MARIBETH FAY - DIRECTOR + TODDLER + JUNIOR TEACHER
Maribeth first became involved at YCNS when she and her husband enrolled their children in 1998. She was so impressed by the community and cooperative approach of partnering with parents that she was thrilled to return as Director in 2005. She has a Bachelor Degree in Social Science and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and previously worked as an Intake Coordinator at a Community Residence, a Childbirth Educator and a Parenting Education Group Facilitator. Although she brings many years of experience to her position as Director it is clear that she is driven by the notion that together we all give to the richness of our community and provide a special place where children and families can work and learn together.
As a teacher in the Toddler class, Maribeth is warm, fun and engaging. She provides the perfect environment to introduce two-year-olds to the routine of a classroom, where they feel safe and comfortable. Promoting language development and social skills are some of the main goals. Inspired by children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder about the world, Maribeth strives to create an environment that encourages exploration and play with many sensory and discovery activities. She will admit she doesn't mind making messes, which is a great asset in a class of two-year-olds!
In the Junior class, Maribeth’s philosophy is to promote self-esteem, confidence, curiosity, creativity and teamwork. She provides a mixture of child initiated and teacher guided experiences that are interesting, hands-on and exciting for young learners. In her classroom, children will learn and develop their skills through process art and STEAM activities. She loves that YCNS affords parents the opportunity to see first hand the exciting experience their child is having at school. Through collaboration with parents, she hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning!
Maribeth and her husband Michael live and raised their four (now adult) boys and two nieces in the Yorktown community.
LIZ MORHARDT - SENIOR CLASS TEACHER
"Miss Liz" is excited to be part of the YCNS family as the Senior class teacher. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Sociology from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University. She is a NYS Certified Teacher of Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grade 1-6) with over 15 years of teaching experience. She implements the YCNS philosophy of learning through play in an environment that helps children feel safe, happy and free to explore the world around them. While incorporating developmentally-appropriate language, social, emotional and readiness skills for Kindergarten, Liz helps nurture her students to be kind community members who love learning.
She lives in Yorktown with her husband, three children and dog, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
KATHY DESIDERIO - TODDLER + JUNIOR ASSISTANT TEACHER
"Miss Kathy" is an Assistant Teacher for both the Toddler and Junior classes. She began her teaching career at YCNS in 2017, and has enjoyed training under Miss Maribeth to gain insight into Maribeth’s vast experience in education. In the past two years, Miss Kathy has taken extensive early childhood-development courses to glean the most current training in the field. Kathy is a Yorktown resident and the mother of two middle school-aged boys. She and her husband are active in the community, and you can usually find her at her sons’ sports games or practices on the weekends. As a teacher, Miss Kathy is nurturing and loving, yet a respected authority whom the children turn to for guidance in the classroom.
TRACEY FALCONE - SENIOR CLASS ASSISTANT TEACHER
“Miss Tracey” joined the YCNS staff in 2022 as an assistant teacher. She is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Textile Design. Tracey is not only a talented artist and educator, but also owner and manager of The Hudson Creamery, a family-run and operated ice cream shop located in the heart of Peekskill, NY. In addition to running this local business, Tracey has done work for Sherwood Forest Designs, On the Surface, and the Katonah Art Center, where she taught art to preschool through high school age students.
Tracey was born and raised in Yorktown Heights, where she resides with her husband and children. Her oldest son is a YCNS alumni. Tracey enjoys many hobbies such as painting, photography, travel, horseback riding and paddle boarding.