Where Quality and Caring Meet


A Non-Sectarian School


Contact Us/Schedule A Visit
School Calendar
Follow Us
Family Login

Educating the Community Since 1977


Meet the Staff

The Teachers and Staff That Make The Preschool Place & Kindergarten The Place for Your Children

We are very proud of our outstanding team of director, teachers, assistants and office staff here at The Preschool Place & Kindergarten.  Director, Carol Rubnitz, holds a Masters of Science in Early Childhood and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Rubnitz was appointed Director in 2005.

Each classroom teacher is certified in early childhood education and many teachers hold a Masters of Education.  Our teachers are experienced early childhood educators and have over 200 years of combined classroom experience.  The majority of our teaching staff have come to us after having had their own children go through our program. As educators and parents they were so impressed with what their children did here that they too wanted to be part of our team.

What we do not only includes educating your children, but educating ourselves. Our staff actively keeps up with the latest research in early childhood education, and attends professional development programs, all with the goal of giving your children the quality education they deserve in their early years. In addition our staff maintains current certifications in both CPR and First Aid.

Melissa Reilley-Grecco

Appointed 2023 Education/Experience:   I am passionately committed to the field of early childhood education. While studying at William Paterson University I had the privilege of working in early education as an infant, toddler and preschool teacher. After graduating I spent 18 years as a kindergarten teacher, curriculum coordinator and education coach.   In the…

Debbie Rible

Appointed: 2019 Education/Experience: Graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Certified paralegal – FDU. Mom to three young boys. Fun Facts: All three of Debbie’s boys attended The Preschool Place & Kindergarten. Her youngest is currently enrolled in Kindergarten. In her spare time Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and watching…

Jill Greenwald

Appointed: 2013 Education/Experience: Graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education. Taught in the public school systems in Westfield & Edison and did long term substitute teaching in Bridgewater and Branchburg.  Was a teacher’s assistant and classroom teacher at the Preschool Place & Kindergarten before taking on this new role.…

Ruth Baugh

Appointed: 2021 Education/Experience: Ruth graduated from Essex County College in 2007 with an Associates degree in Biology. Recently received her Child Development Associate degree (CDA) for preschool children ages 3-5 years old. Has been a preschool teacher for the past 5 years. Fun Facts: Ruth’s hobbies include collecting snow globes, changing her hair color, collecting…

Kellie Collins

Appointed:  2013 Education/ Experience:  B.S. in Early Childhood from Kean College. Fun Facts: Her daughter attended The Preschool Place Kindergarten and she has been a substitute in our school since 2010. Kellie loves to play tennis.

Dianne Freidman

Appointed: 2020 Education/Experience: Graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. Dianne has been teaching in Early Childhood Education for over 18 years. Fun Facts: Dianne and her husband love when their children come back home for the holidays or for a visit on the weekends. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends…

Cathy Giallorenzo (Mrs. G)

Appointed:  2000 Education/Experience:  BS degree in Speech from Montclair State College and her Masters in Elementary Education and Reading from St. Johns University. She is certified in Early Childhood Education as well as Elementary Education. She taught in our “fours” program before teaching kindergarten and taught for 4 years before joining The Preschool Place and…

Lisa Graber

Appointed:  2015 Education/Experience:  Master of Education from East Stroudsburg University with Reading Specialist certification; Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University with a dual Major in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She taught Kindergarten-2nd grade for 12 years in Chatham, NJ, and Nazareth, PA. Fun Facts:  Her children, Matthew and Sarah, both attended the Preschool Place. Mrs.…