Administration and Faculty
As a nonprofit agency, a Board of Directors governs Brown Fox Point Early Childhood Education Center. The Board is composed of members of the community, including family members of children who have been enrolled at Brown Fox Point. Our Board of Directors is: President Alana Bibeau, Ph.D, Professor at University of Rhode Island; David Leveillee, JD, Rhode Island Legal Services; Sabina Holland, MD, Physician at Lifespan Physician Group; Rich Porcelli, LICSW, Director at Activate Care; and Frank Galligan, Ed.M, Principal, Warwick Public Schools;
Our Executive Director, Financial Administrator, Education Administrator and Operations Administrator lead the school and administer programming on a daily basis. Brown Fox Point is staffed by professionally-trained faculty who implement the program, plan developmentally appropriate activities and care for the physical and emotional needs of the children.
Each classroom has three full-time faculty (two full-time lead teachers and a teacher) who plan and implement the curriculum and support the overall well-being of the children in their class. All lead teachers have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. All participate in a continuous program of in-service training and workshops pertaining to issues of child development and early childhood education.
In addition to our faculty, we have assistant float teachers, volunteers and student interns from a variety of organizations including teacher education programs at local colleges and universities. We are grateful to them for their time and energy.
Administration
Marlene has been serving as the interim administrative director of Brown Fox Point since February 2023. Prior to joining the school, she served as the interim executive director of Books Are Wings and the Community Health Systems Foundation. Marlene has extensive experience working in nonprofit organizations. She has a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Rhode Island. She lives in Cranston with her teenage daughter.
Marlene Roberti (she/her)
Executive Director
Karina has a passion for supporting children thrive! She has been an Early Childhood Educator for over 17 years, and has also worked with children in a variety of other setting as a nanny, volunteer, and foster parent. In addition to being a seasoned early childhood educator, Karina holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has worked in a variety of roles within this field, including auditing, accounts payables and receivables, bookkeeping, and taxes. Karina is excited to be a part of the Brown Fox Point’s team!
Karina Fagan (she/her)
Financial Administrator
Lesley joined the Brown Fox Point team in 1985. Prior to being hired, she interned at Brown Fox Point, in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. Lesley worked as a Lead Teacher for 16 years and then transitioned to the Administrative Coordinator position. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in early childhood education. When she is not at work, Lesley enjoys traveling, reading, being outdoors and spending time with her husband and four children.
Lesley Wood, B.S. (she/her)
Operations Administrator
Toni started working at Brown Fox Point in 2007, left in 2020, and returned in 2021. Prior to working at Brown Fox Point, Toni ran a successful family childcare center for many years, and also worked for the Rhode Island Children’s Crusade through AmeriCorps. She has a passion for helping children develop socially and emotionally, as well as just having fun. Toni is a proud mother of four and a Nonnie to five beautiful grandchildren, who are her “why.”
Toni Rose (she/her) Administrative Assistant/float teacher
Faculty
Chickadee Classroom
Devon has been working at Brown Fox Point since 2019 and looks forward to all the wonderful games, art projects and stories the children come up with every day. Devon attended Bard College where he studied creative writing and literature before returning to his home state of Rhode Island. He has previously worked for the Newport Recreation Department in afterschool and summer programs and has completed Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards training and workshops. Outside of Brown Fox Point, Devon performs as a freelance pianist and in the house band at The Firehouse Theater in Newport.
Devon Mello (he/him)
Lead Teacher
Amy joined Brown Fox Point in October, 2020. She holds a master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, and a bachelor’s in art history and french from Harvard. Amy began teaching preschool in 2005, and enjoys creating child-centered, emergent curriculums. She is passionate about teaching preschoolers social-emotional skills, particularly kindness and empathy. In her spare time, Amy loves doing arts and crafts, building Lego sets and reading. She lives in Providence with her husband and two teenagers.
Amy Ryan, M.Ed. (she/her)
Lead Teacher
Matt joined Brown Fox Point in 2023 and has a background in education, working with middle and lower school aged students in the Providence area. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and is the parent of two Brown Fox Point students. After living abroad with his family for the past couple years, Matt is happy to be back and part of the BFP family.
Matt Wheelwright (he/him)
Teacher
Puffin Classroom
Jessy started working with Brown Fox Point in 2018 after teaching for a few years at the elementary school level. She studied education and philosophy at Saint Michael's College in Vermont and obtained her Rhode Island elementary education license soon after graduation. Jessy is an avid outdoor explorer, animal lover and math enthusiast. Jessy and her wife are parents to a sweet and adored toddler.
Jessy Farrell, B.A. (she/her)
Lead Teacher
Erin started her career at Brown Fox Point as a student intern from the Community College of Rhode Island in 2010. She then worked as a full-time floating assistant teacher while pursuing her bachelor’s at the University of Rhode Island and became a lead teacher after graduating. Erin enjoys outdoor experiences and her love for nature is reflected in the classroom environment. She and her son share a love for reading and animals.
