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.
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
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
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
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)
Education Coordinator/Lead 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
Molly joined BFP in June 2023. She studied Sociology and Gender Studies at Clark University, where she also got her M.A. in Community Development and Planning. After a few months of working from home at the beginning of Covid, for her own well-being she took a job as a nanny, where she found great joy in spending time with small children. Ready for a new challenge, she decided to pursue early childhood education, and got hired as a student teacher at a preschool in Cambridge, MA. She has loved her evolution into a teacher, and is ecstatic to be learning from the incredible staff at BFP. In her free time she enjoys quilting, reading, and visiting her niece in Boston.
Molly Bond, MA (she/they)
Lead Teacher
Jasmin joined Brown Fox Point in February 2024 and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at the Community College of Rhode Island. She brings a wide range of experience in childcare, having worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as facilitating workshops for middle and high school students through non-profit organizations. Jasmin is passionate about fostering a learning environment where children feel free to be themselves and nurture their creativity. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, painting, and practicing yoga.
Jasmin Morillo (she/they)
Classroom 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
Classroom 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)
Lead Teacher
Caroline first joined Brown Fox Point in the summer of 2022 and returned in the spring of 2024. She has worked as a float teacher and a substitute and has over 15 years of experience working in both private and public schools. She has an associate degree in Occupational Therapy and certificates in Waldorf education and the RI Assistant program. She believes in empowering children through play allowing them to be self-sufficient and independent individuals. She enjoys bike riding and exploring New England.
Caroline Ware (she/her)
Classroom 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
Aireana Rivera
Lead Teacher
Lauren Wood, BS
Classroom Teacher
Support Staff
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, MA (she/her)
Substitute Teacher
Julia is currently enrolled at Rhode Island College and is pursuing their passion of becoming an early childhood educator! They have previous experience working with children in settings such as daycare, a children’s museum, and ABA. She is so excited to be at Brown-Fox Point guiding young children to be curious and explore the world around them. Julia’s favorite things to do with students are reading books, exploring nature, and creating art/music!
Julia LaBanca (she/they)
Multi-Classroom Teacher
Elena is delighted to begin her preschool teacher era at Brown Fox Point! Elena holds a BA in Critical Equity Studies (University of Toronto) and a MA in Queer Feminist Politics (SOAS, University of London), and cares deeply about designing anti-oppressive, accessible classrooms where all bodies and minds are valued. She has worked with young children for seven years in after-school programs, summer camps, dance classes, and domestic settings, and is most enthusiastic about social-emotional learning in the early childhood stages. Outside of work, she enjoys ballet and snacks!
Elena Goldak, MA (she/her)
Multi-Classroom Teacher
Naijah started as a volunteer at Brown Fox Point to have something to do in her spare time. Enjoying her time in the classrooms with our students, faculty, and staff she asked for an opening in our organization. She lives in Providence and loves all it has to offer between Art Museums, WaterFire, great restaurants, and sightseeing. She loves plants, art, animals, cooking, and playing on the playground with the children.
Naijah Forrest (she/her)
Multi-Classroom Teacher
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.