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
Kristin O’Connor
Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to bring her decades of experience with children to Columbus Pre School this year. She has worked with kids as a gymnastics coach, nanny, and most recently as an aerial arts instructor.
Becky Reinhold
Assistant Teacher
Rebecca (Becky) Reinhold joined Columbus Pre-School during the 2025–2026 school year. She grew up in New York City and attended Trevor Day School before going on to Carleton College, where she graduated in June 2025.
Emma Philip
Lead 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.
Laurie Markiewicz
Lead 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.
Erica Keitt
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Columbus Pre-School in 2025 and is in her sixth year of teaching. She loves working with the youngest learners and is fascinated by early childhood development.
Allie Miller
Assistant Teacher
Allie Miller joined Columbus Pre-School for the 2025–2026 school year. She is deeply passionate about working with children in clinical, school, and hospital settings, and has been doing so for over 12 years.
Lindsi Fonder
Lead Teacher
Before coming to Columbus Pre-School, Lindsi worked for 7 years with children of various ages and learning abilities as a preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional.
Star Rosen
Assistant Teacher
Star brings 12 years of experience with children to her role as Assistant Teacher here at Columbus Preschool.
Lyn Leon
Lead Teacher
Lyn Leon has been a preschool teacher since 2015. She holds a master’s degree from Hunter College in Education with a Students with Disabilities Extension and is currently earning her second master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Teaching.
Thais Peralta
Lead Teacher
Thais is so excited to be joining the Columbus Preschool community! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Brooklyn College and is completing courses for a master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Alexa Capanna
Lead Teacher
Alexa will be joining the Columbus Preschool community in the Fall of 2026. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona, along with her Arizona state teaching certification.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater Teacher
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.
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.
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.
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 Vasquez
Assistant 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
Assistant 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
Assistant 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.
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.
Shelsy Campos Perez
Assistant Teacher
Shelsy Campos Perez is joining Columbus Pre-School as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. She recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.
Kristin O’Connor
Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to bring her decades of experience with children to Columbus Pre School this year. She has worked with kids as a gymnastics coach, nanny, and most recently as an aerial arts instructor.
Becky Reinhold
Assistant Teacher
Rebecca (Becky) Reinhold joined Columbus Pre-School during the 2025–2026 school year. She grew up in New York City and attended Trevor Day School before going on to Carleton College, where she graduated in June 2025.
Emma Philip
Lead 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.
Laurie Markiewicz
Lead 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.
Erica Keitt
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Columbus Pre-School in 2025 and is in her sixth year of teaching. She loves working with the youngest learners and is fascinated by early childhood development.
Allie Miller
Assistant Teacher
Allie Miller joined Columbus Pre-School for the 2025–2026 school year. She is deeply passionate about working with children in clinical, school, and hospital settings, and has been doing so for over 12 years.
Lindsi Fonder
Lead Teacher
Before coming to Columbus Pre-School, Lindsi worked for 7 years with children of various ages and learning abilities as a preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional.
Star Rosen
Assistant Teacher
Star brings 12 years of experience with children to her role as Assistant Teacher here at Columbus Preschool.
Lyn Leon
Lead Teacher
Lyn Leon has been a preschool teacher since 2015. She holds a master’s degree from Hunter College in Education with a Students with Disabilities Extension and is currently earning her second master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Teaching.
Thais Peralta
Lead Teacher
Thais is so excited to be joining the Columbus Preschool community! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Brooklyn College and is completing courses for a master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Alexa Capanna
Lead Teacher
Alexa will be joining the Columbus Preschool community in the Fall of 2026. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona, along with her Arizona state teaching certification.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater Teacher
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.
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.
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.
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 Vasquez
Assistant 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
Assistant 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
Assistant 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.
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.
Shelsy Campos Perez
Assistant Teacher
Shelsy Campos Perez is joining Columbus Pre-School as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. She recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.
Kristin O’Connor
Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to bring her decades of experience with children to Columbus Pre School this year. She has worked with kids as a gymnastics coach, nanny, and most recently as an aerial arts instructor.
Becky Reinhold
Assistant Teacher
Rebecca (Becky) Reinhold joined Columbus Pre-School during the 2025–2026 school year. She grew up in New York City and attended Trevor Day School before going on to Carleton College, where she graduated in June 2025.
Emma Philip
Lead 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.
Laurie Markiewicz
Lead 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.
Erica Keitt
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Columbus Pre-School in 2025 and is in her sixth year of teaching. She loves working with the youngest learners and is fascinated by early childhood development.
Allie Miller
Assistant Teacher
Allie Miller joined Columbus Pre-School for the 2025–2026 school year. She is deeply passionate about working with children in clinical, school, and hospital settings, and has been doing so for over 12 years.
Lindsi Fonder
Lead Teacher
Before coming to Columbus Pre-School, Lindsi worked for 7 years with children of various ages and learning abilities as a preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional.
