Red Door Teachers and Staff

  • Combined teaching years of our staff = 135.
  • Teacher to student ratio = 1:6 (PS) and 1:5 (KK)
  • Red Door teachers are American Heart Association trained and certified in Pediatric First Aid including CPR and epi-pen administration.
  • Our teachers attend continuing education trainings each year and are dedicated to supporting the development of all children.
  • Our teachers and support staff use proven methodologies and a highly effective curriculum to help children grow academically, socially, and physically.
  • 80% of our staff are parents themselves.

Who’s Who @ Red Door?

Kristen E. Buckno, B.A.
Director & Head Teacher - Pre-School  

Kristen is a 1995 honors graduate of Saucon Valley and a 1999 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Cedar Crest College. Kristen's B.A. is in Education and Psychology. While at Cedar Crest, Kristen earned both the Education and Psychology Departments' honor for the top student. Kristen - also Red Door alum - has directed the program since 2000. She is an avid reader, and enjoys swimming, the beach, and spending time with friends and loved ones. She is fondly referred to - by those who have seen her teach - as the
 "Kid Whisperer!"

Karol A. DiPasquale, M.Ed., 
Director of Operations 
Director, K-Kids 

Karol co-founded the Kindergarten Kids program in 2005 as an answer to a need in the community. She has a Master's Degree in Education from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from College Misericordia. Prior to teaching at Red Door, Karol worked as the Director of Training for a local non-profit agency for 14 years and as a public school teacher for 10.  She is a member of the Berwick (PA) High School Athletic Hall of Fame.  Miss D., as she is known by her students, enjoys the outdoors, science, museums, theater, and shares her family’s love of traditional Italian cooking.

 Amanda Sessinger, BA, 
Curriculum Mgr./Head Teacher K-Kids  

Amanda started teaching at Red Door in 2009. She is a seasoned teacher with a degree in Elementary Education from Temple University. Amanda is responsible for the design and implementation of the K-Kids curriculum. In her 3rd year at Red Door, he has also worked in the Palisades School District. Amanda is a great artist and enjoys sharing her talents. She and her husband have 3 children, the youngest of whom is a current RD K-Kids student. 

Erin Leidich, B.S., 
Atelerista (Studio)/Teacher - K-Kids

Erin has been on staff for 4 years. She has been a part of the Red Door Family since her daughters attended both our pre-school and K-kids programs. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from Bloomsburg University. She has an impressive background in training that we will utilize to its fullest in her future at Red Door. Erin and her husband, Dave, enjoy incorporating nature and art into their daily family life.

Kris Corcoran, M.Ed.., 
Teacher - K-Kids

Kris joins the Red door teaching team in January 2012. She has a degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University and a Master's degree from Arcadia University with a concentration in Computers and Technology. Kris has a son who is a Red Door alumn. She and her husband, Larry, and their children, live in the Saucon Valley area.


Mary Bidwell, BS
Teacher- Pre-School 

Mary is new to the Red Door staff in 2011-12 although she has been a “Red Door mom” for a year. Mary has a graduate level teacher certification from Rider University. She has previously taught grades 1– 3 in the NJ public school system. Mary also has teaching experience with students who have learning challenges. We welcome her to our team!

Jill Riefenstahl, BS
Teacher – Pre-School

A “Red Door Mom” of 2 alumnae students, Jill has her BS degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University. She has previously held positions as a kindergarten specialist and elementary teacher in the Saucon Valley School District. In 1999, Jill was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year! We welcome her to our team!

Melissa Bohan, A.A.
Teaching Assistant - Pre-School/Science - K-Kids
"My Monday" Staff

Melissa stared her tenure with Red Door as a Saucon Valley High School senior intern. She has continued to work as a teacher since that time, completing her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education along the way. She will be teaching our science curriculum to the  K-Kids this year. Melissa is an accomplished pastry chef who can also be seen in the dining rooms at Saucon Valley Country Club on the weekends.

Julie Vautrin, AA
Teaching Assistant, Pre-School 

Julie is no stranger to the ways of Red Door! All three Vautrin kids have attended RDELC in both Pre-School and K-Kids. Julie holds an Associate’s Degree from St. John’s University in New York. She has had valuable experience as both a camp counselor and camp director in Valley Stream, NY. She is a natural with kids and easily shares her great sense of humor with them. We welcome her to our team!

Tina Seifert
Teaching Assistant, Pre-School

Tina is in her 16th year as a teaching aide at Red Door. She is known for her high-speed maneuvers around the classroom. She is the chief of straightening-up and readying the classroom for the next session. She is kind and caring and very nurturing with our students. Tina is married to Todd Seifert. They have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren whom they adore. Tina and Todd value their time away in nature, camping and fishing with their friends and family. They often take motorcycle rides to visit family in distant locations.

Tiffany Seifert
Teaching Assistant - Pre-School
Summer Camp Director
"My Monday" Staff   

This is Tiffany’s 4th year teaching at Red Door. Tiffany has 12 years of experience with the education of young children. She also brings with her quite a portfolio of art ideas for little hands! Tiffany has a daughter and a son, Red Door alum.  Tiff is our Summer Camp Director. Scrapbooking and photography are hobbies she enjoys when she is able to grab a few moments to herself.

Lisa Klotz
Teaching Assistant - K-Kids

Lisa joined our Lunch Staff during the 2007-08 school year, and our teaching staff in 08-09. Lisa has 2 Red Door alum kids. She has many years of experience as an in-home child care provider for local families. Lisa is married to Tim Klotz, whose family owns Klotz’s Bait Shop in Hellertown.

Jodi Kunsman Cardwell
Teaching Assistant - K-Kids

This will be 
Jodi’s 5th year as an assistant teacher and lunch staff member. Her son is Red Door alum. She has grown daughters and 2 grandchildren. Jodi enjoys working with Red Door students and is known for her patience with them. She is an experienced golfer and has begun to pass on her love of this sport to her son.

Katrina Kupec-Buckno
"My Monday" Program for Two Year Olds

Katie has worked in the child development field for 10 years.  She currently works as a Consultant for the Glenn Koch Agency as a Therapeutic Support Specialist for children with autism, Aspergers, and other sensory and learning challenges. Katie is married to Matthew Buckno and has a nearly 3 year old daughter.

Karyl Treese
Secretary and Book Keeper
  

Karyl is in her 15th year with LSUCC and Red Door. She is responsible for the majority of communication with families, maintaining our database and financial records, paying bills, and supporting our staff. She is married to Joe and they have 3 adult sons, Matt, Jon and Joe. Karyl is in love with her grandson and granddaughter.  She enjoys taking island cruises with her husband or sister each year.

 Red Door Board

Thomas Sofka, Chair
Judi
Riegel
Betty Byerley
Jackie Verba
Pastor 
Dale Sattizahn
Kirk Gorkos
Kristen E. Buckno
Karol A. DiPasquale