Jenna Becker
Music Facilitator

Jenna is thrilled to expand her repertoire as the newly appointed Music Facilitator at PCS. Jenna is a familiar face at PCS having begun her career leading the Early Childhood and Kindergarten music programs during the 2020-21 academic year. She is honored and excited to share her passion for music and performance with students across grade levels.

Jenna is a certified Music Together specialist and holds a B.A. degree from Westminster Choir College. Her teaching philosophies are rooted in engaging students in experiential music education that incorporates movement, response and performance with rhythm and voice study. Originally from New Jersey, Jenna enjoys living on Long Island where she teaches voice in her private studio.

Molly Brown Elementary Facilitator

Molly is thrilled to become a member of the PCS community. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from SUNY Purchase and a graduate degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. Molly has taught in NYC independent schools for the past nine years, including Williamsburg Northside, Portfolio, and Spence. Molly believes that promoting students' social-emotional learning, providing them with opportunities for self-discovery, and celebrating their curiosity creates passionate lifelong learners. At a young age, Molly was exposed to project-based learning, and those experiences have guided her to become the teacher she is today. Molly grew up both in New York City and Long Island. She currently lives in Southold with her husband and infant daughter and enjoys watching documentaries, walking, and going to the beach.

Eileen DeCecco
School Counselor

Eileen joined PCS in 2013. A multi-faceted educator, Eileen has served as Middle Primary Learning Specialist, Early Childhood Teacher Assistant, school Guidance Counselor, and a Special Education coordinator in her time at PCS. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and has previously taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, as well as seventh and eighth grades. She is a mother of two and believes that fostering a love of learning for all students is critical to their life-long journey. She has experience in the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches and a strong belief in a community-driven school. She earned a BS in Business Administration from St. John’s University and MAEd in Educational Counseling. Living on the North Fork of Long Island herself, Eileen understands how meaningful a school like PCS is to this community of thoughtful, intelligent, caring parents. Collaborating with co-workers to form an integrated, fundamental, open-ended curriculum is the key to success for the future of our children.

Daniela Espinoza
Early Childhood Assistant

Daniela was born in Medellin Colombia and raised in Lima Peru. She arrived to the United States at the age of 8 and has settled in Riverhead, loving everything it has to offer. In 2012 she graduated from Riverhead High School and started working for Riverhead Central School District in 2020 as a Teaching Aide. This position led her to Peconic Community School as an Aide and she instantly fell in love with its philosophy and mission so much so that she has been implemented their practices and positive teaching methods into her personal life. Daniela has been part of Peconic community school for almost 3 years now and has found that Early Childhood is the place for her.

In her off time, loves soccer and plays in an adult league. She loves eating dumplings, and all things nature, especially plants. Daniela has a beautiful 4 year old daughter and 2 dogs whom she loves dearly. Every learning experience at Peconic Community School has allowed her to engage more fully at home with her child, and she’s very excited about what the future holds at PCS!

Paola A. Flórez
Kindergarten Facilitator 

Before coming to PCS in 2016, Paola taught Spanish at the Southampton Montessori School for ten years. In that time, she also became the teacher’s assistant in the preschool classroom for two years. Paola has taught music and movement at various camps such as La Ronde, Southampton Bathing Corp. and the Quogue Field Club Junior Sports. She is also a certified Music Together teacher. Paola earned a B.A. in Communication from William Paterson University and a M.A. in Media Studies from The New School University. She also earned her certification as an English-Spanish Translator from Adelphi University. Paola lives in Westhampton with her two children, Isabella and Dante.

Alexandra Gomes da Silva
Spanish Facilitator/Teaching Assistant

Alexandra is Columbian, Venezuelan and Portuguese, and enjoyed growing up in a household that spoke three different languages. She is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, has served as a Spanish language classroom assistant and has studied teaching Spanish in college. After observing Early Childhood lessons at PCS, Alexandra worked as a PCS summer program counselor with first and second graders, where she quickly grew an enthusiastic following among students. She is currently pursuing a dual undergraduate/Masters degree in Early Childhood education with a certification in TESOL. She is an avid soccer player and loves spending her days outdoors amidst nature. Alex is very close with her family and enjoys spending time with them and her dog, going to the beach, camping or playing games in their backyard.

Stephanie Grundy
Early Childhood Facilitator

Originally from New York City, Stephanie has earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from C. W. Post LIU, Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Brooklyn College and has experience working with children of all ages. Before joining PCS in 2020, Stephanie taught prekindergarten at a Reggio Emilia inspired/project-based school. Stephanie has a love for learning and inspiring others through kindness and developmentally appropriate practices focusing on strong social-emotional skills. Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing on the beach, reading, and going on hikes with her dog.

