Teacher

Linda is a teacher for the Little Loons, a classroom for 3 year olds. Prior to that, she was a teacher for the Snapdragons, for the Little Tikes in the center's toddler program, and for the center’s preschool program. She has worked at the center for more than 25 years.

Past employment
Linda started working at the center during high school.

Education
Linda has a child care certificate and six college courses toward her associate’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Lifelong Learning. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
“It has been very rewarding for me. I like to know that I can inspire children to do their very best. In my longtime commitment to the center, I have had a second generation of children in my care.”

Teaching philosophy
“Children are our future educators and if we don’t educate them, who will? The children are a constant reflection of the things that are being taught to them.”

Family
Linda has two children, Marina and Sean, who both attended the center from 6 weeks old.

Teacher

Angela is a teacher for the Dragonflies, a classroom for ages 4 to 5 years. She was previously a Little Loon teacher since 2019. Before joining the Loons, she was a substitute center-wide, giving her a more holistic appreciation for the center’s mission.

Past employment
Angela started her relationship with the Center by working summers in 2016. While living on her college campus, she worked as a glassblowing teacher’s assistant at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. Before that, she fulfilled the rehabilitation/community integration specialist role for Lakeview Neurorehabilitation in Effingham.

Education
Angela earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Franklin Pierce University. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
"Even on the most difficult days, I appreciate the positive impact the staff and families at the center have had on helping me succeed. I look forward to returning the favor."

Teaching philosophy
"My goal as a teacher is to ensure the children are safe and happy. Once those needs are met, we can learn and grow together through exploration and play."

Family
Angela lives in Wakefield with her fiancé, Josh, and their baby girl. She grew up in Tuftonboro with her "amazingly supportive parents and three older half-brothers."

Teacher

Kara is the teacher for Magic Moments Preschool at The Lakes Region Technology Center, a program for ages 3 to 5. She started at the center in September 2019.

Past employment
Kara was the lead teacher for Joyful Footsteps Preschool in Alton for 12 years.

Education
Kara has earned her associate's degree in early childhood education through Penn Foster. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
"I enjoy the center and the welcome I have received here!"

Teaching philosophy
"I believe all children should be given the same opportunities for learning. I think they should be given a rich variety of learning tools and positive guidance towards the right choices."

Family
Kara lives in Farmington with her husband and two boys. In their free time, they enjoy spending time at their camp up north.

Teacher

Tiffany is a teacher for the Snapdragons, a classroom for ages 3 to 4. She has also been a child care assistant for Dragonflies. Tiffany has worked at the center since March 2023.

Substitute

Hailey is currently a substitute for all programs at the Center during her periodic school breaks while being a rising college senior. Previously, she assisted in Penguins for Summer 2024. She has worked as a child care assistant for the Little Owls and the Cuddlebugs, classrooms for ages 2 to 3 years. She has worked at the center since May 2023.

Past employment
Hailey was with us full-time for Summer 2023 as she is currently a college student in Worcester, Massachusetts. She has babysat children of various ages since she was 12 years old. She has also worked at Pier 19 Country Store, Nolan’s Brick Oven Bistro, and Wolfeboro Casuals. She loves working with young children and promises to return during her winter and spring breaks.

Education
Hailey graduated from Brewster Academy in May 2021 with Citizenship Honors. She is now enrolled at Assumption University with a projected graduation date of May 2025 with a degree in Human Services and Rehabilitation.

Substitute

Kaylin is a substitute for the school-age program. She has also worked as a 1:1 for the school-age program. She has been at the center since June 2019.

Past employment
Kayla is a 1:1 at Kingswood Regional Middle School. She is also a lead instructor for Expressions Dance Academy in Wolfeboro.

Education
Kayla graduated from Thompson High School in Scranton, PA.

On working at the Center
"I love working at the center! It's a very loving environment and I love watching the kids grow."

Teaching philosophy
"Being positive and encouraging with the kids as they navigate through their adolescent years is important, as it shapes their future."

