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Meet The Staff

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Ms. Kate Emerson

Executive Director

Ms. Kate joined our team as Executive Director in December 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience working with children. She has a deep passion for early childhood education, having held a Pre-K CDA for two decades and is currently working on obtaining her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as being CPR, First aid and MATT trained.

Throughout her career, Ms. Kate has found great joy and fulfillment in nurturing young minds. Her family of 10 is her pride and joy, especially as they recently celebrated their oldest child joining the army. At home, their dog is always part of the action. Outside of family life, Ms. Kate is a talented freelance artist, with painting, drawing, and exploring new art mediums being some of her greatest passions. She’s also an avid angler and cherishes time spent on the river—salmon season is her favorite! Whether she’s working with children, creating art, supporting her family, or enjoying the peace of nature, Ms. Kate truly feels at home in every moment.

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Ms. Courtney Fenner 

Infant 1 Teacher

Ms. Courtney joined our Infant 1 classroom in October 2014 and has over 10 years of experience working with children. She holds an Infant/Toddler CDA and is MAT, CPR, and First Aid trained, ensuring the highest level of care for our little ones.

As a mom to one handsome boy, Ms. Courtney knows the importance of providing a nurturing and loving environment for infants. Her passion for childcare began through years of babysitting, where she discovered her love for caring for children. In her free time, she enjoys shopping at Walmart, spending time with family, and hanging out with her unique cat—who has a very short tail!

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Ms. Abrielle Lopitz

Infant Assistant Teacher

Ms. Abrielle has been a valued part of our Infant team since July 2020. With nearly seven years of experience in childcare, she has worked with children of all ages, from six weeks old to school-age, and has also gained hands-on experience in an autism classroom. She is CPR and First Aid certified, ensuring a safe and caring environment for the little ones she nurtures.

As the youngest of three siblings, Ms. Abrielle understands the importance of patience and connection in early childhood. She has a deep love for sunflowers and enjoys spending time with her beloved Rottweiler, Mia. Her warm and compassionate nature makes her a wonderful caregiver for our infants!

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Ms. Kayla Johnson

Toddler 1 Assistant Teacher

Ms. Kayla joined our Toddler 1 classroom in March 2025 and is currently working on obtaining her CDA to further her passion for early childhood education. She is excited to create a fun and engaging environment where toddlers can learn and grow!

Outside of work, Ms. Kayla loves listening to music and dancing. She’s a big fan of all things Stitch and adores the color baby blue. When she’s not caring for little ones, she enjoys spending time with her cat and hamster. Her go-to favorites? Chicken nuggets and a refreshing ginger ale or Coke!

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Ms. Makayla Faber

Toddler 2 Assistant Teacher

Ms. Makayla has been a valued part of our Toddler 2 team since March 2022. Her love for working with children started through years of babysitting before joining Celebrations. She also grew up helping at her mom’s deli from the age of 12 and still lends a hand when needed.

She holds a high school diploma and is currently working toward her CDA to further her knowledge in early childhood education. In her free time, Ms. Makayla enjoys coloring, spending time with her family, and, with the warmer weather approaching, cheering on her dad and brother as they race motocross!

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Ms. Kaitlyn Hernandez

Preschool Assistant Teacher

Ms. Kaitlyn joined our team in March 2023 as an Assistant Preschool Teacher, bringing a heart full of care and a background rich in hands-on experience with children. Before joining us, she worked as a cashier, in a concession stand, and as a babysitter. She is CPR and First Aid certified, a Mandated Reporter, and completed the CTE Early Childhood Education program through Madison-Oneida BOCES.

Since moving to New York at the age of 8, Kaitlyn has helped care for her 15 younger cousins—being the third oldest has definitely shaped her nurturing spirit! She loves the color pink, elephants are her favorite animal, and she’s a fan of both sunflowers and roses. Kaitlyn’s gentle nature and passion for helping children grow make her a valued and beloved member of our preschool team.

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Ms. Samantha Wegrzyn

Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Ms. Samantha became a part of our team in October 2024, bringing a diverse background in childcare, healthcare, and customer service. She has been babysitting since she was 13, worked as a Home Health Aide for four years, and gained valuable experience in retail and customer service for five years. She is CPR and First Aid certified and is currently working toward earning her CDA.

Family is everything to Ms. Samantha! She cherishes time with her children—three biological, two bonus, and her niece, whom she has custody of. Whether it's taking adventures with her husband, kids, and their playful pup, Nova, or enjoying quiet moments coloring and listening to music, she embraces life with love and enthusiasm. She also has a passion for photography, capturing special moments wherever she goes!

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Ms. Angela Coan

School Age Teacher

Ms. Angela has been working with children since she was 13 years old, gaining experience through babysitting and early childhood education courses. She is CPR, First Aid, and MAT trained, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every child she works with.

