Meet Our Staff

• Head of School

  Gerri Litz has been an Educator for more than 25 years. She has both a Masters Degree in Education from Baruch College and a second Masters in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. A former Brooklynite, she has enjoyed living in Rhode Island for the past 10 years. She is also a grandmother of two, who still live in NYC.

  
  

• Kindergarten

  Hello! My name is Lindsay Wesson and I teach Kindergarten here at The Village Lower School. I was born and raised in East Greenwich, leaving only to attend Plymouth State University. I graduated with a Batchelors degree in Early Childhood Studies. In 2006, I started working at Sweet Peas Village in both the Peanut and Sunshine classrooms. I have been teaching Kindergarten since 2007 and I love being a part of the lives of so many wonderful  children.

• Kindergarten

  Hello, my name is Vikki Brunetti. I grew up in North Kingstown and currently live in Coventry. I graduated from URI with a Batchelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in December of 2001. After graduating, I began teaching in the Sunshine classroom at Sweet Peas Village. I started teaching Kindergarten at The Village Lower School in 2004. Kindergarten children learn and grow so much that I really enjoy teaching this rewarding and exciting age.

• Kindergarten Assistant

  

  Hello, my name is Betty Dockray and I live in Coventry with my husband Ronnie. I enjoyed working in the infant rooms at Sweet Peas Village until I “graduated” to Kindergarten. I have been working with Miss Vikki since 2004. My love for children has made my job both enjoyable and fulfilling. I am so happy to be a part of such an exciting time in a child’s life.

   

• Kindergarten Assistant

  

  Cathy Horridge is Miss Lindsay’s assistant in Kindergarten C. Prior to joining the TVLS family, Miss Cathy was the director of special events at the Astor’s Beechwood in Newport. In her spare time, Miss Cathy gives educational tours on Rose Island and participates in annual mission trips to the Dominican Republic to work with Haitian refugees.

   
   

• First Grade

  Jennifer Marinelli graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Child Development and a K-grade 2 certification. For the past few years she has been pursuing her Masters in Reading at RIC. She has been teaching at The Village Lower School for 12 years. She lives in Warwick with her husband and three remarkable children.
   

• Second Grade

  

  My name is Stephanie Krum and I am a Second Grade teacher here at The Village Lower School. I graduated from Rhode Island College in 2002 with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. I have worked at Sweet Peas Village and The Village Lower School since 1999. Before beginning this new adventure in Second Grade in 2011, I taught Kindergarten for eight years. I enjoy teaching and  I love being a witness to the growth and  development of these children.

• Grade 3 and 4

  Shanna Thayer recieved her BS in Wildlife from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and then went on to complete a Masters in Education and Certification from the University of Phoenix. She enjoys being able to experience learning from a student’s perspective and making learning a fun experience for her classes.
   
   

• Assistant

  Hi! My name is Geeta Shah. I have a Masters Degree in Sociology and a Batchelor’s degree in teaching methods. I currently work as a teaching assistant in various classrooms. It is a joy to be here with children! I currently live in East Greenwich and love reading and traveling.

   
   

• Art

  Sue Malkemes has been teaching art at The Village Lower School since our doors opened in April 2008. She recieved her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and then went on to recieve her Art Education certfificate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Masters Degree from New York University, where she studied Special Education. She lives in East Greenwich with her husband and two wonderful daughters who give her inspiration every day!

• Music

  My name is Jeanette Rozzero, “Mrs. R.”. I am a graduate of Rhode Island College with a B.S. in Music Education, concentrating in clarinet and piano. I continued graduate studies of the clarinet at Boston Conservatory. I have been involved in studying, performing, and teaching music most of my life and am fortunate that I am able to share my love of music with the children at The Village Lower School.

   

• Nurse

  Denise Gilbert, RN has been a nurse/teacher for 31 years. She has experience in Child/Adolescent Counseling, Medical/Surgical Nursing and teaching children and adults health sciences. Her family includes her husband, daughter (who attends Prout) and their boxer, Dixie. Her goal is to share her knowledge and energy for health/wellness while having fun with students and staff.