Staff
Priscilla Henchman – Director
Priscilla began her career at Saint Paul’s CDC in 2007 as a teacher in the 3 year old program. She took over as Director in the fall of 2011. Prior to working at St. Paul’s she was a Director and teacher for 15 years at a preschool in Milford, and served on the Board of Milford Kids Count. Priscilla earned her Associates Degree in Special Education and a CDA from the National Association of Young Children. In addition, she recently completed course work through The Connecticut Charts-A-Course program and received her Connecticut Director’s Credential for directors of early care and education programs from Charter Oak State College, and is a member of her local NAEYC Affiliate. Priscilla is a dedicated educator and administrator who is committed to providing quality care to the community she serves. Priscilla has two grown, married sons and seven grandchildren who bring special joy to the whole family! She is a boater and enjoys boating with her husband. Additionally, she is an avid reader who enjoys reading with her book club members and is an avid tennis player as well.
Jia Lowe – Administrative Assistant
Jia joined the St. Paul’s family in the summer of 2021. Before moving to this position, she was the lead toddler teacher for a development center in Milford for over ten years. Jia have always worked with children in various ways, such as helping her grandmother with the youth at her group home. At a young age she cared for her younger siblings, which then turned into babysitting for other families and friends, ultimately leading her to her position today! Children have always been a road that leads to her heart. She finds inspiration everyday, working with children of all ages. She takes pride in knowing that she is a part of building the learning foundation that they will take throughout their lives. She is currently pursuing a bachelor degree in psychology at Post University furthering, her goal of supporting children as they grow. She enjoys taking hikes and exploring, traveling, photography, reading and writing, learning about different cultures, music and animals.
Louise Calabro - Teacher
Louise is a graduate of Housatonic Community College and has her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as her Child Development Associate Credential. She also holds a Head Teacher Certificate from the State of Connecticut, and is a member of CT Charts-A-Couse and the NAEYC. She has over 25 years of experience teaching and nurturing children, working in Head Start and Readiness programs. She also provides Nursery Care at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fairfield on Sunday mornings and spent four summers as the First Aid Director for the Sterling House Day Park Camp in Stratford. In her spare time, Louise enjoys visiting the sick and elderly, and has been a Friendly visitor in The Jewish Home for the Elderly and a Chaplain’s Assistant at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and is a graduate of the Ministry Education Exploration Program (MEEP) from the Episcopal Diocese. Born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louise resides in Stratford with her husband of 40 years. Together they have two grown children, Melisa and Nicole, along with three grandchildren.
Karen Williams – Head Teacher + Curriculum Specialist
Karen Williams began teaching for Saint Paul’s CDC in the spring of 2007. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Karen loves children and being a teacher and looks forward to having children of her own one day. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, and going for walks in the park. Karen believes strongly in the NAEYC philosophy, and the accreditation process reaffirmed her passion for providing a safe, nourishing learning environment for the children she teaches.
Janet Georgen - Head Teacher
Janet began teaching at St. Paul’s in 2012. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Janet has taught for 15 years in various nursery schools and daycare centers with children from infant to Kindergarten. Her recent experience was teaching a Parent/Toddler class in Fairfield and working with three and four year olds. She is a member of the Bridgeport Early Childhood Advisory Committee and enjoys attending workshops and classes to further her education. Jan loves children's literature and instilling a love of reading in young children. Jan is married and has a son Tom who lives in Maryland and two daughters, Carly who is an Early Childhood Special Ed teacher and Miranda who is pursuing a college degree in fashion. Jan enjoys spending time with her children and family at the lake and walking the beach with her dog.
Fiorella Torres – Teacher
Fiorella has been working at St. Paul's CDC since October 2014. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Special Education and her Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Early Childhood Education. Fiorella enjoys working with children and has two children of her own, a son and daughter, and she and her family live in Ansonia. She also enjoys volunteering for charity events, loves to read, go on hikes, travel and do crafts in her spare time.
Karlene Kerr-Shippey - Head Teacher
Karlene has been working and making a difference in the lives of many children and their families in Fairfield County as a nanny for over twenty years. Karlene first entered the classroom as an Assistant Preschool teacher at The Jewish Home for the Elderly Child Care Center. Her love for children and knowing how important the early years are in a child's development and the difference a teacher makes have led her to pursue a degree in the Early Childhood field. Karlene have obtained an Associates Degree in Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Inclusive Education at Housatonic Community College. Karlene conducted her student teaching at St. Paul's CDC from January 2017 to May 2017. She later joined the St Paul's staff in October 2017. Karlene enjoys working with children and engaging them in activities that enhances their learning through play. Karlene is married and mother of two. She enjoys reading, taking long walks, dancing, music and traveling.
Kathy Dutan - Head Teacher
Kathy is a 2020 graduate from Housatonic Community College and has her Associate’s Degree in Science with a major in Early Childhood Inclusive Education. Her goal professionally and academically is to continue with her education at Southern Connecticut State University. She is looking forward to earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Science with a major in Early Childhood Education and Liberal Studies with concentrations in Child, Family and Community Studies and Psychology. Kathy completed her student teaching at St. Paul’s CDC in the Fall of 2018. Later, she joined the staff in the Summer of 2019 and has been part of the team. Kathy enjoys hikes, trails and nature. Also, she loves to travel to new places with friends and family. Kathy loves working with young children and seeing them grow over time, she always has the children’s best interest at heart.
Elizabeth Peralta - Assistant Teacher
Elizabeth began her career at St. Paul’s as a parent volunteer. She then joined the staff first as a Float Teacher and then as an Assistant Teacher in the Purple Room. She has been working at St. Paul’s since February 2019. She loves working with young children and sharing her joy of music and dance. Elizabeth also enjoys exploring children's creativity through art experiences. She is currently pursuing on-line coursework in Early Childhood Education offered by the Childcare Education Institute. She is the mother of two girls, a teenager and kindergartner. She loves reading books, taking long walks with her family on the beaches of Connecticut and traveling to her home country, the Dominican Republic.
Jackie Dutan - Teacher
Jackie is a 2020 graduate from Housatonic Community College and holds an Associate in Science with a major in Human Services. This upcoming fall, Jackie is looking to pursue her Certificate in Early Childhood Education. Jackie started working as a Behavior Therapist back in May of 2021, where she assisted children in strengthening positive behaviors. From there Jackie found her passion for working with children and the joy it brings her when being around the children. She enjoys teaching young children through play and encourages growth and development. Which led her to join our team here at St. Paul's in December 2021. Jackie enjoys traveling with her family and friends. She soon hopes to travel the country and volunteer.
