Teachers

MEET OUR TEACHERS

COLLEEN SHARIF (DIRECTOR AND TEACHER)

Colleen completed her Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College. She also embraced teaching our Terrific Toddler and Thrilling Threes classes with warmth, creativity and dedication. Prior to raising her two children and teaching at PCC, Colleen taught at several local preschools and child care centers. Most recently, she was the Professional Development Coordinator at the Child Care Council of Westchester where she taught teacher training courses in topics such as curriculum and childhood development, health and safety and program development. While at CCCW, she taught an extensive Child Development Associate (CDA) credential course to help child care providers gain essential knowledge and incorporate best practices. In addition, Colleen executed grants to help programs increase quality. She was instrumental in helping to launch the QualityStarsNY pilot program- a quality improvement and star rating initiative in which she assessed child care centers using Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and established improvement plans for programs to meet their goals. Colleen believes strongly in developmentally appropriate practice for young children that includes a purposeful, mindful and guided approach to child-centered play.

REBEKAH LAVIGNE (TEACHER)

Miss Rebekah is our treasured lead teacher of the Fantastic Fours class. Rebekah graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Prior to being a stay at home mother for 16 years to her three daughters, Rebekah led a 3 year old preschool classroom, taught both 3rd and 4th grades in New Hampshire, and was the director of a corporate backup childcare center in New Jersey. She values creativity, socialization and inclusivity through play- the way young children learn best! Her goal for the fours class is to immerse children in interest-based, play-based themes while guiding them on a journey to fall in love with literacy, math, STEM concepts, and 21st century skills such as empathy, kindness and teamwork.

SONIA VARSHNEY (ASSISTANT)

Miss Sonia is our wonderful Assistant Teacher in our Thrilling Threes class. A graduate with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts and Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts, Sonia has worked as a Graphic Artist and Visual Effects Artist in both India and New York. After working with the Haldane Central School District in Cold Spring and teaching at Westchester Community College, Sonia has spent time raising her twin first graders. She is thrilled to work with the wonderful children at PCC!

STACIE ALLEN (ASSISTANT)

Miss Stacie happily assists our Terrific Toddlers and Thrilling Threes classes. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, both from Adelphi University. Before joining our PCC staff, Stacie worked as a clinical social worker at the Kennedy Child Study Center as part of a treatment team for preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities. She enjoys spending time with her son and two daughters (PCC alum!) and volunteering with the Pleasantville High School Friends of the Performing Arts and the Artistry Dance Project.

SHWETA SINGHAL (ASSISTANT)

Miss Shweta joined the PCC staff in 2022 as an assistant in the fours class. Prior to spending several years home with her two boys, she was a Pharmacy Technician. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pune in Pune, India. Now that she has supported her youngest on his journey to Kindergarten, she is thrilled to help foster those pre-k skills once again with the children in the Fantastic Fours!

KALA MISHRA (ASSISTANT)

Miss Kala is our wonderful assistant in the Terrific Toddler class. She brings warmth and joy to the group so toddlers are able to transition well from home to school. After 15 years in the Package Development/Engineering field, Kala took time to raise her two children and became involved in several volunteer and community building initiatives. She has volunteered extensively with the Interfaith Pleasantville Food Pantry, Neighbors Link and Feeding Westchester.

All teachers are certified in CPR/First Aid and regularly attend Professional Development workshops to stay up-to-date on current research and recommendations in the field of early childhood education and best practice.