Our Teachers
At Morrow, our teachers are truly the heart of our community. Every member of our teaching team began their journey with us as parents, entrusting us with their own children’s early learning and sharing the same hopes and dreams for their own children that you have for yours. Their journey from parent to teacher deepens their dedication and creates a truly caring, family-like atmosphere.
Committed to learning and growing alongside our students, our teachers continuously enhance their skills through ongoing professional development, including workshops and local and national conferences to bring the best in early childhood education to our classrooms.
Kristen Mitchell
2.5s Teacher
Kristen begins her fourth year at MMPS and is the teacher of the 2.5s class. She is a life-long resident of South Orange, where she currently lives with her husband, Matt and daughter. Kristen has a BS in Business Administration from Montclair State University. She was a co-op parent for two years at MMPS, and holds her New Jersey CDA credential.
Yesenia Santana Brownell
3s Teacher and Registrar
Yesenia is excited to begin her third year at MMPS teaching the 3s class. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Tim, and their two children, including a proud MMPS graduate. Prior to joining MMPS, Yesenia taught Kindergarten at The Brearley School in NYC for 14 years. She holds a BA in Educational Studies from Brown University in Providence, RI, and an MA in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education in NYC.
Terrie Brodie
3-4s Teacher
Terrie begins her 19th year at MMPS, teaching the 3-4s class and the Explorers program. She was a co-op parent at MMPS for five years and served on the Board as the Registrar for two years. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Tom, and their two children. Terrie attended College of the Mainland in Texas City, TX and holds her New Jersey CDA credential.
Nancy O’Connell
Pre-K 4s Teacher
Nancy begins her 22nd year at MMPS, teaching the Pre-K 4s class and Soar with Fours program. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Rob, and their three adult children are proud MMPS alumni. Nancy holds an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College in Springfield, MA, and a Child Development credential from Montclair State University.
Patti Moore
Assistant Teacher, Pre-K 4s (PM) and Soar with Fours
Patti begins her fifth year at MMPS as the afternoon Assistant Teacher in our Pre-K 4s class as well as our Soar with Fours program. She has been an important part of our support staff since 2018 and was a co-op parent for five years. Patti lives in Maplewood with her husband, Owen, and their two daughters. She attended Lynchburg College in Virginia
Annie Abate
KinderBridge Teacher
Annie is thrilled to begin her first year at MMPS teaching the KinderBridge class. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, Matthew, and their two teenage daughters, both MMPS graduates. Annie previously taught 2nd and 3rd grade in NYC, and is currently an after-school literacy tutor. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Barnard College, an MSEd from St. John’s University, and has completed several reading program certifications.
Carolyn McCarthy
Assistant Teacher, KinderBridge
Carolyn begins her fifth year at MMPS as an Assistant Teacher in our KinderBridge class. She and her husband, Chris, live in Millburn, where they raised their three children. Carolyn also co-oped at MMPS for five years and holds a B.A. in Communication from Seton Hall University.