Leadership and Teachers
Our Team
Columbus Pre-School is led by a group of dedicated educators. Members of our teachers and leadership not only love engaging with students and families, but truly understand early childhood development.
Leadership And Administration
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater
Samantha is so excited to join Columbus Pre-school as the new Music specialist! For the past 2 years she has worked as a Board Certified Music Therapist for students with developmental disabilities.
Robin Giesler
Teacher
Robin has a bachelors degree in psychology from The George Washington University. This is her second year working as an assistant teacher at Columbus Pre-School.
Laurie Markiewicz
Teacher
This is Laurie’s second year as a lead teacher in Columbus Pre-school. I have a MSEd from Bank Street School of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a BA from The New School.
Melanie Sirota
Teacher
Melanie is excited to be joining Columbus Preschool after receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street this year.
Venice Beckford
Teacher
Ms. Beckford has over 20 years experience in early care and education. As a seasoned educator Mrs. Beckford has served in independent settings, Montessori and progressive education settings as well as the New York City Department of Education.
Taylor Callahan
Teacher
Taylor Callahan joined the Columbus Pre-school community in March 2024, taking over a maternity leave position. Her passion for Early Childhood education grew after working in a preschool with children aged 2-5 for 3 years.
Tserry Myers
Teacher
Tserry has worked at Columbus since she was a summer teaching intern year ago. She’s now an assistant 3s teacher here while pursuing her degree in early childhood education and psychology.
Travis Gluck
Teacher
Hi! My name is W. Travis Gluck. This will be my 12th year working as a teacher at Columbus Pre-School. My first several years at Columbus I worked as an assistant teacher in a 2/3s classroom.
Michelle Piccolo
Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Michelle is in her 20th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on admissions and daily operations and has a hand in all things administration.
Marisol Vazquez
Teacher
Marisol is in her 4th year at Columbus working with 2s and 3s. Before joining, Marisol was the lead teacher at Little Sprouts, a childcare facility in Hudson Heights where she worked for 8 years.
Maggie Davis
Teacher
Maggie joins the team at Columbus Pre-School with extensive experience, having worked with children for the past 17 years in many different capacities.
Laura Crisostomo
Teacher
Laura joins us after years of teaching and serving others! Laura began her career in healthcare and health services and found herself always gravitating to her youngest patients.
Emily Vazquez
Teacher
It’s Emily’s second year as a 4s/5s teacher at Columbus Pre-school, and spends her summer in our 4s class during our summer program. Emily is enthusiastic about making her classroom bilingual, and brings Spanish education into all aspects of the program.
Emma Philip
Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 14th year working at Columbus. She started as an assistant teacher just out of college after gaining a BA in Sociology with a minor in Art History from Hartwick College.
Julie Kandall
Director of Education, Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater
Samantha is so excited to join Columbus Pre-school as the new Music specialist! For the past 2 years she has worked as a Board Certified Music Therapist for students with developmental disabilities.
Robin Giesler
Teacher
Robin has a bachelors degree in psychology from The George Washington University. This is her second year working as an assistant teacher at Columbus Pre-School.
Laurie Markiewicz
Teacher
This is Laurie’s second year as a lead teacher in Columbus Pre-school. I have a MSEd from Bank Street School of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a BA from The New School.
Melanie Sirota
Teacher
Melanie is excited to be joining Columbus Preschool after receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street this year.
Venice Beckford
Teacher
Ms. Beckford has over 20 years experience in early care and education. As a seasoned educator Mrs. Beckford has served in independent settings, Montessori and progressive education settings as well as the New York City Department of Education.
Taylor Callahan
Teacher
Taylor Callahan joined the Columbus Pre-school community in March 2024, taking over a maternity leave position. Her passion for Early Childhood education grew after working in a preschool with children aged 2-5 for 3 years.
Tserry Myers
Teacher
Tserry has worked at Columbus since she was a summer teaching intern year ago. She’s now an assistant 3s teacher here while pursuing her degree in early childhood education and psychology.
Travis Gluck
Teacher
Hi! My name is W. Travis Gluck. This will be my 12th year working as a teacher at Columbus Pre-School. My first several years at Columbus I worked as an assistant teacher in a 2/3s classroom.
Michelle Piccolo
Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Michelle is in her 20th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on admissions and daily operations and has a hand in all things administration.
