Our Staff
Tracy Hanzes, Executive DirectorTracy Hanzes has been at Pine Grove for 15 years, as a teacher, a parent and most recently as Director. Tracy graduated from Rutgers University and worked in Public Relations before receiving her teaching certification from Kean University. She joined Pine Grove as the two’s teacher in 1996 and took on the Director’s position in 2007. Both of Tracy’s children attended Pine Grove and she attributes their love for learning to their early days at Pine Grove. “Pine Grove is a special place. It’s such a warm, accepting environment that encourages the children to explore, discover and be themselves.” |
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Meghan Pirri, 2s TeacherMeghan Pirri is the newest teacher at Pine Grove but not new to Pine Grove by any means. Meghan began her career at Pine Grove in 2001 when she was a student teacher working with Lolly. Meghan graduated from Rutgers in 1997 with a BS in Biology. She then went on to Kean to obtain her N-8 teacher certification. Meghan has taught preschool, elementary and high school aged children at the Kateri Environmental Center for 11 years. She’s back at Pine Grove as both a teacher and a parent. |
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Lillie Suabedissen, 3s TeacherLillie Suabedissen has a BA from Douglass College and an MA from Montclair University. Originally Lillie joined Pine Grove as a parent 24 years ago when her daughter proclaimed she wanted to leave her old school and best friend because Pine Grove had “sand inside and outside.” Eighteen years ago Lillie joined the unique environment at Pine Grove as a teacher to be able to give back to the school and join children in the excitement of growing and learning to learn. |
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Lolly Schenck, 4s Teacher and Splendid Day TeacherLolly Schenck graduated from Bryn Mawr College and subsequently spent ten years in England and then six years in Japan, where her two sons were born. This year marks her 17th year here at Pine Grove. She loves teaching at Pine Grove – she insists that she wouldn’t teach anywhere else. “I like the relationships we build with parents and children. We are the village it takes to raise socially confident children who have a real disposition to learn when they go to kindergarten. This is by far the most valuable gift we can give our young children.” |
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