Elaine MacNeil (Director)
joined the staff of St. Luke’s Preschool in 2002. After 10 years at St. Luke’s Preschool, Mrs. MacNeil steps into the position of Director, succeeding the beloved “Mrs. K.“ as she retires. She studied Early Childhood Education at MassBay Community College and holds both Director and Lead Teacher certifications from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Elaine will remain the Lead Teacher in the M/W/F Pre-K class and in the T/Th 3-year-old class. She lives in Dedham with her husband and two teenage sons (who both attended St. Luke‘s Preschool), and enjoys reading, knitting and shopping – but most of her free time is spent watching her sons on the baseball field, basketball court, or at track meets.
Pam Riley (Aide/Assistant Teacher) joined the staff in 2009 after enjoying a few years as a full-time stay at home mom, and initially filled in as a substitute. Pam has a Bachelor of Science degree from UMass Amherst and spent over fifteen years working in the healthcare and financial sectors in Boston. She has always had a special place in her heart for children and especially loves the warm, nurturing aspect and Christian values taught to the preschool children at St. Luke‘s. “Mrs. Pam” will be working with Mrs. MacNeil in the M/W/F Pre-K class and the T/Th 3-year-old class. Pam lives in Dedham with her husband, Brian, and their two sons, John and Max. An avid reader and scrapbooker, Pam also loves weekend boat rides at the lake and quality time spent with her family.
Janet Reynolds (Teacher) joined the staff in 2010 as an aide in the 3-year old classroom. She is now Teacher certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and is working toward her Lead Teacher certification. “Mrs. Janet” will be co-teaching in the M/W 3-year-old class. Currently the manager of her family-owned children’s bookstore, The Blue Bunny, in Dedham, Janet splits her time between the store and St. Luke’s. After working in the publishing field with a degree in English and Communications from Boston College, Janet went back to BC part-time when her children were young and received her master’s degree in developmental and education psychology. She loves St. Luke’s, where her three sons all enjoyed a great preschool experience, and is happy to be spending time here again with our wonderful preschool children.
Sheila Vasquez (Teacher) joined the staff in 2012. She will be co-teaching with Mrs. Janet in the M/W 3-yr-old class and teaching the 3-year-olds on Fridays. She is Lead Teacher certified by the Massachusetts Deptartment of Early Education and Care and has a B.A. degree from Boston College in Early Childhood. After teaching Pre-K in Franklin for 2 years, Mrs. Sheila is happy to be teaching in the Dedham community where she grew up. She lives in Westwood with her husband and four sons, and is looking forward to working with and watching the St. Luke’s Preschool children learn and grow.
Denise Clifford (Aide) joins the staff this year as an Aide in the M/W/F Pre-K class. “Mrs. C” has worked for many years at Oakdale school in Dedham as a lunch aide, and has also taught CCD for many years. A lifelong resident of Dedham (and a member of the DHS Athletic Hall of Fame), Denise is the mother of 4 boys: 2 attending Dedham High School and 2 away at college. Denise loves to read and enjoys spending time at the beach and with her family. She is looking forward to joining the staff at St. Luke’s and working with the children.
All St. Luke’s Preschool staff members are trained and certified in First Aid and CPR by the American Heart Association