Marisol Vazquez
Teacher
Marisol is in her 4th year at Columbus working with 2s and 3s. Before joining, Marisol was the lead teacher at Little Sprouts, a childcare facility in Hudson Heights where she worked for 8 years.
Maggie Davis
Teacher
Maggie joins the team at Columbus Pre-School with extensive experience, having worked with children for the past 17 years in many different capacities.
Laura Crisostomo
Teacher
Laura joins us after years of teaching and serving others! Laura began her career in healthcare and health services and found herself always gravitating to her youngest patients.
Emily Vazquez
Teacher
It’s Emily’s second year as a 4s/5s teacher at Columbus Pre-school, and spends her summer in our 4s class during our summer program. Emily is enthusiastic about making her classroom bilingual, and brings Spanish education into all aspects of the program.
Emma Philip
Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 14th year working at Columbus. She started as an assistant teacher just out of college after gaining a BA in Sociology with a minor in Art History from Hartwick College.
Julie Kandall
Director of Education, Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater
Samantha is so excited to join Columbus Pre-school as the new Music specialist! For the past 2 years she has worked as a Board Certified Music Therapist for students with developmental disabilities.
Robin Giesler
Teacher
Robin has a bachelors degree in psychology from The George Washington University. This is her second year working as an assistant teacher at Columbus Pre-School.
Laurie Markiewicz
Teacher
This is Laurie’s second year as a lead teacher in Columbus Pre-school. I have a MSEd from Bank Street School of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a BA from The New School.
Melanie Sirota
Teacher
Melanie is excited to be joining Columbus Preschool after receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street this year.
Venice Beckford
Teacher
Ms. Beckford has over 20 years experience in early care and education. As a seasoned educator Mrs. Beckford has served in independent settings, Montessori and progressive education settings as well as the New York City Department of Education.
Taylor Callahan
Teacher
Taylor Callahan joined the Columbus Pre-school community in March 2024, taking over a maternity leave position. Her passion for Early Childhood education grew after working in a preschool with children aged 2-5 for 3 years.
Tserry Myers
Teacher
Tserry has worked at Columbus since she was a summer teaching intern year ago. She’s now an assistant 3s teacher here while pursuing her degree in early childhood education and psychology.
Travis Gluck
Teacher
Hi! My name is W. Travis Gluck. This will be my 12th year working as a teacher at Columbus Pre-School. My first several years at Columbus I worked as an assistant teacher in a 2/3s classroom.
Michelle Piccolo
Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Michelle is in her 20th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on admissions and daily operations and has a hand in all things administration.
Marisol Vazquez
Teacher
Marisol is in her 4th year at Columbus working with 2s and 3s. Before joining, Marisol was the lead teacher at Little Sprouts, a childcare facility in Hudson Heights where she worked for 8 years.
Maggie Davis
Teacher
Maggie joins the team at Columbus Pre-School with extensive experience, having worked with children for the past 17 years in many different capacities.
Laura Crisostomo
Teacher
Laura joins us after years of teaching and serving others! Laura began her career in healthcare and health services and found herself always gravitating to her youngest patients.
Emily Vazquez
Teacher
It’s Emily’s second year as a 4s/5s teacher at Columbus Pre-school, and spends her summer in our 4s class during our summer program. Emily is enthusiastic about making her classroom bilingual, and brings Spanish education into all aspects of the program.
Emma Philip
Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 14th year working at Columbus. She started as an assistant teacher just out of college after gaining a BA in Sociology with a minor in Art History from Hartwick College.
Julie Kandall
Director of Education, Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.
Lead Teachers
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater
Samantha is so excited to join Columbus Pre-school as the new Music specialist! For the past 2 years she has worked as a Board Certified Music Therapist for students with developmental disabilities.
Robin Giesler
Teacher
Robin has a bachelors degree in psychology from The George Washington University. This is her second year working as an assistant teacher at Columbus Pre-School.
Laurie Markiewicz
Teacher
This is Laurie’s second year as a lead teacher in Columbus Pre-school. I have a MSEd from Bank Street School of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a BA from The New School.
Melanie Sirota
Teacher
Melanie is excited to be joining Columbus Preschool after receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street this year.
Venice Beckford
Teacher
Ms. Beckford has over 20 years experience in early care and education. As a seasoned educator Mrs. Beckford has served in independent settings, Montessori and progressive education settings as well as the New York City Department of Education.
