Teachers
Each of our staff continually updates her own early childhood education through various programs and seminars.
Cynthia Hicks
Director
Cynthia begins her 20th year at MMPS teaching a morning 2.5/3 multi-age class. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Brian, and three sons. Cynthia has her BS degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut.
Nancy O’Connell
Teacher
Nancy begins her 21st year at MMPS teaching the 4 year old, STEAM and Soar With Fours classes. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Rob, and three children. Nancy has her MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College, Springfield, MA and has her Child Development credentials from Montclair State University.
Margaret Gray
Teacher
Margaret begins her 17th year at MMPS teaching the KinderBridge class. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Tim, and five children. She has her BS in Psychology with concentration in Elementary and Special Education from Mt. Saint Mary’s College in Newburgh, NY and her MA in Special Education from Brooklyn College, NY.
Terrie Brodie
Teacher
Terrie begins her 17th year at MMPS teaching 2.5/3 and 3/4 multi-age classes. She was a co-op parent at MMPS for five years and served on the Board as the Registrar for two years. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Tom, and two children. Terrie attended College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX and has her New Jersey CDA credential.
Patti Moore
Assistant Teacher
Patti begins her 3rd year at MMPS as an assistant teacher for our STEAM and Soars With Fours classes. Patti has been a very important part of our support staff since 2018. She was a co-op parent for five years. She lives in Maplewood with her husband Owen, and two daughters. Patti attended Lynchburg College, VA and is currently in the process of obtaining her NJ CDA certification.
Kristen Mitchell
Assistant Teacher
Kristen begins her 2nd year at MMPS as an assistant teacher in the 2.5 year old class. She is a life-long resident of South Orange, where she currently lives with her husband, Matt and daughter. Kristen has a BS in Business Administration from Montclair State University. She was a co-op parent for two years at MMPS, and is currently obtaining her NJ CDA certification.
Carolyn McCarthy
Assistant Teacher
Carolyn begins her 3rd year at MMPS as an assistant teacher in our KinderBridge class. She lives in Millburn with her husband, Chris and three children She was a co-op parent for five years. Carolyn has a BA in Communication from Seton Hall University.
Yesenia Santana Brownell
Teacher
Yesenia is excited to begin her 1st year at MMPS teaching a 2.5 year old class. She lives in Maplewood with her husband Tim, son Jaxon, and daughter Delilah (a proud MMPS grad). Prior to MMPS Yesenia taught Kindergarten at The Brearley School in NYC for 14 years. She has her BA in Educational Studies from Brown University, Providence, RI and her MA in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, NYC.