Meet The Suncatchers Team
Suncatchers maintains a full & part-time Staff of 15 who rotate to provide between five and six Staff members per session. Our Staff complement expands to more than 25 during Summer sessions.
Kate Pazera
~Director
Kate Pazera was a “Suncatcher” as a child. She brings 18 years of experience as a member of our Team to her current position. Additionally, Kate serves as an Elementary and Special Education Teacher—and has spent several years working with children in various other settings.
Chris Penry
~Assistant Director
Chris Penry is in her 23rd year as a member of the Suncatchers Team. Additionally, she is an artist in her own right—specializing in hand papermaking, fine art, and teaching papermaking. As a colleague kindly says of Chris, “She make’s our kids’ days flawless”.
Lucy Meagher
~Teacher
Lucy Meagher epitomizes the caring, family-focused nature of our program. Fondly thought of by her fellow Team members and parents, alike as the “heart of Suncatchers”, Lucy has served as a member of our Team for 11 years and counting.
Deborah Gillette-Youngblood
~Teacher
Formerly a special education teacher, Deborah Gillette-Youngblood has been a member of our Team for the past three years. A lifelong artist, Deborah shares her passion for doing crafts with our kids.
Annalise DeRusso
~Teacher
A former Suncatchers Graduate herself, Annalise DeRusso has taught in our program for one year. She is currently pursuing a career in early childhood education at UCONN. The world needs more dedicated teachers—go Annalise!
Liz Grace-Flood
~Teacher
Liz Grace-Flood has been with Suncatchers for 14 years. A talented artist and craftsperson in her own right, Liz loves sharing her creativity and innovative ideas with the kids—and the kids love spending time with her.
Natalya Hyrb
~Teacher
Natalya Hyrb first came to Suncatchers as a child, then worked with us as a high school student. Long a familiar face at Melissa Jones, she returned to work at Suncatchers this school year. In addition to being an avid reader and an excellent pianist, Natalya loves to travel.
Nicole Onofrio
~Teacher
Well known to the kids at Melissa Jones and Suncatchers, Nicole Onofrio has taught in our program for the past 4 years. Formerly a Recess Aid at MJS, she also works at Baldwin Middle School. Along with her husband and two sons, Nicole is also a classic car enthusiast.
Catherine Shippy
~Teacher
Catherine Shippy is new to Suncatchers, yet a familiar face around the halls of MJS. When not working here as part of our Team, she enjoys spending time with her family and their pets.
Nicole Porter
~Teacher
Formerly a Pre-School Teacher, Nicole Porter is new to Suncatchers. She shares her passion for creative learning activities and Yoga with our kids.
Ryan Brettman
~Assistant Teacher
Ryan Brettman first volunteered at Suncatchers during his Junior year at GHS. Now in his Senior year, Ryan is officially one of our Assistant Teachers. His interests include crewing on the Guilford High School (GHS) Crew Team.
Caroline Walsh
~Teacher
The newest member of the Suncatchers Team, Caroline Walsh likes to have fun and engage in creative ways with our kids—our kind of Team player!
Alan Shapera
~Assistant Teacher
Alan Shapera is a Junior at GHS and is enjoying his second year as a member of our Team. Like Ryan, Alan is also a member of the GHS Crew Team—in addition to which he’s an avid bicycling enthusiast.
Claire Kingsbury
~Assistant Teacher
A Guilford High School (GHS) Senior, Claire Kingsbury has been assistant teaching at Suncatchers for the past two years. Clair attended MJS as an elementary school student herself, and thoroughly enjoys working with the kids as a member of our Team.
