A bit about our teachers!

LoriAnne Crochetiere (Preschool Director/Museum Preschool Program Coordinator) has her Connecticut Director’s Credential, and her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, specializing in Early Childhood. Miss Lori comes with over 30 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She has worked in a variety of capacities: Family Preschool Daycare Owner, Kindergarten teacher, and working with Cheshire’s Early Intervention Preschool Program. For Miss Lori, education is so much more than a job– it’s an adventure!  Watching the excitement in our preschoolers is the most fulfilling part. She enjoys gardening or traveling with her husband and two daughters, looking for historical places and calm, quiet beaches.

Julie Bostrom (Lead teacher/Assistant Director) has an Associate’s in Early Childhood Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Child’s Psychology. She actually student taught at the Children’s Museum Preschool in 1991!  Miss Julie has worked with children for the past 25 years teaching preschool and Kindergarten and is the lead teacher in the 4/5 classroom. Letter bags and Lively Letter People are just a couple of the fun activities she shares with the classroom. Outside of preschool, she is an avid football fan (Go Patriots) and also enjoys listening to live music.

Ivorine Martell (known as “Miss Ivy”) teaches in our 3/4 classroom. She did her own student teaching here and loved it so much she stayed!  Miss Ivy has 10 years of experience teaching preschoolers.  Miss Ivy is Head Teacher Certified through the Office of Early Childhood and has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood from Capital Community College. She prides herself on thinking up fun, creative crafts and projects to keep her students actively learning. When she is not working, Miss Ivy enjoys dancing (she even teaches a class), sewing and cooking.

Sarah Schuyler Gallaway has her Master’s in Education and her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. Miss Sarah loves young children and their developing minds and curiosity. She lives in West Hartford with her husband and son. When she is not teaching with Miss Ivy in the 3/4 classroom, she is enjoying time with her family as well as instructing and practicing Karate as a black belt. She is an avid reader and enjoys nature and the outdoors.

Alzahraa Elsaka has her Bachelors and Post Graduate degrees from Ain Shams University and Helwan University. Originally from Eqypt, she moved with her family to West Hartford. Miss Alzahraa has been working with preschoolers for 4 years. She enjoys reading, singing, and shopping! You can often find her in group singing with our preschoolers! In her spare time, she loves going out with her husband and 3 boys.

Christina Maldonado has her Early Childhood Education Certificate (113) from Eastern Ct State University. Miss Christine is head teacher in our PreK 3/4 class. She has worked in Early Childhood for over 10 years, in both the private sector and public school. In her free time she enjoys reading, bike riding and hiking.