PROUD RECIPIENTS OF

OUR STAFF

PWCC Administration

Lisa Bridge, MS

Executive Director – Lisa began her career in teaching as a member of the first NYC Teaching Fellows Cohort in 2001, being awarded an AmeriCorps grant and full scholarship to Bank Street College of Education to receive an M.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  She spent the first ten years of her career working with underserved populations as a classroom teacher in Central Harlem and the Lower East Side, later leading an after-school program in Chinatown under a 911 Red Cross Grant.  Lisa has spent the past several years opening and overseeing preschools in Manhattan including recently, the first KinderCare in NYC which is the training school and Northeast Flagship for the company’s 1,800 locations.  A proud mother of a mobile and spirited toddler, she is very excited to return to her roots in the non-profit sector and serve the families of Port Washington at PWCC!

Paula Wall

Assistant Director – Paula joined the staff of the Port Washington Children’s Center in November 2015 but began her career in early childhood education over fifteen years ago. On the south shore of Long Island, she has served as a teacher’s aide, teacher assistant, head teacher, and Camp Director before making the leap to administration in 2006 as an Early Childhood Coordinator and Co-Director of Early Childhood Education. Paula is a graduate of Ithaca College’s School of Communication with a CDA credential in Preschool Childhood Development. She is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Nassau Child Care Council. She has supported the Long Island Nature Collaborative, Early Years Institute, Nassau Thrives Initiative and Quality Stars New York. As a previous pilot site participant in Quality Stars New York, Paula was excited to be involved in bringing this initiative to the PWCC and proud of how well the Center has performed.

A proud mother of three sons, Paula has enjoyed getting to know the families and introducing herself to the Port Washington community. She firmly believes that by offering a wide variety of activities to the children and staff in her care, individual creativity and expression thrive and a more peaceful and productive environment is shaped where all can benefit.

Michael Donnelly, MS

Program Director – Mike began at the Children’s Center as an assistant teacher in our KidsPort after-school program, from there he quickly moved into the head teacher position followed with becoming the site supervisor for our oldest children situated at our location in St. Stephen’s. Since 2007 he has been directing all of our after-school programs. If you want to find Mike during evening hours or over the weekend, look no further than the Port Washington Teen Center, where since 2009 he has been the executive director.

Before coming to the Children’s Center, Mike spent two years as a section leader in the army stationed in Kuwait during Operation Spring. Upon his return Mike participated in a Walt Disney World internship. Mike has his master’s degree in school guidance and is a member of the Nassau & Suffolk County Guidance Counselors Association.

Anna Raziano, CPA

Financial Comptroller – Anna Raziano, Certified Public Accountant, has been a part of the Port Washington Children's Center since September, 2008. On a part-time basis, Anna maintains the financial books and records of the Children's Center and oversees all aspects of the accounting department. After majoring in public accounting and earning her Bachelor of Business Administration, Anna joined Ernst & Young, LLP, where she worked for over 8 years. She subsequently worked for a public international corporation as its Corporate Controller for six years until deciding to be a stay-at-home mom for her twin children.

Veronica Casamassima, MBA

Office Manager – Veronica joined our staff in 2011. Her years of experience include everything from graphic design to hotel hospitality. Veronica brings with her a wide range of skills and knowledge which includes being fluent in Spanish and Italian.

Yael Sommer

Social Worker - Yael Sommer has been a social worker for almost 20 years. Her experience ranges from working in public schools, mental health clinics, and refugee resettlement agencies. She has worked for organizations such as NYANA, African Services Committee, Partnership with Children, Jewish Board of Families and Children’s Services, and Northside Center for Child Development. She is passionate about leading support groups and working with children and their families. Yael is also a nurse and has worked for the PW School District in that capacity. She is fluent in Spanish and Hebrew. Yael resides here in Port Washington with her husband and three school-age children. She is excited to get to know all the wonderful families that are a part of the Children’s Center community. Yael looks forward to being a liason between the School District and the children in the community.

PWCC Teaching Staff

The Port Washington Children’s Center is truly fortunate to have a highly professional teaching staff. The majority of head teachers have their graduate degree, while others have pursued their bachelor’s degree. Many of our assistant teachers have their college degree as well and still others are continuing with their higher education. All staff members participate in ongoing professional development and complete a minimum of thirty hours of in service training every two years. The center has a very high rate of staff retention. Our staff provides children with a warm, nurturing, safe environment in which they can explore and learn.