Office Administrator:       

Traci: Traci, our Office Administrator, holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology from Plymouth State College.  She has devoted the past twenty years to the field of early care and education.  Her experience includes directing the USDA Child and Adult Food Program, teaching child development to high school students, offering family child care, and teaching all ages from infancy through kindergarten.  When time permits, Traci provides professional development trainings to other early childhood educators at workshops and conferences throughout southern New Hampshire.  Traci is an active NAEYC member and has volunteered on the NHAEYC Spring Conference committee.   Traci’s NH Credentials include Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 2, Early Childhood Administrator Level 1 and Early Childhood Master Professional: Workshop Trainer, Individual Mentor and Program Consultant.       

Bookkeeper:       

Susanne: Susanne joined The Applewood Learning Center in 2008 bringing with her over 10 years of experience providing bookkeeping, payroll and office management services to small businesses in Southern NH.  Before becoming an entrepreneur, Susanne spent several years in the legal, insurance and banking industries. Susanne’s educational background is in business administration with a major in paralegalism.       

Infants:      

Elena: Elena graduated from the University of Foreign Languages in Bucharest, Romania with a master’s degree in English.  She was an English teacher for twenty years and has worked at Applewood for twenty years, beginning in 1990.  As an Infant teacher Elena is fascinated by the growing process of children, their unique personalities, thier sense of humor and the amount of knowledge they learn every day.  This past year Elena attended a series of workshops regarding professional development. Recently she attended  the Spring Conference in Massachusetts which was about ” Children, our link to the Future”.  Elena holds a  NH Credential of Early Childhood Teacher Level 1.       

Kaz: Kaz holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has been working as an early childhood educator more than 5 years.  She has also worked with high risk children at home as a foster parent and an educational surrogate parent.  She is fascinated with the rapid growth of infancy and loves to work with infants and their families.  Being Japanese, she enjoys learning and incorporating other cultures and her culture into the curriculum.  Her favorite activity in the classroom is to sing in Japanese to our infants.  Kaz holds a Lead Teacher Level 3 NH Credential.       

Justine:  Justine graduated from Plymouth State University in 2010, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies while at the same time completing a minor in Literature. She joined the Applewood team in the fall of 2010 as Head Preschool Teacher, and currently resides in the infant program.  Her experiences working in child care started while working at Plymouth’s Child Development and Family Center, where she spent time with all children from 13 months to Kindergarten. Before coming to Applewood, Justine taught in the toddler room at a child care center in Manchester. Justine holds a NH Credential of Lead Teacher Level 4.        

Toddlers:       

 Melissa: Melissa has been employed at Applewood since 2004 in the Toddler Program as the Head Teacher.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Keene State College in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Developmental Psychology.   Melissa values her career as an Early Childhood educator a great deal.  As an educator she gives children the foundation and future in their journey in learning.  Melissa loves to work with the classroom environment.  To create a comfortable and “homey” feel allows the children to feel relaxed so they can experience and learn anything she introduces to them.  She especially enjoys the toddler age.  They are inquisitive, curious and always wanting to learn new things.  She enjoys working with families and children to make their early years enjoyable as well as memorable.  Recently, she has attended the NHAEYC Spring Conference and looks forward to taking all the new ideas and techniques and implementing them in her classroom.  Melissa is a native to Londonderry and now resides in Londonderry with her husband Jay and two children Alex and John.    Melissa holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 2.

Jillian: Jillian has been with Applewood since September 2009.  She attended Middlesex Community College for Early Childhood Education and has been working with children of all ages since 2004.  She finds it incredibly rewarding to be able to teach children something new and help them explore the world around them through hands on experiences. Jillian attended the NHAEYC 2010 Spring Conference in Nashua, NH.      