Star Rosen
Assistant Teacher
Star brings 12 years of experience with children to her role as Assistant Teacher here at Columbus Preschool.
Lyn Leon
Lead Teacher
Lyn Leon has been a preschool teacher since 2015. She holds a master’s degree from Hunter College in Education with a Students with Disabilities Extension and is currently earning her second master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Teaching.
Thais Peralta
Lead Teacher
Thais is so excited to be joining the Columbus Preschool community! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Brooklyn College and is completing courses for a master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Alexa Capanna
Lead Teacher
Alexa will be joining the Columbus Preschool community in the Fall of 2026. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona, along with her Arizona state teaching certification.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater Teacher
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.
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.
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.
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 Vasquez
Assistant 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
Assistant 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
Assistant 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.
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.
Shelsy Campos Perez
Assistant Teacher
Shelsy Campos Perez is joining Columbus Pre-School as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. She recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.
Lead Teachers
Kristin O’Connor
Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to bring her decades of experience with children to Columbus Pre School this year. She has worked with kids as a gymnastics coach, nanny, and most recently as an aerial arts instructor.
Becky Reinhold
Assistant Teacher
Rebecca (Becky) Reinhold joined Columbus Pre-School during the 2025–2026 school year. She grew up in New York City and attended Trevor Day School before going on to Carleton College, where she graduated in June 2025.
Emma Philip
Lead 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.
Laurie Markiewicz
Lead 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.
Erica Keitt
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Columbus Pre-School in 2025 and is in her sixth year of teaching. She loves working with the youngest learners and is fascinated by early childhood development.
Allie Miller
Assistant Teacher
Allie Miller joined Columbus Pre-School for the 2025–2026 school year. She is deeply passionate about working with children in clinical, school, and hospital settings, and has been doing so for over 12 years.
Lindsi Fonder
Lead Teacher
Before coming to Columbus Pre-School, Lindsi worked for 7 years with children of various ages and learning abilities as a preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional.
Star Rosen
Assistant Teacher
Star brings 12 years of experience with children to her role as Assistant Teacher here at Columbus Preschool.
Lyn Leon
Lead Teacher
Lyn Leon has been a preschool teacher since 2015. She holds a master’s degree from Hunter College in Education with a Students with Disabilities Extension and is currently earning her second master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Teaching.
Thais Peralta
Lead Teacher
Thais is so excited to be joining the Columbus Preschool community! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Brooklyn College and is completing courses for a master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Alexa Capanna
Lead Teacher
Alexa will be joining the Columbus Preschool community in the Fall of 2026. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona, along with her Arizona state teaching certification.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater Teacher
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.
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.
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.
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 Vasquez
Assistant 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
Assistant 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
Assistant 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.
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.
Shelsy Campos Perez
Assistant Teacher
Shelsy Campos Perez is joining Columbus Pre-School as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. She recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.
Teachers
Kristin O’Connor
Assistant Teacher
Kristin is excited to bring her decades of experience with children to Columbus Pre School this year. She has worked with kids as a gymnastics coach, nanny, and most recently as an aerial arts instructor.
Becky Reinhold
Assistant Teacher
Rebecca (Becky) Reinhold joined Columbus Pre-School during the 2025–2026 school year. She grew up in New York City and attended Trevor Day School before going on to Carleton College, where she graduated in June 2025.
Emma Philip
Lead 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.
Laurie Markiewicz
Lead 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.
Erica Keitt
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Columbus Pre-School in 2025 and is in her sixth year of teaching. She loves working with the youngest learners and is fascinated by early childhood development.
Allie Miller
Assistant Teacher
Allie Miller joined Columbus Pre-School for the 2025–2026 school year. She is deeply passionate about working with children in clinical, school, and hospital settings, and has been doing so for over 12 years.
Lindsi Fonder
Lead Teacher
Before coming to Columbus Pre-School, Lindsi worked for 7 years with children of various ages and learning abilities as a preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional.
Star Rosen
Assistant Teacher
Star brings 12 years of experience with children to her role as Assistant Teacher here at Columbus Preschool.
Lyn Leon
Lead Teacher
Lyn Leon has been a preschool teacher since 2015. She holds a master’s degree from Hunter College in Education with a Students with Disabilities Extension and is currently earning her second master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Teaching.
Thais Peralta
Lead Teacher
Thais is so excited to be joining the Columbus Preschool community! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Brooklyn College and is completing courses for a master’s in Early Childhood Education.
Alexa Capanna
Lead Teacher
Alexa will be joining the Columbus Preschool community in the Fall of 2026. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arizona, along with her Arizona state teaching certification.
Samantha Perez
Music Specialist and Floater Teacher
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.
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.
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.
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 Vasquez
Assistant 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
Assistant 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
Assistant 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.
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.
Shelsy Campos Perez
Assistant Teacher
Shelsy Campos Perez is joining Columbus Pre-School as a Teacher’s Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. She recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.
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.