Liz peck
(Preschool director)

Liz is the Director of St. Matthews Preschool. A long-time educator, Liz received her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College in NYC. She taught Early Childhood for 4 years at the Episcopal School in Manhattan, 25 years at Rippowam-Cisqua School in Bedford and the last two years here at St. Matthews. Liz also owns her own dog training business. She enjoys walking in the woods with her dogs, mornings in the gym, cooking with her husband and visiting with her children. Her favorite new role is that of Grandma to her Grandcildren; Lucy age 3, Cal age 5 months, and Ayla age 6 months.

Denise Moccia
(2’s Teacher)

A native of Wisconsin, Denise moved to New York and received her teaching degree from Herbert Lehman College. Over the past 13 years, she has worked at St. Matthews as a substitute, assistant teacher and a teacher’s aide. Her love of St Matthews keeps bringing her back! This is her third year teaching the twos. She has four grown children that she raised here in Bedford. Denise enjoys being part of the Bedford Fire Department, and working at Athleta in Mt Kisco. She is also an avid fan of cooking and cars and is CNA certified; she a passionate eldercare professional.

Nell Appleby(2’S TEACHER MWF)

BONNIE CASEY (T/THTWO’S TEACHER)

SOPHIA DEGL(3’s Teacher)

This is Sophia’s second year as a dynamic Three’s teacher. Starting out as a substitute, then two days a week and last year as a five day Three’s co-Teacher Sophia has found her calling. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in communications, Sophia began her career as an Account Executive at a promotions agency. However, her greatest joy has been being a mom for the last 17 years and raising her three lovely children in Waccabuc with her husband. Sophia loves to watch her children play sports, go estate sale hunting and snuggling her dog Maisie. He eldest was off to college last year, and soon to be followed by her sister next fall.

AVERY DAVID (CO-TEACHER THREE’S)

Avery grew up in South Salem, NY and graduated from Indiana University in 2023 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Although her extended family hails from the midwest, Avery came back to her Westchester roots after graduation. She worked for two years as an assistant in third and fourth grade at Sacred Heart in Greenwich. This year in addition to her little "Three's" she will be starting her third year as varsity coach at Blind Brook High School. Avery loves warm sunny places and being with her family, especially her two sisters and her brother.

Betty seraita
(3’steacher)

Betty graduated from The American University in Washington, DC with a degree in communications/broadcast journalism. Betty started out with a career advertising and after raising her two daughters, she pivoted to teaching. A longtime Katonah resident, she began teaching preschool in the Bedford area 20 years ago. Betty loves spending time with her family on vacation. She is very thankful that her adult daughters still enjoy going away with her and her husband and soon that will include her son-in-law. Betty is a big fan of Penn State football and spending her Saturdays watching the games during the fall.

Kate hordan
(3’steacher)

Kate is so happy to be co-teaching the 3’s this year. She has her Masters in Education and is a NYS certified teacher in grades N thru 6th. Kate spent much of her teaching career as a first grade teacher in the Yonkers Public School System. She loved teaching first grade, but “Early Childhood,” she says, “is her favorite!” Kate lives in Yorktown with her husband and enjoys spending time with her grown daughter and son. Cooking, gardening, and hiking are her favorite hobbies.

Maria-Elena Kiely
(pre-k teacher)

Maria-Elena is excited to be joining the team at St Matthew’s. She has her masters in education, and is a NYS certified teacher. She previously taught at St. Ann’s in Yonkers where she attended school as a child. She lives in Somers with her husband and her daughter (who is entering high school) and their two cats. She enjoys being a co-leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Maria-Elena loves spending summers at the Jersey shore, baking, watching her daughter run cross country, and preparing for her favorite holiday, Christmas.

KRISTINA PARKER(PREK TEACHER)

Kris is thrilled to be working in the Pre-K classroom.  After earning her master’s degree in journalism, she spent several years working in media relations for an art museum and a film nonprofit. The past four years, she has been a full-time parent to two energetic kids and a dog. Kris loves skiing, crafting, reading, and sharing her love of the outdoors.  She has recently taken up gardening and paddle boarding and lives in South Salem. 

Support Staff

Kelly Napolitano  Administration Manager   

Cindy Johnson Bookkeeper

Amanda Garzon Preschool Housekeeper