Erika Heilmann Early Childhood Facilitator & Yoga Facilitator

Erika is from East Setauket, New York, and spent most of her childhood playing with rocks and dirt. Her childhood experiences influenced her kinship to the natural world. While working towards her degrees, Erika became interested in farming and sustainability. She went on to receive a BA from Adelphi University in Art Education with a minor in Social Justice, and then received an MA from Stony Brook in STEM Integrated Education. Erika spent a short time teaching art in NYC public schools, but decided to return to farming where she stayed for eight years focusing on farm and nature based education programs. Erika also founded PlayLab, a children's yoga program for schools and families. She is proud and honored to be a part of the PCS family, where she can continue to explore the natural world with her students. Erika is passionate about fostering play, boldness, curiosity, and advocacy in her class. She enjoys hiking, dancing, yoga, gardening, travelling, big belly laughs, and perfecting her coffee in the morning.

Meghan Hillen
Elementary Facilitator

Meghan taught for 10 years in third and fourth grade at Ross School in East Hampton, NY. While there she served as a team leader and Lower School math coordinator. Meghan wrote extensive math and Cultural History curriculum, with an emphasis on integrated project based learning. Before that, Meghan taught for 8 years in third and fourth grade at Hollfield Station Elementary School in Ellicott City, MD. While there she served as a team leader and a mentor teacher. She wrote math curriculum for the National Security Agency, and science curriculum for both Howard County Public Schools and Howard County Community College. She also spent a week at Space Camp for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from Gettysburg College and a Masters in Arts of Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Meghan lives in Hampton Bays, with her husband, James, and son, JJ. She loves reading and learning more about the local community of eastern Long Island. Meghan feels that the most important aspect of a classroom is the relationships that are built there. Community building, collaboration, integration, and a continual sense of wonder are all important to her teaching.

Brenna Leveille Middle School Facilitator

Brenna grew up in southern New Hampshire. The rolling foothills, farms, waterways and wetlands of the Ashuelot Valley sparked her lifelong curiosity towards the natural world. She was fortunate to study with an inspiring teacher and mentor whose place-based practices instilled a love of learning and set her on an educational path less travelled. In college, Brenna pursued Environmental Science. She graduated with a Masters in Education with a focus in social justice. She has facilitated citizen-science education programs and outdoor science camps. With over 10 years of experience teaching elementary and middle school Science, she continues to develop her capacity for wonder, compassion, and commitment to opening diverse avenues of inquiry alongside her students. Brenna’s favorite place to be is anywhere in nature. Hiking, rock climbing and canoeing are long-time favorites, and she now shares these activities with her husband and young sons.

Helen Maeng Elementary Facilitator

Helen was born and raised in Queens, NY, where her parents found a small Korean community after immigrating from Korea. Unsure of what to do after completing her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany, she packed her bags and booked a one-way ticket to Thailand where she taught English, volunteered, and travelled throughout
Southeast Asia. After discovering her passion to be an educator, she came back home and earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood, General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. With prior experience in NYC independent schools, she is thrilled to be joining PCS, where she will get to explore and learn alongside her students. As a new community member to Center Moriches, she loves spending her free time exploring Long Island and is currently on the quest to find the best pizza on Long Island!

Ava Malanga Teaching Aide

Ava Malanga worked as a summer program assistant counselor at PCS this year, where she developed lovely relationships with the students. Ava attended Riverhead High School and has lived on the East End of Long Island her whole life. She is currently a student at Fashion Institute of Technology majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications. She is thrilled to be back at PCS as an aide and for aftercare several days a week. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her friends and family as well as enjoying the local beaches.

Nicole Moodie Learning Specialist and DEIJ Coordinator

Nicole is a native Long Islander who has spent the last 12 years teaching and learning in international schools overseas in Asia where she lead diverse teams of educators. Prior to her time overseas, Nicole taught in a bilingual school in Washington DC for 5 years. She has an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction as well as an M.Ed in Educational Leadership. Nicole is passionate about bringing diversity, equity and inclusion to life within schools. When Nicole isn’t working you will find her teaching and practicing yoga at her family’s yoga studio in Holbrook or wandering around the woods in various parks on Long Island.

Karolina Petersson Art Facilitator

Karolina is beyond excited to add Art and 2's Teacher to her CV and can’t wait to instill her love for art to the kids. With her Art school background she finds it most important to be curious and have fun. She is looking forward to exposing the students to her favorite artists and helping them find their own, while exploring different mediums along the way.

