Director
Hope Anderson has enjoyed teaching and directing at PPNS since 1986. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Rutgers College and earned her preschool through eighth grade teaching certificate through the Graduate Teacher Certification program at Rider University. Prior to entering the teaching profession, Hope held management positions in the systems division of an international container leasing company. Hope began her career here as an assistant two-year-old teacher and has worked with all ages, having taught three-year-old classes between 1992 and 2005. Hope resides in Hopewell Township with her husband and mother.. Daughter Caroline, her husband Charles, and their two young children live in Washington D.C. Son David and wife Li reside in Lacey, WA, with their six-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. Hope is a member of Pennington Presbyterian Church, where she serves as a Deacon and is involved in ongoing clean water projects in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. In her spare time, Hope enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and relaxing with her family.
“I am blessed to be able to spend my days with the wonderful students, families, and teachers of PPNS. There are no greater joys than seeing the world through the eyes and minds of children and fostering an environment where each individual is loved and valued for their special and unique personality.”
Music Teacher
Norah Wasden is in her second year as the PPNS music teacher for all ages. . Norah has a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Georgetown University. This is her fifth year as the Early Childhood Music Teacher at Princeton Montessori School. She also teaches for Music Together in the area. Norah has three boys who all attended PPNS, so she is thrilled to return to the wonderful PPNS community. Besides enjoying teaching and time with her family, Norah also sings with Princeton Pro Musica, enjoys working with her church community, and loves traveling and the Bent Spoon.
Two-Year-Old Teachers
Kristin Fechter is beginning her sixth year on the staff of PPNS and her second as our lead teacher for our Two-Year-Old classes.. Kristin served as the assistant teacher of the five morning, Pre-Kindergarten class for four years and was a school parent prior to joining the staff. Kristin earned her Bachelor of Arts from Rider University and has been teaching various ages for the past six years. Kristin and her husband are the parents of Frankie, who is a graduate of PPNS and a freshman in high school, and John, also a PPNS graduate, who attends Bear Tavern. Kristin loves swimming, hiking, and enjoying life with her family.
“I love working with the children at PPNS because they inspire me every day! I love watching them discover new things and use that knowledge to be extraordinarily creative!”
Elizabeth Berkowitz is returning to PPNS after a long association with our school as a Pre-K teacher, PPNS parent and PPNS grandparent! Elizabeth assists Kristin in the Tuesday/Thursday Two-Year-Old Class. She resides in Hopewell Township with her husband and son, Michael. Elizabeth has two daughters – Victoria, who just earned her Ed.D and lives in Ewing with her husband and two sons, one of whom currently attends PPNS; and Abigail, an actor and singer, who resides in San Francisco.
Maggie Schwirck assists Kristin in the Monday/Wednesday Two-Year-Old Class. Maggie earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University, majoring in Biology. She holds two Masters Degrees, one in science instruction at the secondary level, and the other in teaching students with learning disabilities. Maggie taught biology for 11 years before recenlty taking parental leave. She and her husband live in Pennington with their kindergarten-age son and preschool-age daughter.
Kate Andrew assists Kristin on Friday mornings. Please see Kate’s biography under Pre-K Teachers
Three-Year-Old Teachers
Lori D’Avanzo is beginning her 14th year on the staff of PPNS. She has been the head teacher for our three-year-old class since September 2015, before which she served as an assistant teacher with all age groups. Lori holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and American Studies from Rider University. She is married to Mike, and they reside in Hopewell Township. Their son Andrew, 23, is a global sales manager, daughter Amy, 22, is a nurse with Capital Health, and son Alex, 18, is a freshman at Rutgers University. Lori enjoys reading, spending time with her family, playing with her dog Ellie, and volunteering with a local animal organization
“I believe that PPNS is a wonderful place for children to begin their education both academically and emotionally. We are a great team with incredible passion for each child. I feel very proud to be part of such a great group of teachers.”
Priyashree Chandrababu is beginning her first year as an assistant teacher on the staff of PPNS. Priya holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and served as a frequent classroom assistant / substitute in our classes prior to March 2020 when her younger son was enrolled in our five-day Pre-K class. Priya lives in Hopewell Township with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, Priya likes to do gardening and go for long drives with her family. She looks forward to working with our three-year-olds this year.
Pre-Kindergarten Teachers
Kate Andrew is lead teacher of the three-morning, Pre-Kindergarten class. Kate is beginning her eleventh year on the staff of PPNS, but she is no stranger to our school because all three of her children are graduates of our program. Kate earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from Hood College and previously taught preschool for two years. She lives in Lawrence Township with her husband Mark and their three children. Daughter Hailey, 25, is an ESL teacher at Ben Franklin Elementary School, Tyler, 23, works for Grant Thornton as an Audit Associate, and Ava, 17, is beginning her senior year at Lawrence High School. Rounding out the Andrew Family is their dog, Oliver. In her spare time, Kate likes to read, play tennis, travel, and spend time with her family.
“Why PPNS? From the first moment, when I walked into PPNS with my first child, I knew it was a special place, a loving place, a place for her to grow and explore. Fast forward and I’ve spent over ten years 19 years as a teacher at PPNS.. In those years, all three of my children have attended PPNS, each of them learning, growing, and exploring the world around them. As a teacher, those are the building blocks I use each day in my classroom, knowing with the right amount of encouragement, support and caring, our students can start their journeys into the world confident and excited learners.”
Emily Spier joins Kate as her assistant teacher this year. Emily subbed extensively in all three of our age groups last year. Past employment includes 10 years working with young children. Emily is a graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School and attended Mercer County Community College. She is also an alumna of PPNS! Hope Anderson had the honor of teaching Emily when Emily was three. She is the mother of two wonderful children and looks forward to getting to know her students! In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, playing with her children, and spending time with family and friends.
Laure Radice Law is the lead teacher for our Monday-Friday Pre-K class., beginning her 25th year on the staff of PPNS. Prior to 2020, Laure taught our two-year-old classes. She also serves as the head teacher for the school. Laure graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Early Childhood Education and English. Laure resides in Columbus, NJ with her husband Mike, and their two children. Her son Michael attends Rowan University and daughter Emma is studying to be an esthetician. In her free time, Laure enjoys going to the beach, reading, and spending time with her family.
“There is a sense of community at PPNS that has kept me teaching here so long (25 years!). We care about the children and the teachers with whom we work.”
Linda Pugh assists Laure Law in the five-day Pre-K class and is beginning her fourth year on the staff of PPNS. Linda served as our two-year-old class assistant teacher in 2019-2020 and has subbed in all age groups for several years. Linda says that in that time she has grown to love the staff, school, and students. Linda graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk VA -BS in Education and a Master’s in Reading. She taught 24 years in public school, Kindergarten – 2nd grade. Both Linda’s grandsons attended PPNS. Linda and her husband Mark live in Ewing. They are the parents of three adult children, Aaron, Amanda, and Adam. In her spare time, Linda reads and gardens. She grew up in Kentucky and visits her family there every chance she gets.