Scott Mitchell
Toddler Time Teacher
Scott Mitchell (“Mr. Scott”) has lived in the DC-Baltimore area much of his life. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1993 with a BA in Criminology, he moved out west, where he took a job with Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) that helped feed his passion for playing outdoors. In 2005, with the impending birth of his first daughter Addison, Scott left REI and became a stay-at- home parent.
Shortly after the birth of his second daughter Celia, Scott became the volunteer coordinator of Takoma Park’s Community Playtime. He and his family joined SSNS in 2008. Scott served on the SSNS Board for four years, two as Co-President. He began working as a classroom aide in 2010 and received his Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification from Montgomery College in 2011. He began working as the SSNS Enrichment teacher in the fall of 2011. Scott was a volunteer coach with Takoma Soccer for 5 years and currently teaches a parenting class for fathers through the Takoma Park Recreation Department.
Janise Allyn-Smith
SSNS Director and 3's Class Teacher
Janise teaches our 3's class and also teaches adults through parent education classes offered at Silver Spring Nursery School and the metro area. She grew up in Southern California and has lived in Maryland since 1979. Her three children and two of her five grandchildren all attended SSNS. She joined the staff as the 2's teacher in 1992, when her youngest child was in the 4's class. She subsequently began teaching the 3's, and in 1996 became Director of SSNS.
Janise received an AA in Sociology and has an AS in Early Childhood Education. She continues to attend professional trainings and workshops each year. She also offers parent education classes, works as a consultant for families, and provides professional workshops in the DC area. In April
2012, she received the District Award from Parent Cooperative Preschool International.
Our Teachers
All of our teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR and have completed the MCCA 90-hour certification course in early childhood education. Additionally, they regularly attend conferences, workshops, and other continuing education courses.
Jennifer DeBernardis
4/5's Class Teacher
Jennifer has been teaching the 4/5's class since 1999. She first came to SSNS when her youngest child, Chelsea, attended the 3's and 4's classes in the early '90s. Both Jennifer and Chelsea continue friendships they made at SSNS. Jennifer has a BA from the University of Maryland in English. She received her 90-hour Early Childhood Certification with Montgomery Child Care Association. She truly believes she has the best job imaginable, playing side by side with children and parents daily, and values the tradition rich history of our SSNS community.
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A lifelong Silver Spring native, Jennifer enjoys the beach, reading, and spending time with her family. She received the National Award from Parent Cooperative Preschools International in April, 2014 and currently serves as Co-President of the Potomac Association of Cooperative Preschools.
Liz Hunter
2's Class Teacher
Liz Hunter grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and earned a BS in Biology from William and Mary, and an MA Ed in Secondary Education from William and Mary. She taught various high school science classes at a public high school, outside of Charlottesville, VA, for nine years. Life took Liz and her growing family to Mississippi, where she transitioned to working with preschoolers. There she was introduced, and influenced by some Montessori training she received.
In 2004, the family moved to the Silver Spring area, and ultimately enrolled two of her three children at this amazing preschool. As Liz fell in love with the philosophy and the community of SSNS, she began working as an aide in all three of the classes, and taught various theme classes over the years. Now in her fifth year of teaching the two’s class, she enjoys the enthusiasm and desire these children show towards learning everything and anything.
