About PIFS

Putnam Indian Field School has 39 staff members. There are 29 classroom teachers who staff 13 different classes. Four specialists add art, music and science enrichment for all the children. Ten of the teachers have graduate degrees; ten others have baccalaureate degrees and the rest have or are working on associate degrees. A Child Development Associate Credential is a minimum requirement for teaching at PIFS.

In addition to the teaching staff, our administration is headed by Marianne Riess, director, Brenda MacLean, assistant to the director, Maria Sabito, director of admissions, Sue Martin, bookkeeper, and Fred Wierdsma, director of development.

Two kitchen staff create delicious lunches for children and staff, and a maintenance man/traffic manager ensures the school is clean, well-maintained and safe.

Some of the faculty have been with the school since the merger of Putnam and Indian Field School in 1978. Because they were instrumental to its growth and success, their commitment to providing the best learning environment for PIFS children and families is very strong. For them teaching at the school is more than a job, it is their life’s work. Both experience and education in the field help them to understand children’s needs, interests, and abilities and to create plans for their continual growth and development. At PIFS the staff is dedicated, educated, experienced and happy to spend their days learning and playing with young children.