Donna M. Pinto,
Director & Teacher in the 4th/5th classroom 4-5classroom@pinecroftschool.org M. S. Ed. Early Childhood Education– Northeastern University (December 2014) B.S., Organizational Behavior – University of San Francisco Donna has been teaching grades K-5 for over 20 years. Her career started as a technical writer/trainer in Silicon Valley, Cupertino, CA. Her passion for teaching led her to elementary education. She loves art, science, history, writing, and traveling. Donna likes to incorporate science, writing, and math in all subjects in the classroom. She is an “out-of-the box” teacher. Experiments and hands-on activities/creative projects are a big part of her classroom. “Every child has unique gifts and talents. As a teacher, it is our job to encourage, teach, and nurture each child to bring these talents out to be successful students.” Donna has been married for 30 years to her husband John and has three sons. |
Kelli Akers
Teacher in the 2/3rd Classroom 2-3classroom@pinecroftschool.org B.S. English at Andersen University, Indiana Currently working on Masters at Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Ma Kelli has several years of teaching experience in a variety of roles. Her career started in Ohio where she taught middle school English Language Arts for two years. After taking a few years off to raise her children, she returned to teaching in a 2nd grade classroom. She also has experience teaching 3rd grade, music, and computers. In her spare time, she is an avid Patriots fan. She has two young-adult children who are now in college, and one dog at home. Kelli is very excited to be part of the Pinecroft School. |
Cheryl Warburton,
Teacher in the K/1st classroom k-1classroom@pinecroftschool.org B.S. Degree in Child and Family Studies at Syracuse University Master's Degree from Wheelock College in Childcare Administration Cheryl has been teaching and working with young children for as long as she can remember. As a teacher, Cheryl strives to challenge each individual child to go as far as they can both socially and academically while always being supportive. She believes in making learning fun! Cheryl works hard to meet the individual needs of each student. Cheryl is married and has two adult daughters who are proud to be Pinecroft alumnae. Cheryl enjoys hockey, walking, going to the movies and making a difference in people's lives. |
Eric Stringfellow,
Teacher for Computer, Health, and Gym. Aftercare Coordinator/Supervisor. mail@pinecroftschool.org My name is Eric Stringfellow, I am 27 years old and I love working with the future generations! I have been in the child care field now for nearly 10 years. It’s not always easy but patience is key. I love my family and my family is the most important thing in my life, I am one of four children and have two very loving parents who are still there to support my always. Aside from my family I love sports and being outdoors, and like to think I am a very easy going person! I look forward to working with you and your children this year to achieve success inside and outside of the classroom this school year! My whole life I have always wanted to be a Physical Education Teacher, and now I get to live out my dream! |
Suzanne Howarth
Aftercare Coordinator/Supervisor. K/1 Assistant. mail@pinecroftschool.org B.A. Psychology- Westfield State University Suzanne started working at Pinecroft in September 2010-2015 After working as a morning preschool teacher for two years, she is excited to return to Pinecroft!. Her favorite part of working at Pinecroft is watching the creative and intellectual growth of every students. Suzanne’s educational focus in psychology and child psychology has allowed her to help the children, in the classroom and aftercare program, navigate the unwritten complexities of social development with their peers. . Prior to working at Pinecroft, she worked as a habilitation counselor, a substitute teacher and volunteered her time at an area elementary school. Suzanne is married and has two sons. Her time away from school is spent practicing yoga, gardening, hiking and enjoying time with family. She is CPR and First Aid certified and has an EEC certification. |
Margarita Cotto Arcand, Spanish Teacher
spanish@pinecroftschool.org B.A. Spanish and Education – University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth Margarita began her teaching career at Pinecroft in 2003 while her daughter was a 5th grade student at the school. Previously, Margarita taught Spanish at Taunton High School, and while there she also served as a lead teacher of “English as a Second Language” to students from Colombia, Chile and Puerto Rico. Prior to teaching at Taunton High, Margarita taught Spanish at Old Rochester Regional High School. One of her greatest joys is watching the children grow from learning the numbers, colors and building their Spanish vocabulary as kindergarteners to being able to read, write and speak Spanish upon graduating from 5th grade. As a native Spanish speaker, she imparts on her students the wonderful gift of learning to speak with an authentic and impressive Spanish accent! Margarita looks forward to learning of her former students’ successes with Spanish after leaving Pinecroft. |
Andrew V. Solberg, Music Teacher
mail@pinecroftschool.org B.A. Music Theory & Composition – Denison University Andy began teaching music at Pinecroft in 1996. He has taught ensembles at the John Payne Music Center in Brookline since 1985 and averages about 100 professional playing gigs per year around New England. He leads his music classes with his guitar, but also shares an array of instruments throughout the school year such as violin, cello, trumpet, trombone & mandolin. At Pinecroft, he particularly enjoys the intimate class sizes that allow him to relate closely with each student. All students start learning to read music and playing the recorder in the middle of their 1st grade year. In 2011, Andy was named Fiddler of the Year by the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association! |
Anne West, Art Teacher
mail@pinecroftschool.org Ph.D. – Arts and Media Studies – University of Toronto M.A. Art History – Syracuse University B.A. Art History – Queens University Anne joined the Pinecroft faculty as art instructor in 2003 and also teaches at Rhode Island School of Design. She holds a Ph.D. in visual studies and educational theory from the University of Toronto. Nurturing joy, creativity and confidence-building through visual expression is the overarching theme in Anne’s work as an art educator. For the past twenty years, she has created dynamic learning environments that support the natural expressiveness of children, so they see that they are artists in their own right. In the words of one parent, “Anne is truly talented in bringing excitement for art to her kids and I think she teaches art in the truest sense.” |
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