Our Staff

Jill Pullis – Miss Jill – (Head Teacher Owls Older 3’s)/ General Manager)

I have been working at the Academy since 2014 during my high school and college education. I recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Centenary University with a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies with a specialization in education. I also was captain of the women’s soccer team at the university and now I am the assistant coach for the team, so I feel blessed to be able to do my two favorite things in life, teach and soccer.

Jennifer Padgett- Miss Jen- Head Teacher BumbleBee (Younger Pre-K 3’s)

I have 22 years of experience working and teaching young children and I have my associate degree in early childhood education. I have a 7-year-old son who also attends the academy. Each and every day I enjoy watching young children grow with knowledge of what we are teaching every day. I am very excited to have the opportunity to become part of the Growing and Knowing Academy Family and yours as well.

Julia Mastanduno- Miss Julia (Head Teacher BumbleBee (Younger Pre-K 3’s)

My name is Miss Julia and I am co-head teacher in the bumblebee class. I have 8 years experience and am excited to share my knowledge and passion for early child education. I received my BA in family science and human development with focus on child psychology. Outside of the classroom O enjoy baking, painting, and spending time with loved ones

Allison Rossi- Mrs. Allison (Head Teacher 4yr old Preschool)

I joined the GKA team in November 2016 as an assistant teacher. Since joining GKA, I have earned my CDA and am a Co-head teacher in the 4yr old Preschool Class. I have two children Rileigh and Tyler

Maria Haines-Miss Maria (Head Teacher 4yr old Preschool)

My name is Ms. Maria I just recently joined the GKA family in August 2024. I have 7 years of experience in working and teaching young children. I have my associates degree in early education. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was little and I’m so happy to be doing it everyday. I have a love of everything Disney and I enjoy reading in my spare time.  

Nancy Cole- Miss Nancy (Infant Toddler Specialist)

I have six years of experience working in childcare. The last 8 years I have worked in our infant class at GKA. I love working in all areas at the Academy, but I will always have a special place in my heart when working in the infant class as I feel I play such a great role in being a part of our youngest student’s “firsts”, this is the most rewarding experience for me as a teacher. I am also a proud a mom of two boys 24 and 11 years old.

Chassidy Pappas- Miss Chassidy (Head Toddler Room Teacher)

I joined the GKA family in 2022 as an assistant, since then I have earned my CDA and am now the Toddler room head teacher at GKA I have worked with children since I have been 18yrs old. I have also been a dancer my entire life and I am also a dance teacher as well. My passion for teaching children and watching them go through their most important milestones makes me so proud to be apart of their journey.

Gail VanEeuwen -Mrs.Gail (Owner/Sponsor)

My passion and love for children and wanting to teach and have a future with young children has always been there.  I can remember always wanting to play school and I was the teacher.  I was always the “care giver” growing up, whether it was at my home with my siblings or out with my friends.  I took care of everyone.  At family events throughout the years you would always find me with the kids (from a child to the present).  I love to play with children and watch them grow and learn.  I have patience, understanding and love for them and I feel that I can relate to them in a way that only a few can.

The year I graduated high school, I worked at a preschool for a year and loved it. I knew at that time that my dream was to own a preschool.  I left the preschool and went to work at an in-home-baby-portrait studio.  I worked in the payroll department; this job allowed me to go to college at night to get my degree and teacher’s certification.

I did my student teaching at a magnet school in Montclair, New Jersey.  I student taught in a third-grade class.  I was in love.  I loved to teach the children and watch them grow.  I graduated Bloomfield College in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in science.  My major was in Sociology and my minor was in Education.  My goal was to get a job helping children whether I went into being a Social Worker or if I became a teacher.  In August 2001, I as hired at the Gray Charter School in Newark, New Jersey.  I was their new first grade teacher.  I loved my job and I stayed there for eight and half years. I had left teaching to be home with my own children and I was home not even a few weeks before I was offered the position at my son’s preschool to be the head teacher.  I happily accepted the position in April of 2009.

Being at Little Kids’ Place, too and growing and learning with the children and being with my children made me so happy.  Within one year of working at Little Kids’ Place Too, I became the Director.  After running the school for the owners for four years, they approached me to buy the school from them.  As of April 2013, my husband and I are the new owners of Growing and Knowing Academy.  I am living proof that dreams do come true.  With a little hard work and lots of love for your dream anything can come true!