Matt:  Matt has been working with children for nine years and has taught various age groups in Chicago, Japan, and even Manchester.   He has recently made a move from working in the Infant Room to working with the Toddlers, and this transition has provided him with the opportunity to learn about and support a whole new realm of early childhood development; he is continually amazed when he watches children that he’d known as very young infants speaking and thinking critically about their world.   In addition to his work with Toddlers, Matt also does music curriculum for the entire center. This weekly adventure provides him with the opportunity to share some of his favorite songs and instruments—and his love for music in general—with the Applewood community at large. Matt recently attended the NHAEYC Spring conference and participated in workshops on story-telling and Infant curriculum; though the latter workshop may not seem to apply to his recent classroom transition, one might be amazed at the universal application of most of the information provided.    Much of Matt’s time outside of work is spent with his rock n’ roll band; this pasttime allows him to maintain his “chops” with regard to playing instruments.  Matt’s band recently performed at the first annual “Applewoodstock”, a fundraiser to support Applewood’s music program.  These days, Matt is eagerly anticipating the arrival of his own little “Rock Star” who will join the Infant Room community at some point in January. Matt holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of New Hampshire. He also holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 3.

Preschool:            

Cindy: Cindy believes that parenting is one of the most rewarding, yet most challenging tasks that most people will ever face.  Children come with no instructions and there is no perfect book to tell or give parents suggestions, guidance and support.  Cindy embraces her role at Applewood and is more than your child’s teacher; she is a resource and support for families faced with the many challenges of raising children today.  Cindy holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and keeps current and certified in the ever-developing field of Child Care.  She attends many conferences, seminars and continuing education classes that encourage her growth as your child’s teacher. Most recent conferences include: the ELNH Early Childhood Professional Conference in October 2010 and Water Safety Training.  Children are born to learn and require opportunities to explore and play in a safe and nurturing environment.  Cindy has always loved working with preschoolers and felt a natural understanding in the logic of their thinking.  It is rewarding to her to be able to provide children under her care with a loving, safe and quality program.  Nineteen rewarding years at Applewood since 1992 have given Cindy the experience and knowledge to help your child reach his or her highest potential. Cindy holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 1.

 Ashley: Ashley has been a teacher at Applewood since 1999. She has received her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from New Hampshire Community College in Manchester. She has also taken some courses through Granite State College towards her bachelor’s degree.   Ashley attended several workshops over the last year. At the NAEYC- Massachusetts Conference, Ashley attended some workshops that focused on ADHD and using Project Approach in the classroom. She has also read Young Investigators: The Project Approach in the Early Years by Judy Harris Helm and Lilian Katz. Ashley looks forward to her new adventures this year as she begins her journey as a Preschool Teacher.   Ashley holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 1.

Pre-Kindergarten:        

Debbie:  Debbie started teaching at The Applewood Learning Center in October of 1996. She is celebrating her 15th year at the center.  For the past 4 years she has served on the Board of Directors as the Teacher Representative. One of Debbie’s passions is watching children learn to understand their world through language and literature.  Helping children develop new skills, gain knowledge and cultivate an appreciation of learning is what Debbie finds most rewarding.  Debbie holds a Master’s degree in Reading and Language from the University of Lowell which is now UMass Lowell.  She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Salem State College in Elementary Education.  Debbie recently attended workshops on Sensory Processing, The Power of Teachers, Positive Guidance That Works, Building Family Relationships and Navigating ADHD.  She is excited about attending the NAEYC National Conference in Orlando in November.  She is currently reading Literacy Beginnings: A Pre-Kindergarten Handbook by Gay Su Pinnell.  She has received a Henry and Gwen Morgan Award for demonstrating her commitment to her professional development by participating in the NH Professional Development System for ten years.  She was also nominated this year for a Guiding Star Award at the NH Child Development Bureau.  Debbie holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Master Teacher Level 3.

Rachael:  Rachael holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern New Hampshire University and an associate’s degree in Integrated Studies from Endicott College.  She has been part of Applewood’s staff since November 2008 and was recently promoted as Pre-Kindergarten teacher alongside Debbie.  Rachael has attended workshops including Relationships Matter, Bias Free Training, and Implications of Brain Development Research on Early Child Care and Education.  She looks forward to increasing her knowledge through upcoming conferences and seminars.  She also holds certificates in adult and pediatric CPR and first aid.  Rachael is excited to provide her students with various opportunities to learn and expand their knowledge through hands-on experiences while providing a nurturing, safe, respectful environment.                 

