Staff
All of our educators are devoted, creative, nurturing individuals whose enthusiastic and supportive approach and belief of freedom within limits helps children develop self-esteem and respect for others. Two or three certified and experienced teachers serve as Teachers in each classroom.
Director
Krissy Waters' deep investment in Belmont Cooperative Nursery School, as well as the Reggio Emilia based educational philosophy that is embraced by the school, has continued through many years: first as a parent, then as a teacher, and now as Director of the school. Krissy even attended BCNS and is an alumna, class of 1978. During her years as a parent at BCNS, Krissy had the opportunity to serve as President, Treasurer, and chair of the Publicity Committee. Krissy attended Tufts University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Economics in 1995. Krissy obtained her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, and continues an ongoing exploration of the Reggio Emilia philosophy through numerous courses and discussion groups. In addition to her role as Director, Krissy is also a teacher in the Oak Class and teaches the Science Class after school.
Paper Birch Teachers
Kristen
Kristen Butler is a teacher in the Paper Birch Class. She graduated from Wheelock College with a degree in Human Development. Prior to teaching at BCNS, Kristen taught at Cambridgeport Children’s Center in Cambridge, MA. Kristen lives in Watertown and has a son, a BCNS alumni, Henry.
Lauren
Lauren is a teacher in the Silver Birch class. Lauren graduated from Lesley University with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy and is a Registered Yoga Teacher. Prior to teaching at BCNS, Lauren worked as a counselor running family, teen and adult yoga groups in Watertown, MA. She also worked as a preschool teacher and art instructor at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club. When not at BCNS, Lauren and her husband love to watch their two children play soccer and she also enjoys staying active by hiking, paddle boarding and walking her dog.
Silver Birch Teachers
Claudia
Claudia Cornacchione graduated from Università degli Studi di Roma (Italy) in 2003 with a Master Degree in Science of Education. In 2008 she moved with her family to the U.S. Since then Claudia has lived in Arkansas, Texas, and recently moved to Massachusetts. Outside of school, Claudia enjoys traveling with her two daughters and her husband: they enjoy learning about different cultures, languages, traditions, and food. When she is not cheering her daughters' on the soccer field, Claudia likes to run, bike, and swim.
Kristina
Kristina Cardello is a teacher in the Paper Birch Class. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Boston College and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. Prior to working at BCNS, Kristina taught in the Framingham Public Schools for 6 years. She taught first grade for 3 years and second grade for 3 years. She also worked for the Newton Public Schools for 3 years as an assistant teacher while she was earning her master’s degree. Kristina loves ballet, art, music, and spending time with her two daughters who both attended BCNS.
Patience
Patience is a teacher in the Silver Birch class. Prior to having her two children, Ava and James, Patience taught at BB&N for 10 years. During her time at BB&N, Patience taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and 2nd grade. In addition, she taught at a Montessori school in Stamford, CT. Patience has worked with children her whole life, and she is very excited to get back into the teaching world.
3 Day Oak Teachers
Krissy
Krissy Waters is a teacher in the Maple Class, as well as, Director of BCNS. Please see her bio above for additional details.
Karen
Karen Roth graduated from Tufts University with a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. She worked in high tech and on environmental justice issues before having her two daughters. Since then she has become a certified teacher, and is a teacher in the 3 Day Oak Class. When not at BCNS, Karen can be found leading a Girl Scout troop, out in nature with her girls, cooking, or teaching knitting.
3 Day Maple Teachers
Brenna
Brenna Banister graduated from Boston University in 2012 with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Brenna is currently a teacher in the Maple classroom, as well as the Willow Group Guide, a member of the Extended Day teaching team, and teaches after school extra curricular classes. During her tenure at BCNS, Brenna has worked as a classroom teacher in all of the classrooms! She is very interested in the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, which BCNS uses as pedagogical inspiration. Brenna loves cooking, dancing, reading, and doing open-ended art activities with children. In her free time, she can most often be found kayaking, learning American Sign Language, or dancing with the adult group she formed called Alive Dance Collective.
