Virginia McDonald is the owner of Turtle Creek Learning Academy. She has owned Turtle Creek for the past eleven years while retaining her teaching position as a teacher of gifted-and-talented students in the Marlboro Township School District for the past twenty-six years. She founded Turtle Creek in 1998 as an outgrowth from her master’s thesis she was working on at Kean University.  After observing many preschools in the area at that time, she realized most were not aligned with the latest research on how preschool children come to learn. She had a vision for creating a small private school that would be based on Best Practices in Preschool education and has never wavered from this vision and commitment to preschool children.

Ms. McDonald has assembled the most professional and talented teachers in the area and has kept her student-to-teacher ratio remarkably low. This winning combination provides for the best environment for children to learn and grow.  Children graduate from Turtle Creek not only prepared academically, but have the social and emotional foundation necessary to meet further success.

Ms. McDonald understands that preschool children learn best in a playful setting.  Activities are structured that are stimulating and developmentally appropriate.  Childhood is honored and respected by allowing children to also engage in their own self-selected play. It is during these times that teachers have opportunities to observe children in order to plan lessons, monitor behavior and differentiate instruction.

Ms. McDonald was selected at the Teacher of the Year recipient at Marlboro Elementary School in 2009. She is passionately committed to the education of all children. Turtle Creek is special because at its very heart is a devoted teacher.

Nicole Cafaro has spent the last six years teaching our pre kindergarten and kindergarten programs. She is a talented and caring teacher who helps our children to grow in confidence as they master the skills necessary to go on to first grade. She embraces a student centered classroom and a hands on approach to engage and enliven the children. Students learn from interacting with their environment and Mrs. Cafaro is exceptional in her ability to present stimulating lessons. Mrs. Cafaro's BS is in business but she received her teaching certification through the Georgian Court Accelerated Teacher Program.She taught in Spotwood before coming to Turtle Creek. Mrs. Cafaro is a devoted and loving mom to two beautiful daughters and one special husband. It's teachers like Mrs. Cafaro that make Turtle Creek the best preschool in the area.

We were thrilled when Jennifer Cappelluti decided to join the staff at Turtle Creek. She is one of our newest teachers here at TCLA but she has become invaluable to our school and the children we serve. Jennifer’s degrees and certificates are exceptionally impressive. She earned her bachelor’s in social work at StonyBrook and went on obtain an MSW from Fordham University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and holds certificates in child abuse prevention and play therapy. Mrs. Cappelluti enjoys working with children and parents. She especially likes observing children through play and offering them opportunities to express themselves and their feelings through play. Her intensive and professional background offers another level of service to our students in the three -year –old program.  Mrs. Cappelluti’s presence has raised the bar at Turtle Creek and we are pleased and  grateful that she is part of our family.

Joanne Colisto

Mrs. Colisto is a little dynamo, some would even say a whirling dervish. She has taught Pre Kindergarten and the Mommy and Me Program here at Turtle Creek for three years. Mrs. Colisto earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pace University and her master’s degree in reading/literacy from the College of New Rochelle, New York. She has taught fourth through sixth grades in New York, and is a certified teacher in both New York and New Jersey. It’s no surprise that she was twice the recipient of the Teacher of the Year award. She loves spending time with her family and relaxing by reading a good book or going to the beach. It’s hard to imagine, but she finds time to volunteer at the Monmouth County Library with the Teen Advisory Board. Mrs. Colisto, like her other colleagues, advance the professionalism and high quality of education here at Turtle Creek.

Christine Fountaine

There are some teachers so perfectly suited to teach three year olds. Christine Fountaine is one of them. She's a treasure here at Turtle Creek; she's loved by all the children, parents and her colleagues alike. Mrs. Fountaine graduated from Brooklyn College and has taught first through fifth grades. She joined our staff in 2006. We're glad she did! Besides teaching and being a mom of three wonderful children, Mrs. Fountaine is also a girl scout leader, and active in the Manalapan PTA and Pop Warner. She loves to read, and scrapbook but especially likes spending quality time with her family. She reminds us how lucky we are to have such talented teachers here at Turtle Creek.

Eve Giountikos, affectionately called Mrs. G, is one of the hardest working teachers at Turtle Creek. Mrs. G has been with us since 2005 and has worked in all the classes and supervised our after care program.

Prior to coming aboard at Turtle Creek, Mrs. G worked at two other preschools. Mrs. G generously shares her Greek heritage with her students. (The teachers love her cooking as well!) She has two fabulous handsome sons and enjoys reading, crocheting, cooking and gardening. Mrs. G is so happy to be a part of our students' lives.

