Knight Hall School Staff Profiles
Knight Hall is much more than a cozy home that houses five classrooms and a teacher library. The caring, high-quality staff is Knight Hall School's defining asset. Our exceedingly low staff turnover rate is a tribute to the caring and dedication the teachers feel to the school and their students. The teachers have found in KHS, a facility with a serious learning through play philosophy that matches their own. They have found a school and a director that provides planning time each week and breaks each day, and encourages their need to continually learn about the field and discover what is working in other high-quality child care settings. Knight Hall staffs each room with two teachers with an early childhood background and a supporting teacher still in school or pursuing a credential. This provides several benefits. Teacher/child ratios are consistently better than required by state licensing. Substitutes that are unfamiliar to the children are never necessary. The children come to know and love the entire staff. This allows us to maintain an environment that is as consistent, comfortable and familiar as possible, even when staff members are not in for a day. Click below to learn more about the staff in each room, and about staff that support multiple rooms.
Director
Martha Wylie
I have been the Director of Knight Hall School since 1991. I graduated in 1986 Wheelock College in Boston with a degree in ECE and ECE special needs. After college I taught preschool and in a special needs program. Prior to coming to Knight Hall I worked in the Northwest and Canada, creating quality early care and education programs for ski resorts. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! When I am not at Knight Hall, I am usually with my daughter, Maya.
Our motto is live life to the fullest, and that we do! We enjoy playing outside, creating jungles in our living room, and just being together. Maya attended Knight Hall School and taught me much about the preschool experience from the eyes of a parent.
As an early childhood educator I believe every child has the right to a quality preschool experience, because it provides a critical foundation for learning success over a lifetime. What children learn between the ages of 12 months and 5 years is astonishing. The concepts and skills children work to master in the early years are essential building blocks for the rest of their education.
I am so honored to share responsibility with our staff and families for ensuring that each Knight Hall student takes full advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to build those blocks into a strong foundation!My door is always open. I encourage you to come to me with questions about your child's development, or comments on your Knight Hall experience. I hope to hear from you soon.
860-232-9015 x300/martha@knighthallschool.org
Purple Room (Young Toddlers)
Carmen
I grew up in Connecticut and lived in Hartford for most of my life. In 1990 I moved to West Hartford, wanting my own children to live in a nice, safe place, and benefit from a better school system. We now live in Wethersfield; it was hard at first after being in West Hartford for so long. But we are enjoying it now.
I have two children: Melissa, 17, and Carlos, 15. I think I have done a great job raising them so far. We have been living with my fiancé for four years, and happily look forward to our wedding this year.
I enjoyed working with children as a home childcare provider, so I went back to school and got a GED in 1995. I then went to the University of Hartford Women’s College in 1996, and attended Capital community college for my CDA.
I began as an intern at Knight Hall School, and have worked here for eight years. I co-taught in the blue room for two years, then moved to the purple room to work with infants and toddlers. I feel that as a teacher I can become an important part of children’s lives and show them the love and caring which is very important to me.
860-232-9015 x302/carmen@knighthallschool.org
Brenda
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860-232-9015 x302/brenda@knighthallschool.org
Red Room (Older Toddlers)
Betsy
I enjoy working with young children. I can help the two and three year olds in my classroom discover who they are and provide appropriate experiences that encourage positive exploration of their world. I know that children learn by doing and I give them the opportunity to do so in a healthy learning environment. I provide a wide range of age appropriate materials, help children expand their play, and entice them to ask questions.
I have twenty years of experience in center based programs, and earned my CDA through Capital Community College in 2001. Besides attending many workshops on development, creativity, and classroom management, I also hold certificates in both first aid and child CPR.
I have lived in Connecticut all my life and settled in the town of Vernon about ten years ago. I live with my two children, Samantha and Charlie. We joined the Knight Hall School family in January of 1994. Charlie is currently enrolled in Knight Hall, and Samantha graduated from Knight Hall in 1997.
