home  • about us • our school • news • photos •  SUMMER
  CAMP		  • enrollment • policies  • contact us
 
   
welcome
meet the director
meet the teachers
parent responsibilities
parent comments
about emmanuel church
meet the chaplain

Meet the Emmanuel Day School Teachers
The Emmanuel Day School teaching staff are a group of professional, adult instructors who have worked together previously for many years and are committed to serving preschoolers so that they may obtain the best educational, emotional, and spiritual education possible. The team-style staff works together to bring all the good that God has in store for our students in this beautiful, historical, gothic-style church environment. Students and staff are encouraged daily to put forth their best and strive for academic excellence while creating a fun, warm and nurturing experience.

"I personally know and have worked with each member of this dedicated staff for many years. Our educations, backgrounds, work ethic, integrity, and friendships have only strengthened and have made us truly a team effort! I am proud to work with such professionals from our administrative staff to our chaplain. Each member of our team is committed to excellence and respect for each other and our student body."

Sincerely,
Dawn M. Grinnell
Emmanuel Day School, Director
Trish Rutledge-Barlow - Teacher
Miss Trish is the 3 year old teacher at the Emmanuel Day School. She is an experienced and seasoned teacher having taught preschool for the past 5 years at The Poplar School in Newport. Trish will complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Development from the University of Rhode Island in May 2007.

Miss Trish is a creative and innovative teacher who emphasizes the importance of a nurturing, playful and fun learning environment for the young child and fosters a love of learning and a sense of self-worth through play and exploration.

Besides teaching Miss Trish is also a Little League Coach for girls fast pitch softball in Middletown where she lives with her husband and two daughters: McKenna, age 11 and Madison, age 9. Trish is an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoys hiking and kayaking as well as getting together with friends.

One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. ~Carl Jung

  

Terri Traeger - Teacher and Photographer
Miss Terri is a mother of three children and she and her husband have been married for 14 years and live in Middletown. Miss Terri has always been interested in the minds and behavior of children. She taught preschool for two years where her children also attended and thrived under Miss Dawn. A shared 8-year friendship continues at the new Emmanuel Day School.

Miss Terri is a freelance photographer who specializes in outdoor children and family settings (visit Terri Traeger Natural Outdoor Photography to view a sampling of her portfolio). She started her own photography business five years ago after finding her passion and skill taking photos of her own children. Miss Terri has a Liberal Arts Degree and continues to study and take photography courses. She is the Emmanuel Day School photographer and samples of her work can be found throughout the school as well as on this website.

Miss Terri teaches the freshman as well as photography classes to all of the children at the Emmanuel Day School.


  



Jocelyn Doherty - Pre-K & Dutch Teacher
Miss Jocelyn is a graduate of the Roger Williams University Masters in Elementary Education Program (2006), and she also holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, which she earned at the University of Rhode Island (1998). Raised in Massachusetts by her father, a high school Industrial Arts teacher, and her mother, a Montessori-trained educator and licensed librarian, Jocelyn’s lifelong love of literature began at two years old when she accompanied her mother to work at the Bedford Public Library, and continued at the age of three when she began her own education in a Montessori classroom.

Jocelyn’s career in educating children truly began at the age of eleven. As a Mother’s Helper, she learned how to properly care for young children. While summering in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, Jocelyn set up her own babysitting business at the age of thirteen, which resulted in having so many jobs that her mother had to help out!

A few years ago, Jocelyn met her Dutch beau, Jorgen Nieuwhoff, who introduced her to the rich culture and history of the Netherlands. They have made many trips to the Netherlands, where Jocelyn’s fascination with the language thrived. Ever the student, Jocelyn researched the Dutch influence in America as part of her Masters degree, and, among many other facts, learned that the Dutch established a significant part of our country: a little town we now call New York City! Since her life now includes a very large set of friends and family in Holland, Jocelyn’s dedication to learning Dutch (in addition to a healthy ability with French, a smidgin of Spanish, and a basis of Latin) is evident in the fact that her black Labrador, Zulu, now responds to commands in Dutch.

