Teacher Bio’s

INFANT ROOM

MS. JESS – Infant Room Lead Teacher, Level II

  • B.A. in English & A.S in Early Childhood
  • Previous Lead Teacher experience working in a childcare setting for 10+ years
  • Started at Rich Beginnings in June 2022
  • CPR/First Aid Certified & MAT certified

MS. JENNA – Young Infant Lead Teacher, Level II

Bio Coming Soon!

MS. MEG – Infant Room Teacher, Level I

  • Started at Rich Beginnings June 2022
  • Has 5 years of experience working with children as a nanny, at the YMCA, and at the Pittsford Rec Center
  • CPR Certified
  • Red Cross Babysitting Certification

MS. GEN – Teacher Support

Bio coming soon!

TODDLER ROOM

MS. KAMERYN – Toddler Room, Level II Teacher

  • Early Childhood Education Certificate from Eastern Monroe Career Center
  • Currently at Monroe Community College finishing her degree in Childhood Education
  • 5 years previous experience working with children
  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2023
  • Kameryn came to RB because the center’s teaching practices align with her teaching philosophy

MS. HEATHER – Toddler Room, Level I

  • B.A degree in Early Childhood Education and Health Science from SUNY Brockport
  • A.S degree in Fire Protection from MCC
  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2022
  • 10 years lead teacher experience working in a child care setting (Bates-Rich)
  • Heather is thrilled to be at our Rich Beginnings Location with such amazing staff and families

MS. EVELYNE – Toddler Room Teacher Aide

Bio coming soon!

TWO’S ROOM

MS. CHELSEA – Two’s Room Teacher, Level II

  • Started at Rich Beginnings in January 2020
  • Currently obtaining CDA from the Child Care Council
  • Studied at FLCC
  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified
  • Has previous experience working with children as a babysitter & as a mother
  • Experience working in all the classrooms here at RB
  • Chelsea loves watching each child’s personality grow and it makes her smile when they hit new milestones

MS. JENNY – Two’s Room Teacher, Level I

  • Started at Rich Beginnings 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020, July 2023- Present
  • A.S degree in Communications from Monroe Community College
  • Over 5 years of experience working with children & a mother of 2
  • Has worked in all the classrooms here at RB!

MS. AUDRA – Two’s Room Teacher Aide

  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2023
  • Licensed Practical Nurse 30+ years, mother of 4
  • Experience working with children as a Cub Scout & Girl Scout Leader, Coached Youth Soccer
  • Ms. Audra’s philosophy is to teach children through play

BIGS ROOM

MS. SHANNON – BIGS Room Lead Teacher, Level II

  • Early Childhood Education at MCC
  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified
  • Experience with toddlers, 2’s, 3’s, Pre-K and school age children
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 1993
  • Shannon became a teacher to make a difference in how young children experience learning. She strives to teach to each child’s style of learning. Shannon is happy to have the privilege of teaching
  • Shannon’s favorite Rich Beginning’s memory is: “Over the past 27 years I’ve had so many great memories! Building strong bonds with the children and families always tops my list and those are what motivate me to create great memories each yeah I am here!”

“Wyatt adores Miss Shannon and gets excited when he sees her “truck” parked outside some mornings when we arrive. He talks about her constantly and has even named one of our house plants ‘Miss Shannon’. I’ve often joked that Wyatt seems to have a little crush on her and I think it’s evident that they all do. She is so excited to see them, listen to them, encourage them. She has been a blessing to him and our family.” – Maggie & Ryan 2019

MS. KACI – BIGS Room Teacher, Level I

  • Currently working on Early Care Certificate from MCC
  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2022
  • Experience working in a childcare setting
  • Kaci loves teaching in an environment where children are encouraged to be hands on learners

MS. EMMA F.