860-232-9015 x302/betsy@knighthallschool.org
Colleen
I have been with the 2-year-olds in the Red Room since coming to teach at Knight Hall in 2001. Prior to that, I taught toddlers (12-24 months-old) at Apple Tree Learning Center in Middletown from 1994 until 1999. I began as an Assistant Teacher and eventually became the Head Teacher of the toddler program. I truly enjoyed working there and learned so much, but after 51/2 years, I was ready for a change. I began work as a private caregiver for a wonderful family in Cheshire. There, I took care of Emily and Maggie, ages 4-7. I loved the independence and the opportunity to teach different ages. But once the girls were both in elementary school full time, I was able to join this amazing team of teachers.
The most valuable part of my education has been my experience working hands-on with children and many skilled professionals. I also studied Early Childhood Education at Gateway Community College in New Haven in the spring and fall of 1995. I truly believe in the saying: 'Children learn what they live.' Children need to be respected and given every opportunity to learn to think for themselves by exploring the world around them.
I grew up in Wallingford with my parents, my sister, and my brother. I currently reside in Meriden with my black lab, Halley and my cat, Jerry. When I'm not at Knight Hall, I love to spend time with family and friends doing a wide variety of activities such as hiking, traveling, gambling (a little), and antiquing.
860-232-9015 x302/colleen@knighthallschool.org
Stephanie
I came to work at Knight Hall School in August 2003. I assist in all the classrooms throughout the morning and work in the Red room in the afternoon. I am currently attending Manchester Community College where I am pursuing my degree in Early Childhood Education. I would love to eventually teach kindergarten. I love working with children and I’m very happy to have the opportunity to do so at Knight Hall School. I live in Manchester with my mother, my brother and my cat, Gizmo. (Isn’t he cute?)
860-232-9015 x302/stephanie@knighthallschool.org
Yellow Room (Preschool I)
Barbara
I have always loved working with children. While my children were in elementary school, I enjoyed being room mother, volunteering in the classroom and working with children one-on-one in the school library. I served as chairperson of the nursery school committee at a well-established school in West Hartford for seven years and began substitute teaching there. I worked with three and four-year-olds at that school for five years as the State of Connecticut Designated Head Teacher. Then I served as Director for seven years. While serving as Director, I was an active member of the Greater Hartford Early Childhood Directors Council.
This is my fifth year at Knight Hall School. I am certified in First Aid and CPR. Through numerous courses, conferences, workshops, working with other professionals and with children in the classroom, I continue to learn and grow as a teacher. I am truly glad to be part of the professional staff at Knight Hall School.
I have two grown daughters. I grew up and still live in West Hartford with my husband, our youngest daughter, our dog and our cat. It is my belief that all children should be treated with respect. All children are entitled to a quality education in a learning environment that is safe, warm, and caring.
860-232-9015 x303/barbara@knighthallschool.org
Sheri
I came to work at Knight Hall in 1979 after graduating from UCONN with a degree in Human Development. I went on to earn a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hartford.
I then went to work at Manchester Community College as Head Teacher, supervising student teachers in their Preschool Lab. I left there in 1985 to raise my two sons.
I returned to Knight Hall in 1994, working in the Orange and Yellow Rooms before leaving to have my third child. I returned in 1999, eager to have my daughter attend Knight Hall while I worked in the Yellow Room.
I live in Newington with my husband, Kevin and our three children, Kolin, Tristan, and Kira. I teach my favorite age group, the young three year olds.
I believe all children should have the opportunity to spend their day in a warm, loving environment with enriching experiences to help them grow into happy, confident, caring people.
860-232-9015 x303/sheri@knighthallschool.org
Blue Room (Preschool II)
Jo-Ann
I am a teacher in the Blue room. I earned my degree in Early Childhood Education in 1988, and began working for the preschool at Connecticut Children's Hospital in 1989. I worked there until August of 1999, when I joined Knight Hall School. I was eager to join an organization that had similar beliefs as my own. I believe that children have an innate ability to learn. As teachers, we are their facilitators: creating opportunities, enhancing curiosity and forming bridges to experiences.
