About Us

MCNS Philosophy

The philosophy of MCNS is based on the understanding that early education rich in stimulation is key to a child’s academic success. Our teachers encourage students to grow academically and emotionally at their own level through experiences that allow them to explore and use critical thinking and problem solving.

About MCNS

Our amazing teachers and staff are certified and experienced in early childhood education and are committed to providing the best first school experience to our students. MCNS is proud to adopt the Zoo Phonics program which concentrates on students learning their letter sounds through sight, sound, and motion. They spend their time creating a memorable learning environment which prepares our students for their next step. Our class sizes remain small with a low student-teacher ratio to give each child the attention they need to be successful. They have the unique opportunity to build a connection between student and teacher which translates into individualized instruction. MCNS offers a safe, caring and cheerful classroom to grow and learn. Students have the opportunity to participate in many activities to enrich their learning, by using hands on materials and exposure to school routines that makes their transition to kindergarten go smoothly.

Why learn with us

MCNS CORE VALUES:

Excellence

We work to provide the highest quality education focused on exceptional curriculum and preparing your child for kindergarten.

Trust

With over 40 years of dedication toward promoting a love for learning, families trust that MCNS puts their child’s interests first

Education

MCNS implements a theme based, common core aligned curriculum that is research tested and taught by experienced and qualified teachers.

Service & Community

We teach our students the importance of citizenship in and outside of the classroom with experiences to serve their community.

Team Work

Education works best when families and school work together. We encourage a close home-school connection, starting with exceptional communication to set the foundation for their school years.

Meet Our Director

Melissa Ricci

Director

Melissa Ricci added the director position at MCNS in the Fall of 2020 after being a part of the community since 2014 as both a parent and a teacher. She serves a dual role as our AM PreK teacher; a role she holds dear to her heart in order to stay connected with the MCNS families. She aims to create an environment where children learn through hands on activities while preparing for the full day kindergarten experience they will step into. It is her belief that the school experience should be a bridge from home to school working together to give little learners a sense of confidence as they enter the next level of their education. She is incredibly excited that she has been given the opportunity to work with and support the amazing MCNS teaching staff to provide your families with the best start to their school years.

Meet Our Teachers

Erica Marple

Erica Marple

Playful Twos Teacher

Erica joins MCNS as our Playful Twos assistant.  She was first introduced to MCNS through her children; one current student and one alumni. Erica is a friendly face who enjoys working with the smallest MCNS kiddos. We are excited to have her join our team!

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Nora Nichols

Nora Nichols

Art & Science Teacher

Nora comes to our staff new in 2022-2023 school year. She grew up in Trumansburg NY. She has a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Masters degree in Childhood Education from the University of Rochester. Nora currently lives in Honeoye Falls with her husband and two children, whom she has been fortunate to stay home with for the last eight years. Prior to motherhood, Nora was an educator in New York and Texas and worked for educational non-profits. She is a Girl Scout troop leader and enjoys reading and exploring local parks.

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Robbin Orr

Robbin Orr

Infinity & Beyond Enrichment, Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Mrs. Orr is new to MCNS, but comes with experience as a preschool and daycare teacher.  She is a welcome addition to the MCNS TK room and brings a warm smile and creative ideas to our oldest classroom.

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Jackie Lanzillo

Jackie Lanzillo

Fun in Threes PM

This will be Jackie Lanzillo's third year at MCNS, after she joined our team our with 13 years of preschool experience.  After wearing many different hats in the communications field and still actively involved with the American Red Cross Board of Directors, she fell in love with teaching preschoolers. Jackie and Kathy Carrozzi have been working together in PreK and bring a strong team and wealth of knowledge to MCNS. We are happy to have Jackie on board.  Her love for life and her students is contagious. When she is not working in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter as well as supporting her Alma Mater, St. Bonaventure!

