When Kim “Ms. B” Bednarcyk P ‘16 first arrived at Harley, she wasn’t planning a lifelong career here—she was just picking up the Rubenstein girls, Heather ’95 and Jennifer ’92, after school. At the time, Kim was nannying for the family while earning her graduate degree in early childhood education from Nazareth College. Each afternoon, she’d stop by Harley’s campus, where she quickly got to know Barb Kutner, Head of the Lower School, 1978-89.
One day, Barb mentioned that Harley was looking for someone to supervise the playground. Kim took the job—while continuing grad school and nannying—and that simple “yes” changed the course of her life.
A few years later, Barb approached her again with a new idea: Harley was considering starting a program for three-year-olds. Would Kim like to create it? Excited, she said yes again.
That decision launched what is now the Nursery 3 (N3) program—a cornerstone of Harley’s early childhood education. Over the decades, Kim has partnered with five other beloved teachers—Rosemarie Higgins (1985-86), Sue Richane (1986-2003), Heidi Knickerbocker (1989-2016?), Sue Turiano (1987-2017), and Mandy Piazza (2015-present)—to nurture the youngest learners in the Harley community. She had free rein to shape the program, and from the very beginning, she built it on one foundational belief: the power and importance of play.
“There are always trends that push toward academics,” she says, “but I’ve always believed that play is the most important part for kids this age. That’s where children learn to explore, to think, to become independent.”
Kim’s classroom hums with curiosity, laughter, and imagination—rarely, if ever, with screens. Through play, her students learn how to solve problems, share space, and take care of one another. And while the children may not remember their Nursery 3 days, Kim knows the lessons endure.
“The Primary teachers tell me they can always tell who came through Harley N3—by their social skills, their responsibility, and how they care for themselves and others.”
Her class traditions—like Popcorn Thursday (a ritual started with Sue Turiano) and the annual pumpkin-picking field trip to Chase Farm Market in Perinton—have delighted generations of three-year-olds. And for Kim, those small, joy-filled routines are what early childhood is all about.
A Changing School, a Constant Spirit
When Kim began teaching, her first classroom was a cozy room inside what’s now known as the “big room.” The current Nursery wing didn’t yet exist, and the whole Lower School fit on one floor. Over time, Harley grew, and when the new Nursery classrooms were designed, Kim had a hand in every detail—from the Goodbye Window to the two-seater bathroom, the low sinks, and the door leading directly to the playground.
She’s always adapted as the school evolved—from swimming with her students in P.E. (yes, she puts on her bathing suit and jumps right in!) to integrating music and art into the curriculum. Through it all, she’s stayed grounded in what matters most: connection and care.
“Harley is a big family,” Kim says. “It’s my extended family. This place is filled with kind, caring people who want to make the world a better place.
For her students, Harley is their first big world—a place where they can walk through the halls with the big kids, greet the Head of School, wave to the maintenance team, or chat with the kitchen staff.
A recent classroom moment perfectly captured Kim’s tender approach: a student arrived heartbroken because his dog had chewed the nose off his beloved stuffed animal. Kim offered to fix it, but just as she began sewing, he changed his mind and pulled it back. The next day, he returned, stuffy in hand. He asked solemnly, “Will you leave the needle in?” and she finally figured out why he had resisted the fix the day before! Once she reassured him, he let her mend it.
It’s a small story—but one that speaks volumes about the trust, patience, and love that fill her classroom.
Reflections and Legacy
Over 45 years, Kim has seen Harley transform—and she’s been a central part of that transformation. She’s proudest of creating the Nursery program and staying true to its values of independence, curiosity, and risk-taking. She’s confident that her longtime colleague and successor, Mandy Piazza, will keep that spirit alive.
When asked what she’s learned from her students, she smiles.
“Most of the time, you need to stop and give the kids a chance before you say something. If they’re about to do something that’s not the best choice, give them a second—nine times out of ten, they’ll figure it out on their own.”
As she prepares to retire, Kim isn’t dwelling on “the last times.” She’s focused instead on celebration—of laughter, hugs, and the lifelong friendships she’s made with her teaching partners and colleagues like Marilyn Fenster (Lower School, 1975-80, 1989-2021) and Jane Jezsu (Lower School, 1993-2010).
“I’ll miss it all—the kids, the smiles, the camaraderie,” she says.
Her next chapter will be full of her own kind of play: sewing, knitting, and travel. This fall, she’s planning a 14-day cruise through the Panama Canal.
After 45 years of nurturing Harley’s youngest learners, Kim “Ms. B” Bednarcyk leaves behind a legacy built on joy, creativity, and play!
