Before founding First Circle in 1997, I worked in educational travel for ten years and was fortunate to travel the world working with university admin, museum personnel, and other people from 72 countries who were as passionate about education as I was. When I had my first child, it was time to transition to a job where I got to spend more time with my baby. My neighbor had owned an early childhood program in Lexington for a decade and was looking for someone to take over; it was the perfect opportunity to continue her legacy of making a difference.

I have a passion for creating a high-quality educational environment where everyone feels respected, safe, supported, and appreciated. I am extremely proud of the thousands of children we’ve prepared to thrive in school and in life, and the many excellent educators we’ve given a workplace where they can work their magic.

I live in Winchester with my husband and have two grown sons who attended First Circle as young children and then came back as employees. Outside of work, I volunteer with victims of trauma and am passionate about helping.

I am truly passionate about my work in early childhood education because of the incredible return I receive from building relationships with staff, children, and their families. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is mentoring administrators and helping them understand the importance of emotional intelligence and leading with empathy. I believe these qualities are essential to effective leadership and to creating an environment where both staff and children can thrive.

Working with families is another aspect of my work that I find deeply rewarding. Supporting them through the challenges of parenting and helping them navigate uncharted waters is both a privilege and a responsibility. Ensuring that the children in our care have their needs met—emotionally, socially, and educationally—is at the heart of what I do. Knowing that I’m making a difference in the lives of children and their families keeps me motivated and passionate about the work I do every day.

I live in Woburn with my husband and my sons, Henry and Max, both of whom are First Circle graduates. I also have a 90-pound Rottweiler named Margo. I like to spend time with family, read, and attend all New England professional sporting events! We are huge Celtics fans!

I have been working in this field since 1998. Although my degree in culinary arts doesn’t really apply to my current position, it did help me to hone my multitasking skills. I joined First Circle shortly after its creation in a part-time role, during a transitional stage in my life. When my sister Marcy (retired former co-owner) had kids, I was eager to stay on to be part of their daily life at school. Both of my parents were teachers, and I had always admired and respected the dedication it requires. So I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of a program that educates and cares for children in the age groups when the majority of their brain development occurs.

Although my role doesn’t typically bring me into the classrooms, I’m proud to support our fantastic teachers and kids in any way I can, as well as my teammates in administration. In particular, I work closely with our HR team and Chrissy and I collaborate to provide a monthly calendar of silly days to celebrate and hopefully bring some joy to our hardworking teachers.

I live in Woburn, where I love to read, cook, and bake, and binge documentaries, as well as mystery and sci-fi series. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, and love spending time on the beach.

While academic achievement is important, I believe that nurturing a child’s character, self-esteem, and overall sense of worth is more important for their long-term success and well-being. When children feel valued, respected, and understood, they are more likely to be motivated and develop positive self-esteem and a love for learning. Focusing on personal growth, integrity, and kindness helps them become well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate challenges and successes with confidence. Ultimately, the qualities that make someone a good person—empathy, effort, perseverance—are just as important as any grade on a report card.

The best version of myself that I bring to the classroom is one rooted in empathy, respect, and a commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment. As a mother of two, I understand firsthand the importance of providing quality education and care, as well as cultivating a strong, collaborative staff culture. I am dedicated to treating both children and adults with kindness and respect, always maintaining a focus on integrity, honesty, and fairness. I aim to be a reliable resource for both staff and families, offering support and guidance whenever needed to ensure the best outcomes for the children.

I live in Woburn with my two children Livia and James. For fun, I love reading, dancing (tap and ballet), spending time with family and friends, traveling, and listening to music. Also, I love the color pink, sparkles, Elvis, and the Wizard of Oz!

With over 30 years of experience in the field of education, I began my journey at First Circle Learning Center in 1994 as an assistant teacher.

I later earned my lead teacher certification from Mt. Ida College, where I completed coursework in psychology, sociology, children’s literature, instructional methods, curriculum materials, anthropology, and behavioral studies. This well-rounded academic foundation has equipped me with a deep understanding of child development and learning, including the needs of children with adaptive challenges. After ten rewarding years at First Circle, I embraced a new opportunity as a childcare specialist, supporting families with their childcare needs. Most recently, I worked in the Lexington public school system, collaborating with staff to provide accommodations for students and their families.

I am committed to creating a sense of belonging and connection with families, caregivers, and staff. I strive to build an environment where everyone feels supported, welcomed, and truly valued. I am excited to return to First Circle and to once again work alongside a committed team of educators, families, and staff. I remain inspired by the remarkable growth and learning that occur during the early years and helping to build a strong foundation for every child’s lifelong success.

I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter and family. I co-lead her Girl Scout troop, which has been fun and rewarding. I love quiet, rainy days with a good book and a cup of tea, trips to Martha’s Vineyard, snowy winter weekends, summer BBQs, Disney vacations, and pizza!

Since 1982, I have made a career of promoting environmental and educational causes, from nonprofit lifelong learning to higher education to early childhood education. I have been involved with First Circle’s branding on a freelance basis for many years, and I joined the team full-time in 2024.

I am happy every day to have the privilege of promoting the good work of such dedicated, loving teachers and such a unique, thoughtfully designed curriculum. I wish only that I could go back in time and have my own children attend First Circle!

I live in the Connecticut woods with my husband and our little dog Scout. For fun, I love to hang out with my family, read, and go nature-watching, especially for birds.

The young children in the classrooms inspire me each day. The excitement and wonder of experiencing falling leaves or snow with a preschooler; watching a toddler delight as they splash in a water table or their pride as they create a masterpiece with finger paint, or celebrating with an infant as they learn to hold their bottle or stand for the first time—it never gets old! I have a deep interest in figuring out how young children learn best, and I develop curricula that support their learning through meaningful, child-led experiences. It is a privilege to be a part of each child’s development.

I live in Watertown with my bunny, my sister, and her parrot, and I value the time I get to spend with my family, friends, and godson. I am a Boston sports fan and an avid reader and baker. In the summer, I spend most of my time fishing, boating, or at the beach.

I started babysitting at 14 years old and have not looked back since. I have worked in all classrooms, but toddlers are my favorite. I just love their energy and curiosity. My favorite thing is watching them master a new skill or reach those milestones. In the classroom, I loved doing messy projects and sensory activities.

I have been in the education field since 1996. In high school, I started my own babysitting business for family and neighborhood kids, which led to my love of teaching. I am able to gain the trust of families and children, forming lasting partnerships and friendships. I feel that, with my experience, I can provide strong classroom management skills. I am able to provide a safe environment, but also provide them with the structure, guidance, and growth to reach their milestones.

My role at First Circle does not involve much classroom time. I love it when I can bring people together. One of my roles is to plan staff events and engagements. Seeing all the Facebook pages of staff members having fun and forming lasting relationships warms my heart. I am in the process of taking more classes in the HR field. I would love to gain more knowledge around the law in the human resources world.

I live in Natick with my husband and two daughters, Bella and Maddie. In my spare time, I love to spend time with family. Once a week we host game night with family. Our favorite game is Yahtzee. I am an avid reader of psychology and thriller books. I also love to cook and try new recipes.