Betty Bloch
Teacher of the 4's class, School Director

Betty Bloch joined RCNS in 1973 as a parent. She has been a vital part of the RCNS community ever since, first serving as a Board Member and later, as Board President.

In 1978, she accepted a teaching position as a drama specialist, conducting a weekly program for the 3 and 4-year-old classes. She began teaching the 4-year-old class in 1987 bringing to RCNS over 20 years of experience in early childhood development, and an unfaltering understanding and dedication to the cooperative approach to pre-school education. Betty also brought with her a solid background in music and theatre, so it only followed she would act as Director of The Rainbow Repertory Company, a group of RCNS parents who write, produce and perform in plays specifically for children ages 2 to 8.

For over a decade, she has also worked as Personnel Director and drama specialist for the Nature Place Day Camp, and as Site Supervisor for Lime Kiln Elementary School.

Betty frequently conducts workshops in parenting skills and creative responses to conflict, both privately and through Child Care Resources of Rockland, and makes a point of always being available to RCNS parents, both past and present, for one-on-one consultations.

In 2005, Betty was awarded the "Champion in the Trenches" award from Child Care Resources of Rockland, Inc. honoring her 30-year committment to the families of RCNS.

Kristina Edel
Teacher of the 2's and 3's class

Since 2001, Kristina (Tina) Edel has been a part of the RCNS community as a participating parent in either the 2, 3 or 4 year-old-class. During this time, she honed her natural abilities in the classroom, working with the parents and teachers to help create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for our children. Tina has a keen understanding of the cooperative approach to early childhood education and an unfaltering passion and commitment to the children and families of the RCNS community. She also brings to the school over 15 years of professional and creative experience in speech, theater and television where much of her work involved training and mentoring others. She was named a Betsy Magness Leadership Institute Fellow in 1997 in recognition of her exemplary leadership skills, her commitment to learning and her openness to new ideas. Tina holds a B.A. in Speech and Theater, a B.S. in Television Production and is currently hard at work completing a C.D.A. certificate (Child Development Associates) at Rockland Community College.

Jill S. Halpern
Non-Parent Participant of the 4's class

As the mother of two children, both of whom went through the RCNS program, as well as a certified teacher with years of experience, Jill has the qualities needed to fulfill the role of non-parent participant for the four-year-old class.

Jill has spent the past nine years devoting her life to raising her sons and playing an integral part in their development and education. While at RCNS as a participating parent, Jill also served on the school’s board of directors. She is presently on the executive committee of the PTA where her sons attend elementary school. Her consistent desire to work with pre-school children has been demonstrated by her years of participation at RCNS, as well as her experiences substitute teaching at Jawonio’s pre-school and her summer camp experiences for the past two years. Jill also brings eight years of prior teaching experience before motherhood. Jill’s thorough understanding of and experience with the RCNS philosophy of learning through play, building self-esteem, and encouraging independent choices enables her to nurture and foster growth in the children under her care.

Jill holds NYS certification in Elementary Education, (N-6), along with Special Education, (N-12). She received a Masters in Special Education from Bank Street College of Education.

Ellen S. Mitchell
Consultant, former teacher and school director

Ellen S. Mitchell joined RCNS when she began teaching the 2-year-old and the 3-year-old classes in 1982. In 1985, she was named the school's Director.

For over 20 years, her commitment to the children, to the philosophy of "learning through play" and cooperative education, and to providing parent education both during class and through meetings and workshops, has helped refine and sustain what RCNS is all about.

As a program specialist, field advisor, and workshop presenter for Child Care Resources of Rockland, and an Adjunct Instructor at Rockland Community College teaching courses in early childhood programs and applied psychology, Ellen is continuously contributing to the pre-school community, as well as expanding her already vast knowledge and experience in early childhood education.

She was Co-President of the Palisades Association for the Education of Young Children from 1997 to 2001, and was awarded the Children's Champion Award, Champion in the Trenches in 1996.

Ellen is a graduate of Barnard College and the Teachers College at Columbia University.

Ellen retired from teaching at RCNS in 2005, but continues to be a vital resource to the school community.