Our Staff
Two Year Old Classes
Ashley Wendelboe (Teacher)
I am excited to be joining the ODNS Community teaching the 2 Year Old class. Open Door holds a very special place in my heart. Not only did my two children attend preschool here, but I had the opportunity to serve as the Co-Chair on the Board for several years. I live in the Village with my husband Steve and our two children, Reed and Isla. We enjoy spending as much time outside as possible hiking, skiing and exploring our neighborhood. In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading and snowshoeing.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Mercyhurst University, my husband and I lived in Washington DC and New York City. In 2013 we decided to settle down and call the Village our home. We love the neighborhood and our friends here(many of whom we met at ODNS years ago)! I look forward to seeing your children’s smiling faces and giving your family the same wonderful experience we had!
Samantha Brownell (Teacher)
I am so excited to be a part of the Open Door two year old program! I live in the village of Williamsville with my husband and four children (Parker, Kieran, Grace and Gavin). I'm originally from Long Island, NY and moved to BUffalo as an Undergraduate at UB. Before settling here, we lived in five cities across the US.
I've been a stay-at-home Mom for the past 12 years while our life has been all things Williamsville! I enjoy watching our kids participate in many local sports including hockey, baseball and soccer. You can often find my husband and I walking along Main Street with our big dog, Eleanor, or at South Long Park with our kids.
I am thrilled to be back in the preschool setting and I hope I can make a positive impact on your little ones in the year to come.
Leah Henley (Aide M/W)
I am so excited to be a part of the two year olds classroom at open door!
My children have both attended open door, and we absolutely love it here. It has been such a wonderful experience for our family.
I currently live in Snyder, with my husband and our three children, Chloe, Sophie and Drew. Our time is usually spent playing outside, watching movies, and just being together.
I’m from Toronto, Canada and moved here to Buffalo in 2015. Back home, I worked in many classrooms for the Toronto district school board, for over five years. Working with children has always been what I loved to do the most and I’m thrilled to be able to get to do this again here in Buffalo.
I look forward to getting to know all of your children and I know they will love it here just as much as my kids do!
Caitlin Cannan (Aide T/TH)
I am so grateful to join the ODNS two-year-old program. It is truly a gem in our community!
My daughter loved attending ODNS and now my son is starting in the 3-year old program! From the curriculum and teachers, to the students and their families, I am so fortunate to be part of this great team!
After earning my bachelor’s degree in Education from Buffalo State College, I taught second grade at Saint Mark School in North Buffalo for many years before starting my own family.
I live in Synder with my husband, Charlie and our two children, Stella (4) and Declan (3). We enjoy spending time with our families that all reside locally - that makes for lots of sports filled nights and cousin hangouts! In my free time, I love organizing, reading, and being with my family!
Watching my children blossom through the foundation that ODNS builds has been such a gift, and it encouraged me to join their amazing team!
Three Year Old Classes
Lindsay Hannon (Teacher)
I’m so grateful to be a part of the wonderful Open Door Nursery School family as a teacher in the 3’s classroom. Both of my children attended Open Door and I experienced first-hand how truly special this school is. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and they both thrived in the fun and caring environment. We couldn’t ask for a better start to their education!
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from James Madison University. I was born and raised in Buffalo and live in Snyder with my husband Scott, son Connor, and daughter Audrey. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and reading – there’s a good chance you’ll see me at one of our local libraries with my kiddos. I can’t wait to meet your little ones and look forward to a wonderful year of helping them to learn and grow!
Jessica Sonnenberger (Teacher)
I am so grateful to be a part of the ODNS family! I live in the Village with my husband Eric, our kids Brayden and Casidy, and our dogs Honey and Clyde. In our free time we love anything outdoors, hockey, and musical theatre. I grew up in Rochester and attended SUNY Fredonia for my Bachelors degree. Prior to joining Open Door, I worked at Forest Elementary in an 8:1:1 classroom. I am so excited to work with this age group to build a foundation for learning during a time with so many fun milestones!
Maria McCormack (Aide T/TH)
I have been a part of the Open Door community for many years working as an aide in the both the two and four year old classes.
I’m very excited about working in the three year old class this year and I just absolutely love being a part of such an amazing community of teachers , children and all their wonderful families. I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they grow and learn.
I received both my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Speech/Language Pathology from SUNY Geneseo and the University of Buffalo. I worked at Buffalo Hearing and Speech center in their early intervention program for 11 years before deciding to work part time at Open Door and spend more time with my three daughters. Presently, I live in the city of Buffalo with my husband.
Four Year Old Class
Emily Dufrene (Teacher)
I am beyond thrilled to be the 4-year-old teacher at Open Door. I live in the Village with my husband Aaron, our three kids (Finn, Sophia, and Nora) and our two dogs (Jack and Zinnia). I enjoy running, hiking, reading, gardening, skiing and being with my family.
