GINA ELY
Director
Gina, holds a BA in English and Art History from the University of New Hampshire. She is currently pursuing her CT Director’s Credential. Gina worked in public relations and marketing in the corporate sector and, after starting her family, worked in a similar capacity in the not-for-profit arena. Gina is a co-founder of the Senators’ Success Fund at BMHS, and is a former Board member at the Maritime Aquarium and Rowayton Library. Gina is an avid amateur chef, loves a great walk in the woods, and enjoys skiing, mahjongg and a good book. Gina’s three children are all UCNS graduates.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
SARAH CRAFT
Twos Teacher
Sarah is a UCNS teacher and a parent of four graduates! Sarah earned a BA in Childhood Psychology from Washington and Lee University, and an MA in Childhood Education and Special Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Sarah has taught in both New York and Vermont, and served as a tutor here in CT before joining UCNS last year. Sarah is from New Orleans and enjoys traveling with her family.
TERESA CUNNINGHAM
Twos/Threes Teacher
In a 30-year career working with children, Teresa has spent the last decade teaching in pre schools. She has her Head Teacher and Early Childhood Education certificate and recently earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from Charter Oak State College. Teresa joined UCNS in 2015. She is a keen baker, and also enjoys playing mahjongg. A mother of three, Teresa has lived in Rowayton for over 20 years.
JENNIFER FRIEDRICHSEN
Fours Assistant Teacher
Jenn is in her seventh year of teaching here at UCNS. She is a long-time resident of Rowayton and lives with her husband, Garrett, and two children. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Jenn’s early career was in NYC at Ogilvy + Mather and CBS Television. Over the past 20 years, Jenn has served on many town committees, including the Rowayton Parent’s Exchange, the UCR Board of Christian Education, and as President of the Rowayton Civic Association. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, painting, and field training and hunting with her dog, Griffin.
ELIZABETH HASKELL
Fours Teacher
Elizabeth holds a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Norwalk Community College and is also a Head Teacher. Now in her eleventh year in the Fours, Elizabeth is a mother of three children who all attended UCNS, and she was both a Parent Board Co-Chair and Enrichment Chair while they were students here.
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SUE LUE
Fours/Fives Teacher
UCNS Finance Manager
Sue holds a BA in Economics and Asian Studies from Colgate University and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University. Sue worked at the Federal Reserve Bank for six years before moving to Toronto and then London with her husband, Chris. After starting her family, Sue switched gears and earned her CDA and Head Teacher certification from Norwalk Community College. Sue is a mother of two UCNS graduates and has volunteered extensively at UCNS and in the community. Sue has recently taken up the sport of curling and also enjoys playing mahjongg.
MARTHA MEYERSON
Fours/Fives Teacher
Martha has lived in Rowayton for over 20 years and both her children are UCNS graduates. She holds a BA in English from Syracuse University and worked in account management at several NYC advertising agencies prior to starting her family. Martha has volunteered extensively for the Norwalk Public Schools and is a former RPE Board member. Martha started as a substitute teacher and is now in her seventh year teaching full-time at UCNS! Outside of school, Martha loves art, music, baseball, travel and college basketball.
JENNY RAYMOND
Twos/Threes/Fives Teacher
Jenny has been working at UCNS for six years and received her B.A. in Communication and is currently studying for her Early Childhood Education certification. Jenny was born and raised in Rowayton and is the 10th generation of the Raymond family to live in this awesome town! When Jenny is not teaching or studying, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.
MARY JOYCE
Twos/Threes Teacher
Mary is in her second year here at UCNS and we are thrilled to have her back - and in an expanded teaching role! Mary has also spent the last three summers working as a counselor at a sleepaway camp and this summer was a senior staff member as Waterfront Director. Mary hopes to earn a degree in early childhood education. Mary loves to do puzzles, did ballet for 15(!) years, and is a dog mom to her cute poodle pup, Bear.
TERI VINEYARD
Threes Teacher
Teri graduated with a BS in Environmental Science from Westminster College and had a career in environmental consulting before leaving to raise her family. All three of her children went through the Norwalk Public School system in which Her has actively volunteered - and continues to do so as an active Board member of the Senators' Success Fund. A Rowayton resident for 27 years, Teri has also served as President of the Rowayton Library Board and the Rowayton Platform Tennis Association.
JODY SATTLER
Fours Teacher
Jody has lived in Rowayton for over 22 years, is married to Mark and has three children - two in college and one in high school - who all attended UCNS. Jody served on the UCNS Parent Board and was a pivotal source in the renovation of our playground. Jody is originally from Nebraska and earned her BS in Education and Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska. Jody has been involved with the Rowayton, Roton and BMHS PTAs, the Rowayton Civic Association, and is currently a Sixth Taxing District Commissioner. jody also works at Rowayton School, leading up the Rowayton Academy enrichment program.