Chickadee Infant & Toddler Care Team
Our center offers 5 classrooms: Tiny Cubs, Little Fawns, Playful Kits, Chipmunks, and Chickadees
Michelle
Director
Michelle lives in South Portland with her two kids and husband. She has two bonus, adult 'stepladies'. Michelle comes to us with 20 years of teaching experience; rangingfrom classrooms, early childhood centers, and homeless shelters. She has degrees in Art, Gender Studies, and in Education. Her Masters Degree is in Elementary Education, and she is in progress for her Masters in Social Work. She also holds a K-8 teaching license. Michelle loves music, being outside, and spending time with her family.
Amanda
Assistant Director
Amanda grew up in Massachusetts and recently moved to Maine after living in Tennessee for a few years. She went to Salem State University where she graduated with her degree in exercise science. She has always loved working with children and has had many years of childcare experience through nannying, babysitting, and Lead Teaching at Chickadee!
Courtney
Chipmunks
Courtney is originally from Connecticut. She graduated York College of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree. She enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and was stationed in Everett, Washington. It was there she reconnected with her now husband. Her daughter was born in 2023. She just recently moved to Maine not to long ago due to her husbands orders being changed, and now she and her daughter are excited to be a part of the Chickadee community!
Zinnia
Playful Kits
Bio Coming Soon
Addie
Chickadees/Curriculum Coordinator
Addie is originally from Vermont and moved to Maine in September 2023 They started out in our Tiny Cubs infant rooms, and have moved to toddlers, and then our preschool rooms at Chickadee! Addie loves to be silly and have fun with their kiddos, and thrives in all our rooms, making them a great fit for our Coordinator.
Bailey
Tiny Cubs
Bailey has lived in Maine her whole life, and graduated from USM with a degree in theater arts. This passion for the arts began in middle school alongside her investment in working with children, starting with babysitting to teaching and volunteering. She has found her love for theater and all things Disney-esc helps when starting a relationship with new children. She hopes to teach kids to keep seeing magic in the world, and to make sure they feel loved.
Louisa
Little Fawns
Bio Coming Soon
Danielle
Little Fawns
Danielle has a passion for childcare grown through many years of related work experience, as well as through raising her three sons; Micah, Desmond, and Cosmo. She began assistant teaching in dance studios at the age of 8, after which she has held many roles, including lead dance teacher, summer program organizer/teacher, and nanny. She also comes with experience, both personal and professional, working with neurodivergent children. Danielle strives to curate a safe, respectful, and child led environment in which each little is met at their individual development, to best support them as the unique beings they are.
Maggie
Playful Kits
Maggie was born and raised here in South Portland, Maine. While in college, she studied art education and spent time working at a Montessori school. Maggie values creativity in all of its forms of expression and hopes to encourage little ones to learn through creative problem solving and play. In her free time she enjoys doing ceramics, being in nature, and spending time with her daughter, Ruby. We are excited to have Maggie and Ruby as a part of our Chickadee family!
Calla
Chickadees
Calla relocated to Maine from the tiny town in Colorado where she grew up. She plans to return to school after becoming more established in the greater Portland area. She fell in love with working with kids at a very young age, and has been working in childcare since she was just 10 years old! In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing a variety of games, and spending time with the people she loves.
Yusra
Assistant Teacher
Yusra, born and raised in Portland, Maine, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Sociology at the University of Southern Maine. She plans to continue her studies by earning a master’s degree in Social Work. Yusra is passionate about working with children and providing them with a nurturing and supportive environment where they can thrive. With a background in sociology, she brings a unique perspective to understanding and meeting the needs of all children and families. Yusra looks forward to making a positive impact on the lives of the children and families here at Chickadee!
Caroline
Assistant Teacher
Bio Coming Soon
Ann
Assistant Teacher
Bio coming soon
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.