Preschool Staff

Lisa Piccioni

Preschool Administrator

I am a lifelong learner who taught in a traditional classroom for 17 years. I am grateful to be here in Pennsville as the Administrator for the expanded preschool program for both our Penn Beach and Valley Park families. I began my journey with Pennsville as the preschool Master Teacher and transitioned to the Assistant Principal in January 2022. I earned a BA in Theatre Production with a concentration in Directing, MAT in Early Childhood Education, Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification, and M.EDL

I am a wife and mother of 4 young adults and Nonna to two grandsons. They remain my priority regardless of their age! I enjoy baking, my dogs, and traveling with my husband. Most importantly, I advocate for best practices in Early Childhood Education.

In 2026, the BOE provided an opportunity to lead the Elsinboro School District in the role of building Principal. I am still leading preschool and will be involved with the events and part of the behind-the-scenes process, ensuring our program is state-compliant.

Dr. Melissa Lane

PIC (Preschool Instructional Coach)

Here in Salem County, I have spent the last 22 years teaching in early childhood classrooms.

I joined Pennsville Preschool in September of 2022 as the Preschool Instructional Coach and Intervention Specialist. I spend the majority of my time in classrooms, supporting teachers to help our students achieve educational and developmental goals. I also collaborate with families to help develop positive relationships and support holistic growth during their children’s preschool years.

I earned my Doctorate in Teaching Leadership from Wilmington University in May of 2023. It was an amazing experience, whereas I developed both the skill sets and ongoing passion for my new preschool role. I work with an amazing team of preschool co-workers and administrators.

Apart from work, I am a wife and mom to three teenagers. We enjoy visiting national parks around the states, and the plan for next summer is a road trip up north to explore the mountains and coast of Maine.

Marcie Mader

PIRS (Preschool Intervention Referral Specialist)

Hello, My name is Marcie Mader. I have spent the last 26 years teaching in early childhood classrooms. I joined Pennsville Preschool in September of 2024 as the Preschool Intervention Referral Specialist (PIRS) for Valley Park and Penn Beach. Although I am a classroom teacher at heart, I am excited to begin this new chapter and provide support to teachers, students and families.

I received a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and continued my education at Montclair University where I obtained my Early Childhood degree.

Personally, I am a wife and a mom of two college students. We are a summer loving family and enjoy our time at the beach, boating or by the pool.

Mrs. Megan Rains

School Counselor & Community Parent Involvement Specialist (CPIS)

Hello! My name is Megan Rains, and I am excited to be entering my fourth year with the Pennsville School District. Prior to joining Pennsville, I worked as a School Counselor and Social-Emotional Learning Specialist in Gloucester City.

I currently serve as the Preschool School Counselor and Community Parent Involvement Specialist (CPIS) for Valley Park and Penn Beach. In these roles, I have the opportunity to support students and families, build meaningful connections within the school community, and help create a positive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rowan University and continued my education at Wilmington University, where I obtained my Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in K–12 School Counseling.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with our pets, reading, traveling, and relaxing at the beach. I am passionate about building strong relationships with students, families, and the community, and I am excited to continue giving back to the community in which I live. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Pennsville School District and look forward to another wonderful year!

Michael Webb

Preschool Resource Teacher

I was born and raised in Vineland New Jersey and there have remained a lifelong resident. I graduated from Vineland High School in 1995 and began my college career at Cumberland County that same year. In 1998, I transferred to Rowan University where I majored in History and minored in Secondary Education. In pursuit of satisfying the requirements for certification in preschool through grade three, I completed five graduate classes at Montclair State as of 2001. In addition, I have completed my state testing requirements and attained Certificates of Eligibility for kindergarten thru grade six as well as social studies instruction grades six thru twelve. I have ten years experience as a preschool teacher, but over my more than twenty year career, I have instructed all grades and all subject areas both in regular education and special education. I have also instructed regular and special education bilingual students in grades preschool thru eight. I am not a native speaker of Spanish but possess “polite” conversational skills and very much enjoy building upon my language base each and everyday.

In my personal life, I have been married to my wife Denise Marie since 2001 and we share two children together. My daughter Alise Simone was born in 2003 and my son Makai Caleb was born in 2007. Like the three generations preceding me, I have chosen to be a lifelong educator and civil servant. I am very proud to say that my daughter, after graduating college in 2024, has also chosen to pursue a career in education.

I am so very pleased to have the privilege of serving the people of Pennsville and so grateful to have been entrusted with the community’s most valuable resource, its children. I very much hope to spend the remainder of my career here in this capacity. Each day, interacting with my students, supervisors, colleagues, and parents, has offered me the opportunity to expand my understanding of an ever changing world and my place in it.

