Trinity Preschool of Topsfield

Trinity Preschool Teachers


  • Susan Strachan, Preschool Director

    Our Trinity Preschool Director Susan Strachan has announced her retirement effective June 15th of this year. We are all profoundly grateful for her lengthy and loving service to the children and this community. Susan will be greatly missed!


    We are  working with Susan and the Preschool Advisory team to identify and hire our next Director. Our intent is to continue the excellent quality care, education, and  programming for the children, to support the amazing teachers, and to make a smooth transition.


  • Elizabeth Riley, Incoming director

    Elizabeth began her time at Trinity Preschool in 2008 as a parent.  Originally a

    certified elementary school and reading teacher, she has a B.A. from Colgate University

    and M.Ed in Reading from Boston College. After working in childcare programs in

    Medfield and Brookline, she began teaching in the Salem Public Schools where she

    worked for several years as a literacy specialist who specialized in early literacy

    instruction. 


    A dedicated educator who loves teaching, Elizabeth first joined the Trinity staff

    as substitute teacher.  Here she found her love of preschool and early childhood

    education. From 2014-2016 Elizabeth worked as the Monday Enrichment Coordinator

    and an Extended Day teacher. In 2016-2017, Elizabeth taught in our Fives program.

    Starting in 2018, Elizabeth began teaching Downstairs Fours class and taught in that

    class until her move back to the Fives program where she taught for 2 years. Over the

    last few years, Elizabeth has been working to obtain her Preschool Teacher, Lead

    Teacher and Director Qualifications. As Director, she is committed to working with the

    Trinity teachers to support Trinity’s developmentally appropriate curriculum and its

    nurturing environment where children learn through play. 


    Elizabeth lives in Topsfield with her husband, John and her three children, Owen,

    Sarah and Evan, who are all Trinity graduates.

  • Katy Bruner

    Mrs. Bruner has been teaching at Trinity since 2010. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Ed. Katy worked as a special education teacher until she had her own children. Her children are both graduates of Trinity, now teenagers. Katy began subbing at Trinity and when offered a position in the 2 Day Threes classroom, happily accepted as she found Trinity to be a special place. Katy is a natural teacher. She is kind, caring and empathetic. She loves to watch the children in her class blossom throughout the school year and finds teaching to be a very rewarding experience. Katy lives in Georgetown with her husband and their 2 children, Jon and Abi (Jon is now a Freshman in college!) along with their two doggies!


  • Ashley Christensen

    My name is Ashley Christensen. I have lived in Middleton Ma since 2013. I have my Bachelors degree in Human Growth and Development and my Masters in Education both from Wheelock College. My son attended Trinity Preschool for the 5’s program and my daughter is currently a student. She will be starting in the 4’s program this fall. My family loves to travel whenever we can find time. During the summer you will find me out in the backyard with my family enjoying our pool. I have always loved working with children and their families. It has been a wonderful experience being part of the Trinity Preschool community as a parent. I am so excited to join this community as a teacher.

  • Jody Green

    Mrs. Green is one of our Downstairs Fours teachers and a former Trinity parent! When her children were both at Trinity, she began substituting in 2018 and then became the Monday Enrichment Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Saint Anselm College as well as some Master’s classes in Education. Prior to having her children, Mrs. Green worked as a preschool teacher for 9 years in Beverly. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and two children at the beach in the summer and skiing in the winter.

  • Renee Hourican

    Renee Hourican is excited to have joined our Trinity teaching team in 2021! She is co-teaching in the Downstairs Fours with Mrs. Green. Ms. Renee has been in the education field for over 25 years as a preschool and pre-K educator. For fun, she enjoys spending time up north with her husband and two, teenaged children. They enjoy hiking with their dog, Dixie, and water sports. Young children continually amaze Ms. Renee and it is meaningful to her to be able to be a part of their early developmental milestones. The children’s funny stories, innocence, and perceptions of the world fill her heart with joy. She enjoys utilizing their natural curiosity and  enthusiasm to create moments of learning in the classroom.

