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
she/her/hers
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
she/her/hers
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
she/her/hers or they/them/their
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
she/her/hers
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.
Isabel - Infant/Toddler
she/her/hers
Isabel has her degree as a Industrial Chemical Technician, and is currently pursuing a degree in management and business development. She is Infant/Toddler Teacher Certified.
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.
Rowan - Infant/Toddler
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Rowan has been at the center since August 2021. They are currently a student at Greenfield Community College in an Early Childhood Education program, on track to obtain their CDA (Child Development Associate credential). Rowan has worked with children as a nanny, camp counselor, academic support assistant, and a health clerk at Head Start. Being a teacher assistant at Willow Blossom is their first time working in an early education center classroom and they are greatly enjoying the work! Rowan is particularly passionate about building connections with families, providing diverse and inclusive children’s literature, and creating a warm responsive environment.