Suzuki Preschool
Welcome to the Suzuki Preschool of Newton, a non-profit community school! Our program is modeled after Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's internationally-known Talent Education Program in Japan.
Our program focuses on providing an environment rich in activities and experiences to encourage emerging development in all areas of growth. Our classrooms are warm and inviting and prompt children to build a world of discovery and play. Our program equips each child with basic skills to develop academic excellence, a sense of independence, and a strong emotional self-image, traits that will lead to success in future experiences.
Three-year-old-classroom
Quarter Notes
Four-year-old classroom
Half Notes
Pre-K classroom
Whole Notes
Our Philosophy
We believe that natural talent and ability can be fostered through training and nurturing the spontaneous growth process. Our focus is to develop a lifelong love for learning and a positive attitude of self-worth and independence, which Dr. Suzuki referred to as a noble heart. True learning and skill development are best accomplished when a child’s interest, thoughts, and ideas are consistently stimulated and reinforced by parents and teachers working together.
Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on providing an environment rich in activities and experiences to encourage development in all areas of growth. Our academic program concentrates on building cognitive, social, emotional, and psychomotor skills. Our creative arts program is interwoven into the curriculum through foreign languages, Suzuki music instruction, art, creative movement, and physical education.
Suzuki Preschool Faculty
Patty Drukker, Preschool Director
Patty Drukker brings more than four decades of experience in early education to her leadership role at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. She was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Curry College, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Recreational Leadership from Mass Bay Community College. She also holds multiple certifications from the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood and Care (LT-PS, LT I/T, Director I & II). Ms. Drukker joined Suzuki Newton in June 2024.
“While my career has been focused in the Boston area, my roots are in Newton. I was born and raised here, and it’s where I call home. I also come with a love of music, and enjoy popping into classrooms to sing and play my guitar for our students. I’m excited to be joining the Suzuki community and I look forward to getting to know our students and families in the coming months!”
QUARTER NOTES
Nawal Scarpa (Ms. Nawal) is the Lead Teacher for the Quarter Notes Classroom at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. Nawal holds Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Preschool Teacher certification. She has over nine years of experience working with children and families. Nawal's passion and motivation is providing a positive role model for young children and helping to shape the minds of the future generations.
Elizabeth Hodges (Ms. Liz) is our classroom assistant in the Quarter Notes Classroom at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. Liz holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Plymouth State University with concentrations in piano and flute. She studied Suzuki flute pedagogy with Laurel Maurer at the Hartt School of Music and Suzuki piano pedagogy with Gail Lange in Waterloo, Canada and Sachiko Isihara in Newton.
Ms. Ana is our student teacher this year! Anamaria Adams is completing her degree in early childhood education at Massachusetts Bay Community College.
HALF NOTES
Hello! My name is Lisa McGlone (Ms. McGlone) and I am from South Boston. I am the Half Notes Lead Teacher at Suzuki Preschool of Newton. I have been working with children for 20 plus years and I look forward to working with your children and being a part of influencing who they will become in the world. My goal is to help each child feel proud of who they are exactly as they are and for them to embrace their own uniqueness.
Robyn Cooke (Ms. Robyn) is a teacher in the Half Notes Classroom at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. Robyn holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been working in the childcare field for over 20 years and is proud to be a lifelong learner. Robyn is a Newton native and has lived in the city since she was in elementary school. She has three children ranging from preschool to middle school age. Robyn is most passionate about guiding children with their emotional regulation and learning those essential early social emotional skills. She also loves exploring art, science, and music through the curriculum in her classroom.
WHOLE NOTES
Bintong Chi (Ms. Bintong) is a Co-Teacher in the Whole Notes Classroom at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. She is a thoughtful and highly organized preschool teacher and musician. She has worked in early childhood settings and taught music for many years. Bintong Chi holds bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education, and another Master's in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about incorporating music, art and nature into her curriculum. Growing up with a bilingual background, Bintong Chi speaks fluent English and Mandarin.
My name is Ahlea Tucker (Ms. Ahlea) and I'm a Co-Teacher in the Whole Notes Classroom at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton. I’ve been working with children for the past 9 years, and I love being around preschoolers. For some reason I find the job relaxing! I’m working towards my masters in counseling psychology and I’m very excited for my journey with Suzuki!
Debra Leary, Preschool Director emerita
Deb Leary comes to the Suzuki Preschool with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and her certificate in Analyzed Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Mental Health Counseling. She has worked in many facets of education for over 20 years with children in public schools, child psychiatric units, and preschool settings. Deb found the Suzuki Preschool of Newton in August of 2011 and has made it her home.
"Preschool is a child's first school experience, therefore it should be their best experience...that is what we strive for at the Suzuki Preschool of Newton."
Lisa Hollis, General Music & Violin Instructor
Lisa Hollis delivers a group music lesson as well as individual violin instruction to preschool students as part of their weekly curriculum. Ms. Hollis also teaches students of all ages at the Preschool’s sister program, the Suzuki School of Newton, where she leads the school’s award-winning string ensemble, In Harmony.
Lisa Hollis holds a B.A. from Milligan College and an M.M. from Northern Arizona University. Prior to joining the Suzuki School of Newton, she taught at Longmont Suzuki Strings and the Bermuda School of Music. Lisa has performed in concert with Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, Kenny Rogers, John Ingram, Patti Austin, John Legend, Michael McDonald, the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, and the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra.
Blancamaria Montecinos Valdivia, Piano Instructor
Blancamaria Montecinos helps to deliver piano lessons to each preschool student twice each week. Ms. Montecinos also teaches students of all ages at the Preschool’s sister program, the Suzuki School of Newton and serves at the head of the piano department.
Blancamaría Montecinos began her pedagogy studies in 1981, at the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, graduating in 1988 as Professor of Music Education.
Her interest and development in this methodology led her to be the President of the Suzuki Association of Chile between 1995 and 2005. In 2001 she founded the Suzuki Music School Chile (Escuela de Música Suzuki Chile.
In May 2019, she received the appointment of Teacher Trainer of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, allowing her to begin training Suzuki teachers in Latin America.
Yuting Lin, Piano Instructor
Yuting Lin helps to deliver piano lessons to each preschool student twice each week. Ms. Lin also teaches students of all ages at the Preschool’s sister program, the Suzuki School of Newton.
Yuting Lin holds a B.M. from National Taiwan Normal University and an M.M, New England Conservatory of Music. As a Suzuki piano teacher, she has training in Books 1 through 7. She has been a faculty member at Suzuki School of Newton since 2009.