As a mother to a beautiful daughter and the middle child in her own family, Ms. Angela understands the importance of creativity and individualized learning. She is always full of ideas to help children learn in fun and engaging ways!

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Ms. Erin Loosman

Assistant Director

Ms. Erin joined our team as Assistant Director in January 2025, bringing over seven years of experience working with children. She holds a CDA certification, is CPR and First Aid certified, and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education to further her dedication to early childhood development.

Beyond her passion for working with children, Ms. Erin is also a certified volunteer exterior firefighter. She loves spending time outdoors—whether it's fishing, hunting, or simply enjoying nature. At home, she adores her fur baby, Rayna. Her commitment to both her community and the children she works with makes her an invaluable part of our team!

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Ms. Brianna Dickan

Infant 2 Teacher

Ms. Brianna will be joining our Infant 2 team in June 2024, bringing four years of daycare experience and a lifelong connection to childcare, having grown up around her mom’s home daycare. She holds an associate degree and is currently working toward her bachelor’s in psychology, furthering her passion for understanding and nurturing young minds.

Her long-term goal is to either open her own home daycare or return to school for teaching. In addition to her love for early childhood education, she also holds a cosmetology license. Ms. Brianna adores dolphins and has a special love for working with "tiny humans," bringing warmth, care, and dedication to everything she does!

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Ms. Katelyn Northup

Toddler 1 Teacher

Ms. Katelyn joined our Toddler team in February 2025, bringing seven years of daycare experience and a lifelong love for working with children. She has been caring for kids since she was 10 years old and holds a CDA along with her high school diploma.

As a devoted mom of two—a boy and a girl—Ms. Katelyn understands the importance of creating a nurturing and engaging environment for young children. She is a true family person who loves spending time outdoors and unwinding with a good book. Her warmth and dedication make her a wonderful addition to our team!

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Ms. Katlyn Dupree

Toddler 2 Teacher

Ms. Katelyn has been a dedicated member of our team since September 2023. Her journey in childcare began as an after-school babysitter, which led to working at summer camps—organizing and participating in activities that enriched children's lives. Her passion and experience eventually brought her to Celebrations, where she now thrives as a lead teacher in our Toddler 2 classroom.

She holds a high school Regents diploma, a BOCES Career and Tech Ed certification, and an associate degree. Outside of teaching, Ms. Katelyn has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, finding long walks to be the perfect way to unwind. She also cherishes quality time with her younger brother and is passionate about volunteer work, especially supporting animal welfare.

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Ms. Kiara Snow

Preschool Teacher

Ms. Kiara joined our Pre-K team in April 2025 and brings ten years of experience working with children of all ages. From working in kindergarten classrooms to caring for infants, school-age kids, and Pre-K students at Oneida Area Daycare Center, she has a well-rounded background in early childhood education. She is also CPI trained, ensuring she provides a safe and supportive learning environment.

Ms. Kiara loves going on adventures, creating fun crafts with her students, and making learning exciting! In her free time, she enjoys taking walks and spending time with her nieces. And if you ever want to know her favorite animal—it’s an elephant! 

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Ms. Abrina Rogers

Pre K Teacher

Ms. Abrina joined our Pre-K team in December 2024 and brings a wealth of experience and passion to the classroom. With over five years in special education and a CDA certification, she is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, kind, and supportive learning environment. Before teaching Pre-K, she worked as a CNA and a 1:1 special education aide in a 6:1:1 autism classroom, where she developed a deep love for working with children of all abilities.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Abrina is a talented artist with a booth at The Eclectic Chic in Oneida, where she showcases her artwork and takes commissions. She also volunteers twice a month and has participated in several art shows—an inspiration she draws from her mother, an art teacher in Oneida schools. She is deeply passionate about mental health awareness and believes in reminding everyone: You are loved, you are wanted, and you have always been enough.

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Ms. Maddie O'Herien

School Age Teacher

Ms. Maddie joined our team in October 2024 and brings six years of daycare experience, along with a strong background in babysitting and customer service. She is CPR and First Aid certified, ensuring a safe and caring environment for the children in her care.

A 2023 graduate of Oneida High School, Ms. Maddie is the youngest in her family and understands the importance of fostering a fun, engaging, and supportive space for school-age children. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her Bengal cat, Mark!

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Ms. Jinelle O'Herien

Kitchen Staff

Ms. Jinelle became part of our team in July 2024 and has been dedicated to providing a nurturing environment at CCC for the past year. As a mom of two, she understands the importance of quality care and nutrition for children. She is CACFP trained and has completed Serve Safe training, ensuring that the meals and snacks provided meet high standards of safety and nutrition.

Outside of work, Ms. Jinelle enjoys running, cooking, and gardening. She has a passion for childcare and loves creating enriching experiences for the little ones in her care. Her dedication and warm personality make her a valued part of our team!

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