President, Arlington Early Childhood Association
B.A. in Psychology and Women’s Studies, Wellesley College
AHNS Board Member, 1996-present
AHNS School Coordinator 2000-2001
AHNS Assistant Director 2001-2005
AHNS Executive Director 2005-present
Began working at AHNS in 2000
I have been interested in children’s
development for as long as I can remember. Child development holds
so many fascinating questions: How do children gain a sense of self?
How do they incorporate their early experiences and come to understand
how the world works? How can we most effectively support young children
and their families as they negotiate our increasingly fast-paced world?
How can we best protect children’s play, and advocate respect
for childhood and for young children’s well being? These and
many other questions drew me to pursue a degree in developmental psychology
and then to AHNS, where I feel fortunate to have a position that captures
such a perfect blend of my interests.
In many ways, I grew up at AHNS, as my mother, Jean Potter, was the
director for thirty-six years. We have always shared a deep interest
and delight in young children, and in understanding their development.
I have very fond childhood memories of attending AHNS as a preschooler,
and of working here in a variety of roles throughout the years.
Prior to joining AHNS, I worked for five years in the pediatric department
at Boston City Hospital (now Boston Medical Center), where I was a
research assistant and project manager on several large research studies
of infants and their development through the preschool years. I was
fortunate to receive excellent training in observing and documenting
children’s development. Working with infants in the NICU and
with the multi-disciplinary teams of clinicians caring for them was
a fascinating experience that deepened my interest in child development.
A move to New York City created the opportunity to work at Cornell
Medical Center on the New York City Children's Health Project, working
with homeless children and mothers, and documenting the impact of
homelessness on children and families living in welfare hotels and
shelters. In addition, I worked at the Stone Center for Developmental
Services and Studies at Wellesley College where I worked on a research
and outreach project conducting qualitative research with women in
prison in Massachusetts. Working with women and children in such traumatic
and demanding settings were powerful experiences that shaped my understanding
of how stress, separation, and poverty impacts families.
I have been active on the Community Partnerships for Children Council,
as member and chairperson, and have served on the board of directors
of Arlington Family Connection and Warmlines Parent Resource Center.
I currently serve on the board of the Arlington Health and Human Services
Foundation, and am a commissioner on the Arlington Historic Districts
Commission.
I’m passionate about my work at AHNS, where I have overall responsibility
for the school, manage the administrative and teaching staff, and
collaborate with the staff to ensure that that the mission, philosophy
and goals of the programs we offer are carried out in the daily life
of the school. I also truly enjoy working with families and assisting
them with the challenges of raising young children and of understanding
developmental changes and issues. I appreciate the opportunities I
have at AHNS to observe children at play, listen to parents, and develop
strategies for addressing challenging behavior, transitions, or special
needs.
I live in Arlington with my husband and our four children, each of
whom have attended AHNS. My children are a source of endless wonder
and inspiration to me and my work at AHNS.
A.A. in Early Childhood and Social Work, Fachschule fuer Erzieher
Began Working at AHNS in 2011
I grew up in Berlin, Germany
where I studied early childhood education and worked in the field
as an early childhood teacher with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
My love for working with children began when I volunteered at an after
school program at the age of 15. A growing interest in child development
then led to studies in the field.
My husband and I and our two children moved to the US and New England
in 1985. I continued my career in ECE, working at the YMCA in Cambridge
and the Brookline Infant and Toddler Center.
In 1989 I joined the early childhood program at Minuteman Regional
High School in Lexington where I worked as an early childhood teacher.
I moved into the director position in 2001. Working at Minuteman’s
Child Development Center provided a unique opportunity to not only
work with families and their children, but also to introduce, guide
and mentor students who were interested in the field.
The diversity reflected among families, students, and staff that I
have had the privilege to work with over the years, led me to develop
a special interest in issues of cultural diversity in early childhood
settings, as well as dual language learning and how to support it.
I believe in a child-centered, play-based emergent curriculum that
builds upon the interests of children and events in the family and/or
community.
I believe in a team approach and view the role of a teacher as a facilitator
who sets up the environment and then guides and learns alongside children.
Throughout the years I have attended continuing education workshops
and conferences. I have also taken classes at a number of area colleges
as well as Lesley University.
I am a member of the National Association for the Education of Young
Children and am active in the Boston affiliate, serving as co-chair
on the annual Directors’ Conference committee.
B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Massachusetts,
1991
Additional Early Childhood Education coursework, Worcester State College
and Manchester Community College
Began working at AHNS in 2010.
I have been working in the field of early
education and care for 17 years. It has been a pleasure and an honor
to be a part of so many children and families’ lives. When early
childhood professionals and parents partner to “bring up”
children in an environment of trust, enrichment and love, the end
result is thriving children and a strong community.
