Elizabeth A. Geary, M.Ed., LMSW
Director of The Community Programs Center of Long Island

Betsy brings more than thirty years of educational, social work and program administration experience to her role as Director of the Community Programs Center of L.I. (CPC), the sponsoring agency of Early Discoveries Center. She completed a Bachelors degree at Rhode Island College and Masters degrees at Boston College and Hunter College School of Social Work. Providing services that support individuals and families caring for their young children or elderly parents has been the hallmark of her professional life. Betsy’s leadership is directed toward establishing and maintaining systems that promote excellence in every area of our service.

Denise Ferrera, M.A.L.S., S.D.A.
Child Care Director, Ronkonkoma
Early Discoveries Center

Denise has been in the field of early childhood education since 1986 and has been a director with Early Discoveries Center since 1999. She holds a BS in Education, a Masters in Liberal Arts with a focus on Family Studies and Education, and a Masters in Educational Administration. She is a NYS certified teacher and has taught all age groups, from infants to college in a variety of settings including day care, Head Start, special education, public school and college. Denise is a professional trainer and speaker for early childhood agencies, including Suffolk Child Care Council, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Tuoro College and Head Start. Her personal philosophy is that children flourish in a warm nurturing environment that provides a variety of experiences. Denise is the mother of five children.

Denice Karotseris, M.S., Ed.
Child Care Director, Port Jefferson
Early Discoveries Center

Denice has been a Director of Early Childhood Programs for the past 25 years and has been a Director with Early Discoveries Center since 1994. She holds a Masters of Science in Special Education and a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. She has experience as a preschool teacher and as a teacher for children with disabilities. She is a NYS certified teacher in early childhood and elementary education and special education with an emphasis in working with emotionally challenged and mentally challenged children. Denice is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Suffolk Child Care Council, and the Suffolk County Association for Education of Young Children. She is also a validator for NAEYC Accreditation. Denice believes children thrive in an environment that supports, respects and provides for individuality and that all children have the right to be given the best opportunities with which to learn and grow. Denice is the mother of two teenage girls.

Patty Grosso
Assistant Director, Ronkonkoma
Early Discoveries Center

Patricia has been working in the early childhood education field since 1994 and is a ten year employee of Early Discoveries Center. She holds an A.A.S. degree in early childhood development from the State University of New York. Patty is also currently working toward her B.S. degree in Human Development at SUNY Empire State College. She has extensive experience in early childhood education including as a teacher and supervisor for Early Discoveries Center’s infant, toddler, and preschool programs. She is a strong advocate for early childhood education and believes it is essential to the future scholastic growth of our children. Patty’s first child, Nicholas, has recently enrolled at the center.

Supervisors

Early Discoveries Center’s management staff also consists of a strong team of supervisors. Senior staff members are available throughout the day to offer technical assistance to the teaching staff and to ensure appropriate staffing ratios in the classrooms.

Early Discoveries Center always maintains low staff to child ratios in the classrooms. Each classroom has a lead teacher and one or more assistant teachers.

Teaching Staff

Teachers
Teachers at Early Discoveries Center are highly qualified and are hired for their love of children and teaching. Credentials include Bachelors Degrees, Associates Degrees and/or a CDA (Child Development Certification).

Assistant Teachers
Assistant Teachers are hired for their experience working with and love for children. While some have a CDA credential, all are encouraged to continue their formal education in early childhood education. First and foremost, assistant teachers must be caring, reliable, mature and able to fill-in if a teacher is absent.

Hiring, Supervision, and Training
If you are interested in employment opportunities with Early Discoveries Center, click here.

For all staff, the hiring process begins with a detailed application followed by an interview by the center director. All staff must pass an exhaustive background check including fingerprints investigation through the NYS Central Clearance Registry.

On-going supervision, evaluation and training enable staff to grow and improve their skills in educating and caring for children. All teachers and assistant teachers participate in an annual staff conference day and are required to maintain certification in pediatric CPR and first aid.

Early Discoveries Center prides itself in low staff turnover – enabling children, teachers and assistant teachers to bond and have trusting long-term relationships.