John Winthrop Staff

Administration

Director

Marcia      2005–Present

M.A., Infant and Toddler Behavior and Development, Wheelock College, Boston, MA

B.S., Psychology and Child Life Studies, Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, NY

Marcia joined JWS in the Fall of 2005. Previously she worked at the Lotus Children’s Center for 15 years beginning as a Lead Teacher in the infant program, then working as the Assistant Director, and served as Director 1998–2005. Before working for Lotus, Marcia was an Infant Teacher and Coordinator for a Family Day Care System.

Assistant Director

Amanda    2008–Present

M.Ed, Early Childhood Education, College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY

B.A., Theatre Arts, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

Amanda joined JWS as Assistant Director in 2008. Previously she was a lead teaching artist at various theater programs throughout the U.S. including the New York State Theatre Institute and the Seattle Children’s Theater, where she also was the lead teacher of their C.A.S.T. Program (a preschool with a drama-based curriculum). She enjoys bringing her love of visual arts and creative dramatics instruction to the classrooms at JWS.

 

Teachers

Yellow Room, Young Toddlers

Mary     1987–Present

A.A., Child Development, Fisher College, Boston, MA

Mary began at JWS as a student intern from Fisher College in 1986, was hired out of the program, and has been with JWS since. She has taught in all of the classrooms, helped pilot the toddler program, was a member of the Board of Directors for 5 years, and also served as Assistant Director and Acting Director during her time here.

Sherry     2005–Present

B.S., Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College, Boston, MA

Sherry’s first introduction to JWS was as a student teacher through Wheelock College. She was subsequently hired out of that internship and worked in the preschool classroom for seven years. Sherry left JWS to raise a family and for 19 years she was the Director of the Carlisle Extended Day Program, eventually helping them start a preschool. She returned to JWS in 2005.

Red Room, Toddlers

Deborah     2001–Present

B.A., Speech Communication, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Debbie has been in the Early Childhood Education Field since 1990 teaching infants, toddlers, and preschoolers including being a nanny, operating her own family child care business, consulting work with family child care, and being a mom. Both of her children (a son and daughter) attended JWS. In 2001, Debbie joined the staff at JWS.

Becky     2011–Present

B.A., Comparative Literature, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

 Becky especially enjoys bringing her loves of music and reading into the classroom.  She says, "I am a voracious reader and share that passion with the children.  I love to read with children and help them connect to new books through their own experiences and interests."

Guerline     2002–Present

A.A., Early Childhood Education, Fisher College, Boston, MA

Guerline has been with JWS since 2002. She is currently enrolled in the BA/MA Education program at Lesley University. During the summers Guerline travels to different parts of the world to help underprivileged children and families. She enjoys using her imagination with children in the classroom. She says, “It gets really silly at times — I like it!”

Green Room, Younger Preschoolers

Ellen     2011–Present

M.Ed, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

B.A., Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Ellen has over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.  Most recently she worked for 14 years at John Hancock Child Care Center.  During her time at John Hancock she was a Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Teacher.  Ellen has a special interest in early literacy and enjoys creating environments and activities that support the development of early literacy skills. 

Katie     2011–Present

B.S., Early Childhood, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Katie has over 15 years experience in Early Childhood Education.  For 8 years she worked at Lotus Children's Center as a Toddler and Preschool Teacher.  Katie managed her own Family Day Care program when her children were young.

Blue Room, Older Preschoolers

Erin      1991-2001, 2006–Present

B.S., Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College, Boston, MA

Erin taught at JWS 1991-2001, then left to raise her two children. She returned in 2006 and says, “Coming back to teaching at JWS after four years at home with my children has made me a better mom.” She loves reading and cooking — both interests she incorporates into the classroom. Erin also enjoys going to the beach, playing tennis and riding bikes with her family.

Erin      1999–Present

B.A., General Studies, University of Maine at Farmington

A.A., Early Childhood Education, University of Maine at Farmington

Erin grew up in Boxford, MA and currently lives in Newburyport. Before moving back to the North Shore, she lived in Boston for five years. She attended the University of Maine and received a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with the preschool classroom at JWS since 1999. Outside of teaching, her interests include horseback riding and kayaking.

Extended Day, Preschool

Jackie     1974–Present

B.S., Early Childhood Education, Wheelock College, Boston, MA

A.A., Carroll School Orton-Gillingham Reading Program

Jackie began at JWS as a student teacher from Wheelock College. She was hired from that program and has been with us ever since. In her time here she has worked with all ages and currently circulates between the classrooms in the morning then leads the preschool extended day program. In 2006 she became a Reading Tutor through the Carroll School Orton-Gillingham Reading Program. One of her favorite activities is to bring her love of West African (Senegalese) drumming into the classrooms.  In 2011, Jackie was the recipient of an Early Educator’s Award from the Boston Alliance for Early Education and Boston Association for the Education of Young Children.  She was recognized as “an early childhood educator who is able to encourage each child’s sense of community, individual worth and belonging, someone who fosters each child’s abilities and uniqueness as an individual and community member.”