PWCC Administration
Lisa Bridge
Executive Director – Lisa began her career in teaching as a member of the first NYC Teaching Fellows Cohort in 2001 and 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! Lisa has her Master in Divinity from Columbia University and her Master in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College.
Christine Paige
Program Director – Christine is an experienced educator with a passion for nurturing young minds. She serves as the Program Director for all programs at the Port Washington Children’s Center, including The Port After School, Kids Port, and Port Day Camp.
With 12 years of dedicated service as an elementary and special education teacher, Christine brings a wealth of knowledge in curriculum development, classroom management, and individualized instruction. Her journey in early childhood education, camp, and school-age childcare spans 17 years, during which she has honed her skills in program coordination, staff supervision, and ensuring the safety and well-being of every child under her care.
Christine is deeply committed to creating enriching and inclusive environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive. In her role, she leverages her expertise to design engaging and developmentally appropriate activities, foster strong partnerships with families, and lead a dedicated team of professionals in delivering high-quality care.
She looks forward to contributing to the continued success and positive impact of the programs at PWCC and to creating memorable experiences that will inspire and empower the next generation!
Nicole Gilloon
Business Manager – Nicole brings a wealth of experience to her role as Business Manager at PWCC. With a bachelor’s degree in business administration, she has a strong foundation in managing operations and finances. Prior to joining our team, Nicole spent six years as the assistant director of a childcare center, where she honed her skills in leadership and program development.
In her personal life, Nicole is a devoted mom to two young children, which fuels her passion for creating nurturing environments for families. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her kids and exploring new activities together.
Omar Irizarry
Port AfterSchool Director – Omar has worked at the Children’s Center since 2010. He has worked with in our Pre-K program, after school programs in KidsPort & Port AfterSchool, along with working every Summer with our KidsPort kids. Omar previously worked as Site Supervisor at Port AfterSchool in Daly, Omar was recently promoted to School Aged Director. Omar’s favorite childhood book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Omar has a BA in Sports Management from St. John’s University and has his New York State School Age Care (SAC) Credential.
Bernadette Horvath
KidsPort Director – Bernadette has been part of PWCC teaching staff since 2002. As head teacher of the Sea Turtles, she works hard to create an emergent learning environment for her children, hunting for sticks, branches, and leaves to bring nature into her classroom lessons. Bernedette says that the most inspirational part of her job is “the children.” Her favorite children’s book is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Bernadette has her BA in Early Childhood Education.
Veronica Nieves
Operations Coordinator – Veronica is the Operations Coordinator at the Port Washington Children’s Center, where she has been making a positive impact since 2011. With a Bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management and an Master in Business Administration with concentration in not-for-profit, Veronica combines her customer service background with a passion for community service and her knowledge of technology and building operations. Currently, she focuses her time on facilities management and tech support, ensuring the center operates smoothly and efficiently.
Outside of her professional life, Veronica enjoys cosplaying with her family, is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and loves crafting. She also spends quality time teaching her family dog, Odysseus, fun tricks.
Matt Holzer
Port Summer Camp Director – Matt has headed Port Day Camp for the Children’s Center since 2012 and has worked at summer camps in Port Washington since the late 1990’s. Along with his role as our Summer Camp Director, Matt has been an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Weber for the past 18 years. He also coaches middle school football, 8th grade boys basketball, and varsity baseball. In 2019, Matt won the AA2 Coach of the Year when the Vikings varsity baseball team made it to the Nassau County finals. Matt has a Master’s degree in secondary education social studies from Hofstra University.
PWCC Teaching Staff
The Port Washington Children’s Center is truly fortunate to have a highly professional teaching staff. All staff members participate in ongoing professional development and complete a minimum of thirty hours of in service training every two years. Our staff provides children with a warm, nurturing, safe environment in which they can explore and learn.
