Our 2s Teacher

Jerilyne Davis-Arslanagic  joined CHT in 2020 as a Floater Teacher in the 4's and 5's Programs. Jerilyne has a BA in music performance with a minor In education from NAU in Flagstaff, AZ.  She also received certification in Suzuki Pedagogy in violin, specializing in early childhood music education. She is an Alumni of Interlochen Arts Academy Interlochen, MI.  Jerilyne has been teaching and performing in Westport and Fairfield County for the past 20 years and is on staff at the Suzuki Music School of Westport & Orange. She feels very strongly that her experience in music and work with young children carries over into the preschool setting. Jerilyne lives in Fairfield with her husband and two daughters. Both girls are very involved in music and art . 

“What is Man’s ultimate direction in life, It is to look for love, truth, virtue and beauty.”  -Shinichi Suzuki

Ally Mello is joining CHT for her first year in 2022.   Ally holds an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in Psychology with a focus in child growth and development. She is TESOL certified and has worked in Public Schools throughout Florida and Connecticut since 2009 as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and tutor.   Ally recently moved to Westport with her husband Dylan and their two daughters Violette ( 4) and Carolyn (7). Ally loves books, crafts and exploring new places with her family and friends. 

"There is always more to discover."- Winnie the Pooh

Amanda Kuster is joining CHT this fall in the Caterpillar Class.  Amanda holds masters degrees in biology from DePaul University and Northwestern University. She and her family live here in Westport and are members of Christ & Holy Trinity Church. For close to 20 years, Amanda has been home with her four boys, Jack (18), Alex (15), Will (15), and Ben (11).  She has been an active volunteer in their schools and has sat on the PTA boards at Long Lots Elementary and Bedford Middle School.  If not on the sidelines of a soccer match, football game, or track meet, Amanda enjoys gardening, sewing, and cooking.  She is hoping to bring these hobbies into the classroom this year. 

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hilary Cummings started as a substitute teacher at CHT in 2018 and has been teaching the 2s for the last 3 years. She is very excited to be joining the 3s this year with her co-teacher, Lori.  Hilary earned her Education Specialist Degree at the University of Colorado Denver and worked as a School Psychologist for six years at the elementary school level. She also worked for Child Find in Colorado, an organization focused on connecting children age birth to 5 with community resources. 

Hillary lives with her husband, two boys and dog Lulu here in Westport. In her free time she loves being at the beach with her kids, exercising and cooking with her husband.  

"Every child can learn, just not in the same way." - George Evans

Lori Murray has been a teacher at CHT since 2016. She has taught in both our 2s classrooms and 3s classrooms.  Prior to CHT,  Lori spent 10 years teaching for another preschool in Westport as a Twos teacher. Lori has a degree in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Lori lives in Trumbull with her husband Kevin and their 2 children. She enjoys outdoor running, riding her Peloton and spending time with her family.  

"Teachers who love teaching teach children to love learning." - Anonymous

Sandy Farber joined us last year as our new Caterpillar Teacher. However, prior to her time at CHT, she spent many years as a Threes teacher in a preschool in Fairfield.  She truly believes 3s is her sweet spot! She also has experience as Paraprofessional in the public school system.  Sandy and her husband live in Fairfield with their two daughters.  

"Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education."  - MLK Jr.

Maureen Hines has been with us for seven years, having taught in both the Four's Moon Class and the Three's Sky Class.  Maureen holds a BS degree in Physical Education from Old Dominion University with a minor in Education. She has a passion for the outdoors, exercise, gardening and self-expression through yoga, art, and cooking which is why she enjoys a Reggio classroom so immensely! Her youngest child attended CHT which is when she fell in love with the school.  Maureen and her husband of 29 years have raised three children in Westport and are now looking forward to being empty nesters! 

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."              -Benjamin Franklin 

Jennifer Cordella joined us at CHT in 2021 in the Threes and is very excited to be part of the Fours team this year in the Moon Class. Before joining us at CHT, Jennifer worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in Merrick, NY.  She has a BS and MS in Speech Language Pathology and graduated from Towson University and Loyola in Maryland.  Jennifer and her husband Rick live in Westport with their 5 children ranging from ages 5 to 16. Her youngest graduated from The Star class this past year making her officially part of CHT alumni.  In her spare time, Jen likes to read, cook, ride her peloton, as well as, runs a charcuterie business.

"Little hands
The world is yours
Hold it close with open arms
Little feet
With miles ahead
Take it slow, see it all. take it in."

Melissa Coughlin joined CHT in 2019 as the Associate for Children's Ministries at the Christ & Holy Trinity Church. In 2020 she officially joined the preschool as a teacher in the Rainbow class. Melissa lives in Westport with her husband and their four children. Transplants from California, she and her adventurous family are usually found outdoors, exploring the town's parks and east coast.  Melissa is excited to bring her enthusiasm and love of learning to the preschool where one of her daughters is currently enrolled.

"...a willingness to question all our own abilities, your knowledge, to become humble. Only then will you be able to listen to the child, to set off on a common search to educate each other together."  -Loris Malaguzzi

Janet Duffield has joined the Moon and Sun classes  this year as a floater teacher.  Both of Janet's children attended the Christ and Holy Trinity Preschool and she fell in love.  

Althea Heisler has been teaching since 2004; first in Boston where she grew up and then in NYC before moving to Westport.  She has a Masters Degree in Education from UMASS Boston.  Her focus was on early childhood and special education, including having a blind and visually impaired certification. Although this will be her first year teaching at CHT, both of her children attended the preschool. She is really fond of the Reggio Emilia Approach and believes this age group is spectacular.  "I just love watching the students discover and grow. Fostering independence, early literacy, and collaborating with families are areas that I am really passionate about."

Althea lives in town with her husband Ben and their two daughters Esmé (11) and Emery (9) and an English Mastiff puppy named Mush.  In her free time she loves to ski, go to the gym, take family walks with our puppy, travel to new places, spend time at our home in VT and watch her kids ski race at Okemo.   

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, the director and the actor in their own play”

-Magda Gerber  

Melinda Bell began teaching at CHT in 2003. Melinda is currently the Sun Class teacher.  Prior to joining CHT Preschool, Melinda worked in the Three's and Four's program at the Child Care Learning Center in Stamford, CT, and taught Pre-K to 8th Grade for 12 years at the Westchester Area S.D.A. School in New Rochelle, NY. Melinda's teaching experience spans over 30 years. She received her B.A. degree in Secondary Education from Queens College and her CDA from Norwalk Community College. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys reading, traveling and gardening. Melinda is married and has two grown children.
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."    Prov. 22:6 NIV