Our Team
Meet Our Director
Rose Horton, Director
Rose holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Manhattanville College and is finishing a Master’s Program at Stony Brook University. Rose has become an asset to our school after coming on board in 2017. Rose, the recipient of The Riverhead News-Review Educator of the Year in 2023, is passionate, energetic, and fully dedicated to creating a program that educates the whole-child. As a native of the Riverhead community, a coach in the district, and a lover of the East End, Rose has a real connection with the students who fill her classrooms. Rose is a firm believer in giving back and helping others. Over the past few years, St. David’s has connected with our local nursing homes, raised money for our troops, donated to PBMC, donated to local animal shelters, and served lunches to local veterans. Rose and her team are committed to providing a warm environment that fosters a stimulating and inspiring place to learn. In her spare time, Rose loves spending time with her daughter, her dogs and relaxing at the beach!
Meet Our Office
Miss Louise
St. David’s School began as a part time job for a full-time mommy of five who wanted a little spending money back in 2000. Little did Louise know that many years later how St. David’s would become embedded in her heart. Louise has worked in many capacities and is currently assisting the director in the daily operation of the school. Louise is proud to hold a CDA credential in early childhood education. Louise resides in Riverhead with her husband and children, and also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and traveling to warm places.
Miss Karen
Karen retired from the Riverhead Central School District and was ‘tired’ of being fully retired! Karen loves spending time with her grown children and taking daily walks with her dog, Bella. Karen is energetic, kind and brings a warm and welcoming smile to the children each morning. Karen’s favorite place in the world is any where that there is water and sand!
Meet Our Teachers
Ms. Jutta Mariotti
Forever in our hearts
Ms. Jessica
Jessica has always wanted to work with children for as long as she can remember. Jessica has worked with children of all ages over her time at St. David’s and is currently a staple in our toddler program. She is kind, loving and ever so patient!
Ms. Jane
Starting her career in 1998, Jane has many years of experience working at St. David’s. She is extremely passionate about working with all ages of children but has found a pure love for the Pre-K students. Jane is always up for the challenge of preparing the children for their jump to Kindergarten at the ‘big school.’ Jane enjoys taking an active role in teaching to ensure a long-lasting love for learning. In Jane’s spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising and traveling with her husband.
Ms. Chrissie
Chrissie a past employee who has made her way back ‘home’ now that her children are a bit older… Chrissie, a mother of 4 and a wife of 30 years loves spending time reading and being outside during the summer and spring months!
Ms. Michele
Michele has two children, a daughter Courtney and a son Daniel. She has a cute dog named Bentley who she loves playing with during her free time. Michele likes to create art with her students, read books, go on bike rides, cook, and bake. Michele holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education and has been teaching children for many years.
Ms. Olivia
Olivia is currently a college student who is studying secondary education. She and her family have lived in Riverhead for over 60 years. Olivia loves working with children because they fill her with joy and amazement with their little personalities. She also enjoys spending time outside with her friends and family.
Ms. Kathryn
Kathryn, another alumnus of our school and has worked at St. David’s since 2011. She proudly has her CDA credential in early childhood education. Kathryn has found pure joy in working with children of all ages as she has spent time in all of our classrooms. Kathryn enjoys reading to the students, creating art projects, as well as facilitating science experiments. In Kathryn’s free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her niece.
Ms. Kyrie
Kyrie holds a CDA credential fulfilling her dreams of becoming a preschool teacher. Kyrie loves watching children grow and learn. She looks forward to coming to work every day to help shape our young learners’ minds. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, creating art and preforming theater.
Ms. Fran
Fran is a long-time employee to St. David’s School. Since 1999, Fran has worked with all age groups and has now found her forever home with the infants. Fran has a gentle touch and the most special way of loving our youngest learners. Fran is a caring and loyal employee who always has a smile on her face. In Fran’s spare time, she loves spending time with her family and traveling to see her grandchildren!
Ms. Sue
Sue, a mother of 3, a grandmother of 6, and GREAT grandmother of 2 - loves her family more than words. She enjoys the challenges of working with children and the immense amount of joy it brings to her life. She loves staying active and spending time at the beach and creating diamond art in her spare time.
Ms. Katherine
Katherine holds a CDA credential and is currently working with the toddlers here at St. David’s. Katherine is very soft spoken, caring and is a fan favorite amongst the kiddos. In her spare time she loves to paint, listen to music, travel and spend time with her family.
Ms. Orysia
From the charming city of Lviv, Ukraine, Ms. Orysia has brought lots of love to our school. As a small child, she always dreamed of working with children and is so happy that her dream has became a reality. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her family, organizing family movie nights, and cooking delicious food! She also enjoys curling up and reading a good book with a hot cup of coffee!
Ms. Allison
Allison holds a NYS Teaching Certification and could not imagine a career doing anything else. Allison was born and raised in Riverhead and now lives here with her husband and son Jackson. She has a pet dog and a guinea pig. In her time off, she loves doing fun things with Jackson and spending time with her family.
Ms. Charlene
Charlene has been a part of our St. David’s family since 2002. Charlene has experience working with all age levels and has found a special connection with the toddler room. Charlene enjoys watching this age group play and grow as they begin to make their first real world connections. Charlene holds a CDA credential and has held a head teacher position since 2005. Charlene has three grown children and five grandchildren who fill her days with lots of love.
Ms. Patty
Patty has been working with children since 2009. Patty has been an assistant for all age groups and can fit right in to any classroom. She has a great work ethic, is determined, and hardworking.
Ms. Olena
Ms. Olena has brought much love and kindness to our team since she joined us in 2023. She lives in Riverhead with her husband, daughter, and cat. She enjoys reading mystery books, singing, drawing, and traveling with her family. Ms. Olena enjoys working with the our littlest angels and finds much joy seeing the world through their eyes.
Ms. Cassie
Cassie has St. David’s inside her bones! Being an alumnus of St. David’s School makes working here that much more meaningful for Cassie. Over her past work with children of all ages, it has inspired her to obtain an Adolescent Education degree in Mathematics. Cassie lives in Riverhead with her parents and siblings, and she enjoys the summer, spending time with friends, and shopping.
Ms. Emily
Emily has been working at St. David’s since 2005. Throughout Emily’s time here she has worked in many different classrooms and is currently the head teacher in our three-year-old room. Emily is a mother of two amazing girls, who she loves spending time with. Emily has been a huge part of laying a strong foundation for her classes as they move up to our UPK program.
Ms. Epi
Epi is a mother of 4 children who has worked with children for many years before coming to St. David’s. She enjoys cooking, listening to music, and taking walks with her dog. Epi’s favorite thing to do is watch her children play sports as well as spending time with her friends and extended family.
Ms. Christine
Christine holds a NYS Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She has been teaching preschool since 2007. After joining the St. David’s team in 2018, Christine has become a vital part of the schools UPK program. Christine enjoys hands-on constructive teaching where each student is engaged in his/her learning. She believes that incorporating mindfulness into her daily lessons will help the children to create healthy lifelong habits. In her free time, Christine loves spending time with her son Ethan, exercising, and traveling!