Head Teachers for Early Childhood
Kaiyan Liang
Clover Hill (UPK1) – Kaiyan started working at PWCC in September of 2020. She first worked in the Guppies room and is now one of two head teachers in the Sea Horse room. Kaiyan and her co-teachers teach children foreign languages, cultures, and customs including Chinese, Spanish and Italian. Kaiyan said that the most inspiring part of her job is “when the children show interest in learning cultural diversity and when the children enjoy their time at school with their friends.” Her favorite children’s book is the “Curious George” series by Margret and H. A. Rey. Kaiyan has her M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Long Island University.
Holly Anne Haleiko
Daylily Fields (UPK2) – Holly Anne joined the Center in August of 2022 as head teacher in the Preschool Step-Up Class. Before joining PWCC, she taught kindergarten through fifth grade in a Baldwin Public School and worked as a teacher for a local private preschool while she completed her BA at Long Island University. Holly Anne said that the most inspirational part of her job is “watching each of my children learn, grow, and blossom throughout the school year right in front of my eyes!” Holly Anne’s favorite children’s book is “Our Class Is A Family” written by Shannon Olsen. Holly Anne has her BA in Early Childhood Education and her MA from University of Albany in Literacy.
Natalie Buccino
Maple Shores (UPK3) – Natalie started with PWCC in August of 2021. Prior to joining PWCC, she worked in early childhood and with school aged children fro the last 20 years. Since joining PWCC, she has worked with the preschoolers in the Dolphins room. Natalie says that the most inspirational part of her job is “seeing the children flourish and grow right before my eyes.” Her favorite book is “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein.
Supervisors for Afterschool Programs
Ana Campos
PAS at Salem –Ana is the dedicated Site Supervisor at Salem, where she takes great pride in guiding her team toward achieving outstanding results. Her leadership style focuses on fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that inspires growth and success.
In her personal time, Ana finds tranquility and joy at the beach, which she considers her preferred retreat. Her commitment to her role and her passion for helping others make her an invaluable asset to the team!
Frankie Azzarelli
PAS at Manorhaven – Frankie is the Supervisor of PAS Manorhaven, bringing over a decade of experience to the Port Washington Children’s Center. Having attended the center as a child, Frankie has a deep-rooted passion for fostering a supportive and engaging environment for today’s youth.
In addition to his supervisory role, Frankie has a keen interest in technology, writing, and drawing. He is skilled in building and upgrading desktop computers, showcasing his love for all things tech. Outside of work, Frankie enjoys playing video games. His blend of experience and enthusiasm makes him a valuable asset to the team.
Cynthia Phair
PAS at Daly – Cynthia has been a valued team member at the Port Washington Children’s Center since 2008. As a lifelong Port resident, she has a deep connection to the community and even attended the PWCC as a child. Throughout her time at the center, Cynthia has gained extensive experience working with children of all ages, fostering their growth and development. Equipped with a background in Secondary Education from Long Island University and holding a New York State School Age Child Care Credential, Cynthia currently serves as the Director of Port After School at Daly. Cynthia continues to inspire both her colleagues and the children under her care with her dedication and expertise.
Rylee Taylor
PAS at Sousa – Rylee graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Long Island University Post. With a strong dedication to community involvement, Rylee served as the lead teacher at Kidsport and co-directed the Kidsport Musical during summer camp in 2024.
Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, Rylee strives to create a fun and inviting atmosphere where kids can thrive and express themselves. Her commitment to fostering creativity and engagement makes her an invaluable member of the team at the Port Washington Children’s Center.
Lorena Guerrero
PAS at Guggenheim – Lorena was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, where she earned her degree in Business Administration with a specialization in International Business. After moving to the United States, Lorena discovered her passion for working with children, leading her to join the Port Washington Children’s Center and the Port After School program at Guggenheim. Over the past four years, she has enjoyed serving as both an Assistant Teacher and Site Supervisor, dedicated to creating a positive and supportive environment for the children in her care.
Currently, Lorena is working toward completing her School-Age Care (SAC) credential to further enhance her skills and grow in her role. Being bilingual in Spanish and English allows her to connect with children, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds, which she truly values. Outside of work, Lorena is passionate about running and is currently training for the New York Marathon, looking forward to achieving this personal goal next year. Her commitment to education and community makes her a wonderful asset to the PWCC team.