 School Age:        

Laura:   Laura graduated from Wheelock College in Boston in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Laura joined Applewood in September 2010 as a Support Teacher. She has a true passion for working with preschool children. She is currently working with the Manchester Head Start program as a preschool teacher. Laura has been our Schoolage Teacher since the fall of 2011. She has planned many exciting activities for the schoolage children. She attends many workshops and seminars throughout the year to help further her knowledge in both early childhood and schoolage care. The last workshop that she attended was called Physical Science for Young Learners. When not working, Laura truly loves scrapbooking and reading.    

Christine: Christine Ferguson began her early childhood career working as a cook, preparing snacks and lunches for 75 children, back in 2000.  She began her formal teaching education in 2000 at Notre Dame College.   After several moves between Pennsylvania and NH, and amongst several age groups, Christine finally completed her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2009.  Despite the fact that she had intended to teach middle school mathematics, her working career has always been in an early childhood classroom.  In addition to working in our Schoolage program, Christine is a Support Teacher for our other classrooms.  Christine has a NH Early Childhood Teacher level 5 and continually attends early childhood education workshops .  On a personal note, Christine has one daughter, Jolene, who was born in 2008 and just recently married this past June.  Christine holds a NH Credential of Early Childhood Teacher Level 5.

Support Teachers:

Kim Boilard:  Kim has her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and over 25 years of experience working with young children.  During her career Kim has experienced teaching in the Toddler, Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and School- Age classrooms, worked as a curriculum coordinator, and learned the role of an Assistant Director.  Currently, she is the preschool teacher at Alvirne High School’s Little Bronco’s Preschool, a preschool teaching laboratory for children ages 3-5 years old.  Kim mentors the high school student teachers and guides them as they are learning to interact with the preschool children.  Kim has been with Applewood since 2003, she was a full time Preschool teacher until 2008, and she now serves as a part time Support Teacher.

Teacher Assistants:     

Elaine: Elaine has been at Applewood since 2001. She previously worked with children and families for twenty years through the Head Start program. Elaine obtained a CDA credential as well as attended and participated in numerous workshops and conferences to to enhance knowledge of early care and education. Her philosophy is to offer children opportunities to socialize, grow, and learn in a safe and healthy environment.  When Elaine is not at Applewood she enjoys spending time with her family and five grandchildren.  Elaine recently received a NH Credential of  Early Childhood Teacher Level 1.        

 Amy:Amy graduated from Central High School in Manchester, NH in 2008.  She is planning to attend Manchester Community College this fall to take a course in Early Childhood Development.  Amy really enjoys working with children from newborns to Preschoolers.  She worked at the YMCA in Manchester in 2005 for the summer assisting toddlers with different activities.  In 2006 she worked with the Red Cross in the swimming program where she assisted the lifeguard teaching children how to swim.  In December 2008 Amy started at Applewood where she is a teachers assistant.

Kim:  Kim joined the Applewood community in 2011.  In 2010 she graduated from both Londondery High School and the Manchester School of Technology, with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education.   She has since pursued early childhood coursework at Manchester Community College.  Kim loves children, and in addition to working at Applewood, she volunteers at the UpReach Theraputic Riding Center, Lucky 7 Stables, and at her church during Vacation Bible School.       

 Megan:   Megan is a senior at Londonderry High School and is in her second year at Manchester School of Technology in the Careers in Education program assisting in the Preschool and attending early childhood classes.  Earlier, her love of children lead her to Parkland Medical Center where she completed the requirements for the Safe Sitter program.  Since then she has continuously babysat for multiple families throughout the years.  Megan plans to attend college for Early Childhood Education next year after graduating from high school. She is enjoying being a part of Applewood. 

Sara:  Sara joined Applewood as a Teacher Assistant in the fall of 2011, but her time at Applewood started long before that.  Sara and her family first joined the Applewood community when Sara was an infant.  She spent her early childhood years here and graduated from our Kindergarten program.  She’s now a senior at Londonderry High School and we are fortunate to have her back with us in this new capacity.