North Madison
Congregational Church
Kathy Niejadlik
Director
Kathy joined Circle Nursery School in 2007 and has led the 2 year old class, Circle Tots, since 2009. She began as Co-Director in the fall of 2011 before taking full Director responsibility in 2017. Kathy has a bachelor’s degree and, prior to working with children, worked in retail management. She is currently taking college level Early Childhood Education classes and is pursuing her CT Director’s Credential. Kathy and her husband have lived in Madison since 1993 and have 2 daughters, Julie and Emily. In her free time, Kathy enjoys cooking, gardening and reading.
Shannon Baker
Lead Teacher
Shannon has been with Circle Nursery School since 2014 and is honored to be both the 3’s and the 4’s lead teacher. She believes that high quality early childhood education is about giving young children the chance to learn through play in a nurturing, language-rich, and unhurried environment. Her classroom reflects a culture that values play and deep relationships. Shannon holds a BA in elementary education from Boston College, Lynch School of Education and a MS in special education/early childhood education from Southern Connecticut State University. She currently holds Connecticut certifications in both elementary education (gr. 1-8) and special education (K-12). Shannon and her husband have five children and live in Madison.
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Fun fact: Shannon has a twin brother!
Amy Heilmann
Lead Teacher
Amy comes from a long line of teachers and has been a teacher herself since 2007 at the preschool level. She has a Bachelors degree in Child Studies and is Connecticut Head Teacher certified. Originally from New York City, Amy lives in Westbrook with her husband and has two sons in college. In her free time she enjoys cooking, gardening, and discovering new places to visit in New England. Amy has been working as the lead teacher in the Five's class at Circle Nursery School since 2014.
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Fun fact: Every year Amy designs and paints holiday cards for all the residents and staff of a local nursing home.
Debbi White
Assistant Teacher
Debbi joined Circle Nursery School in 2014 as the Assistant Teacher in the Five's Class. Prior to that, she worked at another nursery school for five years until it closed. In addition, Debbi operated a Licensed Child Care program in her home for 13 years. She received her Child Development Associate Certificate in April of 2012 and her CT Head Teacher's certificate in 2013. Debbi has three terrific daughters and a beagle named Copper.
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Fun fact: Debbi loves Chinese food and Twizzlers!
Debbi Edwards
Assistant Teacher
Debbie joined Circle Nursery School in February of 2017 as the Assistant Teacher in the Four's class. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children in several different capacities since she was a teenager (Nursery school teacher, Sunday school teacher, Madison Public School volunteer, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and babysitter. Debbie has lived in Madison since 2005 with her son and two daughters. She enjoys reading, cooking, and walking.
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Fun fact: There are multiple sets of multiples in Debbie's family - her son and daughter, sisters, grandmother and great-great grandfather are all twins!!
Katie Wilker
Assistant Teacher
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Katie, a former CNS parent, joined the staff in the summer of 2018 as Assistant Teacher in the Three's class. Katie earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University. As an undergraduate, Katie completed her Bachelors of Science, with Honors, in Art at Skidmore College. Katie volunteers at her children's schools and is involved in many charities and numerous ministries at her church. In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, time in her kitchen, sewing, quilting, and crafts. Katie lives with her husband, their three children, and rescue Ragdoll cat, Marshmallow. Her favorite drink is French roast coffee with cream (which she likes to drink early in the morning with a good book) and her favorite food is cake!
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Fun fact: Katie participated in a choral festival concert of gospel and folk music at Woolsey Hall, Yale University.
Holly Rotermund
Assistant Teacher
Holly joined the staff at Circle Nursery School in the summer of 2019. She is very excited to be an Assistant Teacher in the Three's class! Holly has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Before having her own family, Holly taught both kindergarten and first grade in Denver, Colorado. Holly lives with her husband and three children in Madison. She has enjoyed volunteering at their schools throughout the years. In her free time she enjoys time with her family traveling, running, yoga, skiing, paddle boarding, and reading.
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Fun fact: Holly is a midwestern girl!