I am committed to being a lifelong learner. I believe it is most important
for educators develop a repertoire of effective teaching approaches
to address the authentic developmental needs of all children. I am
professionally interested in furthering my knowledge base of early
childhood sensory and brain development and learning style modalities.
I enjoy working with other staff members and supporting their professional
curricular, and programming needs. I like to share my love of children’s
literature, music/song and nature with the children and staff I work
with.
I am a mom to a beautiful daughter who attends preschool at AHNS.
A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Massachusetts Bay Community College,
2006
Additional Early Childhood Education coursework, Fischer College and
University of Massachusetts
Began teaching at AHNS in 2007.
My interest for teaching began
at a young age. My own experience as a child in kindergarten was so
memorable and meaningful that I would go home each day and continue
my school day as "the teacher". I would role play my school
day and I had a "class" of pretend students to re-teach
my daily kindergarten routines. The idea of becoming a teacher continued
throughout my early years and led me to a student teaching position
during a work-study class in high school. I went back to my kindergarten
classroom and had such an exciting experience working alongside the
kindergarten teacher who inspired and taught me! This is when I fell
in love with teaching. My adoration for children flourished. I knew
then that I wanted to work with children.
I went on to pursue a degree in early childhood education and child
psychology. I first attended Mass Bay community college and went on
to complete additional coursework at the University of Massachusetts.
While in college, I was a student teacher at the Child Study Center
at Wellesley College, where I student-taught for a year and a half.
After graduation, I was excited to start my career in teaching. I
got my first job at a very small school in Woburn as a pre-kindergarten
teacher. While seeking the experience of a larger school with opportunities
for more growth and professional development, I found Arlington Heights
Nursery School in August of 2007, where I have continued to grow professionally.
I am passionate about providing care that focuses on development and
creativity, empowering children to stretch their minds and define
their individuality while observing and exploring the world around
them. Each day I look forward to being a part of the children’s
growth and development and to help them along as they discover who
they are and the world around them.
I live in Woburn with my husband. I love to travel to my home in Greece
and hope to someday soon have children of my own.
B.A. Psychology and Women's Studies, University of Vermont, 1998
Master of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Tulane University,
2001
Master of Science in Nursing, MGH Institute of Health Professions,
2005
Began working at AHNS in 2008
My love for children and families
and my strong interest in maternal-child health and development deeply
influenced and directed my education and, eventually, my career path.
I began my higher education at the University of Vermont, where I
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women's Studies with a
special interest in Women’s Health. My undergraduate studies
sparked a desire to gain a deeper understanding of maternal and child
health. In 1999, I attended Tulane University where I received a Masters
of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health. After graduating from
Tulane, I was eager to apply what I learned to the field of public
health.
I accepted a job as Program Coordinator of the Boston HAPPENS program
at Children's Hospital. Boston HAPPENS provides services and support
to HIV infected, homeless and at-risk adolescents and young adults
ages 12-24. While working closely with the children in the program,
I discovered that I had a strong interest in the medical component
of the program and enjoyed serving as a support for children. After
much thought, I decided to pursue a Masters of Science in Nursing
specializing in Women's Health at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute
for Health professions. I worked as a Registered Nurse at MGH, where
I provided nursing care for women and newborns during the postpartum
period. I also provided teaching and support around breastfeeding
and care of mothers and newborns. After working at MGH, I helped open
Isis Parenting in Arlington, where I managed a large staff of instructors
and staff, worked with families and their babies, and had overall
responsibility for the operations of the Arlington center.
I discovered Arlington Heights Nursery School when I was choosing
a school for my daughter. As I developed relationships with the staff
and administrators at the AHNS, I realized that the school was not
only a perfect environment for my daughter but also for me. I joined
AHNS as an administrator in February of 2008.
I have several roles at AHNS. As a nurse with a strong background
in child development and maternal-child health, I consult on health
care issues, review and update our health care policies, disseminate
important health information to families, and provide professional
development training on health-related issues to the staff. I also
work closely with families who have children with chronic health conditions
and allergies to ensure they are healthy and safe at school. As an
administrator in the office, I help with admissions and school tours,
work closely with staff on a daily basis regarding health, safety
and performance and help contribute to the smooth operations of the
school.
I am the proud mom to Ani, who has attended the AHNS toddler and preschool-pre-k
programs. As an administrator and a parent, I look forward to building
a relationship with your family!
Business
Manager
Tulane University
Began Working at AHNS in 2009
When I came to AHNS, I was looking
for a challenging, supportive work environment where I could exercise
my administrative skills that I have developed over the last 12 years.
I was excited when I was given the opportunity in November 2009 to
join the administrative team at AHNS.
After graduating from Norwood High School, I was accepted at Tulane
University and moved from Massachusetts to New Orleans to begin my
undergraduate studies. After 2 years of coursework, I decided to move
back to my home state and begin my career.
