Our Team at CNS
Our educators are certified Early Childhood Educators by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Our entire team is CPR and First Aid trained and all participate in ongoing professional development. Many of our educators have advanced degrees in the field. Our team is comprised of a Director, a Community Coordinator, a Business Manager, and classroom Teachers, who work in teams.
-
Yellow Door Room (3’s)
-
Red Door Room (4’s)
-
Blue Door Room (4's & 5's)
-
Afternoon Program (Mixed age 3-5)
Director
Megan Beren
Megan received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology with a Concentration in Teaching English as a Second Language from Gordon College. She has been working in the field of early childhood education since 2007 when she quickly discovered her passion for supporting the development and learning of young children. Throughout the years she has worked with classrooms of all ages ranging from infants through prekindergarten, particularly teaching 3, 4 & 5 year olds. Her leadership roles began with a large focus on curriculum and instruction and have guided her to her most recent position as the Director at Community Nursery School. Megan cares deeply about forming authentic and meaningful connections with the children, families and teachers she works alongside, forming a partnership within the community. She believes in the importance of setting the scene for success and in providing the time, space and opportunity for growth. She does so through leading by example and working alongside her fellow educators, parents and children. Megan joined CNS in July, 2024 and is looking forward to the many years to come within the wonderful community not only as Director, but also as Mom to a current CNS child.
Community Coordinator
Shana Coy
Shana received her BA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York. After graduating, she spent well over a decade working in talent management and talent acquisition. While she enjoyed her time in the corporate world, she ultimately decided to step away and landed her role as Community Coordinator. Shana started her journey at CNS at the age of three in what is today called our Yellow Door. She spent much of her childhood within the walls of this special place as her mother, Joanne Pressman, worked as director here for several years. When she is not at CNS, Shana enjoys spending time with her husband, two young boys and two dogs!
Pedagogista, Yoga/Movement Teacher, Toddler Playgroup Facilitator & Afternoon Teacher
Heather Hauser
Heather received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hartwick College and has many years of experience in a Waldorf/ Montessori inspired cooperative preschool prior to her years at CNS. Being part of a community and forming relationships with families has been a very joyful part of her job. She loves bringing her passion for color, beautiful materials, enchanting play spaces, and children’s picture books into her work with the children. Designing vignettes for storytelling and small world play is another way she likes to create magic and spark imaginations. She has an ever growing interest in exploring the themes of emotions, compassion, kindness, and diversity through stories, art and play. She is also a seasoned movement specialist, bringing yoga and creative movement to the children to encourage body awareness, mindfulness, connection, and creativity. The beautiful and holistic education her now grown children received in Waldorf education continues to inform and inspire the magic she wishes to create for all children.
Yellow Door Teacher & Afternoon Teacher
Meg Stanton
Meg earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of Vermont. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for 30 years in many capacities including teacher, director and cofounder of a non profit preschool. In recent years the classroom has called her back as she missed interacting with what drew her to the field in the first place, the children! She is in awe of the wonder, curiosity and humor that preschoolers in particular bring to our lives. Her goal is to foster a love of learning, build confidence and help each child feel seen, heard and valued. Meg was drawn to the magic of CNS from the moment she stepped into the building and is looking forward to growing with the community in years to come.
Yellow Door Teacher
Linda Borges
Linda earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Lasell University, as well as a Master of Education. She has worked with a variety of age groups and in inclusive classrooms. She joined the CNS community because of its Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to early education.
Linda believes in fostering children’s natural curiosity and helping them expand their knowledge, skills, and interests through collaboration and experimentation. She values CNS’s commitment to community and belonging, particularly the way it celebrates the individuality and diversity of children, families, and teachers.
Inclusion Specialist
Nafees Shah
Nafees holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Lesley University. Originally from Pakistan, she discovered her passion for early childhood education while volunteering at nonprofit education centers. After moving to the United States, she expanded her teaching experience to include special education, Montessori education, and the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Nafees is committed to creating nurturing, inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity and honor each child’s strengths, interests, and individual ways of learning. She believes children thrive when they have the freedom to explore and discover, supported by educators who encourage their curiosity. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia concept of the “hundred languages,” she sees CNS as a place where children can express themselves through creativity, play, and imagination in a safe and supportive environment.