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Eileen Lang

Eileen Lang

Fun in Threes PM

Eileen joined MCNS in 2021 as our PM Fun in Threes Assistant.  She enjoys working with our students in our 3s program. She has really been an important piece in building this new afternoon program.  When Mrs. Lang is not at MCNS she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

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Joanne Weber

Joanne Weber

Fun in Threes AM

2Joanne finds great joy working in the Fun in Threes!  She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Utica College where she majored in Occupational Therapy.  After staying home with her 2 boys during their younger years, she began at MCNS in 2012.  She thoroughly enjoys helping children to develop confidence and foundation skills which are the building blocks for life-long learning.  Outside of school, Joanne spends a lot of time with her immediate and extended family.  Throughout the year, you can find she and her husband cheering on their sons at their many athletic events

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Amy Tschiderer

Amy Tschiderer

AM Pre-K Teacher, Fun in Threes PM, PM Pre-K Teacher

7Amy Tschiderer grew up locally and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood and Special Education from St. John Fisher College. Before MCNS, she had the great fortune to stay home and raise her two boys, both of whom attended MCNS. Mrs. T. created our twos program for our youngest kiddos at MCNS that develops their growth and independence. She is devoted to cultivating an environment which gives her students the best first experience to their school years.  She has since added another hat at MCNS as the lead PM Fun in Threes teacher where she enjoys extending the curriculum from the 2s program as the children grow.  Amy is an active member in the MCNS and HFL community. When she is not at MCNS, she can be found at many of her boys sporting events or spending time with her husband, Steve.

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Shannon Linn

Shannon Linn

Infinity & Beyond Enrichment, Playful Twos Teacher

Shannon is a native of the HFL area and has 2 kids in the district. She has become a friendly face at MCNS and always greets everyone with a smile or a kind word.  Mrs. Linn enjoys working with both our smallest friends in the twos program and our biggest friends in enrichment.

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Anita Ricci

Anita Ricci

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

This is Mrs. Ricci’s third year as the lead Transitional Kindergarten teacher.  Previously, Anita taught our enrichment Yoga class which she has successfully implemented into her TK classroom.  She comes with a multitude of early childhood experience including a permanent New York State certification in elementary education and a  Master’s Degree in Education.  Anita began her teaching career in the Hilton Central School District as a multi-age classroom teacher for 5 years.  For the past 20 years, she has enjoyed raising her 3 boys and taking care of several educators children during the school year.  In recent years, she became certified in yoga instruction for children.  She has a passion for early learning and combining the benefits of yoga into her classroom.  Anita brings a personal connection to her students at MCNS as she helps them grow and learn through encouragement.  In her free time, she enjoys playing with her 2 dogs, reading, yoga practice, hiking and spending time with her husband, Fred, and their three boys, Hayden, Anthony and Cole at plays/musicals as well as on the football field.

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Morgan DiMino

Morgan DiMino

Art & Science Teacher

Morgan comes to us after her own 3 children graduated from MCNS.  She has a degree in Education and multiple years as a daycare provider.  Mrs. DiMino teaches our enrichment classes and enjoys diving deeper into fun projects.  She provides lots of creativity and STEAM activities in our Art & Science enrichment.

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Monica Kelty

Monica Kelty

Playful Twos Teacher

Monica Kelty grew up in Phoenix, Az. and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University.  Prior to having her twin boys Monica worked as a Kindergarten teacher for eighteen years. The last nine years she has been blessed to stay at home and raise her twin boys. Monica has a passion for Early Childhood Education and wants to offer her students unique experiences every day that foster creativity, social and emotional growth and a genuine love for learning.  When she is not at MCNS, she can be found volunteering at Manor School and attending her boys various activities with her husband Ed.  Monica is an excellent addition to our Playful 2s program and we are excited to have her on board.

