Highly qualified and caring professionals - Meet our team!
The Sara Marie School is dedicated to bringing the the most highly talented team together under one roof to deliver the best in education, caring, and character building to our children.
Ms. Katie Gifford (Director)
Ms. Gifford is a graduate of The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has over 15 years of business and administrative experience. After Ms. Gifford’s daughter graduated from The Sara Marie School, she continued to remain active in the school serving as the Emerald Ball Gala’s co-chair. Ms. Gifford’s fundraising efforts brought much success to the school. She is now the director of The Sara Marie School and considers the staff, children, and families like a second family. Ms. Gifford describes the school as warm, inviting, and a great place to grow! When not at school, Ms. Gifford spends her time with her family. She also enjoys exercising and shopping!
Mrs. Joanna Pendergast (Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Lead Teacher)
Mrs. Pendergast co-founded the school in 2012 in honor of her friend, Sara Marie. Mrs. Pendergast graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been teaching since 2010. In addition to several years of teaching Pre-Kindergarten, Mrs. Pendergast has also taught Nursery School and Kindergarten. When she’s not in the classroom teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Mrs. Pendergast loves working at The Sara Marie School because she considers it her second home! She loves forming close relationships with the students, families, and staff. Mrs. Pendergast believes that emotional intelligence is the core of Pre-K education and strives to incorporate it into her daily lessons.
Miss Brianna Kelly (Pre-Kindergarten Teacher)
Miss. Kelly graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Childhood Education and Literacy Education. Miss. Kelly has several years of experience working with children. Prior to coming to The Sara Marie School, she worked as a nanny for three years, and was a lead teacher for children ages eighteen months to three years of age, at an early childcare center. Miss. Kelly says, “From the moment I walked into The Sara Marie
School, I knew it was special. The teachers here are all so passionate about what they do, and the atmosphere is so welcoming and
positive. I enjoy seeing the children walk into the school each morning, with a smile on their face, eager to play and learn!” In her
spare time, Miss. Kell enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, boating in Lake George, and walking the local
trails with her dog, Jack!
School, I knew it was special. The teachers here are all so passionate about what they do, and the atmosphere is so welcoming and
positive. I enjoy seeing the children walk into the school each morning, with a smile on their face, eager to play and learn!” In her
spare time, Miss. Kell enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, boating in Lake George, and walking the local
trails with her dog, Jack!
Miss Brook Blood (Nursery School Teacher)
Miss Brook Blood "Miss B" has been a part of the Sara Marie family for over five years now with this year being her first as the Nursery teacher. She has been working with children for over six years and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting and relaxing with a good book.
Mrs. Devin Weller (Kindergarten Teacher)
Mrs. Weller graduated with a B.S. in Childhood/Early Childhood Education from SUNY Potsdam in 2015. She is currently working towards her M.S in Literacy at SUNY Albany. Mrs. Weller has worked in a number of roles with children over the years; ranging from camp counselor to teaching assistant to kindergarten teacher to this year becoming The Sara Marie School’s literacy specialist! Mrs. Weller says, “I love being able to work in such a warm environment with people who care so deeply about the kids that come through Sara Marie’s doors! I’ve wanted to be a teacher my entire life and I’m so lucky to be able to do it in a place like this! Sharing my love of reading with so many children is really a dream come true.” In her free time, you can find Mrs. Weller spending time with her husband, 3 children, and their two dogs or baking something delicious.
Ms. Lauren Schroeder (Kindergarten Teacher)
Ms. Lauren Schroeder graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education. While working at The Sara Marie School from September 2015 to June 2017, Ms. Schroeder was able to complete her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at The College of Saint Rose. Ms. Schroeder has returned this school year as a Kindergarten teacher. She is excited to return and be a part of the school's magical learning environment. The Sara Marie School is special in many ways, including it's way of teaching social awareness, emotional intelligence and practical life skills. Every day it is exciting to watch the students grow and become independent learners. In her spare time, Ms. Schroeder enjoys crafting, baking, and spending time with her family. During warmer weather, Ms. Schroeder spends a lot of time outdoors hiking, in nature parks, or walking through creeks.
