Administrator's Page

Kendra Brown - Director of Early Childhood

 Kendra Brown has been Director of Early Childhood since 2018 after being named Interim Director in  2017. Prior to leading Early Childhood Education, Brown was the Assistant Principal at Davenport Elementary from 2014 to 2017, where she also served as the SRBI Teacher and Individual Learning Needs Coach from 2011 to 2014 and was a Special Education Teacher from 2008 to 2011. Kendra began her career in education as a Special Education Teacher at Columbus Elementary School in Bridgeport. Brown has a Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Saint Joseph, a Masters in Remedial Reading/Remedial Language Arts Specialist from Southern Connecticut State University, and earned her Sixth Year Certification from the University of Bridgeport. Her professional certifications include PreK-12 Comprehensive Special Education (CT 165); 1-12 Remedial Reading and Language Arts (CT 102), and Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092). 

Cynthia Manifold-Dougherty - Assistant Director of Early Childhood

  Cynthia Manifold-Dougherty was named Assistant Director, Early Childhood Development & Intervention in June 2024. Ms. Manifold-Dougherty has more than 20 years of experience in Stamford Public Schools, serving first as a K-2 Reading Interventionist, Special Education Teacher, and Classroom Teacher from 2003 through 2015. She joined the central office as Curriculum Associate for Professional Development (English Learners) in 2015 and was promoted to Coordinator of Professional Development in 2018. She was the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Elementary) from 2024-2024. Ms. Manifold-Doughtery earned a Bachelors in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism from the University of New Orleans; a Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Southern Connecticut State University; and a certificate in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University.  She is certified in  K-6 Elementary Education (CT 013), Adult Education Teaching Non-English Speaking Adults (CT 088), PreK-12 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CT 011) and Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092), 

Brooke Pelli - Assistant Director of Early Childhood

  Brooke Pelli was named Assistant Director, Early Childhood Development & Intervention in June 2024.  She has been with APPLES since 2017 where she served as a school readiness teacher, grade level leader, and technology professional development leader. Prior to joining SPS, Ms. Pelli was a first grade teacher at Lindley Academy Charter School and also served two years as a Teach for America corps member. Ms. Pelli earned a Bachelors of Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware and a Masters in Urban Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Her certifications include Remedial Reading & Remedial Language Arts (CT 102),  Reading & Language Arts consultant (CT 097), Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary Education N-3 and Special Education N-K (CT 113), and K-12 Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092 ).