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Jennà Towner

Jennà Towner

Fun in Threes AM

Jennà Towner is our morning Fun in Threes lead teacher for both our 3 day MWF program and our 2 day TTH program.  She has served several roles at MCNS over the last few years including assistant teacher and enrichment teacher. Mrs. Towner holds an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Cobleskill. Jennà has been involved in teaching preschool for the past 20 years, from North Carolina to New York State, and her favorite ages to teach are 3 and 4 year old children. She has two children of her own that keep her busy with sports, including coaching her daughters cheer leading team.

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Melissa Ricci

Melissa Ricci

AM Pre-K Teacher, Infinity & Beyond Enrichment, PM Pre-K Teacher

Melissa Ricci is NY certified (Pre-K through 6) with a masters in elementary education from SUNY Brockport. Mrs. Ricci has been teaching PreK at MCNS since 2014 and has created the PreK curriculum based on her breadth of knowledge and teaching experiences specifically concentrating on the zoo phonics. She was tenured in East Rochester School District before moving to Arizona. There, she stayed home to raise her 3 boys and became interested and involved in early childhood experiences. During that time, she began her career as the lead preschool teacher. She strives to create a first experience that will help the students be prepared and eager to go to school and be life-long learners. She creates a community in her classroom where the children will learn through hands on experiences in a warm and nurturing environment. Together with her talented assistant, Lea Consiglio, they create a warm and fun environment where children grow.  She has recently taken on the lead teacher role in the Infinity and Beyond Enrichment program and enjoys working with students to extend their stamina and learning in their PreK day. Missy lives in Victor with her husband, Matt, their 3 boys; Sam, JT and Eli, (Eli is an MCNS TK alum)  along with their chocolate lab, Champ and their yellow lab, Buck. When she is not at our school, you can find her on the football and lacrosse fields or the wrestling mat cheering her boys on.

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Kathy Carrozzi

Kathy Carrozzi

Fun in Threes PM

This is Kathy’s third year at MCNS after coming to us new this year with 13 years of preschool experience.  A certified teacher, Kathy has taught in the Webster School District and has her permanent New York State certification and Master’s degree.  Kathy and Jackie Lanzillo come together as a well-loved team to teach our PM PreK.  Their passion and love for the students is evident in every special touch they add to their classroom. We are very excited about the knowledge and enthusiasm they bring to MCNS.  Kathy is a Victor resident who lives with her husband, her son who is away at college, and her daughter who followed in her footsteps and has just accepted her first teaching position. In her free time she enjoys crafting, spending time with her family and taking her yellow lab for walks.

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what our families say

We joined MCNS almost 5 years ago now and have sent both our boys through the various classes. We love all the teachers as well as the family community we get to experience every year. It seems year after year Missy, our director, strives for a bigger/better experience by providing more class offerings and times, as well as after hour programs like our backyard movie night and gingerbread workshop. We tell all our friends how amazing our school is because that’s how we truly feel!

Arrigo Family - Parent

MCNS is amazing. We heard of the nursery school from a friend of the family, because they send their children there. I didn’t know where to begin looking for programs for our 2-year old, but knew that he would likely benefit from some interaction with other students in a classroom setting. Our son has now attended for 3 months, and we already see positive changes in his development and speaking abilities (which speaking was a concern of our previously). The teachers, aides, and program director (literally all of them!) are so wonderful to the parents and children. You can tell that the staff genuinely cares through the regular school programs, the events they offer, the way they communicate during drop off and pickups – all around a positive experience. Thank you, MCNS!

Jessica Booker - Parent

We are so thrilled with our PM PreK experience. We had reservations with an afternoon program, but our son quickly adjusted because his teachers were amazing. They both make learning so much fun and came up with such creative learning activities. Our son loves going to school now. Everyone within the MCNS family has been so approachable and helpful. We love all of the fun activities they plan outside the school day as well – movie night, parents night out, Field trips, holiday events, etc.