Ms. Lauren Schroeder graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education. While working at The Sara Marie School from September 2015 to June 2017, Ms. Schroeder was able to complete her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at The College of Saint Rose. Ms. Schroeder has returned this school year as a Kindergarten teacher. She is excited to return and be a part of the school's magical learning environment. The Sara Marie School is special in many ways, including it's way of teaching social awareness, emotional intelligence and practical life skills. Every day it is exciting to watch the students grow and become independent learners. In her spare time, Ms. Schroeder enjoys crafting, baking, and spending time with her family. During warmer weather, Ms. Schroeder spends a lot of time outdoors hiking, in nature parks, or walking through creeks.
Mrs. Brittany Moochler (Kindergarten- 1st Grade Teacher)
Mrs. Brittany Moochler obtained her M.S. in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam. After years of working at a summer program for young students, Mrs. Moochler knew she wanted to be a teacher. She states, “I love having an impact on young learners! This school is filled with kind students who are smiley and eager to learn and a warm dedicated staff who puts their all into what they do each and everyday.” When not teaching in the classroom, Mrs. Moochler enjoys playing with her children Wyatt and Riley, kayaking, working out, and reading. She says, "The Sara Marie school is such a special and warm place and I’m thrilled to be a part of the team of teachers here!"
Mrs. Julie Ferdinand (Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant)
Mrs. Ferdinand is a graduate of The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Public Communications and Business Administration. In addition to being a teacher assistant, Mrs. Ferdinand is a certified Life Coach with a specialty in ADHD and a NYS Parent Empowerment representative. She is also a fitness instructor with certification through MADD Dog Athletics, Power Pilates, and Child Light Yoga. Mrs. Ferdinand is a mother to 5 children, 2 of which graduated from The Sara Marie School. She has worked at The Sara Marie School since it opened in 2012 and states: “I love this school for so many reasons....I've been here since its birth and have watched it grow. The women I work with are some of the kindest, most giving people I have ever met and I LOVE that we make a difference in the lives of young children”.
Miss Leslie Alberio (Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant)
Bio coming soon!
Miss Sara Anderson (Nursery Teacher Assistant & Busy Bees Director)
Miss Sara Anderson "Miss Sara" holds a B.S. in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam and previously worked at the YMCA of Glens Falls as a Site Director for the After School Care at Hudson Falls primary school from 2015-2016. She started there as an intern and summer camp employee. Her hobbies and include volleyball, hiking, camping, and spending time with friends and family. Miss Sara is excited to be part of The Sara Marie School "because both the kids and staff are great here. I look forward into coming to work enjoy. I love seeing the kids laugh and tell me that they like going to Busy Bee because I'm there. This school is really an amazing place to work at and I'm glad I get to be apart of it!"
Mrs. Marianne Powers (School Aide)
Mrs. Powers retired in 2014 with over 35 years experience in NYS Government. She has been a resident of Clifton Park for 26 years. She has three daughters, two of which worked at The Sara Marie School's Busy Bees After School and Summer Programs. Mrs. Powers says, "The friendly and professional staff, and spending time with the children make my days rewarding and delightful". Mrs. Powers enjoys boating on Lake George, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Stefanie Rawls (Administrative Assistant)
Mrs. Rawls holds a Communications degree from SUNY Albany and has spent the past 15 years working in Marketing and Media. She most recently worked at WAMC Northeast Public Radio for 9 years as the Sales and Marketing Manager. Mrs. Rawls enjoys spending time with her friends and family and hosting pool parties at her house. Mrs. Rawls loves being a part of the warm and welcoming Sara Marie family. She says “this career is so rewarding by allowing me to spend time with your child(ren) as well as my own 5 year old daughter Izabel and 2 year old son Clayton.”
Mrs. Kara Ward (School Substitute)
Miss Kara holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children her whole life. She has co-taught a Pre-Kindergarten class and most recently worked for two families whose children all attended The Sara Marie School. Miss Kara states, "I loved this school since day one. The staff is so friendly, kind and welcoming. I can see and feel that they all have a genuine love for teaching. The students here are always all so happy and eager to learn!" Miss Kara enjoys spending time with her husband, their five children and dog Daisy. She also loves reading, walking and traveling to new places.