Our Staff
We are dedicated to working with
children in the spirit of partnership and creative participation to give
consistent, reliable support to each child’s growth, development, and
curiosity for lifelong learning.
Rachael - Director
Rachael has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Wheelock College, and both a Master of Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education from the University of Massachusetts. She was hired as the Director in 2001. Rachael has over 45 years of experience in education, providing high quality care for a wide variety of clients in Washington, California, and Massachusetts
Grinnan - Preschool
Grinnan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Her previous child care experience includes providing child care at both a private home and center-based facility in Western Massachusetts. Grinnan's favorite thing to do with the kids is art projects - the messier the better! Grinnan began working at Willow Blossom Learning Center in 2004.
Chloë - Preschool
Chloë has an Associate's Degree from Greenfield Community College and studied Early Childhood Education at UMass Amherst. She has been working with children since she was sixteen years old and is a certified Infant/Toddler and Lead Preschool Teacher. She has experience with Reggio Emilia and Nurtured Heart curriculums which inspire her work in the classroom. She loves exploring with children in nature settings and creating collaborative art projects with them. She also involves social justice & inclusive based curriculum and is an avid collector of diverse and interesting children's books. She speaks some French and Spanish and has been with the program since January 2019
Abby - Infant/Toddler
Abby is a Communications student at UMass Amherst, and has been part of the Willow Blossom community since she was young, having graduated from our preschool in 2003. Abby enjoys setting up activities that stimulate brain development while also coaching them through the task at hand.
Tess - Teacher's Assistant
Tess is in her final year at Keene State College, majoring in Early Childhood Development and minoring in Sociology. She has experience with the Reggio Emilia Approach, which she pulls inspiration from to create experiential learning in relationship-oriented environments. Tess loves assisting in the growth and development of young children!
Isabel - Teacher's Assistant
Isabel has her degree as a Industrial Chemical Technician, and is currently pursuing a degree in management and business development.
What she enjoys most is telling stories with the children and watching their faces as they use their imagination and react to the story. Isabel is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. She has experience as a volunteer at the Jones library in a program of bilingual story telling, reading to children in Spanish and English. She has been at Willow Blossom since the beginning of 2018.