Our Team

Cristina - Director

With over 15 years of dedicated service at Options, Cristina's commitment is a testament to her passion for early childhood development and her support for the families who entrust us with their children.

 

Cristina’s leadership philosophy is built on three pillars:

​

• Inclusivity: Creating a welcoming space where every child and parent feels they belong.
 

• Transparency: Maintaining an open-communication policy to foster trust.
 

• Connection: Building a communicative environment that bridges the gap between home and school.
 

Academic Foundation

Cristina brings a unique blend of organizational expertise and specialized educational knowledge to her role, ensuring that the center runs smoothly while prioritizing individual student needs.
 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from SUNY New Paltz
   

• Master’s Degree in General Education and Students with Disabilities from Mt. St. Mary College 

 

 

Debbie Nuzzo - Founder and Designer 

​

Debbie Nuzzo is the visionary founder, original program and building designer, and the inaugural Academic Director of Options, an educational program that will celebrate its landmark 34th anniversary in May 2026. With a career spanning more than four decades, Debbie remains a cornerstone of the program, continuing to influence its curriculum and operational excellence.

​

Debbie’s journey in education is defined by a deep commitment to student success and specialized instruction. She dedicated 23 years of her 40-plus-year teaching career to the Saugerties Central School District, where she developed a reputation for pedagogical excellence and a passion for literacy and the arts.

​

Academic Background & Certifications

Debbie holds a robust academic foundation with two Master’s Degrees in Education, allowing her to bridge the gap between general and specialized instruction:

1. M.S. in Elementary Education (N-6)

• Major: Reading Literacy

• Minor: Art (K-12)

2. M.S. in Special Education (K-12)

In addition to her advanced degrees, Debbie holds five academic certifications. 
 

 

Continued Impact

Since founding Options over three decades ago, Debbie has seen the program through its evolution from a concept to a thriving educational environment. Her dual role as both the architect of the physical building and the architect of the academic program ensures that the learning environment at Options is perfectly tailored to the needs of its students. Today, she remains actively involved in many aspects of the program, ensuring that her original mission of providing high-quality, specialized educational pathways continues to flourish.

Our Philosophy
 

We believe that true learning begins with well-being. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where every child feels their safest and their best, creating the essential foundation for them to reach their full potential.

Our Core Pillars
 

• Emotional & Social Growth: Prioritizing the heart and the spirit to build confidence and empathy.
 

• Academic Excellence: Fostering an environment where intellectual curiosity thrives.
 

• Independence: Supporting the development of critical thinking and self-reliance.
 

• Creative Expression: Encouraging children to see the world through a lens of possibility.