Meet Our Experienced Preschool Staff
Teachers Who See the Whole Child
At BCNS Preschool, our teachers are more than educators - they are guides, collaborators, and partners in discovery. Each classroom is led by multiple certified and experienced teachers who bring creativity, empathy, and a deep respect for children’s natural curiosity. Our team of educators reflects the community we serve, with staff living in and connected to Belmont, Watertown, Arlington, and Cambridge.
Krissy Waters
Director & Preschool Teacher
Krissy Waters’ deep investment in BCNS, as well as the Reggio Emilia based educational philosophy that is embraced by the school, has continued through many years: first as a parent, then as a teacher, and now as Director of the school. Krissy even attended BCNS and is an alumna, class of 1978. During her years as a parent at BCNS, Krissy had the opportunity to serve as President, Treasurer, and chair of the Publicity Committee. Krissy attended Tufts University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Economics in 1995. Krissy obtained her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, and continues an ongoing exploration of the Reggio Emilia philosophy through numerous courses and discussion groups. In addition to her role as Director, Krissy is also a teacher in the Maple Class and teaches the Science & Sports classes after school.
Brenna Banister
Preschool Teacher & Willow Group Guide
Brenna Banister graduated from Boston University in 2012 with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Brenna is currently a teacher in the Oak classroom, as well as the Willow Group Guide, a member of the Extended Day teaching team, and teaches after school extracurricular classes. During her tenure at BCNS, Brenna has worked as a classroom teacher in all of the classrooms! She is very interested in the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, which BCNS uses as pedagogical inspiration. In 2025, Brenna was accepted into a fellowship program, Fellowship for Impact in Early Childhood Policy (FFI). FFI is a professional development program that will bring together a diverse group of individuals from across the early childhood field to understand the intricacies of the policy process and work to advance more equitable systems for Massachusetts’ youngest residents. Brenna loves cooking, dancing, reading, and doing open-ended art activities with children. In her free time, she can most often be found kayaking with her wife and dog, learning American Sign Language, or dancing with the adult group she formed called Alive Dance Collective.
Karen Roth
Preschool Teacher
Karen Roth graduated from Tufts University with a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. She worked in high tech and on environmental justice issues before having her two daughters. Since then she has become a certified teacher, and is a teacher in the 3 Day Maple Class. When not at BCNS, Karen can be found leading a Girl Scout troop, out in nature with her girls, cooking, or teaching knitting.
Kabrina Pierce
Preschool Teacher
Kabrina is currently a teacher in the Oak classroom, a member of the Extended Day teaching team, and teaches after school extracurricular classes. Kabrina taught at BCNS for 6 years before moving to Tampa, FL. Kabrina was given the opportunity to work for schools throughout Tampa after receiving her Registered Behavior Technician certification. She believes in nurturing a child’s abilities to learn and grow through meaningful interactions and experiences. Kabrina has a passion for assisting with the growth and development of all her students. After having her first son, she has moved back to Belmont and is excited to rejoin the BCNS staff.
Carrie Redi
Preschool Teacher
Carrie has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Plattsburgh. She taught Elementary Art for 6 years in New York State and has had numerous experiences teaching and caring for children from ages 0-13. After spending time at home with her twin daughters, Carrie managed The Loved Child, a family education center, for 3 years until she realized she missed working with children! Carrie is currently a teacher in our Maple classroom. She enjoys gardening, reading and spending time in the White Mountains of NH. Carrie lives in Belmont with her husband, twin daughters and her ragdoll kitty, Eli.
Meryl Junik
Preschool Teacher
Meryl is currently both the Oak and Maple Branch teachers, as well as, our Stay & Play teacher. Meryl graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Computer Science and worked as a technology consultant and project manager before having her two sons. In her free time, Meryl loves to knit, try new recipes, and explore New England with her husband and sons.
Kristen Butler
Pre-K Teacher
Kristen is a teacher in the Birch Class. She graduated from Wheelock College with a degree in Human Development. Prior to teaching at BCNS, Kristen taught at Cambridgeport Children’s Center in Cambridge, MA. Kristen lives in Watertown and has a son, a BCNS alumni, Henry.
Kristina Cardello
Pre-K Teacher
Kristina received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Boston College and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. Prior to working at BCNS, Kristina taught in the Framingham Public Schools for 6 years. She taught first grade for 3 years and second grade for 3 years. She also worked for the Newton Public Schools for 3 years as an assistant teacher while she was earning her master’s degree. Kristina loves ballet, art, music, and spending time with her two daughters who both attended BCNS.
Lauren Kamerzel
Pre-K Teacher
Lauren graduated from Lesley University with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy and is a Registered Yoga Teacher. Prior to teaching at BCNS, Lauren worked as a counselor running family, teen and adult yoga groups in Watertown, MA. She also worked as a preschool teacher and art instructor at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club. When not at BCNS, Lauren and her husband love to watch their two children play soccer and she also enjoys staying active by hiking, paddle boarding, and walking her dog.
Maf Terry
Pre-K Teacher
Maf Terry, an Arlington resident, has been teaching at BCNS for over 10 years. Maf has a BA in English from Tufts University and an MS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Wheelock College. She spends her summers in the Art Barn at Camp Horizons in Fairlee, VT. Maf enjoys paddle boarding, curling up with a good book, playing games with her family, and testing new recipes.
Yuan Joy
Floating Teacher
Yuan Joy is a dedicated Assistant Preschool Teacher at BCNS. Originally hailing from Yichang in Hubei province, China, Yuan is a graduate of Three Gorges University where she earned a dual degree in English and Law in 2005. She has called Belmont home since 2017 and shares her life with her husband and their three children, all of whom attend Belmont public schools.In her free time, Yuan delights in traveling the world, teaching Chinese and showcasing her culinary skills. She is ecstatic to be a Maple and Oak Branch Teacher, where she aims to share her diverse cultural background and passion for learning with her students.
Caitlin Walsh
Pedagogista
Caitlin will be assisting the BCNS staff in establishing group professional development goals throughout the year, as well as, working with individuals in areas of development specific to them. Caitlin has been a dedicated member of the BCNS community since 2017, when her oldest started attending BCNS in the Maple classroom. Caitlin served as Admissions Chair, Co-President and Strategic Planning Committee Chair during her time as a parent. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine at Farmington in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University. Caitlin previously worked at the McCarthy-Town School in Acton, a public school dedicated to teaching through the arts. Caitlin is very excited to be working alongside such a wonderful teaching staff.
Fitzie Cowing
Inclusion Specialist
Fitzie has been involved at BCNS at every level over the years as a student, a parent of students, a substitute teacher, and is thrilled for this new opportunity to serve the BCNS community. Fitzie graduated from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in English with a focus in creative writing, got her master’s in special education from UMass-Boston in 2007, and achieved her post-graduate certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2010. She holds MA teaching licenses in 5-8 English, K-12 Special Education, and is a MA Licensed BCBA. Fitzie’s children flourished in the Reggio-Emilia approach of BCNS, and she is so excited to see new groups of children have the chance to have the same wonderful experience, and to be a part of the community.
Jan Toscano
Literacy Teacher
Jan, affectionately called Mrs. T by the children, has been a teacher at BCNS for over 15 years, and currently is the BCNS Literacy Corner teacher. The literacy corner is a space where children can gather in small groups to focus on reading, writing, and drawing in a quiet and cozy environment.