critically about the world around them and be inspired to take action and make a difference. Along with being a teacher, Ms. Kristy enjoys coaching the cheerleading team at The Waldo School to help students work on their motor and coordination skills.
Ms. Anne
1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Anne graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Humanities in 2012. She moved to the United Kingdom from Ireland and began working in a primary school in London. While in the UK, she graduated with a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education and worked as a first grade teacher for the next two years. In 2019, Ms. Anne moved to New Jersey and began working as a 1st Grade teacher at the Waldo School. Ms. Anne believes in challenging students through critical thinking and reflection to help students achieve their goals, both academically and personally. She always ensures her students are in a calm learning environment where students feel comfortable and can be themselves.
Ms. Danielle
2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Danielle is a graduate of Farleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor's in Humanities. Ms. Danielle graduated in 2015 with her Masters degree in Arts and Teaching, also from Farleigh Dickinson University. Before joining the Waldo community in 2018, Ms. Danielle was a teacher at the Bayonne Board of Education and continued to work for the BOE for three years. During that time, she gained very insightful knowledge on not only teaching but how dedicated she was to this profession. Ms. Danielle's hard work shines in all she does in the classroom and her senior level mastering of developmental education is translated to her students. Ms. Danielle is always willing to give a helping hand and especially thoughtful to all the students at the Waldo School.
Ms. Maria
3rd Grade Teacher
Ms. Maria joined the Waldo School in 2014 shortly after graduating from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Ms. Maria has been a visual part of our school system, being a head teacher in the Preschool program and last year accepting a position as a Kindergarten teacher. She brings a great sense of health and wellness to her classroom, along to all the students of the Waldo School. Ms. Maria's background, experience, and love for children is felt the moment you walk into her classroom. She is currently working on a mastered level nursing degree from William Paterson University. In her spare time, Ms. Maria likes to read and spend time with her friends and family.
Ms. Amanda
4th Grade Teacher
Ms. Amanda graduated from Saint Peter's University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Secondary Education. She joined the World of ABC, The Waldo School in 2017. Ms. Amanda has taught various age ranges in both private and public schools. Her previous teaching experiences include grade levels ranging from PreK 3, Elementary, Middle and High School. Ms. Amanda enjoys fostering her students' curiosity by challenging them to observe and think like a scientist, including visualizing, experimenting and exploring their inquisitiveness. Her goal is to teach her students independence and to be impassioned and empowered in everything they do, both inside and outside the school. Aside from teaching, Ms. Amanda loves reading, spending time with her loved ones, going on adventures, and trying new cuisines.
Ms. Geetika
5th/6th Grade Teacher
Ms. Geetika has over six years experience as a teacher. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Education and Master's degree in English Literature from Punjabi University, Patiala (India). She has taught many different age ranges including Pre-K 3, 1st Grade, Middle and High School, B. Tech and MBA students. She believes that nothing is as precious as spreading knowledge and looking out for each student's best interests. The greatness of the teaching profession is that it generates the conditions for invention in the minds of students. Since childhood, Ms. Geetika has had a deep interest in sketching and paining. She also enjoys reading psychological and post-modern stories. Apart from English, she can read, write and speak Hindi and Punjabi languages, and teaches the Hindi language as an after school club.
Ms. Erica
Learning Specialist
Ms. Erica is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor's in English Education and Journalism with a minor in Women's Studies. Ms. Erica has been teaching for seven years, four years as a PreK-4 teacher and three years as a Kindergarten teacher, before coming to the Waldo School in 2018. For the past two years, she has been working as an ABA therapist where she studies behavior in order to put into place appropriate behavioral interventions. Ms. Erica is currently pursuing her Graduate degree in Special Education and a certification in LDTC (learning disability teacher consultant). Ms. Erica is thrilled to join the Waldo School family and looks forward to helping each child succeed educationally, feel safe and loved in the classroom, and to help each child jump over any obstacles they may face. Ms. Erica also helps lead the Waldo School debate club.
Ms. Jennyfer
Substitute Teacher
Ms. Jennyfer is a graduate of Kean University with her Bachelor's degree in communications. She also has her associate's degree in History from Hudson County Community College. She is seeking to pursue her Master's degree in History at Rutgers Graduate School. She has worked with children for over three years, ranging from freelance babysitting to coordinating special events under a marketing team and providing a welcoming environment for both parents and children. She enjoys creating art projects with children and honing their grammar and syntax. In her spare time, she spends her afternoons with the company of her cockatiel Mickey and attending food festivals with her friends and family.
Specialist Teachers
Ms. Magali
Spanish Teacher
Ms. Magali has over 40 years of teaching experience. Born in Venezuela to a family of teachers, she realized at an early age that teaching was what she was destined to do. She received her degree in Education from Simon Rodriguez University in Caracas and she has also received a degree in Fine Arts and Artistic Painting at Yssy Academy. Ms. Magali believes that being a teacher goes beyond the actual act of teaching, and is about transforming students and guiding them to success. She enjoys the challenge of teaching a second language and loves to see the progress that each student makes.
Mrs. Jackie
Fine Arts Teacher
Mrs. Jackie is a graduate from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Communication Design. She is currently finishing her Art Education certification. She began her education career as a paraprofessional for students with disabilities. She furthered her career to become a bilingual leave replacement teacher for Jersey City Public Schools and the art teacher at The Waldo School in 2019, and loves it! She plans on pursuing her Master's in Fine Arts. She enjoys working with children because she believes they have an incredible imagination which can help them apply their creative abilities in any school subject. She enjoys integrating science and math within her teachings to create a well-rounded art lesson. Her love for art is infinite, and she enjoys sculpting, painting, creating artwork with her husband who is also an artist, and exhibiting her artwork.
Ms. Stephanie
Swimming Teacher
Ms. Stephanie has her Bachelor's in Psychology with a concentration in Exercise Science from New Jersey City University. She has over thirteen years of experience coaching competitive swimming, triathletes, children and adult group classes of all levels. She teachers water safety sills and is a certified lifeguard with training in First Aid and CPR. Ms. Stephanie enjoys helping others improve their swimming abilities in both the competitive and leisure areas. She also enjoys science fiction based shows, riding her bicycle in the summer, and spending time with her family.
Mr. Erik
Robotics and Physical Education Teacher
Since the age of four, Mr. Erik has participated in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, wrestling, football, tennis, track and field, and soccer. When he was a senior in high school, he became an Assistant Coach on his Track and Field Team. In addition to his strong sports background, in high school, Mr. Erik began taking courses in computer science, mathematics, and physics. This continued while Mr. Erik attended college, maintaining his focus in mathematics for his degree. While in college, he also participated in a mentoring program that took 3rd and 4th graders from a nearby school and helped tutor the students in math and science. His passion for STEM carries over in his private life, where he enjoys playing games that involve a lot of rules, math, and imagination. In addition to teaching, Mr. Erik also leads a variety of after school activities, including basketball, soccer and robotics club. He also leads the school Lego League Robotics Team.
Mr. Jeremiah
Chess Teacher
Mr. Jeremiah is one of the most experienced chess teachers in the tai-state area. He has been a chess coach at PS 89 in Manhattan for 18 years, and at PS 234 for 13 years. He has taught dozens of schools throughout New York City. His formative experience in chess was with renowned coach Sunil Weeremantry as part of the Hunter Elementary chess program. He has taught students ranging from age 2 to 83, including beginners from scratch as well as avid tournament competitors. He has also been a chess consultant for several television shows, including most recently for actor Al Pacino.
