Dear Tiegerman Preschool at St. Catherine’s Families,

Welcome to Tiegerman’s newest school! It is my honor to introduce myself as your child’s principal, and I am truly delighted to welcome your family to our expanding Tiegerman community.

I bring many years of experience in early childhood education and special education, including a unique perspective from across the Tiegerman organization. Most recently, I worked with the adults served by Tiegerman Community Services (TCS), which strengthened my understanding of the lifelong impact of a strong educational foundation. That work has only deepened my commitment to creating nurturing early childhood experiences—because the skills, confidence, and communication children develop in preschool truly shape their futures.

Earlier in my career, I supported the Glen Cove elementary school as the Coordinator of Educational Services, where I had the opportunity to oversee both the Preschool and Elementary programs for about 15 years.  My professional background includes a certification as a Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicap, Special Education Teacher (birth through adult).  My extensive experience working with students with Autism and challenging behaviors has shaped my professional approach to Educational Leadership.   

Returning to preschool feels like coming full circle and I am honored to bring both, my early childhood background and TCS experience to this new school community.

Tiegerman Preschool at St. Catherine’s represents an exciting opportunity to expand our mission of giving every child a voice. As principal, I am committed to providing an exceptional education rooted in New York State learning standards, individualized instruction guided by each student’s IEP goals, and a caring environment grounded in kindness, compassion, and respect.  I truly believe that children learn in their own unique way, and that they thrive when given a multi-modal approach to education. 
When your child enters our school, I want them to feel safe, joyful, and confident. Our classrooms are designed to be their second home—a place where they can explore, learn, and grow. We want our parents and caregivers to feel that same sense of comfort and belonging. You are now part of our Tiegerman family, and we are grateful to be part of your child’s journey.

Please know that we are here to support your family every step of the way.

With warmest wishes,


Christine Austin

Principal
Tiegerman Preschool at St. Catherine’s