Teachers

Teachers

Kathy Barnes Director,Owner

Kathy has her degree in Early Childhood as well as her CDA from the NAEYC(National Association for the Education of Young People) and has worked with children for the past 30 years. She has managed such programs as Gymboree Play and Music, Kids U and The Little Gym. Her childcare experience includes teaching young children in a variety of settings including daycare and preschool as well as experience as an assistant director and director, private childcare for multiple families throughout Fairfield County, and Doula for new moms.

Miss Melissa (Music Teacher, Assistant Director)

Miss Melissa has been a teacher at Hill Farm Preschool since 2011. For 11 years she was the head teacher in our twos classroom, ran music class for all ages, and planned fun extended days for after school hours such as school plays and art shows! She lives in Milford with her husband and is the proud mama of two: Logan and Miles. In her free time, you can find her performing on stage and competing with her various singing groups. She loves Disney, ice cream and dance parties. Miss Melissa has moved into being our full time music teacher and Assistant Director. She is always bursting with excitement for another awesome school year at Hill Farm!

Miss Paula (Twos Teacher)

This is Miss Paula's third year teaching at Hill Farm. She has almost 30 years of Early Childhood experience including working at various daycares and private childcare. Miss Paula enjoys creating a warm, loving environment for her kids. She lives in Stratford with her three daughters. Miss Paula enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. We (Miss Kathy and Miss Paula) have been friends since 14 years old and it is so much fun working together!

Miss Margo (Pre-K Fives Teacher)

This is the 11th year that Miss Margo has been teaching the Pre K 5s at Hill Farm and her 34th year of teaching. She didn’t always teach Pre-K though, she taught Jr. High Math for eight of those years. She is happily married and has two daughters, one is an engineer in Oregon and the other is a Body Image and Eating Disorder Therapist locally. Margo also volunteers with her church working with hurting kids in one of the local urban projects. Miss Margo shared teaching five year olds at Hill Farm is the BEST thing ever, though!

Miss Annie (Threes Teacher)

Miss Annie has been working with young children for 25+ years at centers in Fairfield, Yale & Milford. This will be her 10th year with Hill Farm. She lives in Milford with her husband, two children, & dog. Miss Annie loves iced coffee, children’s picture books, and Disney! We are lucky to have her daughter Miss Katie work at Hill Farm for Summer camp and special events throughout the school year. Miss Annie is very excited to start another great school year!

Miss Stefanie (Threes Teacher)

This is Miss Stefanie’s third year teaching the Threes at Hill Farm! Miss Stefanie moved to CT from NYC where she taught 3’s classes for 5 years in a private school. Miss Stefanie is married and has 2 daughters aged 6 and 8. She loves singing, dancing and reading with the kids. Miss Stefanie says her favorite part of the day is circle time because it gives each one of her students a chance to share something important to them with peers and teachers. Can’t wait for another wonderful year together!

Miss Patrice (Pre-K Fours Teacher)

Miss Patrice grew up and studied in Wisconsin. She finished school in New York City and enjoyed living and working there until she settled in Connecticut. She lives in Shelton with her husband, daughter and her cat Handsome! Her son is 24 and now lives and works in Wisconsin. Miss Patrice has been at Hill Farm since before the school opened, as she is a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and was on the original Preschool task force. She has worked with every age and is currently teaching in the Pre-K 4s classroom. When not at Hill Farm she loves walks, drives by the ocean, and spotting the various birds and animals in the area. Fun fact: Miss Patrice has met more famous people than she can remember, including having a quick dance with “Willy Wonka”. This year will be the best year yet with Miss Patrice!

Miss Karen (Pre-K Fours Teacher)

This year will be Miss Karen’s 30th year teaching little ones and her 3rd year at Hill Farm! She began teaching Kindergarten in Chappaqua, NY and after the birth of her son she began teaching preschool. She loved it and has been doing so ever since. Miss Karen lives in Newtown with her husband, son & their dog Holly. When she isn’t teaching she can sometimes be found helping out at her family's store-The Gift Cottage, in Bethel. In her free time she enjoys painting & time spent in her flower garden. Her most favorite thing to do is curl up on her porch swing with a good cup of coffee and watch the hummingbirds. We can’t wait for another beautiful school year with Miss Karen!