Chickadee Toddler Care & Preschool Team

Alex has been in the childcare field for  15 years.  She started out as a teacher and gained experience with all care room ages while working with the forest model schools of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Woldorf inspiration.  She soon started administrative work as a curriculum director, just prior to joining 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.

Christina has spent the last two decades caring for children in formal and informal settings. She completed her Associate’s Degree and training in the field of Early Childhood Education in 2006. She has worked as a toddler teacher, lead preschool teacher and spent 6.5 years owning her own licensed home childcare program at her home. Striving to uphold NAEYC standards in the classroom and being a lifelong learner are very important to her! She lives with her family in Lisbon Falls, and has two children; Caleb and Audrey. While not in the classroom, Christina enjoys taking road trips with her family and spending time at home with her dog, Juniper.

Katie is a Maine certified early childhood and elementary educator with over 10 years teaching children in grades pre-K to first grade. She has taught in various settings, from private learning centers to Maine public schools. For the majority of her teaching career she worked on designing and piloting a Kindergarten program for marginalized youth focused on the arts and sciences, with an emphasis on culturally responsive and hands-on learning. In addition to her teaching certification, Katie holds a bachelors in psychology with a concentration in counseling. She is passionate about creative therapies and fostering purposeful interactions that nurture emotional intelligence in early childhood. Katie is a Massachusetts native who moved to Maine with her husband and daughter in 2021. 

Favorite book: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

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

My name is Kelsey and I am the Lead Little Lambs teacher. I have been working in professional childcare for more than 8 years. I currently have my CDA in preschool but I have worked closely with all age groups. I'm very excited to join the Chickadee community and be able to get to watch the children grow.

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

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

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

Katie is a Maine certified early childhood and elementary educator with over 10 years teaching children in grades pre-K to first grade. She has taught in various settings, from private learning centers to Maine public schools. For the majority of her teaching career she worked on designing and piloting a Kindergarten program for marginalized youth focused on the arts and sciences, with an emphasis on culturally responsive and hands-on learning. In addition to her teaching certification, Katie holds a bachelors in psychology with a concentration in counseling. She is passionate about creative therapies and fostering purposeful interactions that nurture emotional intelligence in early childhood. Katie is a Massachusetts native who moved to Maine with her husband and daughter in 2021. 

Emma grew up in Massacuettes and now lives with her family in Old Orchard. She is studying Economics at UMaine currently while working as the assistant teacher in Lambs. Her favorite thing about early education is forming relationships with each child in her class. In the summer Emma loves going to the beach and spending time with family and friends. Favorite Book: Goodnight Moon by Marget Wise Brown

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 

Alli has had a passion for working with children since they were a child themselves. With over 10 years experience in Family Care settings, Alli has a goal of one day obtaining a degree or certification in Early Childhood Education. They believe the key to having an abundance of love in this world is seen through the eyes of childlike wonder and joy. Alli is originally from Michigan, but has been living in Maine since September 2020 and has been loving every second of it. They spend their free time with their friends and partner out by the water or at concerts, cuddling their sweet kitty Tsuki, and reading. Favorite Book: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

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

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

My name is Missouri, and I have been working in childcare for 10 years. I am certified in preschool, and have been loving working at Chickadee! Outside of work, I love to write poetry, teach musical theatre, go hiking, and spend time with friends and family.