TEDS
“Enrichment beyond the classroom”
Trinity Episcopal Day School
Proud Member of
Father Andy
Ms. Nancy
Executive Director/RN
I have been with TEDS since it opened in 2011. I was hired as the Administrator/RN. Three years later I became the Director and in 2018 was promoted to Executive Director. Prior to coming to TEDS I worked as a registered nurse in Intensive Care for 22 years. I am a longtime parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church. Born and raised in Cranford, I am married and have 4 wonderful sons and 10 grandchildren. I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy reading and spending time at our house in Pa.
I ordained an Anglican Priest in November 2011 in South Africa, where he served in several parishes including as a youth pastor and leading student ministries. I have a Masters in Theology from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa and worked on the Anglican Church of Southern Africa's Prayer Book Revision Project. My wife, Heather and I arrived in the United States in the Fall of 2016 for Heather to pursue her PhD Astrophysics at Princeton University. I was called to Trinity, Cranford soon afterwards and commenced ministry on Feb. 5, 2017. Our son Edward, was born in 2020 and loves attending TEDS. In my 'downtime' I love hiking, archery, swimming, skiing, and spending time outdoors with my family.
Ms. Ely
Educational Director
I joined TEDS in October 2017 as the Kindergarten teacher for our K-Wrap program. I come with 27 plus years of early childhood education and 7 years of elementary education.
I received my Associate's Degree in Education in 2014 and my Bachelor's Degree in Science/Psychology in 2016. I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in the Masters of Art in Education/Curriculum & Instruction. I will graduate in 2025!
I am a proud mother of 3 beautiful children and 2 grandchildren. Education in my passion, while helping others to grow and understand how much education changes lives in a positive way!
I am a published author, and plan on writing more books in the future.
Ms. Kim
Admin./Art Teacher
I joined TEDS in 2016 as a Floating Aid. Since then I have become part of the office staff and Art teacher for the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. I have my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and have been working in the field for 24 years. I have experience working as a Para in the public school system and working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Aside from my love of working with children, I also love creating arts and crafts and do it whenever I have spare time which led to my job as art teacher. My hobbies are hiking, crafting, traveling, and spending time with my family. I am also an animal lover and dream about living on a farm. I am a proud Mom of 3 amazing boys and have been happily married to my best friend for 20 years. My husband and I want to show our children everything this world has to offer. TEDS is a job I love coming too everyday. And I hope to be here for a long time.
Mr. Derek
Floating Aide
I have been working with TEDS for 2 years now. I started as an Aftercare Instructor only but now I'm also one of the day staff and bus aids. I enjoy working with children because being able to teach them about new things gives me a great feeling as I'm helping them to prepare for their future. I also enjoy working with my coworkers.
To give a little info on myself, I enjoy things such as swimming, hiking, fishing, going to the movies, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and ice skating. I was also recently accepted into Kean University where I'll be studying Criminal Justice.
Ms. Nicole
Teacher's Aid
My name is Nicole. I am currently finishing up my Masters Degree at Rutgers University. I will have my degree in Early Elementary Pre-K to 3rd grade in May of 2024. I have received my bachelors in sociology, also at Rutgers. I recently finished up my student teaching placement in a Kindergarten classroom in Rahway. Now, as I am still taking a few classes, I am able to work at TEDS 3 times a week and I substitute in Cranford and Rahway the other 2 days. I have been working at TEDS for 5 years now and I thoroughly enjoy working with your children! My goal is to become an upper elementary teacher in September 2024!
Mr. Jack
Teacher's Aid
Hello, I am Mr. Jack, a Teacher's Assistant at TEDS. I've been at TEDS since March of 2023, so coming up on 1 year now. Prior to working at TEDS I worked at Acme grocery store as a cashier and a Camp Counselor at Clark Recreation with the Pre-K group during the summer. I am an aspiring firefighter and enjoy working out and playing sports. I enjoy working with kids because I can actually have fun while I'm working while simultaneously making them smile and hopefully making a positive impact on their lives. I am also an avid beach goer and spend a lot of my summertime at my family's house down the shore.
Ms. Diane
Teacher's Aid
I am Ms. Diane and I have worked in the 2.5 year old classroom for the last 8 years. I could never have children of my own so this job is a blessing. Before TEDS i worked for Pathmark for 43 years. Not only do I love children but I also love animals. My pets are my babies. Right now I have a dog named "Rosie". I attended ST Johns School and then Cranford High School. I also worked at Hillside Ave School with the Autistic children where I learned a lot. This enabled me to help my own nephew who is autistic. I am so glad I am at TEDS and I consider all my family. My goal in life is to be here and I am very happy.
Ms. Chloe
Teacher of Early 4's
My name is Ms. Chloe and I have been at TEDS for 4 years. I have received by Associates Degree from Union County College and am currently working on my Bachelors Degree with Phoenix University. In my spare time I coach girls in Baton Twirling. My goal for my students to always try their best and to be confident in everything they do!
Ms. Carter
Teacher's Aid
My name is Shamiya Carter. I am currently a Psychology major at Bloomfield College "Class of 2025". I have been with TEDS as an assistant teacher since 2022. I love working with children, seeing them learn and grow is amazing! My dream is to be a child behavioral therapist and eventually open up my own private practice. My hobbies include traveling, shopping, and enjoying time with family and friends. I am the youngest of three and I have one nephew. I love music as well!
Ms. China
Pre-K Teacher
Hi, my name is Idalia Vega, also known as Ms. China. I am a Newark resident for many years but relocated to Kearny recently. I've been teaching for 17 years and started out in a Christian preschool setting and have worked my way up into the public school with experience in Special Education. I am also Paraprofessional certified. I attended Dr. Turner CDA Academy in 2019 and was awarded with a certificate in Preschool education. I am currently attending college for Early Childhood Education, Pre-K through 3rd grade. My dream is to become a public school teacher.
