Our Director
The Children’s Campus is under the direction of Gwendolyn Wright, who has over 20 years’ experience as an educator. She has also been director in several early childhood programs, Head start Newark, Paterson, and Eastersealsny, PreK-special education and Pre-k For All NYC. Each class at The Children’s Campus is under the direction of a state certified head or group teacher. Students enrolled in RVCC’s Early Childhood Education degree program work in the Center to gain professional skills as teacher assistants.
Our Assistant Director and Coordinator of Infants, Toddlers and Twos
Jill Accomando, after years as a Head Teacher at The Children’s Campus starting in 2005, serves as the Assistant Director and coordinator of the infant, toddler and two’s programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Education, and brings to the Children’s Campus over 20 years of teaching and directing experience with infants and toddlers, and their families.
Our Head Teacher and Preschool Coordinator
Cathy O’Rourke came to the Children’s Campus in December 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She brings to the Children’s Campus over 10 years of experience with young children and their families.
Our Primary Teacher
Seemaa Goel came to the Children's Campus as a parttime assistant who completed the necessary courses to return to us our Primary 2's - 3's Teacher. Seemaa brings to the Children's Campus several years of experience with young children and families.
Our Infant Room Teacher
Maria Cuellar is the consistent caregiver in the Infant Room, with over 25 years and a NJ Infant toddler Certificate. She provides an enriching and stimulating environment for our youngest learners who range in age from three to thirteen/fourteen months.
Our Group and Assistant Teachers
Each class is under the direction of a state certified head or group teacher. Head Teachers are experienced, full-time teachers, who have earned appropriate college degrees and state certification, such as Jill Accomando, Wendy Rizzolo. Marie Cuellar and Cathy O’Rourke. Group Teachers are experienced, part-time teachers who have earned an associate degree in early childhood, or a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate. Teachers Aides - usually students in early childhood education or a related field - are placed in the classroom on a regular and consistent basis. RVCC students enrolled in a co-op experience for college credit or students fulfilling service learning requirements are assigned to classes as needed. All staff is subject to the same thorough pre-employment process as required by the State of New Jersey.
“Now, today, some children are enrolled in excellent programs. Some children are enrolled in mediocre programs. And some are wasting away their most formative years in bad programs....That's why I'm issuing a challenge to our states: Develop a cutting-edge plan to raise the quality of your early learning programs; show us how you'll work to ensure that children are better prepared for success by the time they enter kindergarten. If you do, we will support you with an Early Learning Challenge Grant that I call on Congress to enact.”
~ President Barack Obama
Speaking to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
March 10, 2009