I have a passion for literature and became a storyteller over 15 years ago, because storytelling and education go hand and hand. I believe in the power of storytelling, and make it an active part of how I teach. Stories not only captivate children's attention and entertain them, but they also teach them too. I believe that children learn the power of language by listening. Frequent exposure to stories increases attention span, improves comprehension, develops vocabulary and improves children's imaginations. I am a member of four storytelling organizations: The League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling, The Connecticut Storytelling Association, The National Storytelling Association, and the Healing Story Alliance.
When I am not working, I also enjoy donating time to the community. Since 1998 for example, I have worked as a tutor, donating time weekly teaching adults to read through Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford.
860-232-9015 x304/joann@knighthallschool.org
Theresa
This is my third year at Knight Hall School. I have lots of experience working with children of all ages, beginning back in high school when I did a lot of babysitting. After graduating from Glastonbury High School in 1995, I moved to Wilmington, North Carolina where I attended college. The majority of the courses I took were child-related. After college I immediately began working in childcare centers and have been doing that for the past 8 years. Working at Knight Hall has been wonderful. The staff and children make it a pleasure.
860-232-9015 x304/theresa@knighthallschool.org
Orange Room (Preschool III)
Pixie
In 1978, my husband and I moved to Hartford, Connecticut. While out for an evening walk, we made a wonderful discovery—Knight Hall School. I peered into the window, squinting to try to read the bulletin board. I could make out words like "parent involvement" and "block play" and resolved immediately to check into the school when it was open.
My first teaching experience at Knight Hall was as a substitute teacher with Eve Wemett in the four-year-old classroom. The rest is Knight Hall history! I have worked as a co-teacher in the kindergarten and three-year-old classrooms, as an interim director, and as a parent volunteer when our son, Jay, attended KHS in the early 1980s. Since 1983, I have taught in the Orange Room. My teaching experiences prior to Knight Hall include university lab schools, traditional nursery schools, Head Start programs, and directing and teaching in a parent cooperative. I earned my BS degree at the University of Massachusetts and an MS at Western Connecticut State University.
All of my teaching experiences have confirmed my belief that children learn best by DOING. The most effective mode of DOING for children is PLAYING. Through play, children try on roles and try out ideas. They learn to think flexibly and explore new options, to solve problems with people or materials. They are active participants in early literacy experiences. Play provides the child with the first tools to represent what they are learning. They work through joys and fears, so they are less overwhelming. In play children learn to see themselves as competent and interesting people, with useful skills and exciting ideas. I enjoy nothing more than supporting children as they work hard on all these tasks.
860-232-9015 x305/pixie@knighthallschool.org
Jackie
I’ve been in childcare for over 17 years. Taking a child development class in high school sparked my interest and lead me to earn a BA in child development from Central Connecticut State University.
The first job I held was at a chain day care here in Connecticut, where I spent 3 years as the Assistant Director/Head Teacher. I certainly became a “Jackie of all trades” there doing everything from driving the school van to performing administrative duties.
In 1987, I became head teacher at the brand new preschool at Newington Children’s Hospital. Since the facility was not yet open, it was a wonderful opportunity to take responsibility for getting the preschool up and running. That was really exciting. I spent 12 wonderful years there until I decided to pursue my dream of owning a business.
I ran Taste New England, a gift basket business, for 3 years. I’m so glad I did, as it was an awesome experience. But there was a part of me that missed teaching, and in early 2002 I was welcomed to Knight Hall School. I feel that I can contribute something to a child’s life by promoting self-esteem and creativity, as well as encouraging a sense of humor.
I am so fortunate in my life to be surrounded by special family members and friends. I share a home with my husband Rob and two feline children named Zinfandel and Chardonnay. My interests include cooking, music (especially Aerosmith), and animals. I currently volunteer for an organization that aids homeless cats.
860-232-9015 x305/jackie@knighthallschool.org
Ann
I have always loved working with children, and from a young age planned to become an early childhood educator. This year I will finish work toward a masters degree in Early Childhood Education at St. Joseph College. With over seven years of experience working with young children in a center environment, I came to Knight Hall in September of 2004, looking for a supportive professional community where I could make a difference and use what I am learning at St. Joe's and from the children.
When not studying or working at Knight Hall School, I enjoy bike riding and being outdoors.
860-232-9015 x305/ann@knighthallschool.org
