MISSION STATEMENT | HISTORY | TEAM | FACILITY | CLASSES

Leadership

Linda Wosczyk, Director

Linda joined Merricat’s in 1976 as a Student Teacher, and she was brought on an Assistant Teacher. and subsequently, Head Teacher. After spending five beautiful years as a Rainbow Room teacher, Linda became Merricat’s Education Director in 1983. In this role, she continues to wrap her arms around the children of Merricat’s and keep it a magical place for families and staff. Outside of Merricat’s, Linda taught Early Childhood classes at LaGuardia Community College for nine years and served on its advisory board. She also works closely with The Association to Benefit Children to champion vulnerable families across the city. Her three children all attended Merricat’s, and her grandson continued the family tradition by becoming a proud Merricat's student before he went on to kindergarten.
Linda received her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Queens College.
Laura Scheuing, Director

Laura joined Merricat’s in 2016 as a Teacher in our Pre-K classroom, the Rainbow Room, where she taught for the next six years. In 2022, Laura left Merricat’s to open a private preschool in Denver, CO as the Executive Director. After a year out west, Laura felt pulled back to New York, and more specifically, Merricat’s. She happily returned in 2023, and she now works in all areas of our school’s leadership. Outside of Merricat’s, Laura teaches graduate courses in the Department of Special Education at CUNY Hunter College. Laura specializes in helping children prepare for the transition to kindergarten, and she works closely with families as they navigate this transition. Laura also helps families as they navigate the complicated process of acquiring and maintaining special education services for their children. Laura strives to ensure that every child leaves preschool with an established sense of confidence and a love of learning.
Laura has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware in Early Childhood Education with a Dual Certification in Early Childhood Special Education, and she has a Master of Science in Education from Hunter College in Advanced Preparation in Early Childhood Special Education.
Amanda Snyder Badlani, Admissions Director

Amanda joined Merricat’s Castle in 2016 as Lead Teacher in the Sunshine Room, where she continued to teach for seven wonderful years. Working with our school’s youngest children, Amanda helped to ease the transition from home to school by creating a warm and nurturing classroom environment while also instilling a love of school and learning. She cannot wait to share the magic of Merricat’s with new families through her role as Admissions Director. In her free time, Amanda loves trying new restaurants, reading, and spending time with her fiancé and their toy poodle, Olive.
Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts from Marymount Manhattan College in Musical Theater, and she has a Master of Arts from New York University in Early Childhood and Special Education.
Roberta Francis, Executive Administrative Assistant

Roberta started volunteering as a new parent in 2015, and she officially joined the Merricat’s team in 2017 as an Administrative Assistant. She performs various administrative tasks that help Merricat's run smoothly. Roberta's daughter, Baile, is a very proud Merricat who delights in visiting her mom at work and seeing her old teachers. In her free time, Roberta enjoys cooking vegetarian/vegan dishes and baking pastries, as well as having outdoor adventures with friends and family.
Roberta received her BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Jennifer Grenert, Director of Operations

Jennifer was previously an Assistant Teacher in the Rainbow Room before moving into her role as Associate Administrator in 2022. She is now our Director of Operations.
Mimi Broner, Consulting Director of School Placement

Mimi joined Merricat's in 1987 as Head Teacher, and she is now the Director of School Placement. In this role, she oversees admissions to Merricat's and helps manage the transition from Merricat's to kindergarten. In addition, she supports parents with tricky aspects of parenting preschoolers, including challenges that are occurring at home. Outside of Merricat's, Mimi chaired the Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) for 3 years, and she served as a member of the Committee of Trustees of the ISAAGNY Board for 5 years. In her free time, Mimi enjoys taking care of anyone’s baby and traveling with family.
Mimi received her BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Masters of Science in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, and Masters in School Administration and Supervision from Hunter College.
Sheryl Benjamin, Consulting Program & Outreach Specialist

Sheryl joined Merricat’s in 1985 as the Special Education Director, and she is now our Consulting Program and Outreach Specialist. In this role, she helps families work through the complicated process of private and Board of Education services.
Sheryl received her BS from Boston University in Speech Pathology and her Master's of Science in Early Childhood Special Education from Columbia University, Teacher’s College.