Taylor Callahan
Teacher
Taylor Callahan joined the Columbus Pre-school community in March 2024, taking over a maternity leave position. Her passion for Early Childhood education grew after working in a preschool with children aged 2-5 for 3 years.
Tserry Myers
Teacher
Tserry has worked at Columbus since she was a summer teaching intern year ago. She’s now an assistant 3s teacher here while pursuing her degree in early childhood education and psychology.
Travis Gluck
Teacher
Hi! My name is W. Travis Gluck. This will be my 12th year working as a teacher at Columbus Pre-School. My first several years at Columbus I worked as an assistant teacher in a 2/3s classroom.
Michelle Piccolo
Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Michelle is in her 20th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on admissions and daily operations and has a hand in all things administration.
Marisol Vazquez
Teacher
Marisol is in her 4th year at Columbus working with 2s and 3s. Before joining, Marisol was the lead teacher at Little Sprouts, a childcare facility in Hudson Heights where she worked for 8 years.
Maggie Davis
Teacher
Maggie joins the team at Columbus Pre-School with extensive experience, having worked with children for the past 17 years in many different capacities.
Laura Crisostomo
Teacher
Laura joins us after years of teaching and serving others! Laura began her career in healthcare and health services and found herself always gravitating to her youngest patients.
Emily Vazquez
Teacher
It’s Emily’s second year as a 4s/5s teacher at Columbus Pre-school, and spends her summer in our 4s class during our summer program. Emily is enthusiastic about making her classroom bilingual, and brings Spanish education into all aspects of the program.
Emma Philip
Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 14th year working at Columbus. She started as an assistant teacher just out of college after gaining a BA in Sociology with a minor in Art History from Hartwick College.
Julie Kandall
Director of Education, Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.
Teachers
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater
Samantha is so excited to join Columbus Pre-school as the new Music specialist! For the past 2 years she has worked as a Board Certified Music Therapist for students with developmental disabilities.
Robin Giesler
Teacher
Robin has a bachelors degree in psychology from The George Washington University. This is her second year working as an assistant teacher at Columbus Pre-School.
Laurie Markiewicz
Teacher
This is Laurie’s second year as a lead teacher in Columbus Pre-school. I have a MSEd from Bank Street School of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and a BA from The New School.
Melanie Sirota
Teacher
Melanie is excited to be joining Columbus Preschool after receiving her Masters Degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street this year.
Venice Beckford
Teacher
Ms. Beckford has over 20 years experience in early care and education. As a seasoned educator Mrs. Beckford has served in independent settings, Montessori and progressive education settings as well as the New York City Department of Education.
Taylor Callahan
Teacher
Taylor Callahan joined the Columbus Pre-school community in March 2024, taking over a maternity leave position. Her passion for Early Childhood education grew after working in a preschool with children aged 2-5 for 3 years.
Tserry Myers
Teacher
Tserry has worked at Columbus since she was a summer teaching intern year ago. She’s now an assistant 3s teacher here while pursuing her degree in early childhood education and psychology.
Travis Gluck
Teacher
Hi! My name is W. Travis Gluck. This will be my 12th year working as a teacher at Columbus Pre-School. My first several years at Columbus I worked as an assistant teacher in a 2/3s classroom.
Michelle Piccolo
Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Michelle is in her 20th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on admissions and daily operations and has a hand in all things administration.
Marisol Vazquez
Teacher
Marisol is in her 4th year at Columbus working with 2s and 3s. Before joining, Marisol was the lead teacher at Little Sprouts, a childcare facility in Hudson Heights where she worked for 8 years.
Maggie Davis
Teacher
Maggie joins the team at Columbus Pre-School with extensive experience, having worked with children for the past 17 years in many different capacities.
Laura Crisostomo
Teacher
Laura joins us after years of teaching and serving others! Laura began her career in healthcare and health services and found herself always gravitating to her youngest patients.
Emily Vazquez
Teacher
It’s Emily’s second year as a 4s/5s teacher at Columbus Pre-school, and spends her summer in our 4s class during our summer program. Emily is enthusiastic about making her classroom bilingual, and brings Spanish education into all aspects of the program.
Emma Philip
Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 14th year working at Columbus. She started as an assistant teacher just out of college after gaining a BA in Sociology with a minor in Art History from Hartwick College.
Julie Kandall
Director of Education, Director of Admissions & Exmissions
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.
I am excited to introduce you to the many wonderful things about Columbus Pre-School that made me want to join as director 15 years ago.