Lynn Kulik, Director/Head Teacher
Lynn has been in education for the past 25 years. She holds a B.S. in Early and Middle Education from Radford University and graduated from New Jersey’s Directors Academy in the fall of 2013. Lynn joined the Union Cong Community in 1998 as a parent, served on our Nursery School Leadership team, and later joined our faculty in 2008. She has taught Kindergarten and a multi-age loop classroom of Kindergarten/1st grade at a progressive public school in Chapel Hill, NC. Lynn serves on the Board of the NJEEPRE and is actively involved in the Montclair Directors Network. She is passionate about how children construct knowledge and the Reggio Philosophy Approach to educating children.
Catherine Sweeney, Communications/Technology
Catherine rejoined the office staff in January 2015 with an emphasis on admissions, marketing, and communications. She has a B.F.A. in photography from Syracuse University and over 20 years of experience working in school settings. In addition, both of her children attended Union Cong.
Susanne Cantalupo, Office Admin
Susanne has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Trenton State College. She has worked as an elementary educator for over ten years in the surrounding area. Her children attended Union Cong, and she is an active volunteer in the community.
Ginger Nufrio, Studio Teacher
Ginger joined Union Cong in 2008. She has a B.A. in Advertising Design from Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey). She was an American delegate for the Reggio Emilia Study Tour in 2018. Ginger has extensive experience as a Graphics Designer and does mural work for children’s rooms. Ginger has worked with children as a counselor and has used her creative skills and graphic arts experience to teach specialty classes. In addition, she has studied puppet production and performed shows for children ages 3 to 7.
Susan McIntosh, School Nurse
Susan joined our faculty in 2000 and has her L.P.N. from Overlook Hospital School of Nursing. Susan is our School Nurse and received her C.D.A. from Montclair State University in 2004.
Anne Marie DeMasi, Lead Teacher
Anne Marie has a B.A. in Liberal and Performing Arts from Brooklyn College and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University. She was an American delegate for the Reggio Emilia Study Tour in 2003, funded by a Geraldine R. Dodge Teaching Fellowship. She taught as Lead Kindergarten Teacher in the School District of the Chathams for 26 years. Anne Marie holds N.J. State Certification – Nursery through Elementary School and joined Union Cong in 2015
Jennifer Galati, Lead Teacher
Jennifer holds her B.A. from Montclair State University, where she concentrated on Family/Child Studies. Jennifer also has her N.J. State certification in Elementary Education. In addition, she has nearly 20 years of teaching experience in various public and private school settings.
Cathy Grupper, Lead Teacher
Cathy has a B.A. in Art History from Cornell University and an M.S. from Bank Street College in Museum Education. She has worked in Central Park, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Cathy was an American delegate for the Reggio Emilia Study Tour in 2016. She joined the Union Cong faculty in 2008.
Emma Hellman, Lead Teacher
Emma joined our faculty in 2004 and received her M.S. in Educational Psychology from Montclair State University. She has also studied at William Paterson University and was an American delegate for the Reggio Emilia Study Tour in 2016. She was first acquainted with Union Cong as a parent when her daughter started attending the Young Three program.
Andrea Lee, Lead Teacher
Andrea received her B.A. from Princeton University in 2008 and began her teaching career in 2011, gaining experience in public and independent schools. She is passionate about nurturing young children’s natural curiosity through play and hands-on exploration while fostering respect and understanding for themselves, their communities, and the wider world. Andrea earned her degree in Psychology in Education in May 2023 from Teachers College, Columbia University. Additionally, Andrea is a certified Yoga and mindfulness instructor.
Judith Leporati, Lead Teacher
Judith earned a B.F.A. in Theatre from Montclair State University with a minor in Mathematics. She joined the Union Cong staff in 2008 and is pursuing the Alternate Route Preschool-3rd grade teacher certificate program at William Patterson.
Malia Valchar, Lead Teacher
Malia received her BA in Art History from Fordham University. After years in the design trade, she returned to graduate school and received her dual certification/master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Preschool – 3rd grade) and Special Education from Montclair State University. She has taught at Ben Samuels Children’s Center on the MSU campus as well as at the Montclair Cooperative School. She is currently an adjunct professor at MSU, teaching future teachers, and just this past March completed a professional development certification in Reggio Emilia Approach to Education at Reggio Children in Italy. Malia has also been a substitute teacher at Union Cong for the past couple of years.
Eileen Sammon, Support Teacher
Eileen has been on the staff at Union Cong since 1995, when her children attended the school. In May 2003, she received her C.D.A. from Montclair State University and completed Recreation Therapy coursework.
Ailis Groves, Support Teacher
Ailis holds a B.A. from Montclair State University. Ailis taught middle school in N.J. Schools and was a permanent sub for our school for many years before joining our faculty in 2015. In the community, Ailis has coordinated service learning projects and is an avid volunteer for the Montclair Public Schools
Liz Rivera, Support Teacher
Liz has a B.A. from Goddard College and Graduate coursework in Special Education from New Jersey City State University. She joined our school in 2015. She is bilingual and was the Spanish teacher for the Montclair Cooperative School for many years. Her progressive teaching techniques align beautifully with the Reggio Emilia approach.
Patsy Andall, Support Teacher
Patsy joined the Union Cong faculty in 2022. She has over 30 years of experience with young children as a family daycare owner, preschool teacher, and professional R.E.I. Nanny. Patsy studied Early Childhood Education at Woolwich College, London, England, and Child Development at the State University of New York. In addition to being a certified Music Together Teacher, she is pursuing a Birth/Postpartum Doula certification. Patsy has been involved with our school since 2012, leading Kid Chats and coordinating caregiver connections
Emily Hallenbeck, Support Teacher
Emily holds a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College, where she focused on Childhood Special and General Education. She is certified to teach elementary and special education students in New Jersey and New York. With over six years of teaching experience, Emily has worked in various educational settings, including elementary schools, ABA classes, and as a private tutor. She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cornell University, focusing on social and personality development.
Brandi Kaye, Music & Movement Educator
Miss Bee is a joyful and energetic music educator with a lifelong passion for nurturing young children. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood development, she brings heart, rhythm, and purpose to every class she teaches. Her approach is rooted in the belief that children learn best through play, creativity, and connection.
Before dedicating herself fully to early childhood music, Miss Bee owned and operated two successful preschools in New York, where her child-centered curriculum helped shape countless young learners and inspire a love of discovery.
Beyond her classroom work, Miss Bee also supports fellow educators and caregivers by leading workshops on play-based learning and early childhood best practices. Whether she’s singing a lullaby or leading a high-energy jam session, her mission is always the same: to help children thrive through the joy of music and movement.
Ikimma Pierre, Support Teacher
Ikimma is a fun-loving, energetic educator with over six years of diverse experience in the childcare field. She is passionate about working with children and embraces a child-led approach to learning, encouraging and facilitating the natural curiosity that defines early childhood development.