Marie joined Small Friends in September of 2004. Marie earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the New Hampshire Technical Institute of Concord, and has a wealth of experience working with young children in a variety of settings.

Joanne has been with Small Friends since 1999, as a teacher in the infant room. Joanne is originally from Belfast, Ireland where she attended the University of Ulster. Her daughters Katie and Amy Rose are both Small Friends alums.

Teneshia joined the Small Friends family in September, 2011. She has worked with children of varying ages in a number of different capacities, including being a mother. We are excited for Teneshia’s future as part of the Pollywog team.

Anne, a Small Friends alum, joined the teaching staff in September of 2007. She is teacher certified by the Department of Early Education and Care, and is a native of Nantucket. Anne, a former employee of A Safe Place, has a history of working with children and their families, and has worked with numerous age groups throughout Small Friends.

Delreen has been with Small Friends since 2006. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) from the Council for Professional Recognition, and is very much experienced in the child care field. Delreen assists in planning and implementing programs designed to promote the healthy development of the Scallops.

Heidi joined the Small Friends teaching team in September, 2011. She has worked with children of varying ages and abilities, and will assist in providing a secure, supportive atmosphere for the Scallops.

Katherine joined Small Friends in September of 2007. She attended the Palm Beach Community college where she studied art and education. She has several years experience teaching toddlers and preschool aged children.

Amy Douville is originally from Vermont and has had a number of years experience in child care. She is Small Friends’ talented cook and kitchen manager, providing nutritious meals to all of our students, and joins the Starfish classroom in the late afternoons as a teaching assistant.

Rossi has been with Small Friends since the fall of 2006. She is originally from Bulgaria and has been pursuing her education in early childhood education since coming to Nantucket. Rossi's two children, Viktoria and Nikolas, are currently enrolled at Small Friends.

Patricia joined the Bluefish group in March of 2010. She attended Connecticut College, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Sociology-Based Human Relations. Patricia has since participated in an Early Childhood Education Masters program at Boston College, and has had vast experiences working with children. Patricia provides a warm, nurturing environment for the Bluefish.

Jackie joined the Small Friends team in 2008 and has worked in every capacity throughout the program. As a permanent substitute, Jackie provided stability and one-on-one support to all children, from infants to after-school students. We are pleased to have Jackie as part of the Bluefish family.

Jen has been with Small Friends since 1992 when she began teaching at the Vesper Lane campus. She has worked with the pre-k group since September of 1995. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Delaware.

Lisa is teacher certified by the Department of Early Education and Care, and has worked with numerous age groups throughout Small Friends. Lisa assists in supervising and promoting activities designed to enhance the healthy development of the Dragonfly students.

Dana joined the Small Friends staff in the fall of 2007, and has worked with children of numerous ages. Dana helps to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the Dragonflies.

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she studied Psychology. She has worked in a number of different early childhood settings, including a Head Start program. Sarah provides a warm, nurturing environment for the After-Schoolers, as well as opportunities for exploration and adventure! Sarah is also the Head Teacher for the Hermit Crab class in the mornings.

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she studied Psychology. She has worked in a number of different early childhood settings, including a Head Start program.

As permanent substitutes Candace and Lisa provide consistency and stability to children throughout the Small Friends program as well as extra one on one instruction in the classrooms.

Thayer attended Wheelock College of Education where she obtained a BA in Visual Arts with a Child Development Specialist concentration. She worked in a number of different educational settings, including the Boston Public Dennis C. Haley Elementary School in Roslindale and the Reggio Emilia-inspired Newtowne School in Cambridge. Thayer began her teaching at Small Friends during the summer of 2007 and began teaching full-time in the Bluefish Class in May of 2008. In September of 2009, she was appointed Program Director.