Susan Alster

Education and Child Enrichment

Suffern, New York, United States

About

I am an experienced educator, program leader, and creative entrepreneur with over 20 years working in classrooms and after-school programs. I am a certified teacher in NY and NJ. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in supporting students of all abilities—especially those with special needs—by creating safe, engaging, and joyful learning environments. As Supervisor and Art Director at Festaville LLC and a longtime Teaching Assistant with Clarkstown Schools, I’ve managed teams, built enrichment programs, and developed original social-emotional learning tools that inspire confidence and creativity in children. Parents, colleagues, and administrators consistently describe me as a compassionate mentor, an innovative problem-solver, and a trusted partner in education. Through my business, Susan’s Milestones, I create children’s books, SEL workbooks, and classroom activities designed to help students build resilience, express themselves, and connect with others. My goal is to make a lasting impact by helping every child feel seen, capable, and valued.

Experience

  • Susans Milestones LLC at Susan Milestones LLC
    Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Supervisor at Festaville at the CLC
    Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

    Site Supervisor/Artist-direct program oversight, create and implement children’s program implementation, staff supervision and training, parental communication, coordinate engaging activities, created art curriculum, provide instruction, enhance academic and social emotional connections, design public bulletin boards for the CLC, record keeping, enforcing all rules and regulations

  • Program Assistant at Clarkstown Early Riser Program
    Jun 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 1 mo

    • Facilitate structured routines, SEL activities, and positive school-day transitions.

  • Art Supervisor at Festaville LLC / Clarkstown Learning Center
    Jun 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 1 mo

    • Supervise staff, oversee daily operations, attendance, safety compliance, and family communication. • Design and lead art, enrichment, SEL, and community-building programs serving dozens of students daily. • Manage inspections, inventory, scheduling, and regulatory compliance.

  • Special Education Paraprofessional at Clarkstown Central School District
    Sep 2005 - Present · 20 yrs 10 mos