THE MIND BEHIND
THE LEARNING LAB
Owner, Curriculum Design & Lead Educator
Meet Gianna DeFabio, the mind behind The Learning Lab for Littles. Gianna was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and her family has owned Rose Hill Manor Day School for the past thirty-eight years. She has spent the last eight years as a public school teacher beginning in New York City and now in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. As soon as Gianna transitioned back to the Hudson Valley area, she began serving families as an Early Intervention therapist before and after school. She has always had a strong interest in early childhood development, as well as language development. Early Intervention became a way for her to use what she was passionate about to educate families and provide young children with the very best start they could possibly access in their natural setting.
Gianna has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s of Education in Special Education, and a minor in Art. She is NYS certified to teach birth-grade 6, both general education and special education. She is also an Orton-Gillingham academic therapist, which is a systematic and explicit, multi-sensory reading approach. Most recently, she became certified to teach children’s yoga.
Gianna’s educational philosophy is a blend of varying theories and best practices that she has added to her tool box throughout her years of experience. Her pedagogical style is rooted in constructivism* with an emphasis on structure, child interest, prescriptive instruction, confidence building, social emotional learning, play, and relationship. Gianna believes that providing multi-sensory instruction and experiences are highly effective and allows children of all abilities to access learning. In her opinion, the most effective way to teach is to “hit it from every angle in a variety of settings”. She likes to think outside the box when it comes to teaching and she believes that building a trusting connection between teacher and student is vital.
The Learning Lab for Littles embodies all of Gianna’s experience as an early childhood educator. She is passionate about exposing littles to high-quality children’s literature, providing opportunities to support growth and development, while also holding space for imagination, exploration, and play.
*Constructivism (noun) A theory of learning based on the idea that humans construct their own knowledge through immersive experiences, as opposed to being taught concepts in the abstract or out of context.
meet Miss Kathleen
The OG Stay & Play Educator, Little Talkers Educator & Party Assistant
Kathleen Anderson Popek has been a speech language pathologist for fifteen years with focus in early intervention and preschool populations in the tri-county area. She has spent time working across clinical, home, daycare, and preschool environments. Her passions within the field include helping families foster language development, improving children’s intelligibility, and aiding in safe, efficient feeding skills.
In Kathleen’s therapy sessions, she combines theories of dynamic and naturalistic learning models with evidence-based practice supported by solid research. Story narrative skills are a focus. Her goals include empowering families, building confidence in language learners, sensory exploration of foods, and learning basic concepts through play and literature.
Kathleen received a Bachelor of Science degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland and a Master of Science degree in communication disorders from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She has both worked for and owned a speech agency for several years; She now works in a private clinic setting. Kathleen has lived in the beautiful Hudson Valley her entire life and currently resides in eastern Orange County with her husband, Michael. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, cooking, gardening, and trips to the beach.
Kathleen truly believe that learning through play and other multi-sensory experiences are key to a child’s development. She is excited to be a part of the Learning Lab for Littles.
“To say I love my career is an understatement and I find joy in enriching the lives of our little talkers.” - Miss Kathleen
meet Ms. NICOLE
Summer Camp Educator
Nicole Rivera brings 14 years of teaching experience where she has taught birth-12th grade in a multitude of settings and subjects. She is certified in birth-kindergarten, k-6, Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages, and Spanish 7-12. She also has training and bring dive experience as a multicultural educator.
Nicole understands that all children benefit from multi-sensory learning. She feels classes at The Learning Lab build independence and foster a love for learning. She is excited to support the class by making connections, building on background knowledge, allowing students to explore their own interests and promote confidence. She knows her humor, love for teaching, implementation of real life objects, and hands on approach will be enjoyed by the class.
The Learning Lab is something that her own children benefit from and she believes has so much to offer to the community. She is excited to be apart of such a unique and engaging experience.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, hiking the Hudson Valley, playing soccer, reading, shopping, and entertaining her children.
Ms. Nicole is a passionate educator who is ecstatic to become a new co-teacher for The Learning Lab for Littles.
meet Ms. Tess
Movin’ & Groovin’ Music Time Educator
Tess Leavay is a seasoned music educator with over a decade of experience teaching birth through 12th grade in both public and private settings. Certified as a NYS music educator, she holds a Bachelor's in Music Education and a Master's in Learning, Developmental, and Family Sciences. Tess’ diverse background reflects her dedication to fostering a love for music in students of all ages
Tess’ teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in student-led and play-based learning. She strives to create a learning environment where her students are active participants in their own musical journey. Through hands-on experiences, exploration, and meaningful engagement with music, Tess fosters a love for learning. She empowers her students to discover their unique voices and express themselves authentically.
In addition to music education, Tess is passionate about theater and the power of performance. Tess’ musical theater projects are deeply collaborative, allowing students to take on various roles—from acting and singing to scriptwriting and set design—thereby fostering a holistic understanding of the performing arts.
She is excited to be a part of the Learning Lab team and create joyful learning environments for young children. Tess just recently became a mom and is so excited to bring her daughter to play at Learning Lab too!
“The young child is the first great researcher”- Carlina Rinaldi
meet Miss nina
Summer Camp Educator & Tutor
Meet Nina DeFabio. Nina, like her sister Gianna was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and her family has owned Rose Hill Manor Day School for the past thirty-eight years. With a family passion for education and a dedication to empowering young minds, Nina has spent the last 5 years teaching both Kindergarten and an integrated pre-k class in Providence, Rhode Island. She recently moved back to the Hudson Valley and is currently serving as a Reading Specialist. Nina continues to inspire and support students in their literacy journey through tailored instruction and innovative teaching methods. Nina helps students develop foundational reading skills with a focus on phonics while nurturing the whole child, ensuring their success both in and out of the classroom.