Preschool Teachers

Maria Duran, VP Room 1

Paraprofessional: Nancy Emery

Hello, my name is Maria Duran! I was born and raised in Colombia, and moved here when I was 20 years old. I graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in Spanish, and from Montclair University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught for 4 years in Northern New Jersey, and recently moved South to live with my Fiance, and we will be getting married next year.

In our free time we love visiting National Parks, going on long hikes, traveling to new places, and playing new board games. I am really excited to be part of the preschool program in Valley Park!

Kris Wilson: VP Room 4

Paraprofessional: Callie Cox

My name is Kris Wilson and I am excited to be a part of the Pennsville School District family!

About me:

Personal:

I have been married to my husband John, for 24 years and we have two kids, Anna (23) and Nate (19). In my spare time, my husband, my daughter and I enjoy attending Delaware State University football games, where my son is the starting kicker. GO Hornets!

I also enjoy watching and listening to true crime, paint by numbers pictures and getting loved by all of my fur babies. :-)

Professional:

This is my 11th year of teaching.

I have taught:

Preschool Disabled for 5 years
Kindergarten for 5 years

I am certificated in:

- Preschool to 3rd grade
- Special Education
- Kindergarten to 6th grade
- Basic Skill Kindergarten to 8th grade

Christine Havrisko, VP Room 5

Paraprofessional: Dawn Osborne

I live in Woolwich Township with my dog, my husband, and my two girls (ages 1 and 4). My favorite thing to do is go on family adventures such as the beach, park, or Cherry Crest Adventure Farm! My husband and I are trying to see all the Major League baseball stadiums. (We have been to 23 out of 30 stadiums). I graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a special education certificate. I moved to Mississippi for two years where I taught third-grade inclusion. I then moved to Ohio for three years where I taught 4th grade - 6th grade special education. When I moved back to New Jersey 7 years ago, I knew my heart was with Preschoolers. Now that I'm a mother of a preschool-aged child, I have teacher and mom experience of this lovely age.

Paula Gielarowiec-Mullin, VP Room 8

Paraprofessional: Taylor Wiggins

My name is Paula and I live right here in Pennsville with my husband, 3 year old son Oliver, 6 month old daughter Olivia and our little dog Nalla. I was born in Poland and lived there until I was 10 years old. I went through the ESL program and learned English when I was in 4th grade. I still read, write, and speak Polish. As a family we love to hike and visit waterfalls. The highest mountain we hiked so far is 1,527 feet tall. We also love to go to local festivals and eat all different types of food. This is my 5th year teaching as a preschool teacher. I received my BA from Rowan University in Elementary Education K-6, as well as a BA in Liberal Arts. I then received my P-3 certification through Montclair University as well as my Masters in P-3 education. I now plan on going back for my ESL certification and my administrative certification. I love teaching and hope to continue to stay in education until I retire.

Dana Magee, VP Room 9

Paraprofessional: Ashley Pruden

Hello, my name is Dana Magee. I graduated from Rowan University in 2012 with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Sociology, as well as Teacher of Students With Disabilities and Teacher of Reading certificates. This will be my 10th year as a teacher. This will be my 5th year working in the Pennsville preschool program. To me, there is nothing quite like experiencing a preschool child's excitement for learning! I live with my husband, whom I just married this September 2023!

In my spare time, I enjoy attending community festivals, and concerts, and trying new restaurants or cooking up new recipes with friends. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday! Lounging by the ocean, trying new restaurants, or on a good mountain hike are some of my favorite places to be.

I am happy to be working with the great students of Valley Park!

Thomas Zarbo, VP Room 10

Paraprofessional: McKensey Blaire

I have been a preschool teacher for the past 15 years in Bridgeton. Teaching in Pennsville has been a wonderful experience. I hold a Masters Degree in Education from Montclair University, but honestly, I feel like the best education I have received has been in the classroom learning from my students. They never cease to amaze and even amuse me. Teaching is a hard job, but when I see a child learn, grow, and master a concept we have been working on, all the hard work is instantly worth it. I consider it an honor to help kids learn and grow, and I appreciate the faith the Pennsville community puts in me every time a caregiver sends their child to school to spend time in my classroom.

Heather Greene, PB Room 123

Paraprofessional: Judy Wentzel

Hi, I'm Heather! Born and raised in Pennsville, I am so happy to be working in the district that helped shape me into the person I am today. My classroom at Penn Beach was actually my Kindergarten classroom when I was a child! I still live in Pennsville with my husband, Aaron; our son, Elliot; our two corgis, Harley and Oscar; and our gecko Smaug. When I am not teaching, I enjoy taking Elliot on a walk, listening to podcasts, reading, and watching something on Hulu. My favorite show of all time is Friends and my favorite artists are Fleetwood Mac and Taylor Swift.

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