Meet Our Staff

Archer Cooperative Nursery School’s teaching staff is comprised of professionally trained pre school teachers who meet the educational requirements as outlined by the State of New Jersey. Our teachers are highly qualified and dedicated with deep roots in the Archer community. In fact, many of the teachers’ own children attended Archer in the past.

As a cooperative nursery school, the staff's close relationship with parents provides a uniquely warm nursery school environment. The school values open communication between the parents and staff on a regular basis, however, formal parent teacher conferences are held each spring.

All Archer staff members along with any parents participating in the classroom have successfully completed a state mandated criminal background check along with fingerprinting to ensure and maintain excellent safety standards.

 
 

Kathy McNaught

Director

Mrs. McNaught’s has been Archer’s Director for over a decade. Mrs. McNaught received a BA from Lehigh University and her NJ State Teaching Certification from Kean University. Prior to raising her family, she worked for over fifteen years in the corporate sector and possesses a wide range of school, corporate, non-profit and volunteer experience. Her affiliation with Archer runs deep - her three children are proud Archer alumni and she also served as a former Archer assistant teacher. Mrs. McNaught is always happy to speak with new families and provide a tour of our wonderful school community.

 

Christine Troy

Co-Head Teacher and Pre-K Teacher

Mrs. Troy has been happily teaching at Archer for over a decade. She has taught all grade levels at Archer, has more than 15 years of experience in the classroom and has her teaching CDA. Additionally, she is a certified Holistic Health Coach, mother of four and avid runner.

 

Melissa Almash

Co-Head Teacher and Pre-K Teacher

Mrs. Almash is a proud parent of 3 Archer alumni and is thrilled to continue her passion for fostering young learners at Archer. Her previous experience includes over 15 years as a preschool teacher in the Leonia Public School district. She holds a BA in teaching from the University of Delaware and Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior analysis from Caldwell College.

 

Kim Cadaret

3s Teacher

Mrs. Cadaret is a compassionate preschool teacher with over 15 years of experience. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of play-based learning and hands-on instruction are evident in her teaching. She is a mom of 4 and holds a master’s in elementary education.

 

beth zweig

3s Teacher

Mrs. Zweig is a mom of 2 Archer alumni and former board president, her knowledge of our school and passion for our families is unmatched. Mrs. Zweig is a certified teacher, receiving a BS from the University of Delaware and a NJ State teaching certification from Montclair State University.

 

Grace deutsch

2.5s teacher

mrs. Deutsch has worked with young children for over 10 years in a variety of settings; as a school counselor, early childhood educator, and in several special education programs. She earned a Master of Education Degree from William Paterson University, obtaining a school counselor certification. Mrs. Deutsch is thrilled to be at archer, helping children learn about themselves and discover the world around them, all within the joy of play.

 

Andrea Milidandtri

Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Milidantri has over 15 years of experience working with children and has an Associate’s Degree from Berkeley College of Business. She is a proud mother of two and lives with her family in Mahwah. Mrs. Milidantri loves her time spent with the children of Archer!

 

Amy Rossi

3s Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Rossi holds a BS in marketing and obtained her CT elementary teacher certification from Sacred Heart University. Mrs. Rossi has been a part of the Archer family for 13 years, as an Archer parent, board member and teacher. She lives in Allendale, where she enjoys volunteering for the PTO and Girl Scouts, as well as substitute teaching at Hillside and Brookside schools.

 

Liliana Roy

2.5 and 3s Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Roy is thrilled to continue her role as assistant preschool teacher at Archer. She graduated from Berkeley Business School with an Associate’s Degree. Mrs. Roy enjoys practicing yoga, hiking with her husband, and loves visiting her adult children.

 

Sommer Forbes

Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Mrs. Forbes received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and spent 12 years working in the corporate world. She lives in Allendale with her husband and two children; her youngest is a proud Archer alumnus. She volunteers as a member of the local PTO, Allendale Foundation for Educational Excellence, and as a recreational soccer coach.

 
 

evelyn Pappas

2.5s assistant teacher

Mrs. Pappas has been at Archer for over a decade as an assistant teacher in our 2.5s class and Pre-K classrooms. Mrs. Pappas is a former Archer mom who has done extensive volunteer work and loves working with children. she holds an undergraduate degree from Hofstra University.  She and her husband are happily raising their two children in Allendale.

Michelle Higgins

3s Enrichment Assistant teacher

Mrs. Higgins received her bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and is excited to bring her warm and caring personality to the nursery school community. She looks forward to getting to know each child and making their nursery school experience happy, fun, and special.

 

Carrie Dye

Music and Yoga Teacher; 3s Enrichment Assistant Teacher

Ms. Dye has taught yoga and music at Archer since 2018. She is also our 3’s Enrichment assistant teacher. She has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford and a 200-hour yoga certification from the Kripalu Center. Mrs. Dye has taught in public and private schools for over 20 years and has discovered a richness in teaching at Archer as her child is a former student. In addition to teaching children, Mrs. Dye enjoys teaching yoga to students of all ages and abilities.

 

Brianne Szep

3s Enrichment Teacher

Brianne has a background in elementary education from James Madison University and a master’s degree in Reading and Literacy from Boston College.  She served on the Archer Board and is also a mom of three Archer kids, making this school community especially meaningful to her. She looks forward to getting to know each child and family and making this a fun and memorable year!

 

Sarah Nolan

Office Assistant

As the mom of two Archer kids and an Alumni herself, Sarah is honored to be part of of the Warm and dedicated team that makes Archer such a special place. With a background in Journalism, she is excited for this opportunity to step into the education space and looks forward to getting to know the staff and families that make up this close-knit community.

 

2026-2027 board of directors

Archer Cooperative Nursery School is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of parents of children currently enrolled in our school. 

President: Courtney Lanzalotto
Vice President/Parent Participation Coordinator: Tracy Lerner
Secretary: Joan Dalo
Treasurer: Tara Flath
Special events/Fundraising Coordinator: Jill Williams
Building & Maintenance Coordinator: Nadia Luppino
Publicity & Public Relations Coordinator: Michelle Rosanvallon