Nina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in both Special Education and Literacy. She is certified in general education, special education, and Literacy birth through grade 6.
Nina is excited to continue the work of her career with The Learning Lab for Littles!
During her free time, Nina likes to exercise, listen to music, and play basketball!
meet Miss shelby
Summer Camp Educator
Shelby Tibbs is a passionate educator, teaching special education in the Hudson Valley for grades Kindergarten and 1st grade. Shelby is certified b-6 in Early Childhood/Childhood Education and Special Education and is pursuing her master's degree in Literacy at SUNY New Paltz.
Shelby has a passion for literacy and believes in the magic of storytelling to ignite curiosity and fuel imagination. She also believes in the boundless opportunities for learning that nature provides, from exploring the wonders of the natural world to fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in her students. At the core of Shelby's educational approach lies the belief in the power of learning through play. She understands that play is not just a pastime but a vital tool for cognitive, social, and emotional development. Through The Learning Lab’s carefully crafted play-based activities and multi-sensory learning approach, Shelby is excited to help create an environment where children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and discover at their own pace.
She believes that The Learning Lab encompasses all of these things, and is excited to be a part of such a unique and fun experience!
During her free time, Shelby enjoys hiking, snowboarding, shopping, and spending time with her loved ones and people who make her laugh.
meet Miss Dayna
Little Talkers Educator & Birthday Party Assistant
Dayna Pendino is currently completing her Masters in Communication Disorders at the State University of New York at New Paltz, as she is pursuing a career in Speech Language Pathology. Within this program, she has gained experience child language development and intelligibility. She found her passion for this field after gaining experience as a Registered Behavioral Therapist (RBT). As a RBT, Dayna worked one on one with children ranging from 2-12 years old and promoted the use of alternate forms of communication for those who were non-verbal. Dayna is excited to continue her education in this field and believes that every child deserves a voice.
Dayna enjoys incorporating the use of multi-sensory activities with her clients in her graduate school program as well as at The Learning Lab for Littles. She is constantly gaining knowledge and creativity from The Learning Lab for Littles and believes that this program provides littles with a way to explore their interests.
During her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking in the Hudson Valley, engaging in meditation, yoga, and reading!
meet Ms. julie
Summer Camp Educator
Meet Julie Jenei, the newest member to join The Learning Lab for Littles. With a quarter-century dedicated to shaping young minds, Julie's passion for early childhood education burns bright. Raised and educated in the vibrant community of Newburgh, New York, she discovered her calling amidst the laughter and curiosity of kindergarten classrooms.
Julie's journey began with a Bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz in Early Childhood Education, laying the foundation for her unwavering commitment to fostering a love for learning in her young students. Driven by her dedication to literacy, she pursued a Master's degree at Mount Saint Mary’s College specializing in Early Childhood Education, with a keen focus on reading instruction for grades birth through sixth.
As a cornerstone of her community's educational landscape, Julie has spent decades as a beloved public school kindergarten teacher. Her classroom is a sanctuary of exploration, where every child's unique journey is honored and celebrated. With warmth and patience, she guides her students through the magical world of letters, sounds, and stories, instilling in them a lifelong love for literacy.
Julie's pedagogical approach is a harmonious blend of experience and expertise, rooted in the belief that every child has the potential to thrive. Her mastery of early childhood development and literacy instruction is matched only by her boundless creativity and unwavering dedication to her students' success.
Julie is excited to become a part of the team. She looks forward to embodying her passion for nurturing young children on their creative journey while instilling the wonder of learning.
meet Miss Katia
The OG Stay & Play Educator & Little Talkers Educator
Katia Kirkland has been in the field of early childhood education for over 12 years. She sits on the board for The Childcare Council of Orange County. Her passion for providing the highest of quality childcare has led her to own and operate her own early learning center, Messy Hands Happy Hearts. As the owner and operator of a Quality Stars accredited and Caring Spaces endorsed facility, she aims to provide balance in children’s lives.
Katia’s zest for fostering creativity, exploration, and independent problem solving among other valuable skills is apparent is every aspect of her teaching.
In her free time, Katia enjoys crafting, cricuting, traveling, and practicing self-care. She also enjoys spending time with her three children and husband.
meet Miss NICOLE
Mindful Movement Educator
Nicole Trapani has 7 years of experience as a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has has practiced as a Registered Nurse for 8 years prior. Throughout her career, she has provided care to many children and currently loves working for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. She holds certification in children’s yoga and has practiced this ancient tradition for 18 years herself. She is also a volunteer at New Paltz Rescue Squad and hopes to be a paramedic one day.
Nicole has always been passionate about helping people heal and improving the wellness of people in general, but especially within the pediatric and other vulnerable populations.
Nicole feels that she is living proof of all of the magnificent benefits that we gain from moving our bodies including attaining better flexibility, strength and balance. It makes her so happy to teach children and allow them to reap the benefits of this therapeutic practice. In time, there is evidence suggesting yoga will increase their self-confidence and providing them with a feeling of freedom and calmness.
When she has free time, things that she holds close to her heart are playing with her children, gardening, cooking and being outdoors.
“I could not be more grateful to be a Mindful Movement educator at The Learning Lab Littles.” -Miss Nicole