ADMINISTRATION
Amanda Casabona-Cohen "Mrs. CC" (Owner & Director)
Mrs. CC graduated from St. John’s University with a Marketing Degree and worked in the Marketing Department at Citibank for twelve years. During this time, she took evening classes at St. John’s University to pursue her passion and earn a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. After leaving the corporate world, she taught art classes in several after-school and preschool programs, and held positions at several local summer camps. Mrs. CC started at Little People’s of Somers as a Two’s assistant in 2002 and after several years, she was thrilled to become the head teacher for the Three’s. In 2018, Mrs. CC became the new owner and director of Little People’s and feels that this position is a perfect match for her passion and degree in Early Childhood Education along with her organizational skillset in business. Mrs. CC is very involved in the Somers Chamber of Commerce, as well as president of her family charity, Patrick Casabona Jr. Memorial Fund (PattyCass). She spends most of her volunteering time in the Somers schools, where her boys are students. She is looking forward to working with all the Little People’s families to continue to make this a fun, educational and caring place for our children.
TWO'S
Kelly Mitchell (Two's, Teacher)
Kelly Mitchell has worked in the education field for over twenty years. She worked as an Undergraduate Admission Counselor at Fordham University, a School Counselor at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains in addition to Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. Kelly earned a Masters in Education from Fordham University.
A Somers resident for the past eight years, Kelly is also very involved within the Somers community. She is a member of the "No Place for Hate" Committee at the Somers Middle School, has chaired many PTA events and functions and is an active member of the Primrose, Somers Intermediate School and Somers Middle School PTA's. She is also a member of the Somers Intermediate School PTA Executive Board.
When she's not singing and laughing along with her Two's at Little People, Kelly can be found on a field, court or turf with one of her three beautiful children!
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Kathryn LeFevre (Two's, Assistant)
Kathryn LeFevre is the assistant teacher in the Two's class. She has worked in various areas of childcare for the better part of two decades, has a Bachelor degree in English, a Masters in Elementary Education, has taken many courses in child development covering newborn age and onward, and spent 2013 to 2021 as an at-home mom.
Kathryn has two children, the younger having graduated in 2021 from Little People's after beginning in the Two's class herself. As both of her children are now school-age, Little Peoples felt like the perfect fit for her re-entry into the work force. Kathryn is grateful for the opportunity to be back in a classroom setting and looks forward to continuing her relationship with the Little People's community, while providing a safe and happy environment for the Two’s to grow, learn, and explore!
THREE'S
Melissa Monahan (Three's, Assistant)
Melissa Monahan is one of the Three’s Assistant Teachers. Melissa is a Somers resident and has over 15 years of experience in the early childhood field. Melissa’s sons were a part of the Little People’s family during their younger years and are now both Middle School aged young men.
Melissa has an A.A.S in Early Childhood Education from Westchester Community College. Prior to working at Little People’s Melissa worked at the Saw Mill Camp and the Saw Mill Preschool. Melissa also has experience with various after school enrichment programs including cooking, science, and stay and play activities. She is a caring and compassionate teacher who encourages students to learn through play. She believes wholeheartedly in inclusion for all children, and has the desire to identify and nurture the individualized needs of each child.
When Melissa is not working, she spends her free time with her family enjoying the outdoors in the Adirondacks.
Janice Calloway, (Three's, Assistant)
Janice Calloway is a mother of three girls and has been a teacher for young students since 1995. Originally teaching kindergarten and third grade in Georgia, she is happy to have found her place at Little Peoples of Somers. She has a Bachelors Degree from Syracuse University (1993) and a Masters in Reading from Georgia State University (1998).
All three of her daughters have graduated from Little Peoples and have been an integrate part of the schools community since. When Janice is not teaching, you can find her shopping with Emily for college, running Hayley’s Girl Scout Troop, and cheering on Katie Lou as she plays soccer.
Her favorite part about working with little people are the unsolicited hugs, kisses and I Love You’s.
FOUR'S
Kristine Collins (Four's, Teacher)
Kristine Collins has 10 years of experience in the early childhood field. Graduating from Iona College in 2005, she worked in the Media and Entertainment field before finding her true calling and pursued a Master’s Degree in Education. She holds an NYS certification in birth through 6th grade and is certified in special education. From 2010-2016, she worked as the head teacher at Church in the Highlands Early Childhood Center in White Plains, teaching to a class of 3’s and 4’s. Since 2014, she has worked part-time with TheraCare of NY providing services to children with disabilities from 8 months to 5 years old. Mrs. Collins has two children of her own, aged 6 and 3 and in her spare time enjoys being a class mom as well as a Girl Scout Leader.
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Mrs. Collins’ feels that all children learn best by doing and exploring the world around them. She believes that we are our children’s best models! Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing a child’s imagination and ideas take off; guiding them through problem-solving and providing them an outlet to be creative.
Marija D'lppolito (Four's, Teacher)
Marija D’Ippolito has four children of her own and has been a Somers resident for over eighteen years. She loves the community and is so happy to call Somers her home. She has her degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Pace University. She has been working in education for over twenty-five years. She has been a director for a nursery school, lead teacher in pre-school and the camp director for Somers town camp. Marija has always had a passion and love for working with children, whether it’s volunteering her time in the classroom with her own children or substituting in the Somers schools. She always keeps herself busy doing what she loves when it comes to children.
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Her goal in the classroom is to have every child feel like they belong, that their classroom is the best place to be. Making sure that every child feels safe and welcome. To see smiles on their faces walking into the classroom is the best feeling in the world.
Brienne Geary (Four's, Assistant)
Brienne is one of the 4's assistant teachers. She has been part of the Little Peoples community for many years as an alumni parent and care giver to other Little Peoples students. Her son Keegan attended the Three's and Four's program in 2018/2019. Brienne comes to Little Peoples of Somers after doing home care for preschool age children for the past 7 years. Prior to that, she worked in merchandising but has realized her true passion is working with young children. She is a champion for Little People's philosophy and is excited to be a part of the team as her passion for working with young children continues to grow.
When she is not at school, she is a coach and class mom for her son and enjoys spending time with her family. Brienne’s brings her energy, patience, and creative nature to assist in bringing a fun learning educational experience for the children to a team she has admired over the years.
Jill Realbuto (Four's, Assistant)
Jill Realbuto started at Little People’s of Somers in September, 2018. She has a daughter that attended Little People’s from 2005 to 2008. Before having her daughter, she worked fifteen years as a certified dental assistant and office manager. She is currently the Service Unit Leader for Somers Girl Scouts. She is also a Girl Scout Leader to nine girls that have been with her since kindergarten. Jill has been an active member of the PTA since 2008, holding a number of positions and she is currently on the board of the High School PTA. She loves kids and considers herself a big kid! She is loving, fun, enthusiastic and caring. Jill is the assistant teacher to Lynn Cukaj in the Four’s program at Little People’s of Somers.
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