Erin Gray, B.S. (she/her)
Lead Teacher
Julissa began working at Brown Fox Point as a substitute teacher in 2008. She has worked with a variety of students and teachers here at Brown Fox Point. Julissa studied interior design as well as early childhood education and child development. Julissa and her husband are the parents of two children, who are the "why" of her life.
Julissa Lugo, CDA
Teacher
Robin Classroom
Jessica started teaching at Brown Fox Point in August 2021 following her graduation from the University of Rhode Island. Jessica graduated with a double major in early childhood education and human development and family sciences. Jessica became an educator because of her love of children, and to watch them discover the world around them through play and engaging learning. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her parents and twin sister, hanging out with friends and going to the gym.
Jessica Siddall, B.S. (she/her)
Lead Teacher
Soleil joined Brown Fox Point in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Prior to being hired, she worked at the URI Child Development Center where she gained her love for working with young children. When Soleil is not at work, she loves spending time with family, friends and traveling.
Soleil Mendes-Dagraca, B.S. (she/her)
Teacher
Sofia is very excited to be at Brown Fox Point as a new Robin teacher! She majored in early childhood education and human development at the University of Rhode Island, where she also worked in the Child Development Center. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, yoga, and exploring the arts. Sofia is passionate about spreading awareness of the importance of early childhood education and creating opportunities for all children to succeed.
Sofia Ganey, B.S. Lead Teacher
Sparrow Classroom
Jen is a veteran early childhood educator who began her career working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Massachusetts. She has a bachelor’s in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and has been a lead teacher at Brown Fox Point since 2012. In addition to their work in the classroom, Jen provides training and professional support for other educators around issues of anti-oppression education and gender development and bias. Jen is also a stepmom and mama to three incredible humans, one of whom is Brown Fox Point alum!
Jen Francazio, B.A. CDA (she/her or they/them)
Lead Teacher
Devon has been working at Brown Fox Point since 2019 and looks forward to all the wonderful games, art projects and stories the children come up with every day. Devon attended Bard College where he studied creative writing and literature before returning to his home state of Rhode Island. He has previously worked for the Newport Recreation Department in afterschool and summer programs and has completed Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards training and workshops. Outside of Brown Fox Point, Devon performs as a freelance pianist and in the house band at The Firehouse Theater in Newport.
Molly Bond, M.A.
Teacher
Kayla was born in NJ and raised in VA. She is currently studying psychology at Johnson & Wales-Providence with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and moving forward to a masters degree in early childhood education in fall of 2024. I always had a dream of working with children, and working at Brown Fox Point has given me the opportunity to live that dream. In my free time, I love to travel, see family and friends, and try new places to eat!
Kayla Goldman (she/her)
Multi-Classroom Teacher
Support Staff
Jasmin Morillo
Multi-Classroom Teacher
Aireana Rivera
Multi-Classroom Teacher
Marcia lives in Cranston with her family, pet gerbil and pet fish. She holds a BA and MA in Education and has taught in public schools and also internationally. She loves working with young children and helping them develop skills by nurturing curiosity, supporting exploration, and overall having fun playing.
Marcia Fowler
Substitute Teacher
Consultants
Jeanine draws on more than 35 years of professional experience to empower teachers and parents to achieve more with children “at risk.” With experience as a certified teacher, mental health professional and mother of three grown children, she understands the promise of every child, as well as the diversity of their needs.
Certified Human Behavior Specialist
As a certified Human Behavior Consultant and Specialist, and Owner of The Fitzgerald Institute of Lifelong Learning, Jeanine specializes in research-based strategies in educational leadership, relationship-building, motivation, preventing the factors that compromise the fulfillment of a child’s maximum potential and implementing positive interventions in “real life” settings. She understands the daily struggles and frustrations of educators and parents, and honors the “hero within” each individual she has the privilege to work alongside.
Speaker, Consultant and Trainer
As a speaker, consultant and master trainer, Jeanine has worked with thousands of children, professionals and parents across the country. The settings have been varied and included keynote presentations for The Child Welfare League of America, The New England Association for the Education of Young Children, The New England Head Start Association, The Vermont Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, The Children’s Trust Fund and The Family Child Care Association of New York State. In addition, Jeanine has taught at the college level and presented on the campuses of The University of Rhode Island, Bryant University, Lyndon State College, and Harvard University. She is recognized on the federal level as an approved trainer in the fields of education, disabilities and mental health.
Author
As an author, Jeanine has published The Dance of Interaction and a national training program entitled Education with Insight. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her second and third books, Educating the Heart and Through the Eyes of A Child. Jeanine has appeared on public television in four states, and currently has air time in her home state of Massachusetts.
Jeanine Fitzgerald, M.S.
Behavior Specialist
Employment Opportunities
We’re always looking for dedicated and talented teachers and staff to join the Brown Fox Point community. Click below to learn more.