I started my experience in the corporate world at Gentle Giant Moving
Company. While Gentle Giant is a mid-sized company, the working environment
was supportive. Over the course of six years, I worked up the ladder
from a Sales Assistant to an Assistant Fleet Manager. Working at Gentle
Giant provided me with the foundation for the skills necessary to
work in an office setting. I learned a great deal about multi-tasking,
customer service, computers, and data management.
In 2004, I moved to Dallas, Texas, where I accepted a position with
a merchandising company as a Marketing Assistant. With a wonderful
mentor, I enjoyed the opportunity to grow professionally as I explored
a new field and tested my abilities. I developed higher-level computer
skills and gained experience in marketing, vendor and customer relationships,
and detail-oriented data management and reporting.
After three years, I was ready to come home. I returned to Massachusetts
in January 2008. I took a job as Executive Secretary to the President/CEO
of Action for Boston Community Development. It was my first time working
for a non-profit, and although I enjoyed feeling that I was contributing
to such important work, I became aware of a nagging thought that there
might be a way for me to use my skills to help in my own community.
I live in Arlington with my eight year old daughter, and after moving
around a bit, we love Arlington and hope never to leave again! I am
happy to be working for a non-profit organization serving children
and families in my very own community.
Began working at AHNS in 2006
(Bio Coming Soon)
Framingham State College
Middlesex and Wheelock College
Began working at AHNS in 1994
My passion as an early childhood
educator has always been to create a learning environment that allows
a child the freedom to explore their interests and to build their
self-confidence. At AHNS, where I have taught for fifteen years, I
have been able to nurture my passion to allow children to grow and
learn through their own play experiences and also by giving them many
opportunities to explore the world around them. In my role as program
coordinator, I oversee the eight preschool and pre-k classrooms, including
supervising and guiding the teaching staff, overseeing the implementation
of the curriculum, and designing the classroom environments in collaboration
with the teachers.
A major inspiration for my work with young children has been my brother
John, who is deaf. It was often a struggle for him during his early
childhood years to cope with the world with no sound. Learning experiences
were different for him. As a young child I learned how to adapt my
imaginative play world so John and I could play together. What I learned
through the years with my brother is that the universal sign for happiness
is a smile and that using the senses you have brings things to life
in different ways. My play and social experiences with my brother
have led me to value teaching and encouraging a child to learn through
their senses. We know from research that children who explore and
discover through play, using their senses of smell, touch, taste and
sound experience a greater understanding of the world around them.
I attended Framingham State College, where I studied Clothing and
Textile Design. I also studied early childhood education at Wheelock
College and Middlesex Community College. Before I became a teacher,
my two children attended AHNS. While my children were here, I was
the Parent Volunteer Coordinator, and planned many community events
for the school. I live in Arlington with my husband Nick. Our two
daughters are currently in college.
B.A. Philosophy/Education Occidental College 1952
EdM. The Graduate School of Education, Harvard University 1982
AHNS Preschool Teacher 1969-1971
AHNS Director 1971-2005
AHNS Board of Directors 1996-Present
AHNS Special Needs Consultant and Curriculum Specialist 2005-present
Began Working at AHNS in 1969
My interest and delight in young children
began with the birth of my only sibling when I was ten years old.
I began working summers as an assistant teacher with young children
in a school setting when I was fifteen, and, after college, worked
as a kindergarten/primary teacher. In 1969, after enrolling my youngest
child, Margaret, in AHNS, I joined the staff as a teacher, and, later,
became director of the program until my retirement in 2005. I began
teaching early childhood courses as an adjunct faculty member at Middlesex
Community College (1984) and supervised student teachers from Middlesex
and Lesley University until my retirement. I have greatly enjoyed
sharing my love of young children and my ideas of what kind of school
programs support the optimum growth and development of young children
in these settings.
I am a long term resident of Arlington where my four children were
raised. I am a member of the National Association for the Education
of Young Children and am active in the Boston affiliate, serving on
the committee to plan the annual Director’s Conference. I am
very proud to have been a founding member of the Arlington Early Childhood
Association, a group of directors of early childhood programs that
has met monthly for the past 26 years. I have been active in the Arlington
community with organizations such as the League of Women of Voters
of Arlington (past President), Library, and Arlington Historical Society.
Middlesex Canal Association, and the Community Partnerships Council
since inception and as a former treasurer.
AHNS has long supported the presence of children with mild to moderate
special needs in our program, dating from before there was state and
federal legislation to support this concept. Our program has been
greatly enriched by these children and the specialists who have provided
services for them in our school through the years.
It has been a pleasure and a source of great pride to watch AHNS grow
and expand under the guidance and leadership of my daughter, Margaret
(the preschooler who I enrolled here in 1969!). I continue to enjoy
being a part of AHNS through consulting on children with special needs,
designing developmentally appropriate curriculum, and through working
in the office three afternoons a week.
