Our Staff
Director, Kate Argiro
Kate received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Manhattan College in 2002. After graduation, she became a 4th-grade teacher in New York City’s Public School 8, and shortly after relocated and continued teaching 4th grade in Allendale NJ. In 2009 Kate and her growing family moved to Northvale, NJ. During this time she decided to take a leave of absence from teaching to raise her young children. After enrolling her daughter at the Northvale Preschool in 2013, a teaching position became available in the Pre-K4 classroom. Kate could not pass up the perfect opportunity to do what she loves; teach children and continue to be a dedicated mother to her children. Kate was a Head Teacher in the Pre-K4 class for 5 years before becoming the Northvale Preschool Director in 2019.
Pre - K 4 Teacher, Cristina Viganola
Cristina received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from New Jersey City University in 2001. She currently resides in Norwood, NJ with her husband and four children. Cristina brings over 11 years of experience as an early childhood educator. She also has held a position as a director of a preschool in Rutherford NJ while studying at New Jersey City University. After taking some time off to raise her children, two of whom attend Norwood Public and two at Northern Valley Regional Old Tappan, she was able to return to the classroom. In the last three years, she took on a very successful position implementing a new program as a World Language teacher at St Joseph’s School in Oradell NJ, for students in grades Pre-K 2 through 4th grade. Since then she has focused her time on tutoring and subbing at ECCS, as well as St Joe’s.
Cristina continues to be an active member of the executive board of the PTO in Norwood. She enjoys volunteering her time to coach cheer, and when she’s not teaching she is spending her time at the field, watching her children play sports. It is her privilege to teach your children and she looks forward to making it a fun, safe, and successful rest of the school year.
Pre-K 3 Teacher, Michelle Miller
Michelle received her Bachelor's Degree from West Virginia University in 2011 and currently resides in Northvale with her husband, and two children. Michelle is continuing in her role as the head teacher of the 3-year-old classroom at the Northvale Preschool and is in her 7th year of being a part of the preschool family. Previous to being the head teacher, she was an active member of the Preschool Parent Committee Board for the 3 years. During that time Michelle headed a very successful fundraiser, assisted with school renovations, and much more. Michelle is a PTO member and class mom at the Northvale Public School. Michelle loves the opportunity to provide a fun-filled learning environment for the children in our community.
Teaching Assistant, Sophia Yun
Sophia was born in South Korea and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Korean Education. She immigrated after her marriage to Orlando, Florida in 2001 and then moved to Northvale in 2014. She has taught Korean for over 15 years and currently teaches at the Korean Community Center. Sophia joined the Northvale Preschool in 2019 as a substitute and became a permanent assistant teacher in 2021. She has two children that attend Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan and one child that attends Northvale Public School. Sophia loves working with the children in our school and cares for them as if they are her own.
Teaching Assistant, Allison Clarke
Allison grew up in Long Island New York and received her Bachelor's Degree from New York University in 1994. She began her preschool career in New York and continued to follow her passion for teaching children for the past ten years after she relocated with her family to Harrington Park, New Jersey. Previous to joining the Northvale Preschool in 2021, Allison was an assistant teacher in the 2-year-old class and headed the aftercare program at Temple Beth El in Closter.
Teaching Assistant, Samantha Martino
Samantha joined the Northvale Preschool to help her aspiration to grow her knowledge in Early Child-Development in 2021. Samantha is a former student of Bergen Community College, where she focused her studies on American Sign Language, with the desire to be an interpreter for children. She previously volunteered at the Westwood Library for the Reading Buddies Group. Samantha also loves working with children outside of the school environment. While babysitting; she provides reading material and organizes stimulated motor skills and physical activities, to help the child's development during this special growth period of their lives.