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

Kiah Gluck

Kiah Gluck

Exmissions
Kiah focuses on kindergarten exmissions and makes sure the day-to-day operations at Columbus Pre-School are running smoothly. When not busy with parent events or communications, she’s definitely found her way into a classroom to share some laughs with the students.

read more
Tserry Myers

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.

read more
Travis Gluck

Travis Gluck

Teacher
This is Travis’ 9th year as a teacher at Columbus. Travis has moved from assistant in the 2s class to lead 3s teacher after earning his master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special and General Education.

read more
Kindia Payano

Kindia Payano

Teacher
Kindia Payano is passionate about education, with degrees in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Kindia is joining us most recently from Hunter College Elementary School.

read more
Molly Koltys

Molly Koltys

Teacher
Molly holds her graduate degree from Bank Street College in dual Early Childhood General and Special Education

read more
Michelle Piccolo

Michelle Piccolo

Admissions
Michelle is in her 16th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on exmissions (kindergarten placement), but has a hand in all things administration.

read more
Marisol Vazquez

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.

read more
Maggie Davis

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.

read more
Laura Crisostomo

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.

read more
Emma Gardner

Emma Gardner

Teacher
Emma Gardner is a seasoned educator, and even more seasoned 2s teacher. Emma earned a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education…

read more
Emily Vazquez

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.

read more
Janine Garcia

Janine Garcia

Teacher
Janine came to Columbus Pre-School during summer camp and found a home at Columbus for the school year! Janine brings with her a love of languages, and she’s fluent in five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin)!

read more
Marvin Myers

Marvin Myers

Gymnastics
Coach Marvin has been at Columbus for 20 years, teaching thousands of our students (and non-students) the important skills that gymnastics entails in all developmental areas.

read more
Candice Everett

Candice Everett

Nature
Candice Everett leads our nature studies program after serving as a lead 2s teacher here for 10 years. Candice is passionate about exploring all things nature- from plants and flowers to animal prints, herbs and spices and even just mud!

read more
Samantha Gronwoldt

Samantha Gronwoldt

Teacher
Samantha Gronwoldt has been a preschool teacher for 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, and after 7 years at the Medical Center Nursery School

read more
Emma Philip

Emma Philip

Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 11th 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.

read more
Julie Kandall

Julie Kandall

Director
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.

read more
Kiah Gluck

Kiah Gluck

Exmissions
Kiah focuses on kindergarten exmissions and makes sure the day-to-day operations at Columbus Pre-School are running smoothly. When not busy with parent events or communications, she’s definitely found her way into a classroom to share some laughs with the students.

read more
Tserry Myers

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.

read more
Travis Gluck

Travis Gluck

Teacher
This is Travis’ 9th year as a teacher at Columbus. Travis has moved from assistant in the 2s class to lead 3s teacher after earning his master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special and General Education.

read more
Kindia Payano

Kindia Payano

Teacher
Kindia Payano is passionate about education, with degrees in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Kindia is joining us most recently from Hunter College Elementary School.

read more
Molly Koltys

Molly Koltys

Teacher
Molly holds her graduate degree from Bank Street College in dual Early Childhood General and Special Education

read more
Michelle Piccolo

Michelle Piccolo

Admissions
Michelle is in her 16th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on exmissions (kindergarten placement), but has a hand in all things administration.

read more
Marisol Vazquez

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.

read more
Maggie Davis

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.

read more
Laura Crisostomo

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.

read more
Emma Gardner

Emma Gardner

Teacher
Emma Gardner is a seasoned educator, and even more seasoned 2s teacher. Emma earned a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education…

read more
Emily Vazquez

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.

read more
Janine Garcia

Janine Garcia

Teacher
Janine came to Columbus Pre-School during summer camp and found a home at Columbus for the school year! Janine brings with her a love of languages, and she’s fluent in five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin)!