We couldn’t be more thrilled that Alisssa Jacobs is returning to Turtle Creek. She left last year to work with special needs students in the Jackson public school system. She is one of the most beloved teachers that has ever taught at Turtle Creek.  Mrs. Jacobs graduated from FIT with a degree in marketing. She is presently enrolled in Monmouth University’s Early Childhood Endorsement Program. Mrs. Jacobs is a “natural” with children; she has a sweet and heartfelt ability to relate to and understand children and their needs and respond with such warmth and kindness. Children flock to her like the Pied Piper. Mrs. Jacobs intuitively applies the art of teaching; her intense course work has helped her to develop a greater awareness of the science of teaching. What a wonderful blend in an amazing teacher!

Lynn Krachie, our master kindergarten teacher, has the most longevity at Turtle Creek. Mrs. Krachie came aboard in 1999 in our second year of operation. She fully embodies the energetic and artful spirit of being a highly qualified teacher. Mrs. Krachie didn't start out in education. Her first degree is in economics; she worked on Wall Street for a while. In 1999, Mrs. Krachie received her master of education degree from Rutgers and the rest is history. Mrs. Krachie has a love of science and literacy and melds them so seamlessly in some of the "big projects" she undertakes. Whether it's building a rainforest in the class or putting on a circus for the parents, she attacks these types of projects where all content areas are interwoven with incredible gusto. Children come back year after year to tell her what a difference she made in their lives. It's a given that she teaches skills to prepare our students for first grade, but more importantly, she gives our children great confidence and a deep and genuine love for school that will carry them forever.

Denise Marinella

Denise Marinella is our co-teacher in our 2 1/2 year old program. She's also taught in our three-year old program and our Mommy and Me Program. Mrs. Marinella gravitates to the youngest children in our school. It's a great fit for her sweet and gentle personality. Her passion for children comes from being a stay-at-home mom for seventeen years, raising three incredible boys. Mrs. Marinella is a local girl who was raised in Marlboro and continues to contribute to this community in her volunteer work with schools and her church. She's a perfect fit for our loving, nurturing environment here at Turtle Creek.

Claire McGuiness

Mrs. McGuiness is one of those people who to know her is to love her. The words sweet, gentle, and kind come to mind. Mrs. McGuiness received her BS degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University. She is dually certified to each early childhood education and kindergarten through eighth grade. She’s taught at Turtle Creek for the past five years. Mrs. McGuiness is actively involved in the Marlboro community especially with the Girl Scouts. Even though she has many talents, she claims that her greatest talent is the ability to get her three kids anywhere they need to be in a single bound. Her spirit of volunteerism and social responsibility comes through in the educational themes she selects throughout the year. “Taking care of the earth” is one of her favorite units to teach. We’re blessed to have her here at Turtle Creek.

Maryanne Pacifico

Mrs. Pacifico has taught with great dedication and enthusiasm at Turtle Creek for the past nine years. She is a seasoned teacher who has great sensitivity to the needs of children. Mrs. Pacifico has her ASS degree from Kingsboro Community College and has continued to enhance her knowledge through additional courses at Brookdale. She is a certified group teacher and our technology coordinator here at Turtle Creek. Mrs. Pacifico is actively involved in the community and has a passion for special needs students. She serves on the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee for Manalapan Township. Mrs. Pacifico has taught in both our kindergarten and Pre Kindergarten classes. She is a valued and respected part of our Turtle Creek family.

Liz Safhay

Mrs. Safhay is our resident artist. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Mrs. Safhay has continued to enhance her education through a variety of course work in sign language and elementary art. She obtained a certificate of eligibility for teachers from preschool to third grade. Mrs. Safhay teaches our after school art fun club. Because of her background and experiences, she is integral in helping to develop our art program at Turtle Creek. If you want to see just a small sample of the type of work she does with students, stop in the office to see the number poster her students created based on a Jasper Johns painting. It’s magnificent, just like she is!

Wendy Towner

You’ll know Wendy by her accent; she was born and raised in England and has lived in the States for six years. She earned several certificates of education in England in languages, science, math, and computers.  Wendy has taught our Pre Kindergarten program at Turtle Creek for the past five years.  She has a special interest in math relations including blocks and puzzles and enjoys teaching music and arts and crafts. Wendy has two beautiful children and is happily involved in their activities.  Our students just love to hear her read stories with her most charming accent. We love her for her devotion and her sweet caring for our children here at Turtle Creek.

Carol Varile

Carol Varile is our newest member on staff. Mrs. Varile worked in finance in New York City before making a career switch to preschool education. When Mrs. Varile worked in another local preschool before joining Turtle Creek, she knew she had found a perfect match for her kind and gentle nature. Mrs. Virale has three wonderful children, speaks fluent Italian, and cooks like a professional chef. We are so happy that she joined our team. She's an asset to our school community.