Meet Our Staff

Miss Shanin
I am currently working with the 3 year olds in Prechool 2.  I have worked my way through both the Infant and Toddler Programs until finding my heart with the Preschoolers.  I have worked with children all my life and have enjoyed myself every step of the way.  I have taken many classes including Connecticut Charts, and have worked in both public and private schools. I have a 7 year old who attends the center's Before and After School Program and could not be more pleased with the care and education he is receiving.

Miss Laura 
I currently work with the little ones in Toddler 1. I have been working with children since I was 14 years old, when I spent summers working as a carousel attendant in Watch Hill RI. I held that position for 6 years.  In June of 2006, I graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with a BA with special emphasis on Early Childhood Development and Special Education.  I worked as a preschool teacher at a preschool in Westerly, RI for 1 year, where I was head preschool teacher, before coming to Precious Memories. I have always enjoyed working with children and I particularly enjoy toddlers. I think that two years old is a very precious age.  I love seeing the excitement and the joy on their faces, when they are introduced to or discover something new.  Each child is special and unique in their own way and it is my pleasure guide, teach and play with them everyday.

Miss Glenna
Hi, my name is Miss Glenna.  I grew up in Connecticut because my father was stationed at the Coast Guard.  I attended St. Mary’s as well Ledyard Schools.  I am married and have two children, Riley and Camden and we live in Mystic.  My daughter attended Precious Memories Preschool and absolutely loved it!  I love working with children and am very excited to be a part of the Precious Memories Family. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, cooking, baking, camping, scrapbooking, decorating and planning special events.  I look forward to meeting you and your children!

Miss Janet
I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree (Major in Elementary Education and minor in English) from Central Connecticut State College and an Associate in Science Degree from Willimantic State Teachers College (now Eastern).  My previous teaching experience has been with Kindergarten, second grade and some substitute teaching in grades K-6.  After retiring from the public school system and spending time with my grandchildren, I decided that I enjoy working with children too much to stop. The four year old age group holds so much potential and interest for learning, that I chose this level for my return to teaching.  My belief is that books and being read to, opens the world for children. Thank you for allowing your children to be a part of our lives.  I promise to do my best to help them with their growth and learning here at Precious Memories Preschool.

Miss Brittany
Hello, my name is Brittany. I co-teach in Preschool 1 with Miss Troinelle.  I am new Precious Memories and to the area; I am originally from Shelton, CT. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work at Precious Memories! After graduating high school in 2005, I attended the University of Hartford and received an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. From there I went on to Lincoln College of New England (formally known as Briarwood College). During my time at both schools I was a nanny for several different families. I have been lucky enough to have been around children most of my life and realized that working with children is where my heart is. I decided to work towards my Bachelor’s Degree in Child Study at Goodwin College. I am so happy that I am finally in the field where I belong and that I found a position that is so rewarding. I look forward to working with you and your family.

Miss Leilani
I am a Toddler Teacher in Intro to Preschool at Precious Memories. I have been in the field of early childhood education for fifteen years. I have had the pleasure of working with various age groups over the years, from infants to elementary. Before joining the Precious  Memories family, I taught a Pfizer Kids, Bright Horizons, both New London and Groton facilities. Most of my experience in teaching has been teaching children in the Groton Elementary School system, where I worked with children with developmental challenges. I am excited to have the opportunity to watch your children grow and learn from my impact while teaching them. I love teaching children because I am helping them become individuals and to use their creativity. I am looking forward to meeting your children and their families. I believe, together we will build a wonderful relationship.

Miss Jillsen
I have enjoyed working with children in a variety of settings since 2001. I have earned my Bachelor’s in Child Development with a minor in Art from the University of Rhode Island. Much of my professional experience has been working with children with special needs and their families. It is my belief that every child can learn, but not all children learn the same way.  I create my lessons so that my objective can be met through different learning strategies, whether as a whole class, small group or individually. This year, we will spend time working on all areas of kindergarten readiness, including academics, self-help skills and social appropriateness. I look forward to facilitating your child’s learning this year in Pre-K!

Miss Ashley
Hello, my name is Miss Ashley. I am the head teacher in the Advanced Pre-Kindergarten classroom. Originally, I am from Torrington CT; after getting married I relocated to southeaster CT in the summer of 2010. I have been working with children for many years, starting with babysitting when I was fifteen years old. I have worked with many different ages of children, and I enjoy watching children learn and grow every day. I received my Bachelors Degree in Human Development and Families Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2009; I also received my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport in 2010. I look forward to working with your children at Precious Memories Preschool.

Miss LeAnn
My name is Miss LeAnn, and I am the soux chef and an afternoon teacher at Precious Memories. I am originally from Texas and I am new to the Groton/Mystic area. My fiancé is stationed at the Sub Base in New London, which has allowed me to all that New England has to offer. I have been teaching for three years. I have previously taught grade school at the Children’s Ministry of my former church. I also taught sixth grade math. Most recently, I was a lab assistant at a polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, TX. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Forensic Anthropology from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Miss Troinell
Hi! My name is Miss Troinell. I teach in the Preschool One classroom with Miss Brittany. I grew up in East Lyme, and have been working with children since I was sixteen. I have worked at both a childcare facility and as a nanny. I now have a three and a half year old son named Jeffery. I have always enjoyed working with children and I look forward to getting to know your child and family.

Carolyn
Hi, my name is Miss Carolyn and I teach in the Advanced Pre-K with Miss Ashley. I love children and I love teaching them new things. This is why, after a short five year retirement from the classroom and 34 years of public and private school teaching, I came to Precious Memories. Upon receiving my Associates Degree in Music from Green Mountain College and my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Leslie College, I began my elementary teaching career in Hamden, Connecticut. My public school teaching continued in Charlotte, North Carolina. During a two year leave of absence, due to my husband’s work re-assignment, I was named President of the Parent's Association at the American School of London, England. In suburban Atlanta, Georgia, I logged 29 years of private school elementary teaching at Wood Acres Country Day School. Perhaps my most rewarding experience was teaching Kindergarten for fourteen years. I have been married for forty-two years. My husband and I have two wonderful children; a married daughter living in Huntington Beach, California, and a son living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.