  • B.A degree in French
  • Started working at Rich Beginnings April 2022
  • Has experience working with children as a lifeguard
  • Infant/Child CPR & First Aid certified

PRE- K

MS. KAYLEIGH – “Ms. W” – Pre-K Head Teacher

  • Bachelors of Science in Education from SUNY Fredonia
  • Currently working on Masters degree
  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified, MAT certified
  • Experience working in Early Childhood Grades 1-9
  • Started at Rich Beginnings July 2017

“Sawyer loves having Ms. W for a teacher, and loves talking to her about the rhombus! He also has a new appreciation for sloths. Her easygoing personality accepts all the children for who they are. Her dedication is giving them a strong foundation as they prepare to enter Kindergarten!” – Erica & Mike 2019

MS. NINA – Pre-K Teacher, Level I

  • Attended college in Pakistan for teaching
  • 35+ years teaching experience in Pakistan and many years’ experience working at centers here in the Rochester area, mother
  • Started at Rich Beginnings October 2015
  • Nina became a teacher because she loves kids and find this career respectful
  • Nina’s favorite Rich Beginnings memory is: When a 4-year-old pointed out to her that she wears a lot of black and asked her if she only has 1 color and she told them that it goes with everything, and now tries to wear a new color every day

“There are many mornings when I have to drop our daughter off early and she is one of the first to arrive, and not always ready for me to leave her. To help make this a little more easy, Miss Nina danced for Marlowe one morning, this was all it took to get a smile out of her and to start her day at Rich Beginnings. Miss Nina is always helpful with drop off and pick up and has Marlowe’s cubby organized for us. THANK YOU!” – Charles & Louise 2018

MS. HANNAH – Pre-K Teacher, Level I

  • Elementary Education, Child Psychology, Autism
  • Started at Rich Beginnings August 2023
  • Has 7 years experience working with children
  • CPR & First Aid, MAT certified
  • Ms. Hannah loves instilling the love of learning and guiding children in their own way

MS. DOMINIQUE – Pre-K Teacher, Level I (Part time)/ Summer Camp Counselor 

  • Currently attending Brockport for Education
  • Started at Rich Beginnings December 2017
  • 5 years’ experience working with children
  • Worked in all the classrooms here at Rich Beginnings and as a Camp Counselor for our School Age summer camp

EARLY KINDERGARTEN

MS. APRIL – Early K Head Teacher

  • B.S. in Psychology and Elementary Education
  • Experience as a Special Education teacher in LeRoy, NY School District and Pre-K teacher in Lyons, NY
  • 15+ years owning and operating in-home day care
  • Started at Rich Beginnings February 2022
  • Ms. April loves planning activities that are fun, engaging and provide hands-on learning experiences. She loves to sign and dance along side the children

“Ms. April is an amazing teacher! Her knowledge of early childhood development and love for students make her an ideal educator.  Our son comes home from school happy and eager to share all that he has learned.  We are so impressed with his academic and social progress this year.  Ms. April is a gem and we’re grateful every day that she is our child’s teacher.”   -John and Annie 2022

SCHOOL AGE I & II – After School Program

MS. MARISA- Assistant Early K Teacher & School Age Teacher/ Summer Camp Counselor 

  • Bachelors in Psychology from Nazareth College
  • Experience working with children as a private nanny and working in an after-school program at St. Joe’s School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings January 2020
  • Marisa enjoys helping children grow, learn and realize their potential

OFFICE

MS. CINDY STURCKEN – Owner 

MR. HARRY STURCKEN – Owner

MS. JODI – Director

  • BS in Child and Family Studies from Syracuse University
  • Early Childhood Education and Day Care Administration from Wheelock College
  • 35+ years of experience working in Child Care & Nursery Schools as a Teacher, Educational Director and Executive Director
  • CPR and First Aid Certified
  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2023

MS. JEN – Assistant Director, Level II Teacher

  • Infant/Toddler CDA
  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified, MAT Certified
  • Associates Degree from MCC in Business Administration
  • Experience babysitting, coaching youth girls softball, mother of two
  • Experience working in all the classrooms at Rich Beginnings
  • Started at Rich Beginnings January 2007 (2007-2019 Toddler Room Teacher, 2019 – present Assistant Director)
  • Jen became a teacher because she enjoys molding young minds and teaching at RB has made her a better mom!
  • Jen’s favorite Rich Beginnings memory is: Too many to name over the years! Every day there is something new to add to the list, that’s why I love my job!

