Teacher Profiles

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, Pre-K Co-Teacher (AM & PM)

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 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 a B.S. in Elementary Education, N-6, from SUNY College at Cortland and 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. 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 Co-Teacher (AM & PM)

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 is 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 Teacher Assistant (AM & PM - T/Th)

Mrs. Deutchki graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Penn State University in 2004. After several years of working in corporate accounting, she became a SAHM with the birth of her first child in 2009. Mrs. Deutchki has been a PUNS parent for nearly 10 years. She has had a lot of classroom experience as a parent helper, as a PUNS substitute, and as a former 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 are PUNS alumni).

Shannon Reighn

Pre-K Teacher Assistant (AM - Friday)

Mrs. Reighn grew up in Memphis and has recently moved to Pittsford from Collierville, Tennessee. She is a nationally certified orthotist and mastectomy fitter. Prior to having children, she traveled to surrounding school districts to fit special needs children with their leg braces. She became a SAHM when her son was born and has since taught preschool for the last five years. Mrs. Reighn loves to teach early literacy and connect stories to life with art and music. When she isn’t teaching, she loves spending time with her family, exploring new places, cooking, reading and watching basketball. She lives in Pittsford with her husband, their son Owen, and their two dogs - Marco and Beavis.

Lisa Glanton

3s Co-Teacher (M-F)

Mrs. Glanton holds a bachelor's degree from The College at Brockport in physical education teacher certification (preschool through twelfth grade). She also has a master's degree in recreation management. For many years before being at home to raise her family, she worked for the Webster Central School District teaching aquatic classes for children of all ages. Mrs. Glanton has also coached various sports at all levels. Mrs. Glanton lives in Pittsford with her husband Todd and their four sons — Gavin, Jameson, Micah and Cormac (all PUNS alumni).

Danielle Foringer

3s Co-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. This will be her 2nd teaching year at PUNS! Mrs. Foringer previously taught a 4s preschool class, Kindergarten, and as a Reading Tutor for grades 1-5. She has also provided individual tutoring. Mrs. Foringer enjoys volunteering at her sons’ schools, gardening and baking. Mrs. Foringer lives in Pittsford with her husband Dave, their two sons, David and Deacon, and their dog, Benny.

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)

Mrs. Shannon is a nationally certified athletic trainer and has worked with college and professional athletes in the prevention and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. She attended Ithaca College for her undergraduate degree and West Virginia University for her master’s degree. Mrs. Shannon 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 and Abigail (all PUNS alumni).

Mike Roth

3s Teacher Assistant (T/Th)

This is Mr. Roth’s second year as part of the PUNS teaching staff. 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).

Mary Bartran

Half Pints (2s) Lead Teacher (M-F)

Mrs. Bartran is excited to be back for her second year of teaching Half Pints! Mrs. Bartran served as registrar on the PUNS board from 2019-2021 before transitioning to her position as Half Pints lead teacher. She has an undergraduate degree in English Education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in Literacy Education from Syracuse University. Mrs. Bartran formerly worked as a high school reading and English teacher in Fort Myers, Florida before moving back to New York shortly after her oldest son was born. She currently lives in Pittsford with her husband and three sons - Asher, Silas, and Ezra (all PUNS alumni.) In her free time, Mrs. Bartran enjoys hiking with her dogs, baking, reading, and yoga.

Julie Finger

Half Pints (2s) Teacher Assistant (T/Th/Fri)

Mrs. Finger holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish and Secondary Education from Ball State University. She received her master’s degree from St. John Fisher College in International Studies and studied Spanish at a summer immersive graduate program at Middlebury College in Vermont. Before staying home with her children full time, Mrs. Finger worked for nine years as a Spanish teacher at Fairport High School, taught many summers as an English teacher to international students at Nazareth College, and tutored children of migrant workers throughout the state of Indiana. Mrs. Finger resides in Pittsford with her husband, David, and their two children, Adeline (a PUNS alumni) and Leo (PreK student).

Kara Mucha

Half Pints (2s) Teacher Assistant (M-Th)

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 worked in consulting and city government with an emphasis on education policy, as well as taught adult education classes. After having her first child, Mrs. Mucha and her husband moved to Pittsford to raise their family. She has volunteered at the Pittsford Food Cupboard for six years and participated in the Pittsford PTA throughout her kids' elementary education. Mrs. Mucha has a son and daughter in Pittsford schools, and both are PUNS alumni. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors and is also an avid knitter and seamstress.

Kara Leonard

Half Pints (2s) Teacher Assistant (MWF)

Mrs. Leonard 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 staying at home to raise her children, she spent ten years in higher education helping students obtain funding for college, find internships, and attain full-time employment, and she 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, their two children, Greyson and Elin (both PUNS alumni), and their dog, Sara.

Kara Ricotta

Resident Substitute Teacher

Mrs. Ricotta attended St. John Fisher College and holds a master’s degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She worked in web design and electronic marketing while also serving as an adjunct professor at SUNY Brockport, before choosing to stay home to raise her family. She has previously been a teaching assistant in our 3s and 4s programs, as well as serving multiple roles on our board. She is actively involved in many of her children’s sports teams as well as the Jefferson Road PTSA. Mrs. Ricotta lives in Pittsford with her husband Matt and their three very active children — Michael, Lena and Grayson (all PUNS alumni).