Meet the Faculty

Alicia has over 20 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Alicia is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Lead Teacher, Director 1, and Director 2.

Alicia began teaching at the school in September 2014, the inaugural year of its opening. Since then, she has cultivated a rich learning environment for seven classes of preschoolers while serving as the assistant director. In 2021, she transitioned to teaching Kindergarten, continuing her dual role as assistant director. Her classroom is a hub of dynamic experiences, seamlessly integrating all learning activities to support specific concepts. Alicia enjoys the outdoors and exploring the ever-changing grounds of Heritage Museums & Gardens.

In 2024, she transitioned from classroom teaching to fully support the entire school as the Assistant Director and in 2026 became the Acting Director. Professionally, Alicia has grown by presenting on STEM in early education at the Massachusetts STEM Summit and the Science & Math Symposium for Young Children in Connecticut multiple times.

Alicia loves that each day at school brings new experiences. She strongly believes that play and outdoor activities are crucial for the development of Kindergarteners. The challenge of integrating educational standards into play so that students are unaware they are learning allows her to apply her expertise purposefully and effectively.

Heidi has over 25 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College.

Heidi is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Preschool Lead Teacher.

Heidi began teaching at the school in September 2015. Since joining the school, she has blended her previous experience in Montessori education with the experiential learning of our STEM curriculum. She is an expert at observing children in play and asking just the right question to help a child extend an experience.

Professionally, Heidi has presented at the Massachusetts STEM Summit. She has a passion for working with young children and enjoys helping them grow as a whole. She does this by modeling a kind and calm demeanor and encourages students to do the same. Heidi is an avid gardener and often shares her love of plants and the environment with children, fellow teachers, and parents.

Laurie has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development/Child Life from Wheelock College and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern University.

Laurie holds an initial license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Elementary Education 1-6. She is also licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Preschool Lead Teacher.

Laurie began teaching with us in 2024 as a Grade 1 & 2 Literacy teacher but transitioned to Kindergarten in the fall of 2025. She has been working with children and families for over 20 years, initially in the hospital setting and more recently in the public schools as a classroom teacher.

Laurie is a lifelong learner who finds joy in reading educational books and thinking about how ideas or content apply to her particular group of students. For Laurie, the goal of education is to create well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also capable of understanding and engaging with the world around them.

Jen has over 25 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lesley University.

She is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Preschool Lead Teacher, Director 1, and Director 2. She has an additional certification as a Montessori educator.

Jen loves the curiosity and joy young children bring as they explore their world, build independence, and form new friendships. With a Montessori background, she has a deep appreciation for hands-on, child-centered learning and the importance of nurturing independence from an early age. She is excited to bring this experience into our STEM-focused preschool program, blending Montessori principles with inquiry-based activities that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and creativity. Her goal is to create a classroom environment where children feel supported, inspired, and empowered to discover new ideas while developing the social and academic skills that will guide them through their early learning journey.

Kathleen holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Dallas.

Her love of teaching began in high school when she enrolled in a year-long elementary education course. This experience inspired her to pursue the study of education in college, where she had the opportunity to complete a semester of student teaching in a third-grade classroom, further deepening her love of teaching. During one summer break, she also worked at a Montessori summer camp with children ages 2-5, gaining valuable experience with early childhood learners.

Kathleen deeply appreciates the joy that comes with working with children and considers it a privilege to support their growth and development.  She looks forward to fostering a caring and supportive environment where children can explore, learn, and grow.

Brynn has over 5 years of teaching experience and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University.

She is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Preschool/Pre-K Lead Teacher. She also holds a temporary license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Early Childhood Education Preschool-2, and a Professional License from the Ohio Department of Education PreK-3.

Brynn started her teaching career virtually, student teaching over Zoom during the pandemic. She then taught Preschool, Second, and Third Grade in Ohio before moving to Massachusetts in 2024. She is passionate about teaching to the “whole-child” and using project-based, student centered learning. She enjoys teaching through games, songs, and hand-on learning. She encourages her learners to be independent, imaginative, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. She believes that children thrive when they spend time outdoors, and have opportunities for learning to occur organically through experiences. She understands that children are very capable, and that even at a young age, with appropriate support and opportunities, they can create and do amazing things.

Chris has over 20 years of experience teaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Special Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Chris is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a Preschool Lead Teacher. She holds an additional license with the Massachusetts Department of Education in Elementary Education 1-6.

Chris began teaching at the school in the Fall of 2021 as a PreK teacher, then transitioned to the school’s first 2nd-grade teacher in the Fall of 2023. Her teaching career began in early elementary classrooms, where she spent almost a decade teaching grade 2, and then transitioned to early childhood family and community programs. We are delighted to welcome her back to the classroom, where she can blend her formal and informal educational expertise.

Chris enjoys traveling and learning about the outdoors, so blending this passion for exploration into the daily experiences within the grade 2 classroom is a natural fit. Her goal is to allow students to reflect on their thinking and themselves as learners so that these valuable early education building blocks will support them throughout the rest of their educational career.