Ms. Lisa
Pre-K Teacher
I have been a Pre-K teacher for many years. By the time I entered 2nd grade, I knew that when I grew up, all I wanted to be was a teacher. Outside of school, my love is music. I studied piano for ten years, beginning at age 7, and worked as an accompanist for many years, as well as singing in my church choir. I began teaching at TEDS nine years ago.....every day is an adventure!
Ms. Priscilla
Pre-K Teacher
Hi! My name is Ms. Priscilla and I have been working at TEDS for 3 years. I have a Bachelor Degree from Kean University. A few of my hobbies are dancing zumba, working out, and trying different athletic activities. I love working with children because I love seeing the excitement and growth within their learning. In my class, the goal is to learn something new every day. I can't express how much I love to be a part of shaping their little minds :)
Ms. Nick
Pre-K Teacher/Head Aftercare Supervisor
I joined the staff of TEDS in the fall of 2019 as the Aftercare Supervisor. The following year I was thrilled to teach the morning Pre-K class in addition to working with the children in the aftercare program. Prior to working at TEDS, I was the program director and Kindergarten enrichment teacher at a local center.
I am a graduate of Rutgers University with a BS degree in Environmental Science and Teacher Education.
Over the course of 40 years, I have had the privilege of working with children ranging from infants up to high school age in a variety of settings; a home day care provider, preschool teacher, an environmental center naturalist, high school biology teacher, youth group leader and tutor. I have enjoyed every chapter of my journey as a teacher.
I have been blessed to live in Cranford where I raised my four wonderful children with my husband Jim by my side. I look forward to spending time with my sweet grandson and all the wonderful children at TEDS!
Ms. Maryanne
Teacher of 2.5 year old's
My name is Ms. Maryanne, I have been in the childcare field for 12 years. My goal is for parents to feel good about their childcare choice knowing that their children are in a safe educational environment. When outside the classroom, I usually spend time with my 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grand children. They are my greatest joy as is my faith.
Ms. Heba
Teacher's Aid
I've been a Teacher's Assistant at TEDS for 2 years. Through out my career, I have honed my skills to incorporating hands-on activities, interactive games and creative arts. I strive to create an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment that fosters a love for learning.
I firmly believe in the power of play based learning and aim to create a safe and stimulating space where children can explore, discover and develop their cognitive social and emotional skills. TEDS is the best place for me to achieve this.
Ms. Beth
Pre-K Teacher
I have an Associates Degree in Elementary and Secondary Education. I have worked in Special Education for ten years and have been teaching at TEDS for four years.
There is nothing more satisfying than instilling a love of learning in a child.
An avid reader, history buff, and crocheter, I love spending time with my children and family.
Ms. Spencer
Teacher's Aid
I have been working at TEDS for a year. I love working with children because I enjoy watching them grow into themselves while teaching and working beside them. Some hobbies of mine are playing volleyball, cooking and coloring. I am currently a Senior in college.
Mr. Branch
Kindergarten Wrap Teacher
I joined TEDS in January of 2023. Before my journey at TEDS began, I studied Sports Management and Communications at Saint Peter's University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree and a minor in Math. Afterwards I worked a a Program Monitor for the Newark Youth Once Stop Center, helping coordinate young workers with new jobs while they were in high school After that I worked as a Supervisor at the South Mountain YMCA in November of 2019 until I began here at TEDS. My hobbies include playing basketball, traveling to adventurous theme parks, listening to music, and reading fiction novels. I also enjoy spending quality time with those I love dearly.
Ms. O
Teacher's Aid
Hi, my name is Ms. O! I am currently going to Bloomfield College of Montclair State University for my Bachelors in Psychology; to one day become a School Psychologist. I love working with kids because they make me feel like I'm not working. They fill my days with laughter, creativity and love. I have been working at TEDS since the beginning of this school year.
Ms. Renee
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Hello, my name is Ms. Renee, I have been a Cranford resident for 21 years. I'm raising three children, two of which have graduated from Cranford High and one is currently in Middle school. Before I started at TEDS, I worked for Cranford Public Schools. I assisted children with special needs from preschool to high school for 8 years.
My hobbies include crafts of all kinds. If your child goes to TEDS you will see it in the creative way I teach. My style is fun all the time! I find the students thrive with out them knowing they are learning. I truly enjoy teaching at TEDS and look forward to coming here everyday.
Ms. DeSimone
Kindergarten Teacher
My name is Ms. DeSimone. I am a graduate of Kean University with a degree in Education. I have taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for the past ten years. I worked and volunteered in the school my children attend.
My hobbies include reading, gardening, sewing and crafts.
Ms. Claudine
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Hi, I'm Ms. Claudine and I've lived in Cranford for fifteen years. I am a happy Mom to my two children. I have worked with children since I was 14 with a beautiful family and we are still close today. I've also worked at a Preschool with the YMCA. I lived for a while in New York City to pursue singing, while there I worked as a nanny. Before TEDS, I worked in the Cranford public schools as an aide. I started off at TEDS as an aide only to be offered my own classroom with the 3 year olds. I enjoy singing with the kids and I still sing professionally throughout the towns in New Jersey. I am very fortunate to be a part of the team here at TEDS.
Mr. Greg
Physical Education Teacher
I am Mr. Greg, the gym teacher here at TEDS. I have been at TEDS since March of 2023. Along with working at TEDS, I also attend Kean University where I am studying to get my Bachelor's Degree in sports management. My hobbies are working out, watching wrestling and playing video games. I love working with children because I love seeing their faces light up whenever they enter the gym or when I see them in the hallway. My goal is to be a better Phys Ed teacher and hope that all of their little minds stay positive and learn something new everyday.