I grew up in Illinois and attended University of Illinois for my undergraduate degree and then Eastern Illinois University for my graduate degree. My husband and I lived in Utah for 1 short year and then settled in Williamsville for his job and have been here since 2007. We love living in WNY!
All three of my kids attended ODNS and loved their time here and are flourishing. I truly believe Open Door gave them a wonderful foundation for learning and playing as I hope to give your children.
Mary Pardo (Aide)
I have been an Aide in the 4-year-old program at Open Door Nursery School since 2009. I have a BS in Business Administration from SUNY Fredonia. I worked in the Accounting and Administration field for 14 years before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom. I consider myself so fortunate to be part of the Open Door family where I am blessed to see all of the children’s smiling faces each day!
I was born and raised in Amherst, where my husband and I now reside with our children, Daniel and Bridget. Both of our children attended Open Door and loved every minute of it!
Five Year Old Class
Colleen Wanamaker (Teacher & Director)
I feel incredibly fortunate to spend every day doing what I truly love! I have always dreamed of teaching young minds and I get to do it in such a fun, caring, and wonderful environment! I grew up in Syracuse, surrounded by a family of teachers and caregivers, so working with children is something that comes very natural to me. I attended SUNY Oswego, where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree in Literacy Education and Early Childhood Education.
I discovered my passion for educating the pre-K age level when I had the opportunity to teach at a small school in Rochester. After getting married, and settling down in my husband’s hometown of Williamsville, I put teaching on hold so that we could start a family. Now, both of my children are students at Open Door, just like my husband and his siblings were many years ago!
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and love going on camping adventures with them. We enjoy walking around the Village, visiting the Buffalo Zoo, and cheering for the Sabres! We are so grateful to live here and we love being part of the ODNS community!
Kim Reger (Aide)
I am very excited to be a part of the Open Door team and to be able to add to the growth and development of the children. In addition to being on the Open Door Board for three years, both of my children attended Open Door and benefited greatly from the experience. I can’t wait to be part of the staff that contributes to the foundational learning of this generation’s Open Door students.
I grew up in Lancaster, lived in the Village of Williamsville for several years, and now live in Clarence with my husband Kevin, our two children and dog. We spend most of our time watching our son play soccer and baseball AND our daughter dance and participate in baton. I enjoy walking our dog Oscar and spending time outdoors. I can’t wait to meet your children!
Enrichment Programs
Kim Reger (Teacher) Literature Day
I am very excited to be a part of the Open Door team and to be able to lend my instruction to Literature day! In addition to being on the Open Door Board for three years, both of my children attended Open Door and benefited greatly from the experience. I can’t wait to be part of the staff that contributes to the foundational learning of this generation’s Open Door students.
I grew up in Lancaster, lived in the Village of Williamsville for several years, and now live in Clarence with my husband Kevin, our two children and dog. We spend most of our time watching our son play soccer and baseball AND our daughter dance and participate in baton. I enjoy walking our dog Oscar and spending time outdoors. I can’t wait to meet your children!
Jen Boeing (Aide) Literature Day
I am very excited to be joining the Open Door staff after serving on the board! My daughter had a great experience at ODNS…my husband even attended preschool here many years ago!
I attended SUNY Geneseo and UB and currently hold certifications in general education, special education and as a literacy specialist. I taught third grade before staying home with our children. In our free time, our family loves being outside, swimming, walking our dog and cheering for the Bills. We are so happy our family found the Open Door community!
Caitlin Cannan (Teacher) Literature Day
I am so grateful to join the ODNS Literature day program!
My daughter loved attending ODNS and now my son is starting in the 3-year old program! From the curriculum and teachers, to the students and their families, I am so fortunate to be part of this great team!
After earning my bachelor’s degree in Education from Buffalo State College, I taught second grade at Saint Mark School in North Buffalo for many years before starting my own family.
I live in Synder with my husband, Charlie and our two children, Stella (4) and Declan (3). We enjoy spending time with our families that all reside locally - that makes for lots of sports filled nights and cousin hangouts! In my free time, I love organizing, reading, and being with my family!
Watching my children blossom through the foundation that ODNS builds has been such a gift, and it encouraged me to join their amazing team!
Leah Henley (Aide) Literature Day
I am so excited to be a part of the two year olds classroom at open door!
My children have both attended open door, and we absolutely love it here. It has been such a wonderful experience for our family.
I currently live in Snyder, with my husband and our three children, Chloe, Sophie and Drew. Our time is usually spent playing outside, watching movies, and just being together.
I’m from Toronto, Canada and moved here to Buffalo in 2015. Back home, I worked in many classrooms for the Toronto district school board, for over five years. Working with children has always been what I loved to do the most and I’m thrilled to be able to get to do this again here in Buffalo.
I look forward to getting to know all of your children and I know they will love it here just as much as my kids do!