Teacher

Debbie is a teacher for the Mighty Monkeys, a classroom for ages 3 to 4 years. She has also worked as the morning teacher for the Mis Amigos, a classroom for children in grades K to 1, and an assistanting teacher for Magic Moments, a preschool lab classroom for children ages 3 to 5. Prior to this she was a teacher for the Dragonflies, a classroom for ages 4 to 5. She has been at the center since 1986.

Past employment
Debbie began working at the center soon after graduating high school. She first worked in the kitchen as an aide, then a coordinator. She later worked as a teacher’s aide to the Gingerbears, as the preschool teacher for the Butterflies, as a teacher in the infant/toddler program, and most recently in the Dragonflies.

Education
Debbie earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Lifelong Learning. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
“Children are our future. They keep me smiling and young.”

Teaching philosophy
“I believe that an early childhood environment should be a loving, caring, educational place for your children to grow.”

Family
Born in Boston, Debbie moved to Tuftonboro when she was 10 years old. After high school she moved to Wolfeboro, where she lives with her husband, David. They have one son, David, who attended the center from 6 weeks until age 12.

Teacher’s Assistant

Cristina is the teacher’s assistant for Magic Moments Preschool at The Lakes Region Technology Center, a program for ages 3 to 5. She started at the center in February 2024.

Past employment
Cristina has over twenty years experience as a preschool teacher. She was formerly the Director for six years at Immanuel Christian Preschool in Manchester, NH.

Education
Cristina has an Associate’s Degree from NHTI.

On working at the Center
"I am looking forward to working with Ms. Kara and getting to know all of the children and families.”

Teaching philosophy
"I believe children thrive and grow in a safe, warm and nurturing environment. I want to inspire young children to want to learn more about themselves and the beautiful world around them!”

Family
Cristina is married to her wonderful husband of 30 years and has two daughters. Her oldest is a middle school special education teacher and her youngest is studying to be a certified dog trainer. Cristina is also a dog mom to her puppy, Luciano.

Teacher's Assistant

Taya is the teacher's assistant in the Playful Penguins classroom, a classroom for ages 4 to 5 years. Previously, she was a preschool paraprofessional in the Snapdragons room. She has worked at the center since February 2024.

Past employment
Taya has worked as a Courier at USPack in Portsmouth, NH and as a Dietary Aide at a rehabilitation & assisted living facility in Rye, NH.

Education
Taya graduated from Exeter High School in Exeter, NH in 2016.

Teacher

Mandy is a teacher for the Little Loons, a classroom for 3 year olds. She has also worked in Little Owls, Lil’ Angels, and as a special education teacher in our preschool program. She has worked at the center since February 2022.

Past employment
Mandy is a former parent who is very familiar with the center and loves caring for infants. She most recently worked as a Classroom Instructional Assistant at Tuftonboro Central School and has worked as an Early Childcare Provider and a Special Education Teacher/Case Manager before that.

Education
Mandy holds a NH Early Childhood Teacher, Level 5 Credential, and has a M. Ed in Special Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She also has a B.A. in Psychology and Art from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Substitute

Paula is a substitute for the preschool program. Before that she was the lead teacher for the Gingerbears. She has been at the Children's Center since 1991, and retired from full-time teaching in August 2020.

Past employment
Prior to working at the Children’s Center, Paula worked at the Wolfeboro Nursery School for 10 years, where she was an aide, a teacher, and then chief caregiver.

Education
Paula earned an associate's degree in accounting from the New Hampshire Vocational Technical Institute in Berlin. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
"It keeps life interesting. It is challenging and very rewarding. It is a wonder and a gift to see life through the eyes of a 3-year-old."

Teaching philosophy
"I try to provide a safe, respectful and happy learning and social environment for my students. This includes a balance of nurture and discipline, play and routine, allowing for each child's individuality."

Family
"I have lived in Wolfeboro since 1979. I have one daughter, Maggie, who lives in Washington. She is also an early childhood educator."

Teacher

Alissa is a teacher for the Mighty Monkeys, a classroom for ages 3 to 4 years. She has been at the center since January 2022.

Past employment
Alissa most recently was a lead teacher at Kid’s Culture Childcare & Learning Center in Somersworth, NH. She has also been an assistant teacher at a family and child enrichment center in Barrington, NH.

Education
Alissa has her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from NHTI Concord’s Community College in Concord, NH.

