Director

Emily Konrad This will be Emily’s fourth year serving as the Director of the Play School. Prior to serving in this role, Emily was a teacher in the 2s and 3s classrooms. She is a parent of three Play School alumni and a member of the Play School Board. She holds a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies from Cornell University and a M.A. in Childhood Education from New York University Steinhardt School. Emily began her career teaching third grade at Bedford Village Elementary School. Emily loves the energy and curiosity of preschool children. She finds work in early education to be incredibly rewarding. She has lived in Pound Ridge for seventeen years with her husband, three children, two dogs, and one cat. Emily loves being outdoors, hiking, running, and working in her gardens. If she can’t be outdoors, Emily loves to read!

Twos Teachers

Marsha Borelli is excited to start her third year as a 2s teacher at the Play School. She earned her B.A. in Economics from Boston College and worked in Human Resources prior to her time as a stay at home mom. Her children attended the Play School and she knows what a special place it is. She lives in Pound Ridge with her husband Keith, three children and dog. In her free time, Marsha likes to go on long walks, play tennis, and volunteer.

Lucy Heaton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She holds a Bachelor of Education Honors from Cambridge University. She taught kindergarten at Nightingale Bamford School and was a head Threes teacher at the Episcopal Nursery School, both in New York City. Once she started a family, Lucy made the decision to leave her teaching career to concentrate on raising her three children at home in Waccabuc. This will be Lucy’s second year teaching in the 2s. In her free time Lucy enjoys hiking, reading, needlepoint, and music. 

Vanessa Mahes is ecstatic to be part of the 2s teaching team as a full time teacher this year! She has been subbing in the classroom for three years. She loves working with children because they bring so much joy. Her twins are alumni of the Play School. Vanessa has a B.A. in Psychology from Queens College, and an M.A. in Social Work, specializing in children and their families, from Fordham University. Prior to being a stay at home mom, she worked for fifteen years in Psychiatry at Elmhurst Hospital Center, in New York City. Vanessa lives in Pound Ridge with her husband Niro, and two children Lucas and Valentina. She enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, cooking, and dancing..

Threes Teachers

Jesse Randol is back for her second year as a 3s teacher at the Play School. She earned her B.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin and her M.A. in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. She was a science teacher prior to taking time to raise her three children. She has lived in Bedford for over fourteen years with her husband, Jeremy, and their children. Jesse loves to garden, hike, work outside, help people, and learn new things. She is so happy to be a part of the classroom!

Lisa Reach is looking forward to starting her fourteenth year teaching at the Play School, as she loves working with young children.  In the past, Lisa has worked with the Toddler Art program in Pound Ridge, the PRCC Sunday School, the New Canaan Nature Center and has been a substitute teacher at Pound Ridge Elementary School.  Lisa has a B.S. from the University of Florida and an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has lived in Pound Ridge for over twenty years with her husband, Richard.  They have two daughters, Sarah and Hannah.  Lisa enjoys tennis, platform tennis, biking, healthy cooking, and spending time with her family.

Jenny Shevick is thrilled to be a part of the 3s teaching team for a third year! Before starting a family, Jenny received a B.A. in History from Cornell University, a J.D. from Fordham Law School and then worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, New York. However, after spending eighteen years as a stay at home mom raising four sons, she realized she would much rather work with children than practice law! In addition to spending time with her family, Jenny loves to read, cook, hike, bike, and swim.  Jenny lives in Pound Ridge with her husband and sons, the youngest of whom attended the Play School and loved it!

Fours Teachers

Elizabeth Fortune is thrilled to enter her tenth year as part of the Play School community. Elizabeth began her career as a prekindergarten teacher at The Country School in Madison, Connecticut. She then moved to New York City and served as both a first and second grade teacher during her eleven years at The Trinity School. Elizabeth has also coached soccer and lacrosse. She and her husband, Brian, have three children, twin girls Grace and Elizabeth and a son Finn. Elizabeth holds a B.A. from Catholic University and a M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Sarah Hiatt returns for a third year of teaching in the 4s classroom at the Play School. She loves working with young children and believes preschool sets the stage for lifelong learning. Previously, Sarah worked in the non-profit sector with a focus on child and family public policy. Sarah has a Master of Public Health from Columbia University and a B.A. in American Studies and French from Georgetown University. Sarah has lived in Pound Ridge for nine years with her husband, two daughters, and their dog Gracie. In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, cooking, skiing, and baking sourdough bread.

Kristin Oden is delighted to begin her fourth year on the Play School 4s team.  She loves working with preschoolers because they are creative, inquisitive and funny.  Her previous work experience has focused on non-profit and art organizations.  Kristin holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theater.  She has lived in Bedford for sixteen years with her husband Rob and their two children who are Play School alumni.  Kristin enjoys mountains, lakes, and skiing.