Meet Our Talented Staff!

Each teacher brings their talents in their unique way! We value what each of our teachers brings to our program as they facilitate learning in our play based, relationship based setting.

 Director:  Sarah Adams

Favorite activity: Any time we can make a connection and talk about their weekend or having conversations about their thoughts and questions.
Book: Are You My Mother and A Bad Case of Stripes
Song: Our school song, Kind, Kind Heart, Stirring My Brew
PPS memory:Any family gathering and our Polar Express Day
My preschool memory: getting to be a helper and playing games like Red Light, Green Light
Brings me joy when: the children wave good bye to families at the window

My name is Sarah. hold a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from West Chester University. I have been the director of our unique program for nearly 10 years. Previous to being at PPS I was a preschool and special education teacher in Alexandria, Virginia.
Some interests of mine are reading as much as possible, watching all kinds of sports (especially local teams and women’s sports) and traveling with my sister. I really enjoy living in the passyunk square neighborhood.
My favorite part of our program is the sense of community and connection we focus on daily. This is an important value I prioritize through my work at Project P.L.A.Y. School.

Laura Hutton

Favorite activity: Building with Duplos
Book: The Busy Squirrel
Song: If you’re happy and you know it
PPS memory: Graduation
My early years memory: playing outdoors with my sisters
It brings me joy: when the children greet each other at the door with genuine delight

I have 5 years of nannying experience plus two kids of my own; one in college and one finishing high school. I like to nurture a child’s own interests through books, play, and activities. Some of my favorite things to do with kids are play outside in all kinds of weather and build with blocks and construction toys. I’m excited to partner with the children and dynamic PPS Bok staff in learning through play!

Maddy Hill

Favorite activity: Using loose parts and art materials with the children
Book: A Spoonful of Frogs
Song: Stirring My Brew
PPS memory: Dressing up and having a parade for a friend’s last day of school
My preschool memory: Reading Stone Soup and then making it!
Brings me joy when: A pirate game becomes zombie or superhero play-I never know what it will become

Maddy has a BA in Interdisciplinary Art from Alfred University and has worked with children ages 2-18! She loves all forms of art but ceramics holds a special place in her heart. She’s excited to share her love of art with PPS Bok and she can’t wait to watch their creativity flourish through art and play!

Debbi DiMaria

Favorite activity: playing cooperative games like Race to the Treasure
Book: The Monster Under My Bed ( and making all the voices!)
Song:The River Song
PPS memory: using walkie talkies when exploring Bok
My preschool memory: My Dad was in the military and we got to visit the helicopters
Brings me joy when: the children communicate, help each other when needed, and are silly and giggle together

Children are such a breath of fresh air, and there’s so much to learn from them! I have experience working with children in a variety of settings from babysitting to teaching them dance to tutoring with America Reads. Play is essential to a child’s development and I am excited to get to nurture the kids and watch their imaginations grow and social skills develop. Outside of Project P.L.A.Y. I love to spend my time dancing, immersing myself in a riveting game of Dungeons & Dragons, and baking delicious desserts!

Marisa Duca

Favorite activity:sand, play dough
Book:Trashy Town and Sleepy Sleepy
Song: Row, row, row your boat
PPS memory: the farm trips with all the families is always so nice
My preschool memory: dressing up and seeing myself in a big mirror
Brings me joy when: the whole school is outside together

Born and raised in South Philly, graduated from Temple University in 2020 with a degree in Environmental Studies. I have been working in childcare for 6 years and have loved it from the start! When I am not working I like to read, take walks outside and cheer on our Philly sports teams!

Lauren Kester

Favorite activity: Using crayons and adding glitter paint
Book: Quick as a Cricket and seeing how the children talk about the animal’s traits applying to their everyday actions
Song: YMCA-seeing how the children try to learn the dance
Favorite memory from my preschool:Making a flower mosaic project with my teacher Miss Francine.
PPS memory: Seeing my first class graduate. I felt so blessed to have seen them grow and move on.
Brings me joy when:I see the children figure out what they’re most interested in and watching the different ways they pursue that as they get older.

Kylie Brazil

Favorite activity: being outside, playing in the sand and being with the Pre-K group some of who are siblings to the Toddlers
book:Trashy Town
Song: Zoom, zoom, zoom
PPS memory: baking lots of different kinds of muffins during March Muffin Madness
My preschool memory: Going to preschool with my sister
Brings me joy when: the children play on the nuggets and sing Row,Row, Row your boat

Hi, I’m Kylie! I graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelors of Social Work and a minor in Special Education. I’ve worked with kids of all ages as a babysitter, nanny and camp counselor! After college, I volunteered for two years with City Year working with middle schools students in Philadelphia, PA. I love working with kids! Their curiosity and creativity is inspiring!

Sammi Anderson

Favorite activity: Playing potato sack
Book: Julian is a Mermaid
Song: Albuquerque Turkey
PPS memory: Getting a letter from a child thanking me for a special moment we shared
My preschool memory: My mom was my preschool teacher
Brings me joy when: we sing songs together and when we pretend

My name is Sammi! I have a BFA in Theatre Technology and Design and am working towards a Masters of Social Work focusing on child and adolescent health and wellbeing. I have been working with children since my first job as a daycare attendant in high school. I love our Project P.L.A.Y. School community and philosophy. My favorite thing about PPS is seeing how the children treat everyday objects as magical items! Outside of school I enjoy reading, yoga, camping, and crafting!

Devon Tighe

Favorite activity: seeing what the children do on the set up with nuggets
Book: Trashy Town
Song: Crazy Moose
PPS memory: being greeted by name on my first day
My preschool memory: my preschool had a chest of dress up clothes and I loved choosing items to be a pirate with a headscarf and a big sash around my waist
Brings me joy when: the children persevere with something new or difficult

“ I’m Devon, and I have been teaching in the toddler room since the summer of 2025! I grew up in State College, PA, home of Penn State University, beginning my early childhood education journey at Penn State’s Child Care Center at Hort Woods and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. I am a lifelong choral and theatre performer as well as a nature-lover with a particular passion for birds, trees, and seeds, and I love to bring these experiences into the classroom setting. “

Annadore Himmelberger

Favorite activity: Walking with the children in Bok and they show me things I didn’t notice!
Book:Lily’s Purple, Plastic Purse
Song: I love my body from my head to my toes
PPS memory: Graduations from Pre-K are very special
Brings me joy when: I see the elaborate structures made from magna tiles
Favorite preschool memory: Our pet turtle and my clear plastic backpack

My name is Annadore and I’ve been a co-teacher at Project P.L.A.Y school since 2024. Philly is my home, but I am originally from Reading, Pa. I am a passionate and creative individual who loves working with children. In my spare time I enjoy working on my crafts, which range from sculpture and baking, to tattoo!

Laura Buzzard

Favorite activity: Dressing up
Book: Magic Tree House
Song: I love my body from my head to my toes
PPS Memory: Graduation is very special
My preschool memory: playing hair salon
Brings me joy: hearing the childrens’ interests-every day is something new!