Adriane Foley
Preschool Director & Four Year Old Head Teacher
Adriane has always felt that teaching children for her was not a career but rather a calling. Since high school Adriane has worked with young children as a preschool assistant and then later teacher, camp counselor and then camp director. Adriane is a NJ state certified and highly qualified teacher. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education with a secondary degree in Child Drama from Rowan University. After graduating from college, Adriane began her career as a teacher of Sumner Elementary School in Camden, NJ. While she found teaching her students to be a highly rewarding experience, after three years Adriane left her career to stay at home and care for her first child. Three years and another son later, Adriane happily joined Audubon Preschool as the Head Teacher of the four year old class. For the last two years she has enjoyed teaching this age group. She loved being a part of such amazing growth and change as she led her students on the journey from preschool to Kindergarten. She enjoys each of the children for who they are and genuinely invests herself in helping students to learn and grow to the best of their abilities. This year she is taking on a new role as director of the preschool. As director she hopes to continue to grow and develop our preschool program. She hopes to create a community atmosphere, where everyone involved feels proud to be a part of Audubon Preschool
Favorite Quote-”Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.” -Chinese Proverb
Linda Bier
Four Year Old Teacher
When Linda joined the Audubon Preschool Staff in October of 2009, she was excited to be working at a school of which she has long been a fan. Her oldest nephew started at the preschool in 1989 and was later followed by his siblings, so when it was time to find a preschool for her own kids there was no other option. Linda and her husband John have lived in Audubon for 22 years and are the parents of 6 children – 4 boys and 2 girls – all who are proud Audubon Preschool graduates! Linda began at the preschool when her youngest was in first grade.
Linda first began teaching at her church while in her high school years where she was not only allowed to have the opportunity to have positions of leadership in various children’s ministries, but was taught by excellent and experienced adults how to prepare what to teach, gain confidence teaching from the front, and handle classroom management. Over the years, she has lead classes of all ages from fourth grade down to 2 year olds but now has spent the last several years in the Pre-K to K class during the school year and in the summer she heads up the first and second grade department during her church’s vacation Bible school.
Linda has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Rutgers University and before she became a full-time mom, she worked for 3 years as a teaching assistant to the history teacher of a high school for classified students. There she taught classes, graded papers, handled the class when the teacher was unavailable and learned techniques for dealing with the special emotional and behavioral challenges of the students.
Christine Devlin
Three Year Old Head Teacher
Christine graduated from Glassboro State College with a B.A. in Education and a Minor Degree in sociology. After graduating Christine taught first grade for 2 years, Kindergarten for 2 years and third grade for 1 year in various school districts including Camden, Collingswood and Mt.Ephraim.
Christine left the teaching field to stay at home and care for her 2 daughters. While staying at home Christine was an active Brownie leader and was a coaching assistant to her husband’s soccer and basketball teams. Christine’s oldest daughter Lindsay is graduating from Audubon High school and will be attending College this Fall while her younger daughter Kelly will be entering 9th grade. Both of Christine’s daughters are proud Audubon Preschool graduates.
Christine re-entered the teaching profession when she joined the Audubon Preschool as the Head Teacher of the three year old class in 2008. Christine loves working at Audubon preschool and being part of the beginning of each student’s first educational experience. She strives to give each student a strong educational foundation through the utilization of play, laughing, development of social skills and consistency.
Denise DeFrates
Four and Three Year Old Class Assistant Teacher
Denise Gray-DeFrates joined the Audubon Preschool staff in September of 2010 as a Teacher’s Aide. Denise and her husband Tom, have 2 daughters who are proud Audubon Preschool Graduates, and are currently enrolled in the Audubon School District.
Denise loves working with children; she has been a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ for over 13 years and is currently a co/leader for Audubon Girl Scout Troop #30687. In 2008-2009 Denise held the office of Vice President of Haviland’s PTA running such committees as Let’s Read Night for Children grades K-2.
Denise has attended both Mercer County College and Rowan University where she received a Degree in Communications. In 2009 Denise received her Substitute Teaching Certification. Also in 2009 Camden County Board of Education appointed Denise to the Audubon Board of Education where she served from 2009-2010.
Denise loves working at Audubon Preschool. “I love the history, traditions and uniqueness that you can only find at Audubon Preschool.”
