367 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(732) 955-6761
littleearthshepherds@gmail.com
Nurturing young minds with creativity and compassion
Meet our Lead Teachers
Preppers – Ms. Poovai
Hello! My name is Poovai Anbu, and I’m thrilled to be the lead teacher for our Preppers classroom.
As both an educator and a proud mom of two, I’m deeply passionate about helping little learners grow, explore, and thrive. With a heart for early childhood education, I strive to create a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels safe, loved, and inspired to discover the world around them.
In our classroom, no two days are ever the same—from messy art projects and silly songs to storytime adventures and first friendships, each moment is filled with opportunities for growth and joy. I place a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships not only with the children but also with their families, working together as partners in their early learning journey.
Watching toddlers develop confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. I truly cherish every giggle, milestone, and messy masterpiece along the way!
Prek 3 – Ms. Dawn​
My name is Dawn DeVestern. I have been working with young children for over 40 years. I started my career as a teacher’s assistant working evenings in a 3 year old classroom while I went to school during the day. It was my responsibility to bring together multi-aged children as they waited for their parents to pick-up.
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After I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education. I was then hired by the same preschool to teach their Kindergarten Class. After 3 years, I was hired by the Edison Township Public School District. I worked for Edison in Kindergarten, First, Third and Fourth Grades. The majority of this time and my favorite years were in Kindergarten. This past June 2024, I retired from Edison School District after 30 years of service. I realized that I missed working with young children. I found a new purpose to extend my career in order to help a small, private preschool improve their service to the community. Now I look forward to working and improving the education of the PK-3 students here at Little Earth Shepherds.
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Pre-K 3 – Ms. Veena
​I'm a certified and experienced teacher with a strong background in early childhood and primary education. Over the years, I've successfully led pre-primary and primary classrooms, creating nurturing, engaging learning environments where my students thrive. Building meaningful relationships with both students and parents has always been at the heart of my teaching philosophy, and I take pride in the positive connections I've fostered along the way. Teaching is not just my profession — It's my passion. I truly love what I do.
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I currently live in East Brunswick with my wonderful husband and our two amazing children. Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading, dancing, and singing—creative outlets that energize me and often inspire my teaching.
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Pre-K 4 Lead Teacher: Ms. Jessy
Hello, my name is Ms. Jessy, and I am the Pre-K 4 teacher at Little Earth Shepherds Preschool. I have had the privilege of teaching at LES for the past eight years, and my passion for early childhood education continues to grow with each passing year.
I firmly believe that learning is a continuous process, unfolding through every interaction and experience. Children are constantly developing across multiple domains—physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and linguistic. As an educator, my goal is to create a nurturing, stimulating, and joyful learning environment where each child feels safe, valued, and empowered. I strive to foster confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning, ensuring that my students transition to the next stage of their development with enthusiasm and self-assurance.
I look forward to partnering with you in your child’s learning journey!
Our Supporting Staff
Ms. Tara
BEFORE CARE
Ms. Gina
PREPPERS AIDE &
BEFORE CARE
My name is Ms. Tara. I have been working in early childhood education and classroom support for more than four years. With experience as a preschool teacher, office assistant, and currently a substitute aide, I’ve developed a well-rounded skill set that spans both instructional and administrative capacities. I am dedicated to creating structured, nurturing learning environments that support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children. I am continually inspired by the curiosity of students and am committed to helping them reach their full potential. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy staying active and traveling, particularly to historical sites—I love learning, both in and out of the classroom.
Hello my name is Gina Sirianni and I’ve been working at LES for over a year now! I’m currently a student at Rutgers University studying psychology and education. My passion for working with children started early—from assisting younger age group dance classes at the studio, to spending summers babysitting, and growing up with two younger sisters. All these experienced have created my passion to make a positive impact on children, especially within the education system. I believe building trust, showing kindness and affection, and creating a nurturing environment is essential when working with children, especially with helping them grow while educating them early on. To me this is the most rewarding field of them all, and I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity to be doing what I love here at LES!
Ms. Melanie
AFTER CARE
I am thrilled to be joining the Little Earth Shepherds Preschool team for the Aftercare and Summer Program. With five years of experience working with children, ranging from infants to 13-year-olds, I’m passionate about fostering a positive and engaging environment where children can grow, learn, and feel supported. I am CPR certified and currently completing my final two semesters at Middlesex College, where I’m majoring in Early Childhood Education (PK-03).
My goal is to create a nurturing space where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to explore new things. I’m committed to helping children develop both emotionally and academically, and after earning my degree, I plan to become a preschool teacher at a public school, continuing my dedication to early childhood education.
In addition to my professional journey, I love spending time with my family and my dog, Max. My favorite activities include playing the guitar, singing, and connecting with others through music. I am also fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and American Sign Language, which allows me to connect with a wide range of families.
I am beyond excited to be a part of the Little Earth Shepherds community and look forward to building meaningful relationships with both the children and staff. I can’t wait to contribute to this wonderful environment and help the children discover the joys of learning!
Ms. Alyssa
AFTER CARE
My name is Ms. Alyssa. I am a Senior at Seton Hall University studying English with a minor in Psychology. I am currently pursuing my M.A. in English as part of a dual degree program. Having two younger sisters and growing up volunteering with my mother at various daycare facilities, I take joy in faciliating a welcoming environment where children can feel safe to have fun, express themselves, and form bonds they will cherish throughout their lives — fostering a love for school and education in general. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in education, and creating the same nurturing classroom on my own that fostered my own love for learning when I was younger!
Meet Our Director​
Vanessa Castillo
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​​​I have always been passionate about early childhood education, bringing over 20 years of experience in childcare and five years as a school director. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from William Paterson University and have had the privilege of working in various educational settings, where I gained valuable insight into different curriculum models and innovative teaching methodologies.
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My leadership journey began as a STEM Director, where I developed a deep appreciation for hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Working in corporate childcare facilities allowed me to experience a variety of curriculum approaches and explore new ways to enhance children’s educational experiences. I also had the unique opportunity to live in Europe for six months, where I observed different teaching styles and educational philosophies. This experience broadened my perspective on early education and reinforced my belief in the importance of diverse and adaptive teaching methods.
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As the Director of Little Earth Shepherds Preschool, I am excited to bring my expertise and passion to this incredible learning community. My goal is to cultivate a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive, develop a love for learning, and reach their full potential. Alongside my dedicated team, I strive to implement innovative and well-rounded teaching strategies that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity.
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Beyond my professional life, I am fluent in Spanish and conversational in Portuguese. I am happily married and a proud mother of three wonderful daughters. My eldest daughter is currently attending Seton Hall University, majoring in English, while my youngest daughter is a student at Little Earth Shepherds, making this center even more special to me on both a professional and personal level. My middle daughter is the tinker of the family, always creating, inventing, and exploring new ideas—a true testament to the importance of fostering curiosity and creativity in education. Our family also includes our beloved Chihuahua, Penelope.
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I am truly honored to be part of Little Earth Shepherds Preschool and look forward to fostering an enriching learning experience for every child who walks through our doors.