Christine Rinella-Owner/Director
Christine is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She opened the PUMPKIN PATCH Nursery School in Cohoes, New York in January, 1975. Seeing the need for full day child care she opened the PUMPKIN PATCH Early Learning Center in Guilderland in July, 1989. In addition to directing both child care sites for over 33 years, (the Cohoes site closed in June, 2006), Christine develops and regularly presents professional trainings with an emphasis on child care administration, marketing, program and staff development and parent communication. She has presented programs in New York City; Binghamton; Saratoga Springs; Boston; Richmond, Virginia and Anchorage, Alaska. Infant/Child First Aid and CPR trained.
Ginae Warner-Infant Teacher
Ginae began teaching with us in August 2001. She attended SUNY Cobleskill with an emphasis in Early Childhood. She has been working in the childcare field for 18 years and now has a family of her own. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her own 2 kids, Dillon and Alyssa, and take family trips. Ginae is also Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Wendy Sarkisian-Infant Teacher
Wendy is a 1995 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Early Childhood. She has actively worked in childcare for eightteen years both as a teacher and as an administrator. She is the mother of six year old Izabelle. Wendy has made a great addition to the Pumpkin Patch family since joining us in September 2011. She is First Aid, Infant/Child CPR and MAT certified.
Amanda Pouchak- Waddlers
Amanda has been making us laugh at the Patch since May 2009. She graduated in May 2011 from The College of Saint Rose with a Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education. Amanda has worked as a part time floater in all rooms while attending school. Now that she has graduated, she is excited to bring her high energy and sense of fun into the Waddler Room. Amanda is Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Meghan LaPoint- Waddlers
Meghan joined our Patch family in February 2012. she has an Assosciates degree in Early childhood from SUNY Cobleskill. She has worked as a camp director and counselor for the Town of Colonie Parks and Recreation since 2007 and as a childcare assistant at the Rudy Ciccotti Family Recreation Center since 2009. Meghan is full of energy and quick to laugh- a perfect fit for those sweet Waddlers! Meghan is First Aid trained.
Gail Tidmarsh-Co-Assistant Director and Preschool Teacher
Gail started working at the Patch when she was in high school. Over the years she has worked as a full time teacher in every room at one time or another and received her associates degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Cobleskill. Gail left us to extend her family from one child to two and returned to work for us part time. Gail is Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Trained.
Sara Milano-Toddler Teacher
Sara is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a BA in studio art. She is also a certified Visual Arts teacher. Twice a month she shares her talents with the preschoolers for Sara's Art Class. She began working at the Patch in July 2009. She has 6 years experience working with children and has tons to add to our program! Sara is Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Shari Pelletier-Toddler Teacher
Shari joined us at the Patch in August 2009. She is a graduate of Siena College with a BA in Psychology and recently received her MS in Education in School Counseling from St Rose. Shari can work in all rooms, but especially loves the toddlers. She is a great addition to the Patch. Shari is Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Julia Mangold-Co-Assistant Director and Preschool Teacher
Julia had been working in the child care field for over 13 years before she come to us in August 2006. She has taken care of children in all age groups but currently teaches in the preschool room. Julia is a wonderful asset to the center and she makes us laugh daily. Julia obtained her CDA in 2010. She is also Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Trained.
April Martin-Preschool Teaher
April started at the Patch in September 2007. She attended The College of Saint Rose where she received her Masters in Education. She has been a substitute for Scotia -Glenville and Averill Park school districts. April is trained in all rooms, but she really loves the preschool and was happy to move in there in the summer of 2010. We are very happy to have her as part of our team. Infant/ Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Colleen Donnelly- Floater
Colleen has her BA and teaching certificates from Utica College of Syracuse University and has worked as a nanny for children of all ages. She started at the Patch in September 2008Colleen is currently enrolled at Russell Sage College pursuing her Masters degree in Special Education and Literacy. Colleen is Infant/Child CPR and First Aid trained.
Jessica Gomes- Floater
Jessica is currently a senior at the College of Saint Rose studying Speech-Language Pathology. After graduation, she plans to continue on to get her Masters degree in this field so that she can work in Early Intervention with young children. She has years of experience working with children, specifically children with disabilities. We are so glad Jess has joined us here at Pumpkin Patch!
Alicia Beckens- Floater
Alicia has chosen to do her internship at the Pumpkin Patch. She is a senior student at SUNY Cobleskill studying early childhood. We are happy to add Alicia to our Pumpkin Patch family!