Carrie
Carrie is a teacher in the Maple Class and part of the Extended Day team. Carrie has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Plattsburgh. She taught Elementary Art for 6 years in New York State and has had numerous experiences teaching and caring for children from ages 0-13. After spending time at home with her twin daughters, Carrie managed The Loved Child, a family education center, for 3 years until she realized she missed working with children! She has been an Extended Day teacher, a substitute and a teacher of a “Story Art” enrichment class at BCNS this past year and is thrilled to be teaching in the Maple class with such an amazing teaching staff. Carrie enjoys gardening, reading and spending time in the White Mountains of NH. She lives in Belmont with her husband, twin daughters and her ragdoll kitty, Eli.
Yuan
Yuan Joy is a dedicated Assistant Preschool Teacher at BCNS,currently enriching young minds in the Maple class. Originally hailing from Yichang in Hubei province, China, Yuan is a graduate of Three Gorges University where she earned a dual degree in English and Law in 2005. She has called Belmont home since 2017 and shares her life with her husband and their three children, all of whom attend Belmont public schools.In her free time, Yuan delights in traveling the world, teaching Chinese and showcasing her culinary skills. She is ecstatic to be a part of the BCNS community and the Maple class, where she aims to share her diverse cultural background and passion for learning with her students.
Meryl
Meryl Junik graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Computer Science and worked as a technology consultant and project manager before having her two sons. She loves working with children and is currently a teacher on the Extended Day teaching team, as well as, a substitute teacher. In her free time, Meryl loves to knit, try new recipes, and explore New England with her husband and sons. Meryl joins the Maple class on Thursdays
Extended Day
Kim
Kim Blinn graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She has worked for 20 years in the early childhood field, and is currently a member of the BCNS Extended Day teaching team. One of her most memorable accomplishments as a teacher was traveling to Italy and attending a week long class at Reggio Emilia. Kim truly loves working with children, and could not imagine choosing any other career.
Maf
Maf Terry, Arlington resident, has been teaching at BCNS for over 10 years. Maf has a BA in English from Tufts University and an MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Wheelock College. She spends her summers in the Art Barn at Camp Horizons in Fairlee, VT. Maf enjoys paddle boarding, curling up with a good book, playing games with her family and testing new recipes.
Willow Group Guide
Brenna
See Brenna’s bio in the Maple classroom
Literacy Corner Teacher
Jan
Jan Toscano, affectionately called Mrs. T by the children, has been a teacher at BCNS for over 15 years, and currently is the BCNS Literacy Corner teacher. The literacy corner is a space where children can gather in small groups to focus on reading, writing, and drawing in a quiet and cozy environment.
Staff Development Liaison
Caitlin
Caitlin will be assisting the BCNS staff in establishing group professional development goals throughout the year, as well as, working with individuals in areas of development specific to them. Caitlin has been a dedicated member of the BCNS community since 2017, when her oldest started attending BCNS in the Maple classroom. Caitlin served as Admissions Chair, Co-President and Strategic Planning Committee Chair during her time as a parent. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine at Farmington in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University. Caitlin previously worked at the McCarthy-Town School in Acton, a public school dedicated to teaching through the arts. Caitlin is very excited to be working alongside such a wonderful teaching staff.
Inclusions Specialist
Fitzie
Fitzie has been involved at BCNS at every level over the years as a student, a parent of students, a substitute teacher, and is thrilled for this new opportunity to serve the BCNS community as a part of the Maple Classroom team. Fitzie graduated from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in English with a focus in creative writing, got her Master’s in Special Education from UMass-Boston in 2007, and achieved her post-graduate certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2010. She holds MA teaching licenses in 5-8 English, K-12 Special Education, and is a MA Licensed BCBA. Fitzie’s children flourished in the Reggio-Emilia approach of BCNS, and she is so excited to see new groups of Maple children have the chance to have the same wonderful experience, and to be a part of that experience.