Ashley
Melissa √
Erika Rief √
Miranda √
Allisa √
Teresa √
Katlyn √
Sheila √
Tracy
Ruthie √
Erica G. √
Sam √
Charles √
Meghan √
Becca Mack √
Lourie √
Sara √
Erinn √
Katlyn Bullis
I was born in Burlington, Vermont and have lived in Winooski, Vermont all of my life. I grew
up fishing and swimming in the Winooski River, exploring in the woods, and spending my days
outside with my family. Some of my interests outside of my work at BCS are hiking, camping,
photography, reading, organizing and most importantly, fishing! I am currently learning how
to fly fish to prepare for a trip to Quebec.
I still currently live with my boyfriend Matthew in Winooski, where I am surrounded by my
family. I am one of five children, I have three sisters and a brother. My family is the most
important part of my life and I enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephew.
I have always known that I wanted a career in teaching, primarily with young children. When
graduating from Winooski High School from a class less than 40, I went to University of
Vermont where I worked at the UVM Campus Children’s Center for four years as a student
and substitute teacher. I now have a degree in Early Childhood Education with a Major
Concentration in Human Development and Family Studies. Upon graduation from UVM, a
job opportunity was presented to me to work here at the Burlington Children’s Space.
Since being at BCS I have created so many meaningful relationships with families. I have
been able to make connections to families that may have gone through some of the same
struggles that I went through as a child coming from a low income household. I am inspired
to make a difference in children’s lives and am very proud to say that I work at the Burlington
Children’s Space.
Allisa Carberry
Hello! I'm Alissa, a resident of the Old North End. I came to Vermont to attend University of
Vermont and earned a degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I became enchanted
with the beauty of the state and the clear compassion educators here have about weaving
together children, learning, and outdoor experiences. As a teenager, I worked at an all-girls
summer camp and bring some of that background into my teaching practices. Within the
classroom, I'm passionate about music and the effects it can have on children. The sound of
singing together can be immensely joyful, and the act brings out strong community
bonds. Being together to explore books and stories is also something I feel strongly about,
being able to revisit and act out tales. I also enjoy exploring the Burlington area with the
children - examining the garden, walking down Church Street, or simply revisiting our
neighborhood. Outside of BCS, I like to explore secondhand stores, take my dog for walks,
and read almost anything I can get my hands on. I feel incredibly lucky to work with staff
that shows compassion, empathy, and curiosity in their practices every day.
Teresa Moschin
I'm Teresa Moschin, currently afternoon teacher in the Young Toddlers room. I moved to
Vermont with my husband Anis four years ago from Italy. I have a BA in Education (2005) from
the University of Bologna (Italy)and the equivalent of an Elementary Teacher License (2009)
from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy). In Italy, I worked for the Public School
System as a teacher (ages 3 to 10) and for the private sector as an educator mainly for the
environmental association Legambiente. I have always been inspired by people and places
that focus on giving a voice to young children, and that's what brought me to BCS almost
four years ago. I bring to BCS a different cultural perspective, which reflects on the way I relate
to children. I like to imagine what their point of view is, and how we can capture it through
photography, for example.
Being a parent and having Luca enrolled at BCS has been the most significant experience of
this year that makes me feel more connected to families and this community. I feel so
fortunate to share it with all of you.
Miranda Paquette
I was born in Guilford CT, where my family had moved two years before I was born to work
on a dairy farm. When I was 7 years old my family moved back to Vermont so my father
could take over the family green house nursery, I spent the rest of my childhood on the
family property in Williston.
Upon graduating from high school I originally went to college at the Sage Colleges in New
York where I was studying Art Therapy. I was given the opportunity after my freshmen year to
work with a child on the Autism Spectrum and his infant sister as a nanny and fell in love with
Early Education and a gained a passion for working with exceptional children. I finished up
my sophomore year at Sage and transferred to The University of Vermont, graduating with a
degree in Early Childhood Special Education with a dual certification in general Early
Education, I have stayed in Burlington.
Outside from my passion for early education and the advocacy of children, I enjoy painting,
mostly oil, sewing, being outdoors, hiking, skiing, and running, anything that brings me closer
to nature. My greatest love is baking and cooking, I dream of one day owning a small
café/bakery.
These passions of mine are something that I also incorporate into my teaching and the BCS
community. I have been working on a two year painting collaboration with Infants and
Toddlers. I also greatly enjoy baking and cooking with children.
