OUR STAFF

Miriam Varnai

Director

Miriam has a background in both early childhood education and social services. She graduated with an associate’s degree in human services and a bachelor’s degree in applied behavior sciences, while also taking classes in early childhood education. Miriam has led several programs in the West Hartford area, including the preschool at Hebrew Academy, summer camp and Busy Bees preschool program at Elmwood Community Center. Miriam also worked as a parent educator at the Family Resource Center in West Hartford, where she was able to utilize her human services degree and her education experience. Miriam has three kids of her own, who are her biggest teachers and supporters. Miriam’s favorite thing to do with her family is to spend time outdoors! She is so excited to bring her passions and education philosophies to Moppets.

Janira Perez

Assistant Director

Janira comes to us with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, a minor in Social Sciences, and her Master’s Degree in Organizational Management. With her extensive experience in operations, she brings over 20 years experience serving in various capacities within fields of education, hospitality, finance, and behavioral health. Janira served as interim co-director and program associate at Eastern Connecticut State University’s Child and Family Development Resource Center. She also provided teaching support to the Hartford District schools in a preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school setting. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters. She enjoys writing, dancing, working out, and volunteering for initiatives she’s passionate about through ministry work and community service

Jordan Devone

Program Coordinator

Jordan is currently a junior attending Central Connecticut State University majoring in social work. She has worked in West Hartford for over five years as camp counselor at Elmwood Community Center and a teacher assistant at Our Children’s Center. Jordan currently works as a behavior technician for A Piece of the Puzzle, working with children who are on the autism spectrum. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her younger siblings. She is ecstatic to be a member of the Moppets team and looks forward to meeting and working with everyone!

Jessica Suwala

Counselor

Jess is a senior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. She has four years experience working with children as a nanny and in her local gym’s daycare, and has loved every moment of it! Jess is passionate about being able to provide children with an educational and artistic environment so that they can grow and flourish and reach their full potential.

Kylee Colbert

Counselor

Kylee grew up in West Hartford and is a rising junior in the Occupational Therapy program at the University of New Hampshire. She is extremely passionate about childcare and making new connections. In the past, she has worked as a para-support for WH Special Needs Services, a volunteer for Miracle League CT, a staff member for elementary daycare, as well as a director for camp programming at the Elmwood Community Center. She is an active leader on campus and in her community, and is so excited to be taking on a role at Moppets!