Leadership and Staff

Meet the people who make Ossining Children’s Center possible

Leadership

  • A portrait of an older man with gray hair and beard, wearing a light blue collared shirt, smiling against a neutral background.

    Howard Milbert

    Executive Director

    Executive Director of the Ossining Children’s Center (OCC) since 1985, Howard is known throughout New York State as a leading voice for high quality child care and early childhood education.

    My favorite Sesame Street character: Big Bird

  • Professional headshot of a smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a navy blazer, white blouse, and pearl earrings against a gray background.

    Caroline Paterno

    Assistant Executive Director

    Caroline Paterno is a dedicated early childhood professional with over 20 years of experience in the field.

    Caroline places great emphasis on creating enriching, positive learning environments that foster the growth and well-being of every child.

    My favorite Sesame Street character: Elmo

  • A smiling man in a gray suit and light blue dress shirt posing indoors with a neutral background.

    Juan Pomales-Vazquez

    School-Age Enrichment & Camp Director

    A lifelong Ossining resident, Juan joined the Ossining Children’s Center in 2010 as an Assistant Teacher in the Universal Prekindergarten Program, later moving to the School-Age Program, and becoming Director in 2019.

    My favorite Sesame Street character: Rosita

  • A professional woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a dark blazer and a teal blouse, smiling in an office setting.

    Terry Becker, LMSW

    Social Worker and Director of Children’s Services

    Terry has a Master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work.  For over 28 year she has worked with our teachers and parents to ensure an individualized approach for each child’s education.

    My favorite Sesame Street character: Elmo

Staff Members

Meet The OCC Teachers

  • Olivia Myles

    Olivia Myles

    Infants #1

    My favorite Muppet: 

    Miss Piggy

  • Pamela Cabreja

    Pamela Cabreja

    Infants #2

    My favorite Sesame Street character:

    Abby Cadabby

  • A woman with long dark hair and a neutral expression, standing in front of a colorful rainbow made from various textured and colored paper and materials, including green at the top, followed by light blue, brown, white with pink accents, purple, yellow, and blue.

    Diana Pani

    Young Toddlers

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Elmo

  • Tania Leiva

    Tania Leiva

    Older Toddlers

    My favorite superhero: 

    Superman

  • Patricia Zaccardi

    Patricia Zaccardi

    Young 3's

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Cookie Monster

  • Leighana Jagow

    Leighana Jagow

    Older 3's #1

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Bert & Ernie (together)

  • A woman standing in front of a colorful rainbow art installation made of various textured materials.

    Nathaly Tuquinahui

    OIder 3's #2

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Oscar the Grouch

  • Lillian Shkolnik

    Lillian Shkolnik

    UPK #1

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Grover

  • A woman with curly hair and glasses smiling while sitting in front of a colorful rainbow made of various textured craft materials.

    Elaine Hoy

    UPK #2

    My favorite Muppet: 

    Kermit

  • Lori Burnett

    Lori Burnett

    UPK Daycare

    My favorite superhero:  

    Wonder Woman

  • Pamela Miranda

    Class 3

    My favorite Sesame Street Character:

    Ernie

  • Shayla Allister

    Class 4

    My favorite Sesame Street character:

    Zoe

  •  Brittany Rivera

    Brittany Rivera

    Class 5

    My favorite Sesame Street character: 

    Cookie Monster

Interested in Joining the Team?