Teachers & Staff – The Glen Rock Cooperative Nursery School

Deirdre Tarrant is the Director of the Glen Rock Co-op (since 2015). She received a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross. For more than 15 years, she worked in public relations and advertising while working on an MS in Education. She is delighted to be a part of the Glen Rock Co-op from which both her sons graduated. A resident of Glen Rock, Deirdre loves her community and volunteers with the Glen Rock Fire Department, the Boy Scouts, the Glen Rock Recreational Soccer program, as well as St. Catharine’s Parish. When she’s not at the Co-op, Deirdre loves reading, running, biking, and swimming.

“There’s no better way to learn to navigate life than learning through play! We all take turns, we wait for our turn, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose but at the Co-Op, we always have fun!”

	Lori Roughgarden As of 2023, she has been teaching with the Co-op for over 14 years. She fell in love with the Co-op after sending her youngest child and volunteering in the classroom. This eventually led to substitute teaching and becoming an official staff member. Ms. Roughgarden has her BS in Early Childhood Education as well as Head Teacher and Group Teacher certifications. She also teaches STEAM Jr. with Mrs. Smith. “I pride myself on creating a warm and loving environment for the children to feel safe in. It is my biggest joy to see your little ones grow and move through the Co-op, building upon their emotional and social skills each year.”
	Carolyn Byrne Mrs. Byrne is a Teacher’s Assistant, working with Ms. Roughgarden in the 3’s classroom. She has been with the Co-op since December 2021 and graduated with honors from the University of Scranton. Mrs. Byrne is no stranger to the Co-op: her husband is an alumnus, all three of her children attended the Co-op, and she served on the board for three years. Her favorite children’s book is “If I Could Keep You Little” and her favorite school subject is Art. “As someone who works with some of our littlest learners, my goal is to create a warm and loving environment so they love coming to school everyday!”
	Debbie Rossi Mrs. Rossi attended Kentucky Wesleyan College and went on to spend over 25 years teaching at both Rainbow Corners Cooperative and Children Country Day in Paramus, NJ. She has been with the Co-op since 2021 as a substitute, joining us officially in 2023 as a Teacher’s Assistant. Mrs Rossi works with Ms. Roughgarden in the 2.5’s classroom where she loves to see the children grow and learn. “I believe that children learn through play. This builds confidence, creativity, and a love for school.”

Christine Smith

Mrs. Smith has been a part of the Glen Rock Co-op since 2021. She received her CDA in 2004 from Bergen Community College and has more than 20 years experience working with children in various preschool settings. Mrs. Smith teaches the STEAM Jr. program along with Ms. Roughgarden. When she’s not at school, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, playing games with her family, reading, and taking long walks with her dogs, Maisy and Luna.

“I love being able to inspire and nurture young children’s learning. I believe that providing children with love, positivity, and kindness helps them reach their fullest potential. My goal is to cultivate an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and support for all my students.”

Tamar Kurland

Mrs. Kurland is the Teacher’s Assistant to Mrs. Smith in the 3/4s class. She has been with the Co-op since 2022 and has two young boys of her own. She has a degree in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan and is a certified Massage Therapist. She is an avid reader and traveler and enjoys hiking and playing tennis.

“I strive to help Mrs. Smith create a safe and supportive classroom where all students can learn at their own pace, grow, and have fun!”

Megan Aylward

Mrs. Aylward aka Mrs. A is our PreK 4’s teacher. Mrs. A received her degree in Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching at the elementary level for eight years, she took time off to be a stay-at-home mom. During that time, she became involved in her children’s school committee PTO and remains active today. Since returning to education, she has been teaching at the preschool level for over seven years. A Glen Rock native, Mrs. A now lives in Wyckoff with her husband and four children. She loves coming to work and getting to sing, dance, and laugh everyday!

“Kids are only kids for so long. I believe preschool should be a place where kids can have fun and learn through play. My job is to make school a fun, exciting place to be.”

Alison Hauser

Mrs. Hauser is the Teacher’s Assistant to Mrs. A’s 4’s class. She has been with the Co-op since 2017 and has a son of her own. She has a BFA from the Savannah College of Arts & Design. Mrs. Hauser loves coming to work everyday to see the smiles on the childrens’ faces.

“I believe in the uniqueness and individuality of each child. I strive to identify their strengths and talents to allow each of them to have success and feel good about themselves.”

Kelly O’Keeffe

Mrs. O’Keeffe received her BA in Sociology from Fordham University and her MSEd in Early Childhood Special Education from Bank Street College. She has taught at the New York School for the Deaf and was a Special Ed Itinerant Teacher for TheraCare in New York City. She was a substitute teacher at the Co-op for many years before joining the staff full time in 2025. She teaches the STEAM program along with Mrs. Tarrant. Mrs. O’Keeffe lives in Glen Rock with her husband and three children, all of whom attended the Co-op! When she’s not teaching, she is cheering on her kids and the Glen Rock Panthers as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers!

“More than anything, I love finding out the little details about each child… what makes them happy, what makes them smile, what they are most proud of. Every student is on an adventure, and I love being part of their journey!”

Nancy Battle

Mrs. Battle is the Teacher’s Assistant in the TK class. She is a 38 year Glen Rock resident and has worked for the GRBOE for 20 years. She spent 10 years at St. Peter’s Academy in River Edge and started with the Co-op in 2022. She loves working with preschoolers because she says the children are so anxious to learn new skills and are open to everything.

“Every child is gifted in some way, the challenge is to help them discover what it is.”

Board Presidents – Kristen Beall
Secretary – Bridgette Iozzia
Registrar – SoYeon Park
Treasurer – Mary Patterson
Fundraising Chair – Joe Kardos
Event Chair – Katie Murray

Class Parent Liaison – Jackie Barker
Learning Environment Chair – Lauren Drucker
Publicity Chair – Caitlin Fitzpatrick
Technology Chair – Matthew Skroce
Community Service- Taylor Marson