Kimberly Cote

Director and 3’s teacher

Kim has a Graduate degree from Cambridge College in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Behavior Management in the Classroom and a BS in Elementary Education. After receiving her teaching license, she spent the early part of her career teaching 1st grade before becoming a mom of four boys. She has a lot of experience in the younger grades as well as preschool. Kim worked as a teacher’s aide and camp counselor while in college and was a substitute teacher in the Kinnelon and Montville school districts. She began working at The Growing Place in 2017.

Emily McGrath

2’s Teacher

Emily is a licensed New Jersey Speech-Language Pathologist and holds an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency. She is a graduate of William Patterson where she earned a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University in Elementary Education.  Emily has over 10 years of experience working with preschool and school aged children in the public school and private setting. She has extensive experience evaluating and treating children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Apraxia of Speech, Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders, Articulation Disorders, Down Syndrome, Cognitive Disorders, and Fluency Disorders. While working in the Wayne Public School system, Emily was the recipient of the New Jersey Department of Education's Governor's Educator of the Year Award. Her most prized accomplishment is her two beautiful children.

Rachel Sena

2’s Teacher

Rachel has a degree in Early Childhood from Union College. She has taught two and three year old children at Rainbow Academy in Rutherford. She created and implemented theme based lesson plans and maintained a clean and safe classroom to ensure a nurturing environment. She was responsible for daily observations that resulted in weekly and monthly reports of the developmental growth of the students. Rachel has been working at the Growing place since 2015. At home she is a mom to two wonderful boys and two amazing girls!

Sandra Daingerfield

4’s Teacher

Sandra attained a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Drew University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2006. She has Certificates of Eligibility with Advanced Standing in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from the College of Saint Elizabeth. She has been a classroom teacher since September 2007, teaching primary grades, being a vital part of various curriculum development committees, and heading school-wide clubs and activities during her career there. Sandra has two amazing children.