Staff Members

Carol joined the Dillon Center in June 2023 as its Assistant Director after a long career as an early childhood teacher. She holds an MS from SUNY Albany in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Literacy. Carol has always been connected to schools that value play-based and social-emotional learning, and she has mentored many new teachers along the way. Carol enjoys supporting teachers as they create meaningful and engaging curriculum.

Rachel came to the Dillon Center in the summer of 2023. She has been working with children ranging in age from early childhood through grade 8 for many years, with roles such as being in the classroom as an assistant teacher to serving as an After School program coordinator across multiple DOE sites. Rachel graduated from Hunter College with a degree in Applied Psychology. She is excited to have the opportunity to once again work in a childcare setting.

Leandra is new to the Dillon Center in 2024. She recently graduated from St. Joseph’s University with both general and special education certification, and is midway through a Master’s program in Special Education. Leandra is passionate about arts and crafts, animals, and gardening and is excited to incorporate these interests into Classroom 1.

Mariah is new to the Dillon Center this year. She earned her B.A. in Child Study from St. Joseph’s University and holds certifications in both general and special education, and recently completed her M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology. Mariah loves reading, bike riding, and spending time outdoors. She is excited to share her love of books, storytelling, and movement with the children in Classroom One!

Merlina is the Special Education Assistant Teacher in Classroom One. She has been working in the Inclusion classroom since 2002.  She is the mother of three children, the oldest of whom is a Dillon Center alum. She has a passion for working with young children, and helping them to grow. She loves planning big art projects such as murals, paper mache, and puppet making.

Kelly graduated from St. Joseph’s University in 2022, and worked in Classroom 1 for two years before taking a break in 2024-2025. But we are thrilled that she is back this year! Kelly likes to cook, do puzzles, read books, and do art projects with the children in her classroom.

Eva is the head teacher in Classroom Two. She completed her B.A. in Child Study at St. Joseph’s University, and is enrolled in a master’s program in special education at SJNY. Eva’s favorite things to do in the classroom are finger painting, making and using playdough, and matching games. She loves playing with children!

Rod is an Assistant Teacher in Classroom Two. Rod started at the Dillon Center in 2021 but has 9 years of experience working in early childhood. He loves to read books, explore nature and learn what fascinates his students. He enjoys doing messy art projects in the classroom that allow the children to express themselves.

Ms. Emily loves young children and enjoys learning from them as well as teaching them. She is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College with a Master’s in Literacy and Cognition. Ms. Emily is the mother of eight grown children and a Girl Scout Leader for over 25 years.

Miss Peggy has been at the Dillon Center since 1995. Even after all that time, she is still excited to play with the children every day. She especially likes to bake and cook with them.

Lauren is new to the Dillon Center this year, but coincidentally, she knows all about Dillon, because her mom worked there for over 20 years when Lauren was younger! Lauren loves to do lots of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping and taking care of plants. She also loves to make colorful jewelry, and do DIY craft projects.

Cara started working in Classroom 3 at the Dillon Center in January of 2022. She is going to be the head teacher in Classroom 4 starting in September 2024. Cara has her BA and MA from St. Joseph’s University. She loves to play with children, and enjoys all of the various centers in the Dillon classrooms.

Candice is an Assistant Teacher in Classroom Four. She enjoys reading stories, doing arts and crafts, and music, and she is looking forward to doing these things with her students at Dillon. Candice has been involved with the Dillon Center for many years as a substitute teacher, and she also graduated from St. Joseph’s University.

Sister Patricia Dittmer received her B.A. from St. Joseph’s University, her M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, and her P.D. in Supervision and Leadership. She is the co-author of the book Look Listen and Plan — Developing Literacy in Young Children. Sister Patricia is also a Consultant at Catholic School Academy, and an Instructor of Early Childhood Education at St. Joseph’s College. She has a passion for art and creativity, music and movement, and learning.

Victoria Contreras has been at Dillon since 2001. She enjoys singing songs, reading stories and cooking with the children. Sometimes she plans activities in Spanish because she is bilingual.