Blog

Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development (HPC) announces the selection of Elizabeth Dreyfuss, MS, as the new education director at Hanna Perkins School. She began transitioning into the role in June, and will lead the school at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Noelle Marotta, MA, who previously held that title, will stay on at Hanna Perkins in a new role with the agency’s consulting arm.

Dreyfuss has more than three decades of early learning and child development experience as both an educator and a clinical counselor, working with young children and supporting parents and families.

A Cleveland native, she earned a master’s degree in Infant Mental Health from Bank Street College in New York City. While in New York, she worked in early intervention services with a focus on infant development.

After returning to Cleveland, Dreyfuss earned another master’s degree in clinical counseling from John Carroll University, and worked in the community as an Early Childhood Mental Health and Maternal Health Therapist.

Dreyfuss and her husband have four children, two dogs, three cats, six chickens and two ducks. They spend much of their time gardening and cooking together as a family.

As Dreyfuss settles in at the school, Marotta moves to the non-profit agency’s Community Engagement division, which provides consulting services to schools and childcare centers; and offers accredited training to social workers, therapists, child life professionals and others who work with children and families.

Marotta has been with Hanna Perkins for 11 years. Before being named education director in 2020, she was a teacher in both the preschool and kindergarten classrooms. A native of Cleveland, she has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in education – both from John Carroll University.

“We’re excited to have Elizabeth join our team. Her interests and approach to early learning are well aligned with the Hanna Perkins philosophy,” said CEO Karen Baer. “Meanwhile, demand for our consulting expertise has grown steadily. Noelle’s experience and passion will be invaluable assets in the support we provide to other schools and organizations.”