Chickadee Infant and Toddler Care Team
Ashley
Director
A graduate of Wheelock College with a BS in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Ashley has worked with children in a diverse range of settings since the age of 14. Ashley aims to support every child and educators’ diverse needs and strives to create a culture of curiosity and kindness. She is mom to daughter, Cohen, and lives in Portland with her family.
Bianca
Assistant Director
Bianca is thrilled to be part of the Chickadee team! She graduated from SMCC in 2015 with her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She started at Chickadee in September 2021 as the lead teacher in the Chickadee room and stepped into the Assistant Director role in June 2022. Fun fact: Bianca interned at the school that used to be in the Chickadee space (Roots and Fruits) 9 years ago! She lives in South Portland with her husband, Zander, and their daughter, Saoirse.
Robin
Infant Coordinator/ Teacher
Robin started her career working with children while in high school. After graduation she worked at specialty-residential pediatric facilities and in the newborn nursery at Littleton Hospital while attending Vermont College, followed by her dream job at Children’s Hospital in Boston. She left her career in 1992 and became an entrepreneur. “I’m so happy that our family is part of the Chickadee family!" ~ Robin
Hollie
Co-Owner
Admissions and Programming
Hollie has her Master's degree in Education and was a teacher in the public sector for 15 years. During her college years, she was a preschool teacher. Hollie is the mother of two beautiful children, Betsy and Odin.
Amy
Co-Owner
Finance and Operations
Amy has her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been the director of infant, toddler, and preschool programming for the YMCA. Amy is the mother of a beautiful little girl named Irys.
Savanna
Toddler Teacher
Savanna received her BFA in painting at Maine College of Art and has worked as an art instructor and a nanny for the last several years. She loves working with children and brings immesaurable creativity to Chickadee.
Kim
Infant Teacher
Kim has worked with children in schools and early education settings for many years. She is a mother of one with a background in education, theater, and technology. Kim comes to Chickadee excited to care for children and help them learn through exploration and play.
Marisa
Preschool Teacher
Ms. Marisa is the lead teacher in the Chickadee room. She comes to Chickadee with experience from a large center in Lewiston. Working with children is her passion and she loves coming to work every day! She lives in Poland with her partner and their 2 dogs. She is due with her first baby in November!
Kayla
Infant Teacher
Kayla enjoys working with young children and helping them discover new things. When she is not working, she enjoys being in nature and spending time with her family. She previously worked as a surgical technologist, and is loving the change of pace working with children. We are thrilled to have Kayla as part of our caring team!
Anna
Toddler Teacher
Anna was born and raised in Washington State and has a love for the outdoors. She has always had an interest in helping other people. She has years of experience assisting the elderly as well as young ones. She wants her job to feel meaningful, no matter who she is helping!
Emily
Infant Teacher
Emily graduated from Lake Region High School & LRVOC where she fell in love with the childcare field. She has always had a passion for little ones and taking care of others from a young age. She loves to work with children of all ages and is excited to be a part of the Chickadee team!
Taylor
Teacher
Taylor is a South Portland High School graduate of 2020. She is currently attending the University of Southern Maine with the hope to apply her Social & Behavioral Sciences major to the classroom. She looks forward to seeing the kids' personalities evolve and flourish as they transition from one room to another.
Keegan
Toddler Teacher
From the very beginning Keegan has always been interested in helping and caring for others. She was a CNA for 6 years prior to entering the childcare field. One summer she chose to work part time at a daycare and ended up loving it. She learned that she really enjoys watching and assisting the children grow up and move onto their next developmental mile stones. She is very excited to learn from and become apart of the Chickadee team.
Izzy
Toddler Teacher
Izzy has worked for both Boston Public Schools and the YMCA in Greater Boston for over 4+ years. She has a year of experience with ABA therapy as well. She has worked with kindergarteners and has gone as high up as working with middle schoolers. Izzy graduated from the University of Maine class of 2020. Fun fact - Spanish is her first language!
Becca
Teacher
Becca graduated from Gorham High School in 2014. She’s always had a passion for teaching children new things and watching them grow. She has 6 years of experience working with children 6 weeks through 12 years. When Becca is not working, she likes to spend time with her friends and family. Becca is very excited to be a part of the Chickadee team!
Mary
Teacher - Seasonal
Mary is studying to receive double bachelor degrees in Marketing and Management. She also has a passion for creativity and art, and is looking forward to working with Chickadee students to develop their unique individuality.
Molly
Teacher - Seasonal
Molly is studying to receive a BFA in Photography at Maine College of Art and Design. She has always had a passion for working with children and is excited to bring her excitement for the arts into Chickadee.
Donna
Teacher - Seasonal
Donna has taught for thirty plus years and has her Master's in Education. She is also a Social Worker. Donna has been the Director for the YMCA and summer art programs. She has two adult children and a beautiful two-year-old grandson.
Our Mission
To inspire the spirit of the child, nurturing them through compassion and creativity. Our vision is to educate the whole child for intellectual ingenuity and moral character through the vehicles of kindness, intelligence, and nature. We support the development of lifelong curiosity, nurturing people who live with purpose and pass on kindness to better the world they live in.