Leslie thivierge
(head of school)

Leslie is the Director of Saint Matthew’s Preschool. Prior to becoming the Director of Saint Matthew’s Preschool, she was a director and teacher at Rippowam Cisqua School for 17 years. For the first 5 years, she taught fourth and fifth grade. She then worked as a Kindergarten and Preschool teacher. Leslie was the Director for the after school and summer programs. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Masters in Nursery-Sixth Grade Education with a concentration in Reading. Leslie loves the magic and joyfulness of children. She enjoys going in to read to the children at SMP as a special reader of the day whenever possible. Leslie currently lives in Valhalla with her two cats Callie and Sara.

Haley ross
(2s Head Teacher)

Haley joins Saint Matthew’s Preschool as the Head 2’s teacher. Haley attended college in Connecticut where she studied history and then in Westchester for Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching at the preschool level for nine years in preschool classrooms and enrichment classrooms. Haley has a love for animals and is often referred to as the “animal whisperer”. She enjoys donating her free time to help rescue animals of all sizes. This led her to adopting a wonderful dog that came from down south. Haley is an avid equestrian who takes pride in aiding a farm rescue in Bedford, equine therapy and the leisure trail ride. Most importantly, Haley loves to spend time with her family on vacations and exploring different parts of the country.

julie pollock
(2s assistant Teacher)

Julie is joining St Matthew’s Preschool as an assistant 2’s teacher. She is very much looking forward to being part of the preschool community. She has worked with young children in preschool and camp settings, as well as a coach. Julie lives in Bedford with her husband, son, and daughter. She is an avid baseball and dance mom for her two active young children. Julie loves to travel with her family and even runs her very own travel business. She has two rescue dogs and is a complete animal lover. Julie loves to cook, bake, and follow a variety of recipes in the kitchen.

Denise Moccia
(2s Head Teacher)

Denise is very excited to join St. Matthew’s as a 2’s teacher.   She received her teaching degree from Herbert Lehman College and lived in Wisconsin before coming to New York.  She raised four wonderful children here in Bedford that are now grown. Denise enjoys being part of the Bedford Fire Department, working at Athleta in Mt Kisco.   Besides raising her chickens she enjoys cooking and cars.  Denise is also CNA certified and enjoys working with the elderly. Over the past 13 years she has been in and out of St. Matthews as a substitute, assistant teacher, or teacher aide. Denise feels that there is something special about St. Matthews that keeps drawing her back.

Bonnie Bocklet casey
(2’s Head Teacher)

Bonnie is joining St. Matthew’s as an assistant teacher for all classes.  She is excited that this position will allow her to be a part of each class.  Previously, Bonnie worked as a substitute teacher for St. Matthew’s and as a teacher for Bedford Early Learning Center’s Enrichment program.  She was also an assistant teacher in BLC’s summer program. Before that, she was a substitute teacher at St. John’s Early Learning Center for many years. Bonnie is a long-time resident of Katonah Lewisboro and has 3 children and 2 puppies. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, watching her youngest son play sports and attending her son and daughter’s rival college football teams’ games.

Liz peck
(3s head teacher)

Liz is very excited to be joining the St. Matthew’s Preschool team this year in the 3’s classroom. She received her Masters in Early Childhood Education. For four years, Liz taught at The Episcopal Nursery School in New York City. She spent the last 25 years teaching at Rippowam Cisqua in Bedford. Liz enjoys training dogs and began a dog training business ten years ago. She was so eager to get back to teaching children that she is dedicating her mornings to SMP and dog training in the afternoons. Liz loves to read and spend time outdoors.

Betty seraita
(pre-k head teacher)

Betty graduated from The American University in Washington, DC with degree in communications/broadcast journalism. Before becoming a mother of two daughters, she worked in advertising. A longtime Katonah resident, I started teaching preschool in the Bedford area almost 20 years ago. Betty loves spending time with her family on vacation. She is very thankful that her adult daughters still enjoy going away with her and her husband. Betty is a big fan of Penn State football and spending her Saturdays watching the games during the fall.

Kate hordan
(pre-k head teacher)

Kate is so happy to be co-teaching Pre-K this year. She has her Masters in Education and is a NYS certified teacher in grades N thru 6th. The early childhood years are the years she has always enjoyed working with. Nursery thru 2nd grade are the grades Kate has taught with many years teaching first grade in Yonkers Public Schools. Kate lives in Yorktown with her husband and loves getting together with her grown daughter and son. Cooking, gardening, hiking are just some of the activities she loves to do.

Kerri shepherd
(pre-k Head teacher)

Kerri is a Pre-K teacher at St. Matthew's. Before joining St.Matthew’s she spent many years working with 3’s and 4’s at Katonah Village Kids. Prior to working as a teacher, Kerri was a public relations executive. She is a graduate of Providence College with a B.A. in English. Kerri currently lives in South Salem with her husband and three children. In her spare time, Kerri enjoys cooking, hiking, skiing, and cheering for her kids at sporting events.

penny cataldo
(pre-k head teacher)

Penny Cataldo is a Pre-K teacher that is ecstatic to be working in the 4’s classroom this year. Se has over 40 years experience teaching preschool and Kindergarten. In addition, she has also been a Pre-K thru Second Grade Math Specialist. Penny has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is married and has two children. During her free time, Penny enjoys spending time outside gardening and swimming. Penny is also an avid reader.

STEPHANIE GOODKIND
(yoga & art specialist)

Stephanie is well known as SMP’s Yoga Teacher. This school year Stephanie will not only be teaching Yoga but will be joining our Pre-K as an assistant teacher. Stephanie has many years of experience working with children and families in the field of early childhood education. We are excited to have Stephanie returning to the classroom to share her knowledge and skills with us. Stephanie lives in Katonah with her husband and three grown children who are now living on their own. Stephanie love animals and has 5 cats and 3 dogs to keep her busy. When Stephanie is not taking care of her pets or teaching at St. Matthew’s Preschool she enjoys yoga, swimming, gardening, or hiking.

Support Staff

Drew Courtright Preschool Chaplain 

Kelly Napolitano  Administration Manager   

Cindy Johnson Financial Manager

Amanda Garzon Preschool Housekeeper