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. 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. Carter
Pre-K Teacher
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. Nick
Science 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. Beth
Kindergarten 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
Young 4's Teacher
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
Gym 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. Renee
Pre-K 4 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
Pre-K 4 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. Jada
Teacher's Aide
I'm Jada and my passion revolves around children. I am soon going to be attending school at UCC to study in Psychology to be a therapist that specializes in children. I became a teachers aide to add more experience and improve myself with being around different children.
Ms. Amna
3 Year Old Teacher
HI! My name is Amna Falak. I currently reside in Elizabeth but grew up in Pakistan. I have three wonderful children and a lovely cat named Bubbles. I love to read, dance and spend time with my family. I finished my studies in Pakistan and I am continuing my education at Kean University. I became a teacher as children are my passion. Making a difference in lives of others gives me a drive everyday. I am excited for what this school year has to bring.
Ms. A
3 year old Teacher
Hello, my name is Ms. A. I'm new to TEDS but I have worked with children for 5 years. I went to Malcolm X Shabazz High School and attended Essex County College. I really enjoy shaping and molding young minds. I love to cook, listen to music and spend quality time with my family. I'm really looking forward to helping our kids become their best.
Ms. Malack
K-Wrap Teacher
Hello, I am 26 years old, and I was born and raised in NJ. Ever since I was a little girl I always dreamed of being a teacher. I've also came across teachers who inspired me, and if I make a difference in this world for the better then I will take the opportunity to. I love walks on the beach, tea, spending time with friends/family and being around good company. I'm so excited to be a Kindergarten teacher and I feel truly blessed every single day that I get to have this opoportunity.
Mr. B
Teacher's Aide
My name is Yasir Baptiste (Mr. B) and I am a teacher's aide at Teds. I graduated from high school in 2020 and attended Delaware State University from 2020-2021. I am now looking to go back to school and get my bachelor's degree. I enjoy working with children because they are filled with joy and positive energy. They also lift you up on days you may feel down and they can definitely teach you a thing or too.