Meet the Teachers
Our Director
Antoinette (Tonie) LaPenta is the director of the Creative Child Center. Tonie has been the director at the Creative Child Center since 1998. She has a B.A. Degree in Child Development from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Saint Joseph’s College. Tonie has worked in the field of child development since 1982. She has worked in many childcare centers both as a teacher and as an administrator. She also worked with the Department of Children and Families as a family preservation therapist working with DCF involved children and families. Tonie also has a certificate in Art Therapy from the New England School of Art Therapy. Tonie is an approved Head Teacher through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and is also first aid and CPR certified. She is a member of NCCCC (National Coalition for Campus Children’s Centers) and NAEYC (National Education for the Education of Young Children). Tonie can be reached at 860-679-2124.
Administrative Fiscal Assistant
Barbara Brush has worked at the Creative Child Center since 1989. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Connecticut. Before becoming the center’s fiscal assistant in 2003, Barbara worked in both the toddler and infant classrooms and was a head teacher for several years before becoming our fiscal assistant. Barbara is an approved Head Teacher through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. She is also our center’s resident photographer. Barbara can be reached at 860-679-2150 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday..
Head Teachers
Tracy Clarke-Thompson is the Head Teacher of the Infant and Toddler Classrooms. Tracy has worked at the center since August of 1989. She has 2 years of college experience from the University of Connecticut and has her CDA (Child Development Associates credential). Tracy is currently taking classes towards earning her Bachelor’s degree. She has an interest in working with children with special needs. Tracy can be reached at 860-679-2150.
Nar Scaia is the Head Teacher of the Preschool Classrooms. He has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. He was a resident assistant at Central for two years and has been working at the center since May 2002. He was also the 5th runner up in the hospital’s American Idol contest. His singing and guitar skills are assets in the classroom!
Infant Rooms
Infant Room Teachers
Jen Drezek has been at the Creative Child Center since June of 1991. She has her CDA (Child Development Credential) and has many years of experience working with children in all age groups here at the center. Jen’s artistic flair can be seen through all of the signs and reminder notes she makes for us here at the CCC.
Chrissy Niziolek has been a teacher at the Creative Child Center since 1987. She has her CDA (Child Development Credential). Chrissy was also a head teacher here at the CCC for several years before deciding to work part time. Chrissy currently works Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Elisabeth D’Aprile has worked at the Creative Child Center since 1988. She is the Lead Teacher of the Infant Room and Toddler One classrooms. Elisabeth graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 1994. Elisabeth opens the center every morning, Monday through Friday.
Stephanie Patterson has an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Naugatuck Community Technical College. She has worked in the field of childcare since 1987 and has worked with all age groups. Stephanie has been working at the Creative Child Center since May of 1999. Stephanie has also worked as an assistant director of a childcare center before joining us at the CCC.
Tyra Sierra has been working with children for many years. Tyra has her CDA (Child Development Credential). She has been an employee at the center since July 1996. Even though Tyra is usually in the Toddler One classroom, she can be spotted working in all of the other classrooms as well.
Joan Lepore-Hushin has a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. She has worked at the center for more than 20 years and is our center’s historian. Joan currently works opposite Chrissy and is at the center on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.Leighann Latham has worked at the center since 1994. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Psychology and has been here at the center working with children of all ages ever since then. She recently moved into the Toddler Two room from our preschool program.
Joan Daigle came to the Creative Child Center in March of 2005. She has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University. She taught kindergarten in Berlin for 2 years and also had her own daycare for 6 years before coming to work at the Creative Child Center.
Tim Popick has attended Central Connecticut State University and has worked at the Creative Child Center since 1991. Tim has worked with all age groups at the center. He is also a Little League and Hockey coach for school aged children. Tim is currently working towards his CDA. Tim also currently opens the center in the early morning with Elisabeth D’Aprile.
Michelle Zapatka began working at the center in October of 2007. Michelle has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Science from Central Connecticut State University. She has been in the childcare field since 1997. Michelle is interested in working towards her Masters degree in Deaf Studies and Aural Habilitation at the University of Hartford.
Pat Rossignol is the lead teacher in the Toddler Three room and has been working at the Creative Child Center since April of 1996. She has an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. Pat has worked with all ages at the center but is especially fond of the toddler age group.
Daniele DeMartinis has been working at the Creative Child Center since May 2001. She is currently attending Tunxis Community College pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before coming to the center she worked for many years in the public school system in Philadelphia as a paraprofessional.
Cary Houle has worked in the infant and toddler programs as well as our preschool program. Cary has worked at the center since July 1990 and has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Becker College.
Jeannine Salvatore has been working at the center since August 1989. She has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She has worked with preschoolers also, but currently works in our Toddler Two and Toddler Three classrooms.
Laura Hayner works part time in both the Toddler Two and Toddler Three classrooms. Laura has her CDA and is currently working on the renewal process.
Preschool Rooms
Nar Scaia has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. He was a resident assistant at Central for two years and has been working at the center since May 2002. He was also the 5th runner up in the hospital’s American Idol contest. His singing and guitar skills are assets in the classroom!
Tracey Wilkens has been working at the center since May of 2008. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Mount Saint Mary College and her Initial Educator Certificate from the State of Connecticut grades kindergarten through 6th grade. Prior to working at the childcare center Tracey worked in Canton as a permanent substitute at the Intermediate School and has also worked as a Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher at Educational Playcare.Julie Burdon has been working at the center since December 2006. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Connecticut State University. She ran her own home day care for five years. Before joining us at the CCC she worked in the Southington public school system as an inclusion paraprofessional.
Bernadette Krysiak began working at the center in July of 2007. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University and is certified to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade. Bernadette has worked in both our Preschool One and Preschool Two classrooms with our pre-kindergarteners.Bethany Slate has been at the center since September 2000. She has many years of experience working with young children and has completed her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Connecticut and Northwestern Community College. Bethany is also artistic and has created all of the wall murals at the CCC.