Chickadee Toddler Care & Preschool Team
Our center offers four classrooms. They are:
Little Lambs, Ducklings, Honeybees, and Hedgehogs!
Director
Alex
Alex has been in the childcare field for over ten years. Starting as a teacher she gained experience in all ages through forest model schools with Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Woldorf inspiration. She soon started curriculum directing leading to Chickadee. Alex's favorite part of this setting is experiencing development and expanding each child's individuality. In free time she loves to hike with her dogs or head up the mountain to snowboard.
Favorite Book: The Book With No Pictures
by BJ Novak
Assistant
Director
Brianna
Brianna has been in the Early Childhood Education field for just over 12 years. She graduated from Eastern Connecticut State with a Bachelor's degree in Child Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis and Movement. Her background includes Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and open-play inspired schools. Brianna's favorite part of teaching is forming those special bonds with all of her students and their families.
Favorite Book: Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
Hedgehogs
Nicole
With over 15 years experience in non-profit and municipal Recreation, Nicole coordinated and implemented large scale events and programs for all ages, as well as programming for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. She served as a Local Program Coordinator and Certified Athletics Coach in Special Olympics for more than 10 years and is the Maine Chapter Leader for Moms/She Runs This Town, a free running club for women. Nicole believes that everyone, of all ages and abilities, should be given the support to discover what makes them unique, while creating opportunities to share their uniqueness with the world. Nicole moved to Maine in 2019 with her husband, two sons, and many fur babies.
Favorite Children’s Book: Bright Stanley
By: Matt Buckingham
Hedgehogs
Lydia
Lydia has always enjoyed spending time with all aged children. With a bachelor's degree in psychology, she is passionate about encouraging the curiosity of children as they continue to develop and make sense of the world around them. Previously, Lydia has worked as an advocate with K-5 students, teaching respect, autonomy and boundaries of others. She is committed to fostering a safe, kind, and caring environment for all students.
Favorite book: The Paper Bag Princess
by Robert Munsch
Honeybees
Katija
After traveling to many different places, Katija returned to Maine and graduated with a degree in psychology. She has worked with a huge range of children from infants to elementary age. She loves working with families while teaching kindness to all.
Favorite book: The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
Honeybees
Gabbie
Gabbie has been in the Early Education field for over 15 years. She has experience with newborns up to middle school aged children. She moved to Maine from Massachusetts with her husband and their two children, Charlotte and Colton. She received her associates in Early Childhood Education from Fischer College, and hopes to soon finish her Bachelor’s degree.
Favorite Book: The Rainbow Fish
by Marcus Pfister
Toddler
Coordinator
& Ducklings
Ana
Ana has a background in teaching child development. With 4 little sisters her passion to work with children started when she was just 10, after teaching one to read. Her favorite part while in this field are the special bonds formed with both the children and families.
Favorite book: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”
by Bill Martin, Jr.
Ducklings
Britney
Britney has been in the early childhood education field for 2 years and graduated high school in 2017. She was born and raised in Maine, and spends her time at the beach and taking walks with her dog! Her favorite thing about teaching is being a part of each child’s learning experience. Britney is excited to welcome her first son soon as well!
Favorite book: Green Eggs & Ham
by Dr. Suess
Ducklings
Chloe
Chloe is a lifelong Mainer. She’s been taking care of kids since she was in kindergarten herself and taught her classmates how to climb up the rock wall. She aims to foster creativity and a joy for learning in her students. Her main philosophy for working with children is that every child is born good and it’s her job as their teacher to teach them how to express their love and goodness.
Favorite book: Voyage to the Bunny Planet
by Rosemary Wells
Little Lambs
Mack
Bio coming soon!
Float
Taylor
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.
Favorite Book: Where The Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
Float
Raine
With a degree in Journalism, Loraine has gained effective communication knowledge through five languages, including child ASL and speech production skills. She prioritizes safety procedures and developmental milestones while gaining experience with children of all ages, ranged from three weeks to ten years. She also has shown advocacy for children's wellbeing in causes like Sanfilippo Syndrome Research (Children's Alzheimers). Lorraine's creativity and energy are fueled by her love for traveling to all 50 states and fitness endeavors, like Zumba!
Favorite book: Dragons Love Tacos
By: Adam Rubin