"THE GOODBYE WINDOW"
drawn by a Bethesda Student
The Goodbye Window is a Bethesda tradition
that helps children separate from their
families by waving goodbye through
the memorable window.
The view through the goodbye window.
A portrait of three happy teachers
drawn by a Bethesda
student.
A strong teaching staff is defined by experience, continuity, and continued growth. At Bethesda Nursery School, we recognize our teachers to be our primary asset. Our teachers are enthusiastic, educated, and involved in continuing their own professional development.
SARA GANNON, Director & Teacher
(M.A., Early Childhood Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University; B.A., Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University)
Sara has been teaching at Bethesda since 2003 and has been the director since 2013. She has a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and is a Connecticut certified teacher for pre-K to grade 3. She is active in the early childhood community, serving as a board member of the Greater New Haven Region Chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She is married to Brian and has two children, a son, Tyler, and a daughter, Brianna.
KATE FLANAGAN, Senior Teacher
(B.A., Fine Arts, Tufts University)
Kate has been teaching at Bethesda since 2003. She has been assistant editor of The Horn Book Magazine, a children’s literature journal, as well as a children’s book reviewer. She is a free-lance illustrator whose work has been primarily for the educational publishing market. She is also the author-illustrator of an easy reader. Kate is the mother of three Bethesda grads, Molly, Francis X. and Tim; she is also the grandmother of seven: Liam, Patrick, Jamie, Reid, Lily, Finn, and Sophia.
JENNI KIRKPATRICK, Head Teacher
(M.A., Bank Street College of Education; B.A., Psychology, Williams College)
Jenni has been teaching at Bethesda since 2017. She is a former Bethesda parent who previously taught preschool in New York. She also has experience with older children in the New Haven area and elsewhere and has worked in educational publishing and fundraising as well.
STEVE CUNNINGHAM, Teacher
Steve has been teaching at Bethesda since 2020. He is the proud father of future BNS student George.
LIFEI DUAN, Teacher
(M.A., Arts of Religion, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute; B.A., Music Performance, Sichuan Conservatory of Music)
Lifei joined Bethesda in 2026. She previously worked as a music teacher and has been working in early childhood education for the past several years. She is passionate about nurturing and supporting young children. She holds a Bachelor's in Music Performance, a Master's in Theology, and a Child Development Associate credential. Lifei is a proud mother of two—daughter Tabitha and son Nathan, who is part of the BNS community. Having lived abroad with her husband for many years, she values diversity and enjoys building meaningful connections with children and families.
KRISTINA WARDEN, Part-Time Teacher
Kristina is a former BNS parent and former President of our Board. She has also been a BNS volunteer, as well as a Summer Program teacher, and was formerly a full-time BNS teacher for two years (2021–2023).