Stephanie Beardsley
Administrative Coordinator
Learning through play what a wonderful thought, what a warm and nurturing environment I have found at Summerville Nursery School.
My name is Stephanie Beardsley and I am fortunate enough to be the administrative coordinator at Summerville for the past fourteen years. My position allows me to interact with all teachers, students, and parents at our school and that has been a priveledge and a learning experience. As early childhood education grows with enthusiasm and importance I value a parents choice to enroll their child in preschool, and strive to make the experience memorable. Managing the day to day, hour by hour needs of the school are my responsibility, at times this is simple and with a moments notice things can become a challenge.
Outside of Summerville I also teach dance at a wonderful studio. I love the creative side of dance and find this an extension of my love of children. I am happy to call West Irondequoit my home. I am lucky enough to say my daughter had a wonderful experience at Summerville Nursery School and the West Irondequoit School District. She is now a sophomore in college and pursuing a degree in Education. I feel inspired by teachers and peers she met along the way, beginning at Summerville. I have always enjoyed being totally involved in her education and those seeds were planted at Summerville due to the environment. I enjoy spending time with my husband and hope to continue living and working in this wonderful corner of this beautiful world!
Kristen Brennan
Educational Director
Hello, my name is Kristen Brennan. I graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. I received my Masters in Elementary Education from SUNY Brockport and I am certified to teach children in Nursery School through 6th grade. I am also a mother to six children between the ages of 5 and 13. Each of my children is an alumnus of Summerville Nursery School. I grew up in West Irondequoit and my husband, Jim, and I have made West Irondequoit our home for 15 years. I have been involved with SNS for many years as a parent assistant, substitute teacher, registrar and SNS Board member. This year I am excited to return to SNS as an Educational Consultant. I will be working with teachers and children in each of the classrooms and will also have contact with parents. SNS has truly been a terrific experience for our family and I look forward to continuing to be a part of such a wonderful program.
Jennie Governale-Fox
Two’s/Young Three’s Teacher
Hello, my name is Jennie Governale-Fox. I teach the Two’s and Young Three’s class, where we get messy, share stories and explore the world around us together. There is nothing more fun as a preschool teacher than experiencing the joy of childhood all over again every day!
For thirteen years I worked with children from birth to sixth grade at the YMCA. Eleven of those thirteen years were spent teaching preschool as well as a short stint as preschool director at the branch. The experiences with the YMCA community made me the teacher, mom and person that I am today. It is very exciting to be able to walk or ride my bike to a job that I love doing in the community where I live with my own family. I have lived in West Irondequoit with my husband Mike for 11 years. We have a daughter Ella who is 10 and a son, Rocco who is 4. We spend much of our free time outdoors, creating art and reading books! We also have fun playing with our bunny, Willow.
My philosophy as a preschool educator is influenced by my own life experiences, the children, my mentors and co-teachers throughout the years,Montessori, and most recently Highscope. Play is important no matter what age we are. My background in art has a very strong influence on my teaching style. It is only natural that my love of children, art, the environment, and curiosity of the world around me has lead me to being a preschool teacher.
Teaching in a cooperative class is so fun, it is really great to get to know the parents and other family members. It is so great for the kids to get to know the families that they will most likely see as they grow and move through the school system.
Christy Phelan
Three’s Teacher
Hello! My name is Christy Phelan and I am the 3’s teacher at Summerville Nursery School. I am a graduate of Niagara University with a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. I have a master’s degree from SUNY Brockport. I have teaching experience at various levels and love the new experiences that come with each school year. My favorite part about teaching is when you see a child’s face light up when they learn something new. I love guiding students to think through a process to get to the end result. In our classroom students will learn through themes, create crafts, listen to stories and enjoy songs that will help them learn. They will also learn how routines can help guide us ,and sometimes it’s OK to change the plan for the day!
Teaching at Summerville allows for so many experiences where children learn through play and connect with the world around them. I love working with parents as they assist in the classroom and have a real hands on experience in their own child’s school day! Teaching is a very rewarding career as it helps us to remember that we are never too old to learn something new!
LoriAnn Kessler
Four-Five’s Teacher
Hello! I’m LoriAnn Kessler (Miss LoriAnn) and I am excited to be the four’s teacher at Summerville Nursery School. I have been a preschool teacher for the past 18 years. I have cared for children in my home as well as a local afterschool program. I am currently employed by the Town of Irondequoit to teach “Preschool Adventures”, a once a week mini preschool class. In the summer you can find me at Camp Eastman as the director of Irondequoit’s “Kindercamp”.
I believe all children learn through play and exploration. The activities I will provide your child will allow him/her to follow their own curiosity and creativity; all in a warm, loving and safe environment. My idea of a successful day is giggling children with toys on the floor, craft supplies on the table and music filling the room!
My husband and I have been married for 24 years and live in Irondequoit with our 4 children. We have a unique family dynamic as our children are ages 6 – 21. Lauren (21) attends Utica College, Alicia (20) attends St. John Fisher College, Livia (8) third grade at Colebrook and Andrew (6) first grade at Colebrook. Our home life is fun and active and we love having friends over to play and make memories with!
