Holy Family University: Alpha House School of Education

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Program and Facilities

The Alpha House Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten was established in 1975 and is operated by Holy Family University, serving the community and staffed by professional teachers with assistance from the University's School of Education faculty.

Alpha House Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten is an academic program that follows a traditional school calendar, operating from September to June.

The Alpha House building is located next to the Holy Family Library. This modular, one-story building was erected for the children's programs in 1984. A separate driveway permits convenient access for parents and children arriving and departing from school. Teachers supervise the children at arrival and dismissal times.

Objectives

An effective Early Childhood program should be well defined and structured to include the academic, physical, spiritual and organizational development of young children.

Children learn by teacher direction, teacher guidance and through individual self-exploration. The development of a feeling of security and positive self-concept is an integral part of our program and is nurtured through the dedication, interest, motivation and personal qualities of the teachers. We of Holy Family University believe that the whole child should be developed.

We believe that children:

Must be exposed to an atmosphere of love so that eventually they will be totally inbued with love of god and neighbor.
Should be provided with a proper physical setting to allow exploration and discovery.
Should be given occasions for language and auditory development.
Should be provided with experiences to develop concepts in reading readiness and number meaning.

Alpha House Staff

All of our teachers hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and are certified in Early Childhood Education. Nursery class sizes range from 10-12 children and Kindergarten range from 15-20.

Alpha House does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, or handicap in administration of its education policies or admissions policies.

Alpha House Staff
Mary Becker, Director of Alpha House
Connie Dema, Secretary

Nursery Staff
Karen Barnes, Full-Day Teacher
Maureen Pristera, Two-Day Teacher

Pre-K Staff
Christine Humphries, Full Day Teacher
Maureen Pristera, Three-Day Teacher
Laura Vorgity, Full Day Teacher

Kindergarten Staff
Theresa Coughlin, Kindergarten Teacher
Georgia Trantas-Weiss, Kindergarten Teacher

Specialists
Sister Evey, Spanish and Religion Teacher
Denise Manto, Technology Teacher
Terri Vaccarino, Physical Education Teacher

Contact Info:
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Phone: 215-632-3366
Email: cdema@holyfamily.edu

Staff Credentials

Mary Becker
Director
B.A., Lasalle University
M.Ed., Holy Family University-Early Childhood Education
Alpha House, 11 years

Director, 2006-Present
Teacher, 2002-2012
Interim Director, 2005-2006

Karen Barnes
Full Day Nursery Teacher
B.S., Penn State University
M.Ed., Arcadia University-Special Education
Alpha House, 7 years

Full Day Nursery Teacher, 2010-Present
2 Day Nursery Teacher, 2008-2010
Technology Teacher, 2006-2008

Sister Evelyn Figuero
Spanish/Religious Studies
B.A., Holy Family University
Alpha House, 17 years
Part-time Teacher, 1995-Present

Theresa Hodges
Kindergarten Teacher/Director. After School Program
B.A., Widener University, Early Childhood/Elementary Education
M.A., Holy Family University, Special Education
Currently pursuing a Pennsylvania Autism Endorsement Certification
Alpha House, 11 years

Kindergarten Teacher, 2007 - Present
Director, Kids Club, 2005 - Present
Full Day Preschool Teacher/Nursery Teacher, 2002-2007
2 Day Nursery/3 Day Pre-K Teacher, 2002-2007

Christine Humphries
Full Day Pre-K Teacher
B.A., Holy Family University – Certified in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Pursuing Masters, Special Education at Holy Family University
Alpha House, 8 Years

Full Day Pre-K Teacher, 2008 – Present
2 Day Nursery and 3 Day Pre-K Teacher, 2006-2008
Interim Kindergarten Teacher, 2005-2006

Maureen Pristera
2 Day Nursery & 3 Day Pre-K Teacher
B.A, Holy Family University, Early Childhood/Elementary
Alpha House, 7 years

2 Day Nursery & 3 Day Pre-K Teacher, 2012-Present
Kids Club, Assistant Director, 2011-Present
2 Day Nursery Teacher, 2010-2012
Technology Teacher, 2009- 2011
Kids Club, 2005-Present

Denise Manto
Technology Teacher
B.S., University of Pittsburg
Graduate work at College of N.J. (Trenton State College)
Alpha House 2 years

Technology Teacher, 2012-Present
Substitute Teacher 2010-2012

Laura Vorgity
Full Day Pre-K Teacher
B.S., East Stroudsburg University, Early Childhood Education
M.A., Holy Family University, Education
Certified in:

Early Childhood Education
Special Education
Reading Specialist
Pursuing Autism Endorsement Certification at Holy Family University

Alpha House, 8 years
Full Day Pre-K Teacher, 2008-Present
Full Day Nursery Teacher, 2005-2008
Kids Club, 2005- 2012

Georgia Trantas-Weiss
Kindergarten Teacher
B.A., Holy Family University, Elementary Education
M.A., Arcadia University, Early Childhood Education
Alpha House, 37 years

Founder, Kindergarten Program
Fundraiser Coordinator

Chop Toy Drive
St. Jude’s Game Day
St. Francis Inn
Food Drive

Developmental Curriculum Specialist
Recipient, 2012 Alumni Educator of the Year, Holy Family University

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