“Milo loves getting up in the morning and going to school. One of the things that he looks forward to the most is getting to see his teacher, Ms. Jen. When I pick him up at the end of the day and ask what they did at school he always says (with great enthusiasm), “Projects!” Milo loves all of the different creative and fun projects Jen finds for them. I am deeply appreciative of the time and energy that she spends on this work. She is so much more than what you find at many daycare/day school settings; she isn’t just watching my son for me she is truly helping to teach and form him into the little boy (and eventually big boy, and eventually man) that we want him to be. Jen, please know that Milo loves you unconditionally and completely.”  – Kevin & Erika 2017

FLOATS

MS. DEB – Float

  • A.S in Liberal Arts/ Early Childhood Education
  • Has 34 years of experience working with children
  • Started at Rich Beginnings August 2022
  • CPR/First Aide Certified & MAT certified

MS. CHLOE – Float

  • Currently attending Brighton High School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2021
  • Chloe floats 3-6 in various classrooms a few days a week

MS. LARA – Float

  • Currently attending Brighton High School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2021
  • Lara floats 3-6 in various classrooms M-F during the school year and longer hours in the summer
  • RB alumni

MS. ELLA – Float

  • Currently attending Brighton High School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2022
  • Ella floats 3-6 in various classrooms M-F during the school year and longer hours in the summer
  • RB alumni

MS. MARIELLE – Float (Returning November 2023)

  • Currently attending U of R pursuing a master’s in early childhood education
  • B.A. in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College
  • Started at Rich Beginnings March 2023
  • Previous experience working with children
  • Marielle floats 3 days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and longer hours during the summer
  • Marielle always loved working with children. She studies SEL and ZPD in particular and practicing it firsthand in the classroom is extremely rewarding.

MS. ELISE – Float

  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2023
  • Currently a high school student – Graduating June 2023
  • Elise floats 3-6 in various classrooms M-F during the school year and longer hours in the summer

MS. MARISA D – Float

  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2023
  • Currently a high school student
  • Marisa floats 3-6 in various classrooms a few days a week

MS. DANIKA – Float

  • Started at Rich Beginnings June 2023
  • Currently a high school student
  • Danika floats 3-6 in various classrooms a few days a week

HAILEE – Float

  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2022
  • Attends Monroe Community College
  • Hailee works part time during the school year and more hours in the summer and on school breaks

SUMMER/SCHOOL BREAK FLOATS

MS. JULIA – Float

  • Currently attending college for speech therapy
  • Experience working at RB while in High School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings May 2017
  • Julia floats during school breaks and summer vacation

MS. SOFIA – Float

  • Currently attending college
  • Started at Rich Beginnings June 2022
  • Sofia floats when available
  • RB alumni

MS. KAREN – Float

  • Currently attending college for Education
  • Experience working at RB while in High School
  • Started at Rich Beginnings August 2019
  • Karen floats during school breaks and summer vacation

MS. EMMA M.- Float

  • Currently attending college
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 2021
  • Emma floats during school breaks and summer vacation

MS. GAIL – Sub 

  • Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certified & MAT certified
  • Started at Rich Beginnings September 1982- retired from full time 6/1/23 – will sub when needed
  • Gail became a teacher because she is amazed how children love to learn
  • Gail’s favorite Rich Beginnings memory is seeing the expressions on children’s faces as they turn over logs and rocks to find bugs and worms while exploring the trails

“Ms. Gail was always so sweet to Anna. She has a way of making every kid feel that they are her favorite! She made the twos room feel like a home away from home for Anna and she sent so many pictures to us of her daily activities. It made us feel very connected to Anna and it made us remember why we love the daycare so much and all the special things they do with the kids. All the teachers in the room are wonderful but there’s something special about Ms. Gail. We felt this way when Julian was in the room too!” – Nancy & Brian 2019