Suzanne Broullon, Author at YMCA OF MONTCLAIR

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Suzanne Broullon

YMCA of Montclair Announces Formation of Education Committee

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Montclair, NJ — Since 1891, the YMCA of Montclair has served the greater Montclair community with a mission to address healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

To meet the challenges of a changing education and childcare landscape, the YMCA of Montclair launched an advisory Education Committee which met for the first time on September 15, 2020.

The Y’s childcare and education-based initiatives like School Aged Child Care and the Early Learning Center provide quality childcare to families onsite at the Geyer Family YMCA and in partnership with school districts. The newly formed Education Committee will provide guidance and expertise to the Y’s Youth Development Leadership team in the areas of childcare and youth education. “The volunteer committee is comprised of education professionals who have committed their time and expertise to help guide the Y to provide the highest quality early childhood education, school-age childcare, and educational support and enrichment,” said YMCA President and CEO Buddy Evans

The Education Committee will review services and support provided to students in Y programs, including curriculum; professional staff development; family engagement; public school partner communication; qualitative goal setting; and evaluation.

The Education Committee will add and adapt its goals as needs evolve in the community.

The YMCA of Montclair thanks the following education professionals for their service: Shirley Lewis, PhD; Izumi Hara; Michael Chiles; Tessie Thomas; Eve Robinson; Jennifer Finnerty; Sara B. Cruz; Naomi Kirkman; and Kim Santos, EdD who will serve as chair.

For more information about youth programs at the YMCA of Montclair, please visit www.montclairymca.org.

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ABOUT YMCA OF MONTCLAIR

The YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. We focus on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford.

Faith Armstrong

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Faith Armstrong has been with the YMCA of Montclair for 30 years. During this time she has worn many hats but her passion is in child care. She has been the site director of the Cedar Grove after school program for 22 years before coming on board at the YMCA Early Learning Center. She has two grown boys who both grew up in Y programs. Faith has worked in the Y’s camp, after school, and early childhood programs. “I look forward to many years ahead working with your treasured gifts that you have entrusted to us on a daily basis.” During her free time, Faith enjoys baking and refinishing wooden furniture.

Angelica Velez

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Angelica is currently obtaining her Child Development Associate Credential. She has enjoyed teaching children ages 1 to 3 years old. She loves implementing creativity in her lessons and feels that it takes a village to raise children, so she is eager to build not only relationships with the children in her class but with their parents as well. Angelica is a mother of 2 boys ages 9 years old and 22 months. She is looking forward to working with your children and thanks you for sharing your precious little ones with her.

Cindy Coppola

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Cindy Coppola has 27 years of experience working with children, 18 of those years as a preschool owner/director. Cindy has her BA in Education and Human Services from Montclair State University. She enjoys a veganism lifestyle and is a dedicated animal welfare advocate. She and her husband have been volunteers for The Clifton Animal Shelter for 7 years. In her spare time, she enjoys fitness and yoga and often includes these activities into the children’s schedules. Cindy is looking forward to being our headteacher!

Meghan Chell

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Meghan is a mother of 3 children ages 13, 12, and 10. She has been working for the YMCA of Montclair since 1997. The Y has been a huge part of her life and it is where her children have grown up. Over the years, she has had many different roles working with children ages 6 months to 13 years. She was an Aquatics Director from 2003 – 2013 at our Washington Street Branch and then moved over to School Age Childcare overseeing the Verona and Cedar Grove Elementary Schools. In 2013, she decided to take some time off to stay home with my children. Eventually, she returned part-time as a teacher in the preschool readiness, arts and science programs, as well as, an aquatics instructor. Meghan excited to be making a return to full time working in our new Early Learning Center and taking on this new role.

Justine Biedon

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With over 20 years’ experience in Youth Development with the YMCA movement, I am excited to be back where my passion lies in an Early Learning environment. Since I started my Y career as a teacher in a 4-year-old class, I love to be hands-on within the Center, visiting, and/or assisting in classrooms throughout the day. I have my BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in English and have held Child Care Director’s Credentials in both New Jersey and Florida. I am a proud mom of a 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.