Our Team

Cornerstone Administration

Michele Fortier –  Executive Director

Michele Fortier has been working in the field of education for over 30 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies: Administration, Management and Leadership from Walden University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from William Paterson University. Michele has worked as a classroom teacher, mentor, workshop facilitator, and director.

Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with children from birth through high school. These experiences highlighted the importance of providing young children with a well thought out environment to explore at their own pace. Her Master’s Capstone project was focused on preserving play in the early childhood classroom. Michele has both Early Childhood and Elementary Standard Teaching Certificates.

Michele has provided workshops at the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children and the New Jersey Child Care Association Conferences. As well as The Educating the Heart and First-Up Conferences in Pennsylvania. 

Contact Michele: (908) 277-4400  mfortier@cornerstonekids.org

“You can discover more about a person in one hour of play than in a year of conversation” –Plato


Colleen Marshall – Assistant Director

Ms. Marshall has over 25 years of experience in the field. Colleen has had supervisory positions for the past seven years. In addition, she has been either an Assistant Director or Director for the past five years.

She holds a Master’s degree and is completing her Certificate in Educational Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of education.

Her favorite part of caring for children was, she replied, “Being in their lives and bonding with families.”

Contact Colleen: (908) 277-4400  CMarshall@cornerstonekids.org

Cornerstone Teachers

Cornerstone teachers are passionate early childhood educators. Ongoing professional development allows our certified, caring educators bring innovative and developmentally appropriate methods of instruction to their class every day. Our teachers are committed to creating an environment that promotes the development of the whole child. All staff are First Aid/CPR certified.

“The teachers are really doing a lot to make sure that there’s an experience for each kid. I was really impressed with what I learned at back-to-school night. Our particular teacher would discuss strategies for the children’s learning and development. And, I feel that the teachers really want to be there. They’re present, they care a lot and they’re passionate about education.”

-Adrienne L.

Watch the Video to See What Parents are Saying


Megan Gugler – Lead Teacher Foundations

Mrs Guglar has been teaching for over five years in the field of early education. She holds an Associate’s Degree and a CDA in Early Childhood Education. While working with our youngest students, she focuses on introducing children to learning together in a classroom setting. She fosters cooperative play by focusing on social-emotional development appropriate for this age group. 

Contact Megan: (908) 277-4400  MCain@cornerstonekids.org


Sigourney Salazar – Lead Teacher Preschool

Miss Salazar, who joined Cornerstone in 2021, brings a deep passion for early education. With an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, she is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive classroom where every student feels welcome and valued.

Contact Sigourney: (908) 277-4400  ssalazar@cornerstonekids.org


Cristina Reino – Lead Teacher Preschool

Miss Reino has both public and private school experience with several ages and grade levels, but providing a play-based education for preschool students is her passion. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and an MA in Special Education. She has worked in the education field since 2000 finding her home in the field of early childhood education.

Contact Cristina: (908) 277-4400  creino@cornerstonekids.org


Janelle Papaleo – Lead Teacher Pre-K

Janelle was a member of the original 2009 staff. She returned in 2013 when her son was old enough to attend Cornerstone. Janelle has been working in the field of education since 1995. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from East Stroudsburg University and holds both Early Childhood and Elementary Standard Teaching Certificates. 

Contact Janelle: (908) 277-4400  jpapaleo@cornerstonekids.org


Lisa Glazer –  Lead Teacher Pre-K

Mrs. Glazer has 20 years of experience in early childhood education, holds a Master’s in Education from Wheelock College, and has a deep passion for curriculum development, enrichment programming, and child-centered learning. 

Contact Lisa: (908) 277-4400  lglazer@cornerstonekids.org


Amy Roselle – Art Teacher

Mrs. Roselle holds an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts, specializing in art education. Her belief in choice-based art aligns with Cornerstone’s play-based philosophy, as both emphasize individuality and self-expression, which are foundational to whole-child development.

Contact Karen: (908) 277-4400  aroselle@cornerstonekids.org


Patricia Price –  Music Teacher

Miss Patricia has been delighting Cornerstone students for many years with her Little Actors Studio enrichment program. Now, as our Music Teacher, she leads Music Class every Monday—classes full of songs, dancing, instruments, puppets, and playful activities that spark early literacy, motor skills, language, and social-emotional growth.

Contact Stephen: (908) 277-4400  pprice@cornerstonekids.org

Assistant Teachers

Assistant teachers are a vital part of the Cornerstone learning community. Often the first in the building and last to leave as several staff our before and after care programs. They provide assistance to our lead teacher that goes well beyond an extra set of hands in the classroom. They get to know our students and their families well. They are required to implement our curriculum and discipline policy as effectively as the Lead Teachers they work beside, forming a cohesive teaching team.

Our assistant teachers come from a variety of backgrounds. All are college graduates or currently students in fields related to early childhood. Several have advanced degrees in other fields and are exploring a move to the field of education. Their continuing education requirements are the same as our lead teachers.

Why Our Staff Loves Cornerstone