  • Jenn Lanouette

    Jenn Lanouette has been a member of the Trinity Preschool community since 2009. During her daughter’s attendance at Trinity, Jenn was an active and involved parent who would often fill in when needed. When her daughter was in the Fives, Jenn was responsible for starting our Trinity Graduation Program. Jenn graduated with a B.A. from Western New England University. She began her career path in finance, wholesaling and marketing. Though successful, she never felt fulfilled and left the business world after her daughter was born. Jenn later found her passion in Early Childhood Education. She obtained her license in 2012 and has been teaching the Upstairs Fours ever since. She is an integral part of our learning program and fluent in the Handwriting Without Tears program. She often finds herself teaching “in the moment”, focusing on social-emotional learning with a hands-on approach, in the hopes of helping children build a strong foundation for their future.  


  • Erin Larkin

    Erin grew up in Madison, Connecticut. She attended Stonehill College, where she earned her teaching license for Early Childhood Education. After graduating, she moved to the Boston area to obtain her Masters in Education, as well as a Reading Specialist licensure from Lesley University. Erin was a Second Grade Teacher for several years and then worked as a Reading Specialist for nine years. After staying home for a few years with her children, she is so excited to be returning to Trinity to teach in the Fives! Erin lives in Topsfield with her husband, Matt, and her two boys, Brendan and Grady. Both of Erin's children attended and loved Trinity Preschool. I enjoy spending time outside with my family, especially at Lake George. Erin is an avid reader, and a passionate educator. She is looking forward to lots of fun in the Fives!!

  • Mona Lopes

    Bio Coming Soon!

  • Jen Recinos

    We were so excited to have Mrs. Recinos join the Trinity staff in 2021. Jen teaches in the Upstairs Fours class with Jenn Lanouette. Jen is a former Trinity mom whose younger daughter was in the Downstairs Fours class. Jen has her BFA from Syracuse University and her M. Ed. in Visual Arts Education from Lesley University. She has spent the past several years substituting as an elementary art teacher and is very excited to bring her years of experience teaching art to the Upstairs Fours! Jen lives in Topsfield with her husband and two daughters.

  • Heidi Snyder

    Mrs. Snyder joined Mrs. Ugone in the 3 Day Three’s classroom in 2021 and this year, has pioneered our 2 Day Toddler program along with Ms. Ashley! Heidi has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon and completed her teacher training at Northern Essex Community College. Before coming to Trinity, Heidi worked at a nature-based preschool in Rowley. Heidi loves bringing the children outside to explore as well as bringing nature into the classroom! You will always find a nest or twigs, or even live caterpillars being incorporated into her lessons. Heidi enjoys spending time hiking and camping with her husband, three daughters and two dogs. 


  • Trish Sterner

    Mrs. Sterner first became acquainted with Trinity Preschool when she sent her youngest daughter to the Threes Program. After working as an RN for many years, Trish took some time off to stay home with her children. She was lucky enough to be asked to help in the Extended Day Program with Mrs. Turcotte and from there her love for teaching bloomed. Mrs. Sterner became certified to assistant teach and eventually became a teacher in the 2 Day Threes classroom. Trish enjoys focusing on social-emotional learning in the classroom. She loves to sing and she finds ways to incorporate music and song into daily classroom routines. Trish lives in Boxford with her husband, three daughters, dog, cat and bunny. 


  • Judy Turcotte

    One of eight children, Mrs. Turcotte grew up in Danvers, Ma and earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Salem State. Mrs. Turcotte’s daughter attended Trinity Preschool and in September of 1998, Mrs. Turcotte began her time teaching the Extended Day Program at Trinity. Mrs. Turcotte embodies the heart of our school. She is patient, knowledgeable, creative and caring. In attention to developing and teaching the Extended Day Program, Mrs. Turcotte curates our school library. If you ever have a question about a children’s book or author, she is the one to ask! Mrs. Turcotte recently moved from her longtime home in Topsfield to Haverhill where she lives with her family. In her spare time she enjoys books, dancing, movies and Mickey Mouse. 


  • Siobhan ugone

    Siobhan has been teaching in the 3 Day Threes class since 2013. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science and has incorporated many learning concepts and exploration activities that relate to the Natural Sciences into the Threes curriculum. She loves to share her passion for animals and nature with her students, encouraging them to be curious about and careful stewards of the world around them. Mrs. Ugone has been close to Trinity for many years both as a neighbor and as a parent of a former student. She considers Trinity Preschool a crowned jewel of Topsfield and credits the school community for the many lifelong friendships her family developed here. Siobhan now resides in Rockport with her husband, dog and cat.