Pilgrim
Preschool
Glen Ridge Congregational Church
www.glenridgecong.org
195 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge NJ 07028
973.743.5596 Ext. 13
www.pilgrimpreschoolnj.com
Setting roots, growing wings.
MEET OUR STAFF
Our teaching team is very excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year. Partnered with you, we will work diligently to foster learning, growth, creativity, curiosity and resilience in your child. We will seek to discover and nurture each child's unique qualities.
Karen Nisenson, Director and Pre-K Teacher
Karen has been a dedicated teacher at Pilgrim Preschool since 2008. One of Karen’s greatest pleasures is fostering the joy of learning and love of nature in young children. Watching children find their creative and independent voice is a special privilege. Karen has a BFA from Hartford Art School and has worked as a graphic designer in publishing and advertising in NYC.
After raising her family, Karen returned to the classroom to become certified by the State of New Jersey to teach both General Education and Special Education. Karen also holds an Orton-Gillingham Therapist credential which she uses both in the classroom and in her private practice. The Nisenson family has called Glen Ridge home since 1988.
Jamie Arroya-Blackburn
Jamie Arroya-Blackburn is no stranger to selflessly caring for the children of Glen Ridge. Of her two decades as a nanny, a decade plus of those years have been served for, educating and nurturing the children of families of this community. In addition to her service as a nanny, Jamie has also earned a BA in Sociology from William Paterson University. With her natural gifts of child guidance and childcare, Jamie is pleased to be a part of the Pilgrim Preschool Family.
Annie Bayne
Annie Bayne has lived in Glen Ridge since 2004. She and her husband Tim are the proud parents of two college kids and a current senior at GRHS. Annie graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio with a degree in English Literature and spent the early part of her career in public relations and marketing. After taking time off to raise her family, Annie has kept busy volunteering in various capacities within the Glen Ridge Schools as well as serving on the boards of the Glen Ridge Women’s Club and the Girls’ Club of Glen Ridge. For the last few years, she has worked with the Gas Lamp Players as a costumer on many of their children’s productions. Most recently, Annie has discovered a passion for early childhood education working at Serendipity Learning Center in Montclair. She is very excited to join the staff at Pilgrim as an aide in the 4-5 year old classroom.
Tyra Brown
Tyra Brown holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in Viola Performance and certificates in Yoga Instruction, and floral design from the New York Botanical Garden. A twenty-two-year resident of Glen Ridge, Tyra and her family have been very active in the Glen Ridge Congregational Church and Boy Scouts of America Organization in Glen Ridge. Tyra’s years as Business Administrator of Skyland Camp for Girls in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina honed the organizational skills she will bring to Pilgrim Preschool as our new Building Administrator. “All three of our children are graduates of Pilgrim Preschool, and I look forward to sharing the Pilgrim spirit with a new generation of children and their families.”
Maira Hernandez-Kinloch
Maira Hernandez-Kinloch is excited to be our 2.5, Threes and Afternoon School Teacher’s Aide. A graduate of Westminster Choir College with a B.A. in music education, Maira has taught music for 30 years, including nine years as the beloved music teacher for Forest Avenue and Linden Avenue Schools, and at Pilgrim Preschool. She continues to work with children as the owner/director of the Summer Treasures Camp here in Glen Ridge. The Hernandez-Kinloch
family enjoyed many happy years living in Glen Ridge, both children going through the Glen Ridge Schools. Maira finds great joy in fostering a love of music and creativity in young children.
Angie Konetzni
A Glen Ridge resident since 2007, Angie and her husband Josh have two children- both Pilgrim alumni. Angie studied early childhood development and worked as a caretaker for four children while earning her BA in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. She spent her career in management and the maritime insurance industry.
Angie has done a lot of volunteer work in the GR school system and is also a former member of the Pilgrim Board. She is very excited to working with three year olds!
Evelyn Kuyan
Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and spent years working in microbiology across clinical, environmental, and research settings. She is excited to bring her enthusiasm for learning and nurturing young minds to the Pilgrim classroom.
A proud mom of two boys, ages 6 and 3, Evelyn is a longtime Pilgrim parent. She is delighted to join the team and looks forward to helping children learn, grow, and thrive each day.
