MEET OUR TEACHERS
We are very proud of the exceptional teaching staff that we have at PUNS! All of our teachers are dedicated professionals who go out of their way to make your child(ren)’s preschool experience exceptional. All of our lead teachers have teaching credentials, and all teaching staff are also certified in CPR, First Aid and AED, as well as allergy protocols and procedures.
Dawn Jones
Education Director, Half Pints Lead Teacher, & Pre-K PM Co-Teacher
Mrs. Jones has been a teacher at PUNS since September 2006. In addition to her many teaching roles, she also serves as our school's Education Director, overseeing all curriculum, educational programming, and teaching staff. Additionally, she holds the positions of June Bugs Program Director and Honeybees Lead Teacher (PUNS Summer Camp Program). Mrs. Jones holds NYS permanent teacher certification in Elementary Education, has an M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education, N-6, with a reading concentration from SUNY College at Cortland. She also holds an A.A. in Elementary Education, N-6, from Sage Junior College of Albany. Formerly, Mrs. Jones worked as the Lead Preschool Teacher, Kinder Club Wrap Teacher, and the Head Counselor & Co-Director of the After School Program, at the Sanford-Springvale YMCA in Southern Maine. When not at PUNS, Mrs. Jones enjoys time with her family, gardening, reading and going for long walks on the beach. Mrs. Jones is married to her husband Spencer, and they have two grown children — Spencer and Abby, who are both PUNS alumni!
Melissa Richardson
Pre-K AM Lead Teacher & Pre-K PM Co-Teacher
Mrs. Richardson has been a PUNS teacher in both the 3s and 4s programs since 2012 and has taught in the June Bugs program since 2014. She was a PUNS Parent and Board member from 2007 – 2012. Mrs. Richardson was an 8th grade Social Studies teacher in the Pittsford Central School District from 2000-2003. She also worked as a graduate assistant to the Monroe County Historian from 2003-2004. Mrs. Richardson graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a B.A. in History and a Minor in Secondary Social Studies in 2000 and graduated from SUNY Brockport with an M.A. in History in 2009. She has been an active Girl Scout leader and volunteer. Mrs. Richardson is married to her husband Adam with two wonderful daughters — Katie and Brenna, who are both PUNS alumni!
Jennifer Deutchki
Pre-K AM Teacher Assistant & Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Deutchki has been a PUNS Teacher Assistant since 2021. Before joining the staff, Mrs. Deutchki was a PUNS parent for 10 years. During that time, she had a lot of classroom experience as a parent helper, as a substitute, and as a PUNS Executive Board member. Mrs. Deutchki has an intimate knowledge of the value of a play-based preschool experience. She lives in Pittsford with her husband Ian and their 3 kids- Theo, Evey, and Abby…all PUNS alumni!
Christine Koh
Pre-K AM Teacher Assistant & Pre-K PM Teacher Assistant (M/T/Th/F)
Mrs. Koh dual-majored in sociology and psychology at SUNY Geneseo. After moving home to NYC and working in corporate law for several years, she moved back to Rochester and soon decided to stay home to raise her family after the birth of her eldest in 2012. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching her children' s soccer and tennis matches, and is actively involved in the Mendon Center PTSA. Her youngest is a recent PUNS alumna, and she is looking forward to teaching here this year.
Danielle Foringer
3s Lead Teacher (M-F)
Mrs. Foringer graduated from St. John Fisher College with a B.S. in Childhood and Special Education and a M.S. in Literacy. She has been a 3s Lead Teacher at PUNS since 2021. Mrs. Foringer previously taught Kindergarten, a 4s preschool class, and as a Reading Tutor for grades 3-5. She has also provided individual tutoring. Mrs. Foringer enjoys reading, gardening and baking. Mrs. Foringer lives in Pittsford with her husband, their two sons, and their 2 dogs.
Jenny Harrington
3s Teacher Assistant (M-F)
Mrs. Harrington received a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Mercyhurst College in 2005. After years of managing restaurants, staff and food service operations around the Rochester area, Mrs. Harrington made the decision to stay home full time with her children and joined the PUNS family as a parent. She loved PUNS so much, she joined the teaching staff and has been a teaching assistant in our 3s class since 2019. Mrs. Harrington lives in Penfield with her husband Jacob and two girls – Madison and Bridget (both PUNS alumni).
Danielle Shannon
3s Teacher Assistant (MWF) & Pre-K PM Teacher Assistant (W)
Mrs. Shannon is a nationally certified athletic trainer and has worked with college and professional athletes in the prevention and rehab of injuries. She attended Ithaca College for her undergraduate degree and WVU for her masters degree. Mrs. Shannon, who joined PUNS in 2018, has also worked for the Town of Pittsford in their Summer Fun Program. Mrs. Shannon lives in Pittsford with her husband Mike and their three children: Claire, Jack & Abigail, all PUNS alumni!
Mike Roth
3s Teacher Assistant (T/Th)
Mr. Roth has been part of the PUNS teaching staff since 2021. Before becoming a Stay-at-Home Parent, Mr. Roth worked with schools to plan and implement fundraisers and attained a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Studies from the University at Buffalo. He has a natural love for play, and enjoys seeing the children learn, laugh, and enjoy their early childhood experience. He lives in Pittsford with Lizzie, his wife, and his daughter, Elowyn (a PUNS alumni).
Kara Mucha
Half Pints Teacher Assistant (M/T/W/Th)
Mrs. Mucha has been a Teaching Assistant in Half Pints and June Bugs since 2021. She has taught enrichment classes to 3s and Pre K students since 2024. Mrs. Mucha has a degree in political science from the University of Rochester and a master’s degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She has volunteered at the Pittsford Food Cupboard and with the Pittsford PTSA for many years. Mrs. Mucha has a son and daughter in Pittsford schools, and both are PUNS alumni. She is also an avid knitter and seamstress.
Kara Leonard
Half Pints Teacher Assistant (MWF)
Mrs. Leonard has four years of teaching experience in the Half Pints program at PUNS. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a post-baccalaureate certificate in communication disorders from SUNY New Paltz. Before joining PUNS, Mrs. Leonard spent ten years in higher education where she taught students job search skills and led a program to improve the employment outcomes of students with disabilities. She also spent seven years mentoring youth through Compeer Rochester. In addition to her work at PUNS, Mrs. Leonard works from home supporting business clients with a variety of marketing communication projects. Mrs. Leonard lives in Pittsford with her husband, Nick, and their two children, Greyson and Elin (both PUNS alumni!).
Jodi Sacks
Half Pints Teacher Assistant (F)
Mrs. Sacks is beyond excited to be returning to PUNS after a five year hiatus. She comes to us with over 35 years of experience, beginning as an assistant teacher at the first corporate day care center in her hometown, prior to obtaining a Bachelors of Science in the field, and becoming the director of The Growing Place in Rochester. Along the way, she worked in childcare as a teacher of infants, toddlers, preschool and school agers. Since then, she has been the lead teacher/director at St. Luke’s Hill Nursery School, a three year old teacher at Keshet Preschool, a toddler, preschool and enrichment teacher at Pittsford United Nursery School (2016-2020), as well as the director of Rich Beginnings Child Care. Jodi describes herself as a “professional early childhood educator and child advocate.” Whether raising her two adult children, Greg and Samantha, being a PTSA volunteer/committee chair, Cub Scouts Popcorn Colonel, Odyssey of the Mind coach or nannying, her life would not be complete without children. “They are our greatest gifts and our future.”