Tracy Nalaboff

Tracy Nalaboff, our preschool teacher, earned her BA degree in elementary and special education at Long Island University CW Post. She also holds the State of Connecticut Head Teacher Certificate. While living in New York, Tracy taught kindergarten. After moving to Connecticut with her husband and having three children, she was thrilled to return to teaching. Tracy taught Pre-K for eight years before joining our staff here at Stepaway. She taught in the 4's and 3's before implementing the Per-K program at our school five years ago.

Tracy and her husband live in Monroe. They have two grown daughters and a son who is a junior at UConn. She loves to vacation with her family and go on hikes with her dog. Tracy enjoys reading, baking, going to spin class, and skiing.

Tracy is passionate about teaching and loves her students and families. She provides a diverse, fun, interesting, and engaging classroom environment where students are active participants. Tracy is wonderful at accommodating different learning styles and takes care to be sure each child's unique needs and interests are met. She believes every student is special and helps nurture and grow their love of learning.

Bern Lewis

Bern Lewis lives in Monroe with her husband Craig and two children, Sarah and Christopher. Bern has a love for children and has been at Stepaway since 1986. She was director for six years and currently teaches 2 & 3-year-olds. She enjoys working with each child to help them learn and grow, building a positive foundation for learning.

Patti Dias

Patti Dias has loved being a preschool teacher and being a part of the Stepaway family for the past 24 years. After attending Central Connecticut State University with a major in Liberal Arts, she realized that working with children was her passion and talent. After spending a few years home with her children, she joined the staff at Stepaway when her youngest child graduated from Stepaway. Patti works with both the 3’s and 4's, assuring the continuity that is part of the Stepaway philosophy. Her gentle approach and soft and patient personality make Patti a perfect fit for our classroom.



Patti is the mother of three grown children, two of whom are Stepaway alumni and work as educators as well. She has also been blessed with four wonderful grandchildren. She enjoys music, baking, and spending time with her family. Patti feels privileged to have worked with so many families over the years and considers it a joy and a blessing to have the opportunity to watch the many children and their families grow.

Katie Moyer

Katie Moyer is mom to four wonderful, active boys. She and her husband, John, are proud to be raising their family in Monroe and have been a Stepaway family since 2020. Katie is a graduate of Stonehill College with a BA in English. She worked as a textbook editor for nearly 10 years before starting her family.

Katie spent many of her earlier years working in various childcare settings. After taking time off to raise her boys, she is thrilled to be working with children again as a teacher in the 2s and 4s classrooms. Katie is a faithful Catholic who loves her boys and enjoys cooking (with and without tiny helping hands), reading, and spending time outdoors.

Jennifer Ginty

Jen Ginty loves working with children and has held numerous titles, including Recreational Program Director, child care provider, kayak instructor, and lifeguard. Jen enjoys teaching children and always strives to provide a fun, safe, and encouraging environment. She lives in Monroe with her husband Jason and two boys, Cian and Nate, who go to Monroe Elementary. Jen loves being outdoors, playing pickleball, camping, and hosting family & friends.

Ryan Cramer-Forbes

Ryan Cramer-Forbes is a mom to two beautiful girls who make her laugh every day! She and her husband met when they were three years old, in preschool at St. Jude’s school in Monroe, CT. As a family, we adore spending time with our Bernedoodle, Rudy, spending summers at the Jersey Shore, trips to Disney World, and our pizza Fridays!

Ryan graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and fitness management. Ryan earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from the University of Bridgeport. Ryan is a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and specializes in teaching Neuron-Do (a science- and anatomy-based form of TKD) to children of all ages with spectrum disorders, acute and chronic conditions, along with various other syndromes. Ryan loves to run, read, and do anything science-related!

Annie Scarano

Annie and her husband have lived in Monroe for 25 years with their two boys. Annie received her B.A. in Secondary Education from UConn in 2000 and her B.A. in Fine Arts in 2001. She received her CDA in Early Childhood Education in 2004 and CT Head Teacher Certificate in 2005. She has worked with preschool-aged children for 30 years in Washington, Tolland, Newtown, Westport, and Monroe, CT. She volunteers with the local Stepney BSA Scout Troops 26/62, Webb Mountain Discovery Zone, Save Our Stepney Task Force, and with her church, St. Peter's Grace Episcopal of Monroe. She loves gardening, camping, swimming, and time with her family.

Donna Cook

Donna lives in Monroe with her husband Geoff, two kids and one cat. Her children, Dylan and Leah, both attended Stepaway Preschool. Donna graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor's in nursing. In her free time, she enjoys running and crocheting stuffed toys. She currently co-teaches the Friday 2s class.