On working at the Center
“I have known since I was 15 that I wanted to work with children. To me the most rewarding job is being able to watch and help children grow and learn.”

Teaching philosophy
“Every child learns differently and that’s o.k. as long as they have a safe and encouraging classroom. Being able to meet every child’s needs and help them succeed anyway we can is crucial.”

Family
Alissa is married with a son and daughter who both attend the Center. She also has three brothers who she truly adores.

Teacher

Yaire, lovingly known at the Center as Jay, is a teacher for the Dragonflies, a classroom for ages 4 to 5. She has worked at the center since November 2023.

Past employment
Jay most recently worked as an associate infant teacher at Little Sprouts in Stratham, NH and before that as an infant/toddler teacher at Little Footprints in Park Ridge, NJ.

Education
Jay graduated from Nanuet Senior High School in Nanuet, NY in June 2020. She is currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at the University of New Hampshire.

Teacher

Felicity is a teacher for the Playful Penguins, a classroom for ages 4 to 5 years. She has also been a teacher’s assistant in the Little Loons, a classroom for ages 3 to 5 years. She has worked at the center since September 2020.

Past employment
Felicity has worked as a supervisor at Harvest Market. She also worked at Jo Green's Garden Cafe.

Education
Felicity graduated from Kingswood Regional High School. She is studying early childhood education at the New Hampshire Technical Institute.

On working with children
I love working with children, from how silly they are to their perspective on life. I feel joy when their faces light up because they spelled their name right or recognized the letters in their name.

Family
”My family includes my husband Dylan, and our two fur-babies: our kitten Zander and our dog Chachi.”

Teacher's Assistant

Jillian is a teacher's assistant for the Snapdragons, a classroom for ages 3 to 4. Previously, she has been with the school-age classrooms for before and after school care and also as a substitute paraprofessional. She has been with the Center since August 2023.

Past employment
Jillian most recently worked as an elementary substitute teacher and a special education paraprofessional at Carpenter Elementary School. She has also served as a summer school paraprofessional at Ossipee Elementary School.

Education
Jillian graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro, NH in 2020.

Family
Jillian lives with her family in Tuftonboro, NH. She has a little one who attends the Center in the infant program.

Teacher/Practitioner Coach

Elizabeth supports our continued Pyramid Model implementation as the preschool practitioner coach. She also covers the Mis Amigos room for before school care. She has also been the lead teacher for the Playful Penguins, a classroom for ages 4 to 5. She has been at the center since July 2018.

Past employment
Elizabeth worked at the center as an associate teacher and one on one aide from 2007-2009. Since then, she has worked at the Gorham Community Learning Center and other area childcare centers.

Education
Elizabeth completed her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Granite State College as well as her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator III Professional Credential and Professional Development Specialist with the Mentor Endorsement.

On working at the Center
“I am so thankful to be back at the place where my spark was lit. When I had the chance to come back, it was a no-brainer. The Center holds the same thoughts and beliefs I do.”

Teaching philosophy
“I believe that each child deserves to be taught in a way that they can learn, and to do so in a safe and secure environment.”

Family
"My family is my world. I am so lucky to have my parents and sister just a couple towns away. They are my biggest cheerleaders."

Teacher

Bob is the group leader for the All Stars room before and after school program, also known as our "Out of School" program. Bob also leads our music enrichment program. He has worked at the center since 2004.

Past employment
Bob taught English as a second language to children in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years, where he used music as a medium to teach.

Education
Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Plymouth State University. He is a certified lifeguard as well as ACA safety certified. He is also certified in CPR and first aid.

Military service
Bob served in the U.S. Army for four years. He was stationed in Oklahoma and Kentucky, as well as Zirndorf, Germany.

On working at the Center
“Working at the center challenges my creative side. Although at times exhausting, the results are always great.”

Teaching philosophy
“Let kids be themselves making their own choices and understanding the consequences of the choices. At a young age, kids need to be given guidance towards the right choice, but without reprimand for the wrong choice. Kids should feel welcome and comfortable in any setting so they can make the right choice.”

Family
Bob grew up in Wolfeboro. After living abroad, he moved back in 2000 with his wife and two children.