OUR STAFF
Meet Our Staff
Ms. Beek-Peniston, Executive Director
Mother • Grandmother • Wife • Mentor • Leader
Ms. Beek-Peniston began her journey in Early Childhood Education in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where she taught at City Mission Basic School for four years before migrating to the United States. She joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center (NCICC) as a teacher in September 3, 1978.
Marvin Dunn
Marvin Dunn has been a pillar of the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center since 1972. Не takes great pride in sharing the history of the program, recalling with clarity the mentors some of the finest accountants-who shaped his professional journey and whose legacies remain vivid in his memory.
Kim Allen
Office Manager & Parent Advocate NCICC Team Member
Ms. Kim Allen first joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center as a parent, bringing with her the wisdom and strength of raising six children. Guided by the belief that "it takes a village," she has tirelessly ensured her family was cared for, and today she proudly supports her six children and three grandchildren-two of whom have gone on to careers in professional sports. Whether traveling near or far, Ms. Allen remains their biggest cheerleader and a devoted "G-Ma."
Elizabeth Chicmana
2019 - Present
Elizabeth Chicmana has served as Secretary at the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center since 2019, contributing not only through her administrative role but also by offering support wherever needed. Her willingness to step in across different areas reflects her commitment to the program's mission and her belief in the importance of early childhood education.
Catherine P. Graham
Head Teacher, Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center
With a lifelong passion for nurturing children, Catherine P. Graham finds joy in watching young minds grow and develop into the unique individuals they are destined to become. For her, that transformation is the heart of early childhood education.
Edward Nicholas
Master Teacher, Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center
For over 22 years, Edward Nicholas has been a proud member of the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center team, bringing dedication, creativity, and a deep passion for early childhood education.
Janet Roderiquez (Ms. Janet)
Teacher NCICC Team Member (Fall 2022 - Present)
Originally from Lima, Peru, Ms. Janet joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center in the fall of 2022. She brought with her valuable experience from both childcare and healthcare programs, enriching NCICC with her diverse background and compassionate approach.
Silvia Victoria Chilan (Ms. Victoria)
Teacher NCICC Team Member (November 2023 - Present)
Silvia joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center in November 2023, bringing with her more than 10 years of teaching experience in early childhood education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a CDA Training Certificate, and is First Aid/CPR certified. In addition, Silvia has completed numerous childcare-related training hours and certifications, further strengthening her expertise in guiding children through the early stages of their development.
Evelyn Davis
March 2011- Present
Born and raised in Jamaica West Indies. I migrated to the United States in my younger years where I started perusing my career in early childhood and worked in several early childhood programs prior to joining the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center. (NCICC) where I have worked with pre-k toddlers and presently infants of which I truly enjoy.
Yovani Reyes
2023 - Present
I am from Nicaragua.
1997 -2001 I studied in high school at a religious school (Maria Eugenia de Jesus).
1998- 2001 I got my Elementary Teacher title N.E.R La Asuncion where I did a service year.
2001-2021 Later I was hired to work at the La Recolecci6n de
Katya Brush
Hi, my name is Ms. Katya Brush. I am originally from Peru, and I have been part of this center for five wonderful years. During this time, I've had the opportunity to work in different classrooms-from Infant to Toddler to Pre-K, which has helped me understand and appreciate each stage of a child's development.
Urell Henry
Toddler Teacher Assistant NCICC Team Member (2017- Present)
Ms. Urell Henry, a native of St. Kitts, West Indies, joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center in the fall of 2017 as a Toddler Room Teacher Assistant. She brought with her over 10 years of childcare experience, having begun her early childhood studies in St. Kitts and continuing them in the United States.
Olga Cofre (Ms. Olga)
Infant & Toddler Teacher Assistant NCICC Team Member (January 2025 -Present)
Originally from Ecuador, Ms. Olga Cofre brings her passion and dedication to the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center, where she works with infants and toddlers. With one year of experience in early childhood care, Olga is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and loving environment that supports each child's growth and development.
Jayona Jones
Early Childcare Educator NCICC Team Member
Jayona Jones is in her third year as an early childcare educator, bringing energy, compassion, and dedication to her work with young children. Her goal as a teacher is to create a safe and welcoming environment where every child feels supported and valued.
Yoselins Rios Trujillo
Born: August 31, 1994, Nicaragua
Role: Early Childhood Educator, Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center
Evelyn Gonzales
Pre-K Teacher Assistant NCICC Team Member (2023 - Present)
Originally from Lima, Peru, Ms. Evelyn Gonzales began her childcare career as a private babysitter before officially entering the field of early childhood education in 2023. She joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center as a Pre-K Teacher Assistant, where her pleasant smile and compassionate care quickly became evident to the toddlers and preschoolers she supports.
Emely Tapia-Calle
NCICC Team Member (2019 - Present)
Known to her students and colleagues as Ms. Emely, Emely Tapia-Calle joined the NCICC team in 2019, bringing with her valuable experience working with school-age children in New York City. She is also a proud mother of a three-year-old, who inspires and grounds her daily work with young learners.
Nelly Marleny Mogollon
Ms. Nelly born in Amazonas, Peru, where her early studies led her to the Faculty of Dentistry at the Federico Villarreal National University. Years later, she migrated to the United States and settled in New Jersey, where her life took a new direction after the birth of her children. Inspired by the joy of nurturing and guiding young minds, she dedicated herself to childcare.
Kathleen Boothe (Ms. Kathleen)
Ms. Kathleen joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center in the summer of 2016, bringing with her years of dedicated service to the Montclair Board of Education. She began her career as a bus aide and later worked in the elementary school cafeteria, where she prepared and served meals to more than 200 students each day. Over the years, she supported several Montclair schools, with Glenfield Middle School being her final post before retirement.
Barbara McKoy
Barbara McKay joined the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center in July 2020, bringing with her a wealth of professional experience following her retirement as a Customer Service Supervisor with a large Transit Authority. Prior to that, she worked for a Fortune 500 company in New York as an Assistant Bond/Stock Analyst, where she honed her skills in corporate business and financial analysis.
Cherry Brown
Substitute Assistant Teacher, 2018 — Present
I am a proud mother of four and grandmother of two, roles I cherish deeply. Born in Jamaica, West Indies, I have always been a caretaker and nurturer, and I bring that same spirit to my work at the Neighborhood Child & Infant Care Center. Here, I treat every child as if they were my own, finding joy in watching them grow, learn, and discover the world around them. In my dialect, I call them "Mama" or "Papa", a reflection of the bond we share.