read more
Marvin Myers

Marvin Myers

Gymnastics
Coach Marvin has been at Columbus for 20 years, teaching thousands of our students (and non-students) the important skills that gymnastics entails in all developmental areas.

read more
Candice Everett

Candice Everett

Nature
Candice Everett leads our nature studies program after serving as a lead 2s teacher here for 10 years. Candice is passionate about exploring all things nature- from plants and flowers to animal prints, herbs and spices and even just mud!

read more
Samantha Gronwoldt

Samantha Gronwoldt

Teacher
Samantha Gronwoldt has been a preschool teacher for 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, and after 7 years at the Medical Center Nursery School

read more
Emma Philip

Emma Philip

Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 11th 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.

read more
Julie Kandall

Julie Kandall

Director
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.

read more
Kiah Gluck

Kiah Gluck

Exmissions
Kiah focuses on kindergarten exmissions and makes sure the day-to-day operations at Columbus Pre-School are running smoothly. When not busy with parent events or communications, she’s definitely found her way into a classroom to share some laughs with the students.

read more
Tserry Myers

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.

read more
Travis Gluck

Travis Gluck

Teacher
This is Travis’ 9th year as a teacher at Columbus. Travis has moved from assistant in the 2s class to lead 3s teacher after earning his master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special and General Education.

read more
Kindia Payano

Kindia Payano

Teacher
Kindia Payano is passionate about education, with degrees in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Kindia is joining us most recently from Hunter College Elementary School.

read more
Molly Koltys

Molly Koltys

Teacher
Molly holds her graduate degree from Bank Street College in dual Early Childhood General and Special Education

read more
Michelle Piccolo

Michelle Piccolo

Admissions
Michelle is in her 16th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on exmissions (kindergarten placement), but has a hand in all things administration.

read more
Marisol Vazquez

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.

read more
Maggie Davis

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.

read more
Laura Crisostomo

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.

read more
Emma Gardner

Emma Gardner

Teacher
Emma Gardner is a seasoned educator, and even more seasoned 2s teacher. Emma earned a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education…

read more
Emily Vazquez

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.

read more
Janine Garcia

Janine Garcia

Teacher
Janine came to Columbus Pre-School during summer camp and found a home at Columbus for the school year! Janine brings with her a love of languages, and she’s fluent in five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin)!

read more
Marvin Myers

Marvin Myers

Gymnastics
Coach Marvin has been at Columbus for 20 years, teaching thousands of our students (and non-students) the important skills that gymnastics entails in all developmental areas.

read more
Candice Everett

Candice Everett

Nature
Candice Everett leads our nature studies program after serving as a lead 2s teacher here for 10 years. Candice is passionate about exploring all things nature- from plants and flowers to animal prints, herbs and spices and even just mud!

read more
Samantha Gronwoldt

Samantha Gronwoldt

Teacher
Samantha Gronwoldt has been a preschool teacher for 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, and after 7 years at the Medical Center Nursery School

read more
Emma Philip

Emma Philip

Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 11th 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.

read more
Julie Kandall

Julie Kandall

Director
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.

read more

Lead Teachers

Kiah Gluck

Kiah Gluck

Exmissions
Kiah focuses on kindergarten exmissions and makes sure the day-to-day operations at Columbus Pre-School are running smoothly. When not busy with parent events or communications, she’s definitely found her way into a classroom to share some laughs with the students.

read more
Tserry Myers

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.

read more
Travis Gluck

Travis Gluck

Teacher
This is Travis’ 9th year as a teacher at Columbus. Travis has moved from assistant in the 2s class to lead 3s teacher after earning his master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special and General Education.

read more
Kindia Payano

Kindia Payano

Teacher
Kindia Payano is passionate about education, with degrees in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Kindia is joining us most recently from Hunter College Elementary School.

read more
Molly Koltys

Molly Koltys

Teacher
Molly holds her graduate degree from Bank Street College in dual Early Childhood General and Special Education

read more
Michelle Piccolo

Michelle Piccolo

Admissions
Michelle is in her 16th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on exmissions (kindergarten placement), but has a hand in all things administration.