Kristy P. - Parent

We LOVE MCNS! My son attended the 2s program in 2020/21 and really flourished. He was having trouble with speech so we wanted to get him in a program where he was socializing with other children his age (especially during the pandemic). His teachers were amazing and always kept him engaged. They did crafts, sang songs and played! He still talks about school all the time and can’t wait to go back for the 3s program!

Our kiddos attended MCNS last school year and had an absolute blast! It was so great to allow them to socialize with other kids in a small class setting all while learning! It was awesome to see how much our children grew during the school year. The teachers are amazing and truly care for your children like their own. The communication from the school is top notch! I also gained a couple new mom friends too which you can’t beat!! I couldn’t recommend this place enough.

Jen Powell - Parent

My son attended MCNS this past January and our family absolutely loves it. All of the teachers are great and the lessons that they teach are so fun. My son would come home so excited to sing the songs that he learned and to show me his art work. You can tell the teachers truly care about their students and they love what they do. I also appreciate the time they take to send emails and inform us of important dates ahead of time. It’s very helpful with a large family that has busy schedules. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for an educational but fun preschool. Your little one will love it.

Fawn Doran - Parent

MCNS has been such an incredible first school  experience for my 3 year old son.   When I pulled up the first full day of school to drop off my son – i felt so relieved when he went right with Mrs. Towner – at the moment I knew this school was the place for him & was truly what he needed.  The communication at MCNS between parents / teachers is impeccable.  The Fun Fridays enrichment class has been an amazing addition to his preschool experience & I would highly recommend it .  Mrs. DiMino does a wonderful job keeping the kids active, learning  & engaged.  Every week the teachers post pictures of the kids & give feedback of what they learned.  Without any hesitation I would rate MCNS preschool a 10/10.

My son loved going to school at MCNS.  I feel that he is better prepared for kindergarten than children who didn’t attend MCNS.  I highly recommend this school because the teachers are amazing.

Michelene Hall - Parent

I have nothing but positive things to say about MCNS Pre-K. Both of my children had Mrs. Ricci and were well prepared for kindergarten! She goes above and beyond to ensure that each student receives the support they need to be successful. Thanks for starting my children with a solid foundation!!

Jennifer Stiles - Parent

MCNS has been a wonderful experience for our children.  The classes are well-crafted, providing opportunities for both socialization and academic enrichment, and the teachers are caring and committed, going above and beyond to connect with the students and make a difference in their lives. We couldn’t ask for a better preschool.

Steve Maxon - Parent

We LOVE MCNS! The best decision we could have made for our boys was to send them here. Our middle son just graduated from the TK program and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be ahead in his Kindergarten class. The director and teachers go above and beyond to make sure each child gains the confidence and self-independence they need to succeed at their next grade level. Our son truly blossomed over the past two years academically and socially. He is always eager to go to school and had a wonderful relationship with his teachers. I am sad to see my son transition out but look forward to our youngest son being part of this magical school in the fall!

Gina Gage - Parent

Our son is participating in transitional kindergarten this year. With a late fall birthday, this is proving to be the perfect experience to prepare him for the demands of kindergarten. He has made more progress in the last 5 months than we saw all of last year. We are so happy with the program at MCNS, that we have chosen to enroll our 3 yr old next year.

We have been fortunate to be a part of MCNS for the past three years and can’t say enough good things about the caring environment, gifted teachers, and fantastic curriculum. Our son has thrived here and looks forward to every day he gets to attend. A hidden gem in our community!!

Doleen Hood - Parent

My family has been involved in MCNS for 4 years. We have experienced the 2’s program, the 3’s and the 4’s and every teacher, every experience, has been amazing. My children have thrived there and the environment is not only one of learning but one of nurturing. The teacher’s love for children and for what they do is evident and it is the reason we will continue to support this wonderful school.

My twins have a late birthday so we have had the privilege of being able to send them here for three years. MCNS has made the learning environment fun and rewarding for them. They love going to school and look forward to it everyday. We are going to miss it next year when they are off to kindergarten!

Deanna Leone - Parent

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