Afternoon Program Teacher
Danielle Millett
Danielle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Education from Colby College and a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College Language School. She was inspired to join the CNS staff in 2012 by the joyful experience CNS provided for her two children and for her and her husband as parents in the community. After teaching high school Spanish for eleven years, she embraced CNS’s cooperative, nurturing, child-centered approach as the next chapter in her career.
Danielle finds joy in children’s endless curiosity and imagination, in encouraging their learning about the world, and in guiding them as they discover answers to their questions. After fourteen years as a Red Door teacher, she is exploring a new chapter as an Afternoon Program teacher. Outside the classroom, Danielle enjoys traveling, new adventures, tennis, skiing, and cheering on her children at sporting events.
Red Door Teacher
Sydney Duggan
Bio Coming Soon!
Red Door Teacher
Kelly Carias
Bio Coming Soon!
Blue Door Teacher
Noni Cooper
Noni received her Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College. After spending much of her own education in child-centered, inquiry based learning environments, she came to CNS in 1998 as a parent and never left. CNS embodies all that she has learned and that she believes when relating to children. Noni loves the hum of the school, the camaraderie and collaboration of the teaching staff, and the involvement and support of the families. Her spirits are lifted every single day that she is interacting with and observing the children. She believes the future of the world rests in the souls of these young people and believes the atmosphere and philosophy at CNS serve as a stepping stone for their futures. CNS is truly a magical place to be, both as a parent and as a teacher.
Blue Door Teacher
Amy Miller
Amy holds a Master’s degree in Education, Creative Arts, and Learning from Lesley University and a bachelor’s degree in Music from Muhlenberg College. She has spent much of her adult life working with or on behalf of children. Throughout her career, she has taught kindergarten and first grade at a Montessori elementary school, as well as children ages three to five in play-based, Reggio-inspired preschools.
Amy believes in incorporating anti-bias education, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and artistic expression into her teaching. She discovered the magic of CNS while looking for a school for her own children and has been part of the greater CNS family for the past eleven years. She finds endless inspiration in children’s wonder, creativity, and hope. Outside the classroom, Amy enjoys spending time outdoors and hiking with her family and dogs.
Green Door (Afternoon) Teacher
Denise Healy
Bio Coming Soon!
Assistant Director and Summer CNS Director
Sutton Rockwood
Sutton has worked professionally with young children since earning a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Boston University. She has continued to expand her knowledge through graduate-level coursework, workshops, and hands-on experience. Before joining CNS, she held several roles in preschool settings, including classroom teacher, curriculum director, and summer program director.
Sutton arrived at CNS in the winter of 2015 to cover a maternity leave and remained as a teacher in both the Yellow Door and Red Door classrooms. She currently serves as the school-year Assistant Director and Summer CNS Director. Creating community is at the core of Sutton’s work in early childhood education, and she seeks opportunities to foster connection among children, families, and staff at CNS.
CNS Consultant and Pedagogista
Joanne Pressman
For more than 40 years, Joanne has had the privilege of experiencing CNS through many lenses. As a former CNS parent, grandparent, teacher, and director, she continually strives to see the world through the eyes of children. Her passion for and research into the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, have deepened her appreciation for the beauty and uniqueness of CNS and the importance of bringing the school’s core values to life.
A profound respect for children—their rights, curiosities, and ways of learning—lies at the heart of Joanne’s work. As Pedagogista, she supports teachers in developing practices that are inspiring, creative, and meaningful for children, families, and educators alike.
Green Door (Afternoon) Teacher
Julie Koon
Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her Master's Degree in Professional Counseling. She has spent her career working to support children in foster care, as a school counselor, and now as a preschool teacher. Julie also works in children's books as a writer and illustrator. She counts it a joy and honor to be able to come alongside the children of CNS to learn, explore, and grow together. Julie moved here over the summer and this is her first year at CNS. Her favorite parts of preschool are making art and enjoying and learning about the natural world.