Jodi Dawes Steps Up as Wallingford Co-op Nursery Director
Jodi Dawes (left) has been named the new director of Wallingford Co-op Nursery School. She is replacing Georgie Perullo, who accepted a post in the admissions office at Devon Preparatory School. Photo by Leslie Krowchenko.
The academic year may seem far in the distance, but Wallingford Co-op Nursery School is making plans for 2019-2020 and beyond, naming Jodi Dawes of Swarthmore as its new director. Dawes is replacing Georgie Perullo, who served as director for 16 years before accepting a post in the admissions office at Devon Prep, the school her four sons have, now, or will attend. Perullo said she “did not go looking for a new job, but rather, a new job found me.”
A member of the staff since 2008, Dawes teaches the two/three day a week class of three-year-olds. She is a graduate of Bucknell University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, subsequently earning a Master of Education in Elementary School Counseling from West Chester University. Dawes has worked in a variety of school settings, including as Child Care Director for the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
As director, Dawes will be responsible for enrollment, staffing, payroll, substitutes, ordering supplies, communicating with families, working with the Executive Committee and supporting teachers. The school is affiliated with Wallingford Presbyterian Church.
“Georgie recently passed on the laptop to me, so I guess the reins are officially in my hands,” she said. “She has turned the co-op into a well-oiled machine and I hope to do my best to keep it running smoothly.”
The decision to accept the post was an easy one, Dawes noted, as she has “experienced enough preschools/day cares to know this is a special place.” The staff members are very supportive of one another and she looks forward to connecting with all the families.
“Change is never easy but it can be a new awakening, too,” she said. “I believe I can use Georgie’s example as leader to keep things moving smoothly along while adding my perspective to freshen things up.”
“I am truly delighted that Jodi accepted the position and she has the unanimous support of the faculty,” Perullo wrote in a letter to the families. “Everyone is committed to keeping the mission and philosophy of the school the same and feel that she is well suited for the job.”
