Liz peck
(Preschool director)

Liz is the Director of St. Matthews Preschool. A long-time educator, Liz received her Master’s in Early Child Education from Bank Street College in NYC. She taught Early Childhood for 4 years at the Episcopal School in Manhattan, 25 years at Rippowam-Cisqua School in Bedford and the last two years here at St. Matthews. Liz also owns her own dog training business. She enjoys walking in the woods with her dogs, mornings in the gym, cooking with her husband and visiting with her children. Her favorite new role is that of Grandma to her little Granddaughter, Lucy.

Denise Moccia
(2’s Co-Teacher)

Denise 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, and 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 co-Teacher)

This is Bonnie’s second year with Denise in the 2s class. Bonnie also joins Julie in sharing the 2’s Co-teacher position. 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.

Haley ross
(3-to-be co-Teacher)

Haley is starting her third year at St. Matthews. She was Co-Teacher of the young twos, and is starting her second year with the 3- to-Be’s. 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 also loves to spend time with her family on vacations and exploring different parts of the country.

Betty seraita
(3’s co-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, she 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
(3’s co-teacher)

Kate is so happy to be co-teaching the 3’s 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.

penny cataldo
(pre-k co-teacher)

Penny Cataldo 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 a yoga and art teacher at SMP. Stephanie has many years of experience working with children and families in the field of early childhood education. 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, hiking, and being a Grandmother.

Support Staff

Drew Courtright Preschool Chaplain 

Kelly Napolitano  Administration Manager   

Cindy Johnson Bookkeeper

Liz Frascella Administrative Assistant

Amanda Garzon Preschool Housekeeper