read more
Marisol Vazquez

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.

read more
Maggie Davis

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.

read more
Laura Crisostomo

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.

read more
Emma Gardner

Emma Gardner

Teacher
Emma Gardner is a seasoned educator, and even more seasoned 2s teacher. Emma earned a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education…

read more
Emily Vazquez

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.

read more
Janine Garcia

Janine Garcia

Teacher
Janine came to Columbus Pre-School during summer camp and found a home at Columbus for the school year! Janine brings with her a love of languages, and she’s fluent in five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin)!

read more
Marvin Myers

Marvin Myers

Gymnastics
Coach Marvin has been at Columbus for 20 years, teaching thousands of our students (and non-students) the important skills that gymnastics entails in all developmental areas.

read more
Candice Everett

Candice Everett

Nature
Candice Everett leads our nature studies program after serving as a lead 2s teacher here for 10 years. Candice is passionate about exploring all things nature- from plants and flowers to animal prints, herbs and spices and even just mud!

read more
Samantha Gronwoldt

Samantha Gronwoldt

Teacher
Samantha Gronwoldt has been a preschool teacher for 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, and after 7 years at the Medical Center Nursery School

read more
Emma Philip

Emma Philip

Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 11th 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.

read more
Julie Kandall

Julie Kandall

Director
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.

read more

Teachers

Kiah Gluck

Kiah Gluck

Exmissions
Kiah focuses on kindergarten exmissions and makes sure the day-to-day operations at Columbus Pre-School are running smoothly. When not busy with parent events or communications, she’s definitely found her way into a classroom to share some laughs with the students.

read more
Tserry Myers

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.

read more
Travis Gluck

Travis Gluck

Teacher
This is Travis’ 9th year as a teacher at Columbus. Travis has moved from assistant in the 2s class to lead 3s teacher after earning his master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special and General Education.

read more
Kindia Payano

Kindia Payano

Teacher
Kindia Payano is passionate about education, with degrees in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education. Kindia is joining us most recently from Hunter College Elementary School.

read more
Molly Koltys

Molly Koltys

Teacher
Molly holds her graduate degree from Bank Street College in dual Early Childhood General and Special Education

read more
Michelle Piccolo

Michelle Piccolo

Admissions
Michelle is in her 16th year at Columbus as part of the Admin team. Michelle focuses on exmissions (kindergarten placement), but has a hand in all things administration.

read more
Marisol Vazquez

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.

read more
Maggie Davis

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.

read more
Laura Crisostomo

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.

read more
Emma Gardner

Emma Gardner

Teacher
Emma Gardner is a seasoned educator, and even more seasoned 2s teacher. Emma earned a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College and an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education…

read more
Emily Vazquez

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.

read more
Janine Garcia

Janine Garcia

Teacher
Janine came to Columbus Pre-School during summer camp and found a home at Columbus for the school year! Janine brings with her a love of languages, and she’s fluent in five (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Mandarin)!

read more
Marvin Myers

Marvin Myers

Gymnastics
Coach Marvin has been at Columbus for 20 years, teaching thousands of our students (and non-students) the important skills that gymnastics entails in all developmental areas.

read more
Candice Everett

Candice Everett

Nature
Candice Everett leads our nature studies program after serving as a lead 2s teacher here for 10 years. Candice is passionate about exploring all things nature- from plants and flowers to animal prints, herbs and spices and even just mud!

read more
Samantha Gronwoldt

Samantha Gronwoldt

Teacher
Samantha Gronwoldt has been a preschool teacher for 12 years. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, and after 7 years at the Medical Center Nursery School

read more
Emma Philip

Emma Philip

Teacher
Emma Philip is in her 11th 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.

read more
Julie Kandall

Julie Kandall

Director
Julie Kandall worked for thirteen years as a teacher before joining Columbus Pre-School as the educational director in 2011.

read more