A look at our experienced staff…
My name is Judy Knab and I am the director of Open Door Nursery School and a 3-year-old teacher at the school. I earned both my undergraduate and Masters degrees in education from Buffalo State College in the 1970s. After teaching for five years I became a stay-at-home mom for 18 years raising our four daughters along with my husband Ed, who is also a teacher. I began my “second career” here at Open Door in 1995.
I became involved at Open Door first as a parent when I sent all four of my girls here. Early on, I sensed it was a unique and special place for children. As our last daughter entered kindergarten, I was hired as an aide in the 3-year-old class. A teaching position opened the following year, and two years later I readily accepted the job as director. My primary goal was to keep Open Door true to its original philosophy of educating preschoolers through experiential learning. Along with an excellent staff, we enhanced our curriculum by integrating a variety of pre-kindergarten skills into the program.
Open Door truly holds a special place in my heart and I consider it a privilege to be a part of its history.
A new focus in my life at this time is our first grandson, Nathan. Grandma can’t wait to use all her preschool experience on him when he comes to play!!
My name is Roberta Sendker, and I began working at Open Door in 1996 as Judy Knab’s aide in the 3-year-old room.
I grew up in Williamsville, but moved away temporarily when I was first married. I worked as a legal secretary in Philadelphia before my husband and I returned to the Buffalo area. I have a degree in Office Administration, which was never fully utilized once my husband and I started our family. Instead, I chose to stay home full-time with our children..
My husband, Matt, and I have two children – a son Dan, and daughter Megan, both of whom got their start here at Open Door! I am blessed to have three wonderful places that feel like home: my home in the village of Williamsville, my “home” at Harris Hill United Methodist Church where my family is active and I am on staff with the music ministry, and my “home” at Open Door.
It is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to spend time with Open Door’s children! I love watching all the growth that takes place between September and May. And with every new group of children that comes through our doors each September, my own memories are stirred of when I was a mother of children at Open Door!
My name is Wendy Amuso, and I have been teaching preschool since 1973. I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam, and my graduate degree from Canisius College as a Teacher of the Deaf. My career at Open Door began in 1997. I have also been one of the Directors of Music at Williamsville United Methodist Church since 1987. Thus, both music and sign language are incorporated into every part of the school day.
My husband taught music in the East Aurora School district for 33 years, and is now retired. I have two children, Amy (Tom) and Steven (Christina) who are both married. I am a brand new grandmother to little Ava and will be blessed one more time very soon with a new grandson!
I believe that Open Door’s extensive, experiential, theme-based curriculum provides a very unique educational opportunity for all who attend. The children’s days are filled with language, art, drama, movement, and music. The room becomes alive with each unique unit. My favorite part of the day is when I open the door in the morning and see the excitement in the children’s eyes as they enter the room. They can’t wait to see what we will be doing each day. Their joy in learning is my joy in teaching!
My name is Amy Nelson, and I love being able to spend my days at a school where so much magic happens every day! I have been a teacher’s aide at Open Door since 2002 where I work with children in the three- and four-year-old program. Prior to coming to Open Door, I spent eight years as an aide with special education students in the Williamsville School District. I have a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, and worked in an Immunoflourescent Laboratory before starting my family.
My husband and I have a son who lives in Virginia, and daughter who lives locally. I enjoy reading, spending summers with my family on Lake Erie, and traveling to new and exciting places.
I look forward to spending many more years with the wonderful children of Open Door. I feel fortunate to be able to spend my mornings with your children as they learn and grow.
My name is Ellen Loos. Life is grand when you are able to work at a place that you consider an absolute pleasure, which is how it has been for the past eight years for me at Open Door. I have taught both three- and four-year-old programs and love every minute of it. My husband and three children hear many of the interesting stories of what goes on here.
After graduating from Medialle College with my Elementary Education degree and Buffalo State with my Masters, I taught for seven years at Christ the King School and two years at Cleveland Hill Elementary. Then came love, marriage, and the baby carriage…for about 10 years I stayed home with my children and then the opportunity to teach at Open Door knocked at my door (all of my children attended here too!). The rest is history.
In my “spare” time, I help my husband, who is the pastor at Brick by Brick Bible Church in Williamsville.
I am Debora Cullen, and I was born and raised in Ilion, NY. I received my A.S. Degree in 1987 from Herkimer County Community College. Furthering my education, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from State University of New York College at Buffalo in 1993.
I then moved on to student teach on the Navajo Reservation in Toadlena, New Mexico in 1993. I received my Masters degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Brockport in 2001, and I hold a New York State permanent teaching certificate, Nursery, K-6. I taught 2nd grade in Rochester for 3 years.
I have been happily married to Peter Cullen since 1993. We have two beautiful children, Matthew is in 3rd grade and Laura is in 1st grade. Both children are alumni of Open Door.
I joined the staff of Open Door in 2006 and I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful school!
My name is Mary Pardo and I began working as an aide in 2009 for Ellen Loos and Debra Cullen in the 4-year-old classroom at Open Door.
I was born and raised in Amherst, where my husband and I now live with our children, Daniel and Bridget. I graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a BS in Business Administration. I worked in the accounting and administration field for several years before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom.
Both of my children attended Open Door and loved every minute of it. I consider myself so fortunate to part of the Open Door “family” where I am blessed with seeing all of the children’s smiling faces each day!
My name is Gail Sexton and it is my pleasure to be teaching the Pre-K program this year. I came to Open Door in 2006 and so enjoy spending my days with your children.
I grew up in Tonawanda and graduated from Buffalo State College in the 1970s. I have been married to my husband Kevin since 1976. We have two grown sons and one daughter-in-law who live in New Jersey and New Hampshire.
Prior to 2006, we lived in Connecticut where I spent my time raising my sons and teaching in several preschool programs. I have worked in preschools and day care settings for many years, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love young children and their enthusiasm for life.
When I am not planning fun things to do at school, I enjoy walking, crafts, reading, and attempting to grow flowers. I look forward to a successful year at Open Door.
My name is Karen Carter and I have been “working” at Open Door since 1996. Like many of my friends and colleagues here, I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom. Most of our neighborhood enrolled their children in Open Door. One mom used to wait in line for all of us (sometimes outside for 1-2 hours in February) on registration day to get the premium spots in the 3- and 4-year-old programs. When the 5-year-old program was started, I jumped at the chance to be a part of our favorite nursery school staff – and I have loved every minute!
My husband and I still live in the same neighborhood – although we are pretty much empty nesters now. I have two children - a son and a daughter - who both attended Open Door many years ago. In our spare time, we enjoy traveling and spending time with family.
My name is Melissa Knights Bertrand. I am mom to my son, Jack, and twin girls, Julia and Ashley. My teaching experience includes seven years in both the Williamsville and Maryvale school districts with the majority of my time spent teaching 1st and 2nd grade. I have a B.A. in English from SUNY Oswego and an M.S. in Education from Canisius College. I am certified to teach nursery school through 12th grade.
I enjoy reading, writing, organizing, decorating, gardening, cooking, shopping, walking, biking, and yoga. I am an active volunteer at my children’s schools as well as my church. My sister, Stacey Knights Pellicano, and I are co-owners of Posh Baby Baskets, which is an online business that markets to pregnant women, new moms/babies, and hospital patients. We are also the event planners for the Western New York Baby Expo and editors of an online resource for parents called WNY Kids (www.wnykids.com).
After being home with my children for 11 years, I am excited to be teaching 3-year-olds at Open Door on Tuesday and Thursday.