Whitney Lipson
Whitney Lipson graduated from Catholic University with a BA in Psychology. Her career journey began in the music industry before transitioning to sales in the Pharmaceutical and Dermatopathology Lab Service sectors. Since moving to Glen Ridge in 2016, Whitney has been actively involved in various volunteer opportunities at Linden Avenue School and Ridgewood Avenue School.
"I’m thrilled to be part of the Pilgrim School family and look forward to contributing to this wonderful community!"
Andrea Mourad
Andrea Mourad is excited to spend time in the classroom! She is a local mom who was born and raised in Glen Ridge and sent both of her children to Pilgrim. With a love for kids, creativity, nature, and learning, she can’t wait to help these students blossom.
Colleen O'Keefe
Colleen O’Keefe grew up in Glen Ridge and attended Seton Hall University. Colleen has previously been an aide at Pilgrim with the 2.5 year olds and the 3 years olds. Colleen's family re-located temporarily to the Atlanta area but they missed Glen Ridge too much and have returned. Colleen has 3 daughters that keep her busy! She is happy to be back at Pilgrim and looks forward to spending time with the 3 year olds again.
Gabby Olczak
A Glen Ridge resident since 2005, Gabby lives with her husband Ted and their four children. Gabby is a regular volunteer at Toni's Kitchen, a Girl Scout leader, an Advisor with the Girl's Club of Glen Ridge, and a substitute teacher in the GR school district. After earning a BA from Fordham University and a MA from NYU, Gabby spent several years as an advertising sales manager in numerous computer publications. The former Publisher/Editor and Founder of Parent Times and Toddler Times Publications, Gabby currently hosts THEGABTALKS podcast. "I love teaching! I am excited to be an aide in the PreK class and help the children grow creatively and foster their love of learning. " In her free time, Gabby loves to do yoga, travel, read, listen to Elvis, and Bruce, watch movies and spend as much time as possible with her kids, who will all be flying the coop way too soon!
Diane Schaming
Diane Schaming moved to Glen Ridge in 2016 with her two kids (who went to Pilgrim) and husband Bill. She has degrees in Music Education from Syracuse University and Voice Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. She was a public school elementary music teacher in Baltimore County before moving to New Jersey. Ms. Schaming has studied and performed in Italy, Austria, Ghana, and China, and loves sharing all kinds of music with kids. She is the alto soloist at Glen Ridge Congregational Church and Temple Emanu-El in Westfield.
Julia Singh
Julia Singh has always had a passion for working with children. Julia graduated from Arts High as an art major and, while in college, worked as a nanny and tutored young children. She worked at Parkside Montessori in Montclair for six years, teaching young children ages 2 1/2 to 6. She is committed to encouraging each child to grow and develop at their own pace and find their independence while developing social skills they will carry through life. She is very excited to teach in the twos class at Pilgrim Preschool!
Nilay Uzun
Nilay Uzun, a resident of Glen Ridge since 2016 and a graduate from Anadolu University in Istanbul, Turkey, brings a finance and banking background from her past experience. Her journey in the United States began with raising her two nephews, sparking a profound passion for working with young children and fostering their growth. During her free time, Nilay enjoys long hikes, practices yoga, and explores new destinations through her travels. She is looking forward to joining the Pilgrim Preschool family and working with the amazing teachers and children.
PILGRIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Carol Harpster, President
Marsha Watson, Vice-President
Lorraine Brown, Treasurer
Members at Large:
Karen Nisenson, Director and Pre-K Teacher
Paula Ely - Women's Association
Laren Calabro - Parent Representative
Katie Lunn - Parent Representative
Kinsey Sherman - Parent Representative
Rev. John Sampson - Designated Interim Senior Minister
Christine Cordero
Christine Cordero is a proud mom of a Pilgrim School alum and has been a Glen Ridge resident since 2020. She graduated from Lehigh University with a BS in Economics and has experience in product development & production in the fashion retail & arts industries. In her spare time, Christine is an avid volunteer at the Linden Avenue School, lover of pilates and the NY Knicks!