Teachers

Ms. O’Brien

Ms. O’Brien has been the Director at Discover Preschool since 2016. She lives in North Andover and has worked at Discover off and on in several different capacities throughout her career. She first taught at Discover for two years shortly after graduating college in 2002 with Bachelor degrees in Social Work and Sociology. Then, after over 10 years of teaching music and preschool in Andover, Rockport, and Swampscott, she returned to Discover in 2013 as the school’s Music Specialist. When the former director announced her retirement a few years later, Ms. O’Brien left her Assistant Director position and jumped on the opportunity to return to her first and favorite school, Discover Preschool!

Mrs. Winsor

Mrs. Winsor began at Discover Preschool as a parent, before transitioning to a teacher role at the school in 2018. Prior to Discover Preschool, Mrs. Winsor was a second grade teacher in New Hampshire. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Studies, as well as a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Winsor lives in Andover with her husband, two children, and two cats. She feels very fortunate to have met so many wonderful children and families during her time at Discover Preschool and looks forward to meeting many more!

Mrs. Laorenza

Mrs. Laorenza graduated from UMass Amherst with a BFA in Dance. She had a Creative Movement business for many years. She taught in local preschools, kindergartens, and presented several workshops on Movement in Early Childhood settings. In 2002, Mrs. Laorenza became a certified preschool teacher and began teaching in the classroom. She is now a certified Lead Teacher and has been teaching preschool for over 20 years. She started at Discover in 2020. Mrs. Laorenza lives in North Andover. She has three grown children Sam, Katie and Danny, a daughter and son in law, and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Roldan

Mrs. Roldan has been teaching preschool for over 15 years. In 2005 she graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology. In 2008 she went on to receive her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. Mrs. Roldan took a break from teaching in 2012 to stay home with her son Sam and daughter Riley, who both attended Discover. In 2019, Mrs. Roldan happily transitioned from stay at home mom and Discover parent to teacher. She currently lives in Andover with her kids, husband, and dog.

Mrs. Merenda

Mrs. Merenda has been with Discover since 2021 and she will be teaching in the younger preschool classroom again this year. Mrs. Merenda has been working with preschool aged children since she was 15 and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State. She lives in Andover with her husband, has a son Anthony, daughter Grace, and dog Dabby. She is looking forward to another year of teaching little ones!

Mrs. Brand

Mrs. Brand grew up in Andover, New Hampshire, and now ironically lives in Andover, MA! She loves all things nature, science, and animals and has been teaching at Discover since 2019. Mrs. Brand has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aquatic Biology and entered into Early Childhood Education when her Discover Preschool alumni child, Robin, moved along into grade school. She is a certified preschool teacher and truly enjoys watching young people develop their personalities and learn how to learn.

Mrs. Gostanian

Mrs. Gostanian (or Mrs. G.) is excited to start her first year of teaching at Discover after subbing and being the school’s Parent Board President for the past two years. Prior to moving to Andover in 2020, Mrs. G. was a preschool teacher and assistant director at a school in Cambridge. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as well as a Masters Degree in Education. Mrs. G. lives in Andover with her husband and two children, Margot and Cameron. She is excited to take on this new role and create connections with all the families at Discover!

Mrs. Plouffe

Mrs. Plouffe came to Discover in 2007, after teaching at Our Country Preschool for 15 years. She has an Associate Degree in Business from Castle Junior College and she took courses for her preschool teacher certification at Lesley College. She retired from Discover to help with her grandchildren in 2017 and we are so happy that she returned to us in 2021! Mrs. Plouffe lives in Methuen with her husband. She has two grown children, Julie-Anne and Stephen, a son and daughter in law, and 6 grandchildren. (3 of which attended Discover!)