Adrienne ToppinG
Director
Adrienne joined our staff in September 2003. She has a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Education from Siena College and a Masters in Special Education from Fordham University. She has NJ State Certification in both Special Education and Elementary Education. Adrienne has worked as an elementary school classroom teacher in Washington, D.C. and in New York City at the City and Country School. Adrienne grew up in Hunter, New York. She now lives in Short Hills with her husband and three children- all of whom attended the Co-op. Adrienne enjoys traveling, cooking, skiing, hiking, gardening, reading and spending time with her family.
vanessa dapaah
2 1/2’s
Head Teacher
Vanessa graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Speech. After graduation she worked at the Jewish Community Center as an Assistant Teacher working with children ranging from 1 to 3 years old.
Vanessa joined our staff in 2022 and is excited to take all that she has learned in her education and assistant teaching experience and continue to lead our 2 1/2 year old class.
During her free time, she enjoys managing a Mobile Car Detailing business, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.
jackie carlucci
2 1/2’s
Assistant Teacher
Jackie joined our staff in 2022 and brings a warm caring perspective along with years of hands on experience to our 2 1/2 year old classroom.
Jackie holds a B.S in International Trade and spent her early career as a Fashion Advertising Executive. Jackie then chose to embrace the adventure of motherhood, dedicating herself to raising her own children. She spent 8 years in our co-op classroom, where all four of her children attended.
Jackie lives in Millburn with her family and a giant Bernadoodle named Norman. She enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.
Amanda Ferguson
3s and 4s multi-age
am Head Teacher
Amanda Ferguson is thrilled to be learning alongside children, families & teachers here at the Co-op. Amanda joined our staff in 2021. Prior to joining this community she spent twenty years at the University of Vermont’s Campus Children’s School as a teacher and administrator. These formative years and special community of people shaped her educational philosophy and grew her up into the person she is today. She has an Undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Library Media Studies from UVM. She currently lives in Morristown, with her Mom, husband and three fantastic daughters. She loves to make things, hike and be in the outdoors. She’s also passionate about supporting and connecting with other teachers about play and sustainability through her work with Teaching Beyond the Square.
Kristin Chamorro
3s and 4s multi-age
pm Head teacher
Kristin joined our staff in 2010. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College. Previously she taught at the Bank Street Family Center working with typically developing children and children with special needs aged six months to five years. Currently she is a Girl Scout leader and Sunday School teacher. Kristin lives in Maplewood with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys hiking, gardening, reading and spending time with her family.
Faith nashel
K School Co-teacher
Faith Nashel joined the co-op community in 2020 as a substitute and stay and play teacher. She received her BA from Rutgers University in Psychology and her MA from New York University in Education along with a Montessori Certification ages 3-6. She was an adjunct professor at NYU as a part of the West Side Montessori School teacher education program. (WSMS-TEP). Faith is a certified running coach and for the past nine years has been the Cross Country and Track and Field coach for Millburn Recreation Department. Faith lives in Millburn with her husband, two children, and three cats, one an outdoor stray who has found a home on her side porch. In her free time she loves training for and running marathons, spending time with her family, friends, reading, cooking, and going to the beach.
NEALY TROLL
K School CO-TEACHER
Nealy Marcus Troll joined the Co-op community in 2019. She holds an M.A. in Applied Child Development from Tufts University and a M.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College.
Nealy has been teaching in the field of early childhood for over 15 years, most recently having taught Kindergarten and First Grade at Far Brook School in Short Hills.
Nealy grew up in Westfield, NJ and Bucks County, PA and currently lives in Short Hills with her husband, 3 children, and 1 rambunctious rescue dog. In her free time, she loves to hike, read, and travel with her family.
GRACE HARDIN
curriculum consultant / rotating teacher
Grace Toolan Hardin is a Co-op teacher, parent, and former student who joined our staff in 2021. She holds a B.A. in Art History and Psychology from Bucknell University and an M.S.Ed in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. Prior to teaching at Kinderenrichment, Grace taught Kindergarten at Far Brook School for 5 years and 1st / 2nd grade at Summers-Knoll School in Ann Arbor, MI for 2 years. When she is not teaching, Grace loves to read, paint, draw, and explore the outdoors with her family.
Ronnie Stern
Staff Consultant
Ronnie is a former Co-op Director and teacher (from 1979 to 1999) who shaped much of the current Co-op philosophy and curriculum. Ronnie is in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Millburn, NJ and is an Adjunct Professor in Child Development at Montclair State University.