Teachers and Staff

Mrs. Susie Kapaun (Education Director) has degrees in both Speech Pathology and Elementary Education.  Susie has taught kindergarten, first, and second grades for 13 years in Colorado prior to moving to New York.  While in Colorado, she was also a freelance writer for Mailbox Magazine, a publication of ideas for classroom teachers.  She started working at the Co-op in 2000 and has taught in both the Three-Year-Old and Four-Plus programs.  This year, Susie is once again co-teaching the Four-Plus class with Kathleen Lindell.  Susie is the mother of three boys and an active volunteer in the Orchard Park community.

Mrs. Kelly Abel earned an M. Ed from Cambridge College in Massachusetts after receiving a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania. She joined the Co-op in 2008 and teaches one of our Four-Year-Old classes.  Her previous professional experience includes teaching kindergarten in the Columbus, Ohio public schools, as well as at the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Massachusetts. Most recently, Kelly has been enjoying her return to Orchard Park and staying home with her two young children.

Ms. Kathleen Lindell has studied at St Bonaventure University, the University of Pittsburgh, Daemen College, and the University of Buffalo.  She holds a B.A. and M.A. in English, and has dual New York State Certification in English and Pre-K - 6.  She has taught at a variety of levels from college and high school to kindergarten and preschool.  This is Kathleen’s eleventh year teaching the Four-Plus class, co-teaching with Susie Kapaun.

Mrs. Denise Perry has a B.S. and M.S. in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College and has dual NYS Certification in Pre-K - 6 and Reading.  Her previous professional experience includes teaching kindergarten through fourth grade for North Tonawanda Central School District along with teaching at numerous summer literacy and early literacy programs.  This is Denise’s second year teaching one of our Three-Year-Old classes after taking time to stay home with her children.

Mrs. Sally Stephen holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in early childhood education from Fredonia State College.  She joined the Co-op in 2005 and teachers one of our Four-Year-Old classes.  Previously, she taught kindergarten for 18 years in area schools including Sweet Home and Alden.  As a kindergarten teacher, Sally conducted a math workshop for teachers, managed the kindergarten screen program, and ran a summer program for entering kindergartners.  She took a leave to raise her two children who now attend Orchard Park. 

Mrs. Cindy Wiencek earned her B.S. degree in Early Childhood Development from Buffalo State College. Prior to teaching at the Co-op, Cindy taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in both Buffalo and Hamburg. She is in her twelfth year at the Co-op. Cindy teaches one of our Three-Year-Old classes. She enjoys cooking inside and outside of class. She also enjoys children’s literature and has an extensive collection of children’s books.