She is a fashion designer with an MA from Central Saint Martins in London and has worked for numerous luxury labels but is most proud of starting kids label Maison Me for website Maisonette. Karolina was a frequent substitute in all grade levels at PCS during the 2023-24 school year, where she quickly gained a reputation for her warmth, intuitiveness and creativity.

Karolina is originally from Sweden and lives in Greenport with her husband and two kids. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and their friends, travel, hang out on the beach and do yoga.

Whitney Roberts Early Childhood Assistant Facilitator

Whitney joined PCS East this summer to be part of our natural learning environment and to explore, create, observe and guide our young learners through their Camp Wonderexperiences. Whitney is a wise and passionate Reggio and Montessori influenced educator. She is dedicated to the learning process and educating children with integrated hands-on learning experiences where they can be confident, kind, playful, self engaged, and inquisitive school community learners. Before coming to PCS, Whitney taught Pre-K at The Academy in Shoreham for 16 years and has been a primary education teacher on Long Island for over 25 years. She studied social sciences and early childhood development at The State University of Stonybrook and continued on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Dowling College and a Degree in Elementary Education. Whitney has three children who are spread around NY working on interesting projects, and a recent grandchild named Steele. She is inspired by a child’s sense of wonder, exploring natural sciences, children's literature, music, the arts, sunrises and sunsets, gardening, hiking, sports, fishing, cooking, traveling, and peace and kindness.

Ashley Russo
Elementary Facilitator

Originally from Upstate New York, Ashley has over 10 years of teaching experience. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in childhood education from SUNY Oswego and a Master’s degree in literacy from Walden University. Ashley is passionate about creating a learning environment that considers each student’s needs and allows students to explore their natural curiosity. Growing up on a farm, she learned about the importance of sustaining agriculture and natural resources from a young age, and she brings this hands-on experience to her teaching. Ashley currently lives in Hampton Bays with her husband, young son and twin baby girls, and enjoys fishing, going to the beach, reading, and working in her garden.

Shannon Swanson
Learning Specialist

Shannon loves being part of the PCS community! Shannon has been teaching for seventeen years and has spent the last seven years at the Ross School, where she started as a Learning Specialist and then moved to teaching grade 5. Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in General and Special Education and has just completed her Master’s degree in Special Education. Shannon has two boys, Wyatt-8 and Waylon-6 who keep her busy with all of their energy. Shannon is also a Cub Scout leader for her son Wyatt and his third-grade friends. Shannon enjoys going to the beach-especially for the sunsets and she loves reading. Shannon believes that the most important part of being a good educator is creating a sense of community. She does this by building respectful relationships with her students and their families and believing that together they can meet the goals of her students.

Amy Taylor
Elementary Facilitator

Amy Taylor graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia International University in December of 2012. She has taught in a variety of settings, both private and public schools, always seeking to understand each individual child and family first. She has taught at the elementary level in charter and public schools in Florida. Shortly after arriving on Shelter Island in 2021, Amy realized the need for thoughtfully curated afterschool and evening programming for children. Imagination Island at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church came to life for the purpose of exposing children to creative outlets that reveal those traits and talents which make them unique, and to help children find ways to live in harmony with those created traits and experience increased confidence, individual success, and a healthy life balance.  Amy has had the distinct pleasure of working as a classroom teacher for the last two years at Hayground School in Bridgehampton, NY. Armed with creativity, a passion for individualized instruction, and the understanding that each child has just one childhood, Amy looks for the beautiful traits in each child and creates an environment that will allow each of them to discover and cherish all of the delightful things about themselves, traits that make them, well, perfectly them. In her free time, Amy can often be found walking on the shores of Shelter Island, picking up a special shell, a heart-shaped rock, or some other natural wonder.

Shannon Timoney
Director of Teaching and Learning

Shannon began at PCS in 2015 after working for 7 years at the Ross School in Bridgehampton, NY, where she taught and served as division coordinator of Early Childhood. During her time there, Shannon also taught grades 2 and 3. As a lead teacher, Shannon was very involved in writing, revising and editing curriculum. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Psychology and from Dowling College with a MEd in Childhood Education. She lives in Manorville and has two sons, Payton and Brody. Shannon is a passionate, community-minded individual who is always thinking of ways she and her students can serve their local community. Shannon recognizes the value of differentiating for her students and creating a stimulating classroom environment that showcases the learning process. She believes it is essential to build the classroom community together with her students. Shannon is a lifelong learner and is always open to new ideas and opportunities for continued growth.