Our professional teaching staff for each of our programs have extensive experience in early childhood care.
Ms. Brooks
Teacher, Pre-K/5’s
Ms. Brooks is the mother of two Sunshine Nursery School graduates. Her son and daughter are both college age and fondly remember being Sunbeams. Ms. Brooks began working at Sunshine in the 4’s and Pre-K when her kids moved to elementary school. She took a break for seven years and has now returned because inspiring kids is so much fun! She has a BA in Psychology from Trinity College (CT) and a MA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University. Her experience covers various positions in public, private and charter schools including classroom teacher (1st, 3rd) science teacher (K-5), and reading tutor (K-12). Ms. Brooks loves using books, art, and science to encourage learning. In her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, and playing at the beach.
Mrs. Caradonna
Teacher, Pre-K/5’s
Mrs. Caradonna is the mother of three Sunshine graduates. As her children were moving on to elementary school, she was reluctant to leave their wonderful experiences at Sunshine behind. She was thrilled when a position opened up and she was able to start working in the older fours classroom in 2010. Mrs. Caradonna grew up in Rocky River, Ohio. She is a graduate of Colby College. Mrs. Caradonna has also worked as an entrepreneur in doll manufacturing and in Human Resources. In her free time she enjoys baking and decorating cakes.
Mrs. Ellis
Teacher, 3’s
Mrs. Ellis devoted many years to raising her six children while working in a pediatric practice. During this time, she donated a significant amount of time volunteering in her children’s schools. When her youngest child began school, Mrs. Ellis decided to join the staff of Sunshine Nursery School. Since 2005, she has dedicated herself to the school in her role of enriching the lives of young children.
Mrs. Fousek
Teacher, 3’s
After sending her three sons to Sunshine Nursery School and substitute teaching in all the school’s classrooms, Mrs. Fousek is thrilled to be teaching the three-year olds. Mrs. Fousek graduated from Bates College, spent a year teaching first grade at a small private school in Boston, and then pursued a Masters in Elementary Education at Lesley University. She went on to teach third and fourth grade for many years in Cambridge Public Schools, as well as tutor students locally. In her free time, Mrs. Fousek loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, and go on hikes.
Mrs. Lepore
Teacher, 4’s
Mrs. Lepore is a lifelong resident of Arlington. She attended Fitchburg State University. After raising her children and volunteering in Arlington Public Schools and St. Agnes., she came to Sunshine Nursery School eighteen years ago. Her children attended Sunshine Nursery School. Mrs. Lepore enjoys spending time in Maine with her family during the summer.
Mrs. Maltais
Teacher, 3’s
Mrs. Maltais has been teaching at Sunshine since 2015 after sending both of her boys here. Her love for teaching began in the fields of Lexington Community Farm where each summer she teaches young children all about soil, seeds, plants, goats and chickens. Her time as a parent helper at Sunshine solidified her love for teaching young children and in 2016 she became a certified early education teacher. Mrs. Maltais brings her passion for nature and farm related activities to the Sunshine classrooms. Her favorite color is green and her favorite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.
Mrs. Minniti
Lead Teacher, 3’s
Having had her three children attend Sunshine Nursery School, Mrs. Minniti was thrilled to be offered a job in the three year old classroom. Mrs. Minniti grew up in Dublin, Ireland and attended college there studying early childhood care and education. Mrs. Minniti has worked as a preschool teacher for over 20 years and very much enjoys working with the three year olds and strives to provide a loving, caring and fun first experience. In her spare time, Mrs. Minniti enjoys being outside gardening and puttering around.
Mrs. Nicoloro
Teacher, 3’s
Mrs. Nicoloro found Sunshine as a parent in 1991 and never left! She is the mother of three Sunshine graduates and a teacher here for 18 years. She holds a BA from Norwich University and is certified through Cambridge College. Mrs. Nicoloro brings her passion and curiosity of the natural world to the classroom and encourages the children’s creativity and imagination. When not in the classroom,Mrs. Nicoloro spends time cooking and caring for her growing family; exploring music, dance and art offerings, and visiting the rocky shores to the north.
Mrs. O’Connell
Lead Teacher, 3’s
Mrs. O’Connell has been working with children for over 30 years including almost a decade at Sunshine. As an undergraduate, she worked in her college’s lab program (both the two year old and four year old classrooms), and volunteered at the school’s daycare center. Her student teaching was in a kindergarten classroom where she was a frequent substitute. Mrs. O’Connell has a degree in early childhood education and is certified with the Department of Early Education and Care as well as the Department of Education Pre-K to Grade 3. Professionally, she has taught toddlers, three year olds, older fours, and Pre-K.
Mrs. Remeika
Lead Teacher, 4’s
Mrs. Remeika has a B.S. in Education, with a minor in Special Education, from Rhode Island College. Mrs. Remeika has taught at Sunshine for 30 years. Years ago, Mrs. Remeika chose Sunshine Nursery School for her son because of its reputation and the opportunity to help in the classroom. These days she delights in seeing her granddaughter continue the Sunshine tradition. In her spare time, Mrs. Remeika enjoys spending time with her family, walking, knitting and playing pickle ball.