Michelle Fontaine

Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford (SSDS) has announced the appointment of Michelle Fontaine as director of early childhood.
Fontaine, who has served as an early childhood educator and kindergarten teacher with the school for more than a decade, will assume her new post in August 2012. In her new role, Fontaine will oversee the school’s youngest grades from EC2 to kindergarten, as well as continue to teach.
An early childhood professional for more than 20 years, Fontaine has served at SSDS as a general studies kindergarten teacher for eleven years. Most recently, she also served as early childhood curriculum coordinator where she led the transition from the Creative Curriculum to the Connecticut Preschool Framework.
“Michelle Fontaine is an exceptional early childhood educator who has been central to the development of our school’s program,” said Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, head of school. “Her promotion to this new position is an important step in our continued growth and development.”
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with a great team of early childhood educators who are dedicated to our mission of celebrating the uniqueness of each child,” said Michelle Fontaine. “The children see themselves as an integral part of our Jewish community and learn that Judaism is a way of life.”
Fontaine is known for her use of puppetry to help teach reading, mathematics and social studies. Dance and exercise are also incorporated into the curriculum.
A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Fontaine is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in early childhood education. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Hartford Association for the Education of Young Children.