St. Jude Preschool

Founding Director 

Ruth A. Doran, M.Ed.

Doctoral Candidate, Florida Atlantic University

• Affiliate Professor of Early Childhood Education, Palm Beach Atlantic University
• Master Trainer,  Palm Beach Community College Institute of Excellence in Early Childhood Education
• Board of Director, Faith-Based Representative, Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
• Appointed Delegate, Oxford Round Table in Early Literacy, Oxford University, England
• National Early Childhood Administration Credential
• State of Florida Advanced Director Credential
• Presents and publishes in national and international conferences and symposia, most recently at the Center for Early Childhood Development and Education in Dublin, Ireland, and the European Early Childhood Educational Research Association in Reykjavik, Iceland.
• State and national early childhood educator and advocate

Amanda Escalante

Lead Teacher, Spanish Immersion Four Year Old Classroom

• Graduated with honors in early childhood development from the National Pedagogic Institute of Monterrico in Lima, Peru
• Specialization in pedagogical work with preschool, kindergarten, and first grade children
• Specialization in dual and bilingual programs in public and private schools
• Expertise in various early childhood methodologies in multiple settings

Gail Silvano

Lead teacher, English-speaking Four Year Old Classroom

• Graduated cum laude from Temple University in Philadelopia, Pennsylvania with a degree in Early Childhood Education 
• Long professional career teaching kindergarten, first, and third grade in Catholic elementary schools in Pennsylvania
• Starting her 11th year at St. Jude Preschool

Vanessa Dorcelus

Lead teacher, Older Three/Younger Four Classroom

• Graduate of City College, New York City 
• Formerly affiliated for many years with St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic School in New York City, most recently serving as their second grade teacher
• Starting her first year at St. Jude Preschool

Darlene Burstein

Lead teacher, Younger Three/Older Two Classroom

• Graduate of Florida Atlantic University
• Recognized by the State of Florida as Child Development Associate
• Formerly leader teacher in younger threes and assistant in the kindergarten classes at More Love Early Childhood Development Center at St. Thomas More Church in Boynton Beach
• Starting fifth year with St. Jude Preschool

Julia Schmitt

Front Desk

• Retired flight attendant from U.S. Airways and Braniff Airlines
• Proud wife of Paul and proud mother of Charles
• Loves children and is the "keeper of the lists"
• Starting her second year with St. Jude Preschool

We Are A Learning Organization!!!

• St. Jude Preschool enjoys ten auxiliary teaching staff members, one with a master's degree in education, three with bachelor degrees, one with an associate's degree, three college students pursuing bachelor degrees, three CDA's (child development associates).   
• We are proud of our staff!!
  

Membership Affiliations:

• The National Association for the Education of Young Children, The North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, The Association for Childhood  Education International, International Step-by-Step Association, American Montessori Society, European Early Childhood Educational Research Association, The Association for Childhood Education International, numerous national and international honor societies