North/Toddler Classroom
Our North/Toddler Classroom is cozy and inviting with ample space to explore art activities, Montessori materials and manipulative work. It even contains a Loft which acts as a dress-up/fantasy play area (for kids only!)
This classroom houses our North Class (3 days, Mornings, Monday/Wednesday/ Friday) for 15 two- and three-year-olds, as well as our Toddler Class (2 days, Mornings, Tuesday/Thursday) in which 12 two-year-olds gain their first taste of school.
Also, any younger children (under four) who need an Extended Day option use this classroom in the afternoons as a nap room (1:30-3:00) and may stay for a longer day as part of our Afterschool Center.
Stephanie Nutter
Head Teacher
Stephanie has been part of the Morningside family since 1998. She brings her positive energy and enthusiastic nature to the classroom.
Stephanie is permanently certified through NYS in pre-k, elementary and special education. She was the Head Teacher in our Southwest Classroom until she went on maternity leave in 2008. She has been the Head Teacher on our Toddler and MWF classrooms since 2009.
Stephanie has a wealth of experience working with children. She has worked in a variety of educational settings for 20 years, including: Aide, Assistant Teacher and then Head Teacher of a Child Care Program, Assistant Director of a Camp, and a pre-kindergarten Teacher. It is obvious she loves working with children.
She resides on Long Island with her husband Bill and daughter Alexandra. She loves being a new Mom just as much as she loves being a teacher.
Delia Rivera
Assistant Teacher
Delia arrived at Morningside in 1988 and has established herself as a creative and sensible teacher in the Toddler/North Classes.
Delia was born in NYC. She has a husband, Richie, and four children.
She brings in many wonderful art project ideas as well as language activities which keeps the room dynamic. Delia’s experience is an invaluable benefit to her fellow teachers and to the children.
Teri Lewis
Montessori Teacher in training
Teri was born in Moline, Illinios and soon after she and her family moved to New York City.
Teri currently lives in the Bronx with her daughter Eve Marie, who graduated from MMS in 2010.
Teri has a Bachelor’s from Lehman College in Speech Pathology and Audiology and an Early Childhood minor. She is currently working on her Master’s in Early Childhood and Special Education. Teri also started her Montessori training in the September, 2011.
Mary Jane Berkeley
After School Center Associate Teacher
Mary Jane graduated from Brown University and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College.
She worked at NEST+M, a gifted-and-talented public school on the Lower East Side for five years, teaching fourth and second grades. Before that, she worked as an assistant teacher for three years at the Ethical Culture School. Mary Jane is a career changer who previously spent fourteen years working for a range of international non-profit and philanthropic organizations.
Mary Jane lives on the Upper West Side and enjoys cooking and traveling with her husband Bill and daughter Carmen. She is thrilled to be joining the after school program, after spending a year working as a substitute teacher, gaining an appreciation and admiration for all the hard work that goes on at MMS.
Lizette Otero
Afterschool Center Assistant Teacher
Lizette “Lissy” has been a member of the Morningside community for over 20 years; just as long as her mother, Delia Rivera has been a teacher at Morningside.
Lissy began working at Morningside in 2002 as a substitute teacher and summer program counselor. In addition, she has provided childcare services for many of our families. Lissy attends Lehman College where she is majoring in Art and minoring in Early Childhood Education.
Her long term goal is to acquire a Master’s degree in Art Therapy.