Janice Romo, Executive Director
Jan Romo’s educational career spans over 35 years. Her training background took place at both SCSU in
New Haven and Bank Street College of Education in NYC. She received her B.S. & M.S. in Early Childhood
Education and later her 6th Year in Administration and Supervision. She has been mentored and inspired
by some of our top educational leaders in the field.
Jan began her teaching career in 1970 as a first grade teacher. For nine years she enjoyed both first
grade and Kindergarten classrooms of children in the West Hills Magnet School, an experimental program
bringing a diverse population of Hamden and New Haven children together for instruction.
With its gradual expansion to a K-8 program, Jan’s role shifted to Staff Developer where she became a
“teacher of teachers” for 13 years. She was responsible for the development and assessment of the
school’s core curriculum. Her active involvement with this "community of learners” brought yet another
shift. She became the West Hills K-8 principal and was honored to work even more closely with all the
components that affected its 700 children.
After 29 years at West Hills, she was appointed to Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, overseeing
over 4,000 New Haven Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Her work broadened, yet brought her back to her
Early Childhood roots. Involved with writing curriculum standards and a wide variety of School Readiness &
Head Start initiatives, Jan was able to lead the city for three years in truly appreciating how important
developmentally-appropriate early learning is, starting with its very youngest students--infants & toddlers.
For four years, Jan enjoyed her adjunct professorship at SCSU, teaching “Integrated Curriculum for Pre-K
& Kindergarten" and working as an educational consultant in area nursery school programs. She is also co-
president for NHAEYC--the New Haven Chapter of the Association of the Education of Young Children, and
past co-chair of programs, where she shared responsibility for developing and presenting professional
workshops for the Early Childhood community.
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that Cheshire Nursery School, with a fine reputation for over 50
years, has been rekindled under the guidance and leadership of Jan Romo!
Erin Cerreta, B.A., Head Classroom Teacher
Erin is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in Child
Psychology and is state certified to teach at the Early Childhood level (preschool to grade 3). Erin worked
throughout her high school years as a head counselor at the Naugatuck YMCA’s Camp Wehanamo. She
went on to teach special education at the preschool level in Naugatuck at the Maple Hill School. Erin is
excited to continue with us for another school year, and to weave her many experiences, and love for
children into the lively curriculum at Cheshire Nursery School.
Nobuko Tahara, B.A., Assistant Classroom Teacher
Nobuko received her bachelor's degree in Psychology-Mental Health from Southern Connecticut State
University in 2004. A native of Japan, Nobuko worked with autistic children in her home country, and with
special and regular kindergarten students at the Edgewood Magnet School in New Haven. She has worked
in a Japanese nursery school, and has tutored children here at the Elm City College Preparatory School.
In addition to her experience nurturing young children of many different abilities, she also brings a love for
the arts. Skilled in music and the visual arts, Nobuko also brings a wealth of Eastern culture and customs
to share with our CNS community. We welcome Nobuko and eagerly await her unique and enthusiastic
contributions!
Rachel Berson, B.S., Assistant Classroom Teacher, Summer Program
Rachel earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Susquehanna University, and is certified
to teach K-6 in both Pennsylvania and Minnesota. She has had several years of teaching experience both
in the the mixed-age Waldorf model, where she also created and implemented an original course of
study, and in a standard public school kindergarten. In addition to classroom teaching, Rachel has also
worked as school choir director, and was the editor of her college literary criticism journal. We look forward
to the many gifts and talents she will share with our summer students.