Meet The Teachers
Director: Diane
Diane Swartz received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in the field of Early Education. Diane has worked at Tabor for 33 years and her daughter, Lauren and two of her grandchildren are Tabor graduates. Diane’s daughter, Robyn, also worked at Tabor for seven years and all three of her daughters have subbed and worked at summer camp. Diane’s husband has put together countless ride on toys and playground equipment and he continues to play a critical role in the success of Santa’s Breakfast.
Diane believes that preschoolers learn through play. She is dedicated to providing an exciting environment for children to develop their social, emotional and academic skills. She loves meeting former students and parents who recall their fond memories of their days at Tabor.
In her spare time Diane enjoys spending time with family, friends and her four grandchildren as well as traveling. Diane also belongs to a fun book club where sometimes the women even talk about the book!
Color:
Green
Salty Snacks:
Pretzels
Sweet Snacks:
Candy
Fruits: Apples, Oranges, Watermelon
Desserts:
Cheese Cake
Cake/Cookie:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Cake
Sit Down Restaurant:
Quattro, La Foresta, Cafe Fiore,, Cafe Allegra, Nataz
Coffee Shop:
Dunkin, Common Grounds
Beverages: Dunkin DonutsCoffee, Pinot Grigio, Flavored Vodka
Flowers: Roses, Carnations
Candles:
Vanilla, Pumpkin
Nail Salon: Pretty Nail & Spa
Hobbies: Reading, Vacations, Shopping, Watching Soccer
Gift Cards: TJ Maxx, Kohls
Dietary Restrictions: None
Classroom Supply Wishes: Manipulatives, Paint Supplies
Diane's Favorites
Leah Pre-K & Enrichment
Leah grew up in Branford where she met her husband while attending Branford High School. She received an AS degree from Quinnipiac University. She has been a part of Tabor Preschool since her son entered as a 4 year old in 1989. Three years later, her daughter followed.
During that time, she joined the school board and served as secretary. In 1994, when her daughter entered kindergarten, she was asked to join the staff. She teaches Pre-K and the afternoon Enrichment Class.
Leah feels extremely blessed to be a part of the Tabor family.
Color:
Blue
Salty Snacks:
Chips, Popcorn
Sweet Snacks:
Milk Chocolate
Fruits:
All
Desserts:
Any
Cake/Cookie:
Pignoli and Cookies
Take Out Restaurant:
Lion City
Sit Down Restaurant::
Cafe Fiore, Good Fellas, Lenny's,
La Foresta
Coffee Shop:
Dunkin, Common, Grounds, G-Cafe
Beverages:
Coffee, Wine, Vodka, Proseco, Pinot Grigio
Flowers:
Any, except Lilies
Nail Salon:
Pinky Nails
Hobbies:
Reading & Crafting
Gift Cards:
TJ's , Marshalls, Home Goods
Dietary Restrictions: None
Classroom Supply Wishes:
Gift cards to Michaels & Hobby Lobby
Leah's Favorites
Tracy Pre-K and Afternoon 4s
Tracy’s educational experience includes Southern Connecticut State University, Neighborhood Music School, Creative Arts Workshop and Parsons School of Design, in New York. She has attended classes, workshops, and conferences in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Virginia.
Her 30 plus years of teaching experience includes working in public and private school systems, adult education classes, and after school programs. Before coming to Tabor, Tracy worked as a classroom aide in the Branford Public School system. She has taught Pre-K and Four Year Old classes, Monday class session, and Summer Camp at Tabor for the past twenty years.
Her interests include calligraphy, lettering, and the arts, listening to a wide variety of music, seeing live music performed, enjoying outdoor activities, particularly at the beach, also reading individually and with the book group she’s been part of for many years. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family.
Color:
Blue, Pink
Salty Snacks:
Nuts, Chips
Sweet Snacks:
Cookies
Fruits:
Strawberries, Melon
Desserts:
Cheese Cake, Chocolate Mousse, Carrot Cake
Cake/Cookie:
Sugar Cookie, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Cake
Take Out Restaurant:
Lo Monoaco's, Tommy Sulivans, Archie Moore's
Sit Down Restaurant:
Cafe Fiore, Quatros, Daltons, Dockside, Lenny's
Coffee Shop:
Dunkin, Common Grounds, Starbucks
Beverages:
Tea, Seltzer, Chardonnay
Flowers:
Roses, Carnations
Candles:
Vanilla, Citrus, Holiday Scents
Nail Salon: Mrs. Nails, Pretty, Pinky Nails
Hobbies:
Gardening, Lettering, Reading, Being Outdoors
Gift Cards:
Restaurants, Amazon
Dietary Restrictions: None
Classroom Supply Wishes:
Magnet Sets
Tracy's Favorites
Julie 3 Year Old's & Enrichment
Graduating with a BS from Southern Connecticut State University, Julie has been working at Tabor for ten years in our 3 yr old classroom.
She enjoys books and music and leads our three year old music circle. Julie lives in Branford with her husband, Tom, and her two children. Both her son and daughter went to Tabor Preschool and the Branford school System.
An avid sports fan, Julie enjoys watching the NY Yankees and her daughter’s BHS softball team. She also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two cats.
Color:
Pinks, Purples
Salty Snacks:
Pretzels, Honey Roasted Peanuts
Sweet Snacks:
White Chocolate Caramel, Milk Chocolate, M&Ms
Fruits:
Bananas and Grapes
Desserts:
Cupcakes, Cookie Bars
Cake/Cookie:
White Chocolate Macademia, M&M, Chocolate Chip:
Take Out Restaurant:
Jalapeno Heaven, Indian Neck Pizza
Sit Down Restaurant:
Quattros, Cafe Fiore, La Foresta, Archie Moore
Coffee Shop:
Dunkin
Beverages:
Chardonnay, Dunkin Ice Coffee Regular
Flowers:
All
Candles:
Vanilla, Holiday Scents
Nail Salon:
Mrs. Nail
Hobbies:
Watching the Yankees, Reading on A Kindle
Gift Cards:
Kohls, Dunkin, Amazon, Pearl Win bar
Dietary Restrictions: None
Classroom Supply Wishes:
Washable Markers
Julie's Favorites
Hillary Pre-K
Hillary is a teacher in the pre-k classroom. Hillary went to Fairfield University and graduated with a degree in psychology.
Before getting married to her husband and starting a family, Hillary was a teacher at Litchfield Montessori school. In 2013 her son entered Tabor and in 2015 her daughter joined as well.
Once her children entered the Branford school system, Hillary expressed an interest to substitute at Tabor. In 2019 she was hired as a pre-K teacher.
Hillary enjoys spending time with her family and taking her dog for hikes at the supply pond. Hillary feels extremely blessed to be a part of the Tabor Family.
Color:
Blue, Green
Salty Snacks:
Pretzels
Sweet Snacks:
Chocolate, Caramel
Fruits:
Banana
Desserts:
Cookies
Cake/Cookie:
Chocolate Chip
Take Out Restaurant:
9 East
Sit Down Restaurants:
Tommy Sullivans
Coffee Shop:
Dunkin, Starbucks
Beverages:
Diet Pepsi, Coffee
Flowers:
Lily, Tulip, Sunflower
Candles:
Any
Nail Salon:
Pinky Nail
Hobbies:
Walking my dogs or painting
Gift Cards:
Amazon, Target, TJ Maxx
Dietary Restrictions: None
Classroom Supply Wishes:
Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree
Hillary's Favorites
Schedule A Tour
Come meet the teachers, see our classrooms, the indoor and outdoor spaces and see all the fun at Tabor.
