Meet the Staff

Ms. Wilkinson- Teacher - Room 11

Ms. Wilkinson a the lead teacher in Room 11. She is a certified teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Saint Rose. She is actively pursuing her Master’s Degree in Literacy for grades birth-6th grade. Ms. Wilkinson has worked with many children ages birth-5th grade in a variety of settings. She truly loves working with children and believes that providing them with a strong learning foundation is essential.

Mrs. MacDonald - Assistant Teacher Room 11

Mrs. MacDonald, known as "Mrs. M", joined our UPK team in February 2011. She obtained an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Corning Community College in 2003 and is actively pursuing her NYS Teachers Assistant Certification. She has eight years experience working with children from birth to 8 years old as a nanny and also as a NYS registered home daycare provider. She is very happy and excited to be a part of our UPK team here at Watervliet. She currently resides in Cohoes where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

Miss Wooldridge - Teacher Room 10

Miss Wooldridge, known as Miss Sarah is working in Room 10 as lead teacher. She holds her NYS Teaching Certification. She is a graduate from SUNY Oneonta where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education. She is very excited to be working in the UPK room.

Ms. Hopeck - Assistant Teacher Room 10

Andrea Hopeck is known to the students as Miss H. She is a teacher's Assistant in Room 10. She is a New York certified teacher’s assistant and has her Associate's Degree in General Studies from Maria College in Albany. Ms. Hopeck also worked with children from the ages of 17 months old to 4 years old in a daycare setting. She enjoys working with young children and believes it is a joy to watch them learn and grow through their early years.

Mrs. Jacob - Teacher Room 4

Mrs. Jacob is a NY State certified teacher with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. She was the lead teacher in the UPK classroom in Cohoes last year. Prior to that, she was a substitute teacher for grades K-6 at Shenendehowa Central School Dist for 3 years. She has over 10 years teaching experience at the Pre-K level. When not working with Pre-schoolers, Mrs. Jacob enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children.

Mrs. Haessler - Teacher's Assistant Room 4

Mrs. Haessler is a New York State Certified Teaching Assistant in Room 4. She earned her Associates Degree in Child and Family Studies from SUNY Oneonta. She has worked as a teacher for the past 10 years with children ranging in age from 18 Months to 5 Years. Mrs. Haessler spent the first five years of her teaching career working for Schoharie County Head Start as an Assistant Teacher. She is very excited to be working with the Watervliet UPK Program.

Monique Young- Family Development Specialist

Monique is a Family Development Specialist employed by the Albany Community Action Partnership. She has been working with young children and adolescents in a variety of settings for over six years. She currently holds an Associates Degree in Human Services from Hudson Valley Community College. She is now pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree, also in Human Services, from Cazenovia College. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends; while also working with families and children helping them to aspire to be all that they can be!

Geraldine Ferris -Family Development Specialist

“Miss Geraldine” as she is known by the children and parents is a Family Development Specialist employed through Albany Community Action. She currently collaborates with Watervliet School District and Albany Head Start for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. She has been working with families and children for 17 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Plattsburgh State and lives in Latham with her husband, two sons and daughter.