Our two classes (the Jellybeans and the Gummibears) are led by dedicated, licensed teachers. A full-time teaching assistant works in each classroom. Part-time aides and college fieldwork students also help to keep the student-teacher ratio low. Many of our full-time staff themselves started out as college fieldwork students. The following are short biographical descriptions of some of our Center's full-time staff members.

Jennifer Manuola
Director

Jennifer has been working with the Child Study Center since 1996 in varying capacities that have led up to her current position as Director. Jennifer has had the opportunity to teach each of the existing classrooms, and the Kindergarten class when it was offered at the Center.

Jennifer completed her undergraduate coursework in English and Psychology at Rutgers. As an undergrad prior to 1996, Jennifer worked as a teacher’s aide in both the school-aged summer camp and in the childcare center before joining the full-time staff as a teacher.

Currently, Jennifer is the President of the Kenyon Chapter of the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC). NJAEYC is the state affiliate of the larger, national organization, NAEYC. The Kenyon Chapter is over 700 members strong and serves the Middlesex and Union counties. In this capacity, Jennifer provides professional support for early childhood professionals (through providing high quality training and professional development opportunities) and actively advocates for the young children in New Jersey. Jennifer also serves on the New Brunswick Tomorrow Childcare Consortium, which strives to provide support and professional development to the educators working with children in the city of New Brunswick.

In her time outside of the Center, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and two children, Joey and Alessa. The family enjoys gardening, swimming, biking, cooking and working on arts and crafts together. Jennifer had the good fortune of growing up in Wall Township, which is located "down the shore" and very close to the beach. Her family enjoys visiting her hometown and spending time at the beach and on the boardwalk.

April White
Jellybean Head Teacher

April joined our Center on September 1, 2007. April has been teaching young children for many years and joined our staff as the lead teacher of our toddlers.

April attained her CDA (Child Development Associate) in 2004. This specialized educational training and experience as the lead toddler teacher makes her the perfect person to teach in our younger class.

April has wanted to work with children for as long as she can remember. She started babysitting at a young age and even worked with autistic children while in middle school. She loves children's smiles and imaginations. April feels that patience, encouragement and guidance are key components for working with young children. She writes, "There is no greater feeling in the world than to know that I am fortunate enough to have a positive impact on their lives each and every day." Our staff and families certainly appreciate the opportunity to have April with us!

April grew up in Milltown, NJ, along with her brother, Stephen. She currently lives in Kendall Park with her husband, Doug, and three cats. During her free time, April enjoys playing softball, reading, writing poetry, and playing the piano.

Eugenia Tate
Jellybean Assistant Teacher

Eugenia, our newest staff member, joined our Center on December 10, 2007. Eugenia is not new to teaching in early childhood; she has been working as a lead teacher with preschoolers and toddlers for the past 5 years.

Eugenia attained her CDA (Child Development Associate) in 2004 and is currently enrolled in courses towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. This specialized educational training and continuing professional development makes her the perfect person to assist in our younger group.

Teaching young children has many extra benefits not enjoyed in other professions: the "genuine feelings that you get from children when they give hugs and kisses." Eugenia believes that "it takes a village to raise a child" and strives to make the children in her care feel special and works to "teach young children things that will last them a lifetime."

Growing up in Roselle, New Jersey, Eugenia has two brothers and one sister. She currently lives in Piscataway with her five-year-old daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, listening to all types of music, baking and watching Lifetime television. Eugenia supports Walk-a-thons, and her favorite charitable cause is the March-of-Dimes Save the Babies.

Patrice Barboe
Gummibear Head Teacher

Patrice has been working at our Center as our Gummibear teacher since 2000. She completed her undergraduate work at Kean University and was graduated cum laude. Over the years, Patrice has worked as a childcare center director as well as a pre-kindergarten teacher. We believe she fits just right into our program and can’t imagine anyone else leading the way for our Gummibears.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Patrice is a middle child. She has one older brother and one younger brother. In her fourth grade year, Patrice moved to Central Jersey and has made NJ her home since then. While she doesn’t have any pets at home, Patrice has affectionately adopted "Brazen Squirrel" on our playground. The children, feeding off of her enthusiasm, refer to our furry friend as "Raisin Squirrel" and enjoy seeing him everywhere. (Hey! Raisin Squirrel was in my front yard when I went home yesterday!)

Patrice enjoys working with the Gummibears and is always amazed at what she can learn from them. Patrice is a strong believer in the Center’s philosophy that children learn through play and developmentally appropriate practices. Patrice enjoys playing and interacting with the children — just look into the classroom in the afternoons, and you will see her doing the "Pelican Polka" with as much energy and enthusiasm as any four-year-old! Patrice loves watching their young minds develop and believes that teaching is truly the most rewarding profession.

In her free time, Patrice enjoys outdoor fun, listening to music, working out at the gym and spending time with her daughter, Nora. Most people cannot believe that Patrice is mom to a twenty-something-year-old! Patrice is also a publicly admitted chocoholic!

Brenda Reyes
Gummibear Assistant Teacher

Brenda's bio will be coming soon!