Jocelyn is delighted to be a new member of the EDS community, and she feels lucky to be one of Miss Dawn’s ‘God winks.’ Every day, she says, “I was born to be here with these amazing children.”

  

 
Allison Walton - Kindergarten Teacher
Having been born and raised in Boston, Miss Allison moved to Newport RI in August of 2007 after receiving her bachelor’s degree. Miss Walton graduated from Salve Regina University where she studied early childhood and special education.

She has been working with children since the age of 13 in a variety of summer camps as well as after school in local preschools. Working with children and helping them develop a love for learning is her passion. She works hard to meet the learning needs of all children.

Miss Allison will return to school in January of 2008 to attain a Masters degree in Literacy Education. Literacy is a crucial aspect in the success of young children and she wants to continue her education in more effective ways to help children develop their skills.

“Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.”
- Anonymous

  

Christine Cox Lefebvre - French Studies
Hailing from Lille, the fifth largest city in France, Miss Christine has enjoyed working with and educating children for most of her life. As an assistant maternity nurse in a private French clinique, to meeting her husband here in Newport as an au Pair for a Franco American family, Christine has always loved being with children. An approach modest and sincere, education through instructive play and confidence building are some of the traits that best define her.

With 2 years experience as a responsible and loyal preschool teacher’s aide, Christine has mixed her appreciation of European culture with the joy of developing our young minds of the future. She is very proud of her French heritage and pleased to have the opportunity to share it with others.

International traveler, avid outdoorsman, novice sailor, and a stern believer and practitioner of good health. Over the last few years she has also enjoyed managing and working in a reputable Newport retail store in her continuing effort to improve her English.

“I’m so happy to work for Emmanuel Day School with Miss Dawn and the other teachers and teach French to the children who are the future. They are so amazing and wonderful !!!!”

Christine Cox Lefebvre , April 2006

  



Kerri Lewia - Spanish Teacher
Señorita Kerri is the Spanish teacher at EDS. She majored in Spanish at St. Anselm College where she studied in Spain for a semester. After graduation she moved to Spain where she lived for 3 years. She taught Spanish grades K-8 for 2 years at the Pennfield School in Portsmouth. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in special education at Rhode Island College.

Señorita Kerri knows how important it is to make learning fun, especially at the pre-school age. She incorporates games, songs, and many fun activities into her weekly lessons.

Besides teaching and studying, Kerri also works part-time for the Sherlock Center on Disabilities in Providence and you can find her Saturday nights waitressing at the Clarke Cooke House. She lives with her husband Mario and her son Neil who also attends EDS. In her free time Kerri enjoys being outside, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.

  

 
Lauren Benowitz - Violin Teacher
Miss Lauren received her BA in French and music from Connecticut College in 2001. Directly following graduation, she packed her bags for the north of France where she taught English in several elementary schools, and attended the Ecole de Musique de Bologne-sur-Mer. She was awarded the Ecole’s highest honor, la médaille d’or, in violin performance in 2002.

Upon return to the U.S., Lauren was hired as violin instructor at the List Academy in Newport, RI; the International Charter School in Pawtucket, RI; and the Music School of the RI Philharmonic in Providence, RI.

In the fall of 2003, Lauren decided to continue her music education, and completed the bulk of her major requirements towards her Master’s degree in viola performance at Yale University. After this intense academic period, she decided to return to Rhode Island, and to her first love of teaching the violin to children.

Lauren is currently on the faculty of the Music School of the RI Philharmonic, and resides in Middletown in her new home with her husband.

  
         

42 Dearborn Street, Newport, RI 02840 • 401.847.7444 • info@emmanueldayschool.com

© 2007 Emmanuel Day School • Photography by Terri Traeger • Site designed by Aliki Cooper Web Design