Lourie
Lourie comes from deep Vermont roots. Having grown up locally, she and her husband
raised their 3 children in South Burlington. After taking 10 year break in her career to be a
stay at home Mom, in 1988 Lourie returned to work at Community Health Center. From
there, she moved to BCS in 1997 and has been here ever since. It is so hard to believe that
the babies then are now leaving high school! There are many great things at BCS that keep
her here but the children will always be the best perk of the job!
Melissa
Melissa has been at BCS for five years as an infant/toddler teacher; she is currently (school yr.
2013-14) in the infant room. Before coming to BCS, Melissa worked with children ages birth 6 years in various roles as teacher and administration since 1990. She graduated from The
University of Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology concentrating her studies in
human development. Melissa really appreciates the practice of ‘following the children’ for
the first three years of their time here. The opportunities for establishing solid bonds with
children and their families builds confidence and comfort which supports children’s interests
and deeper investigation while helping promote an excitement to explore and learn.
Melissa enjoys rediscovering the world through shared experiences with children. It is a gift
to spend the days supporting children’s investigations and having a window into their
experiences, questions and discoveries as they explore the world. Melissa particularly loves
language development and science curriculum. She pursues stories with children through
several avenues (storytelling, acting stories out, and story writing) in addition to the more
traditional reading. Block building, gardening and exploration of nature & our outdoor
environment are among Melissa’s favorite classroom experiences.
Melissa hopes to volunteer as a children’s storyteller in a library and be an early education
program’s awesome ‘granny’ substitute teacher upon retirement, many years from now.
Charles
Charles Winkleman graduated from UVM in 2011, after spending the first 18 years of his life in
Providence, Rhode Island. He has no children, unless you count the 12 Blue Preschool
children that he is entrusted with daily. In the classroom Charles loves taking pictures,
building with blocks and Legos, exploring dramatic play, and telling jokes. He is still learning
how to share with others. Besides for the uniqueness of being a male teacher, Charles brings
his love of stand up and improv comedy to the classroom. He hopes and dreams that one
day he will grow up and be paid to act, tell jokes, and perform comedy regularly. Maybe
Sarah can write a grant for that. Until then, you may see him in a Petfood Warehouse
commercial, or in the classroom.
Ruthie Vargas
My name is Ruthie Vargas and I am proud to say that I was born and raised in the Bronx,
New York. I am the oldest of five and was cared for by a fabulous mother and two loving
grandparents. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2006 with a B.S. in Early
Childhood Education and minored in Human Development and Family Studies.
I’ve been working at the Burlington Children’s Space for four years. I started as a young
toddler teacher and transitioned into preschool my second year.
When I am out in the community and home I involve myself with activities like running long
distances, climbing and spinning. I love to craft! I like to sew together quilts and put together
onesies. I enjoy traveling to new and familiar places.
Sheila
I grew up in Burlington the youngest of eight children. I attended the University of Vermont
and the University of south Florida studying Early Childhood education. I began working at
The Children’s Space in 1985 in the preschool as a summer teacher and then moved to the
infant room into a full time permanent position. I live in Burlington with my husband John (Pij),
daughter Hayley who is a sophomore in high school and my father-in-law PJ and mother
Noreen. My older daughter Emily lives in Boston and attends Suffolk law school. Both my
daughters are BCS alum!
I am very involved in my daughter’s high school coaching Stunt Nite in the fall and working
the concession for all the sporting events. I also enjoy gardening at home and with the kids
at BCS at our Archibald garden plot. I am hoping some day when I have more time to travel
around the US visiting friends and family.
Meghan
Hi everyone, I’m Meghan Laskowski. I was born and raised in Brattleboro Vermont, and
continue to visit frequently as the majority of my close-knit family still resides there. I grew up
with one older sister, and spent countless hours outside with the neighborhood “crew” which
consisted primarily of older boys. I attribute my competiveness and love for the outdoors to
these experiences. I jump at any opportunity to join an organized team sport. I continue to
play softball every summer, and play ice hockey year round. I recently have gotten back
into soccer, and a little bit of golf. I also enjoy hiking, snowboarding, going to concerts, and
being an avid Boston sports fan. I have yet to get a chance to do any traveling outside of
the United States, but when I do, Ireland and New Zealand are on the top of my bucket list. I
originally came to Burlington for my undergrad at the University of Vermont. I graduated with
a degree in Early Childhood Education and had a major concentration in Human
Development and Family Studies. Upon graduation I worked alongside a child who was
experiencing social, emotional, and developmental delays. As a result of this work I was
inspired to pursue my Masters of Education in Early Childhood Special Education, also at the
University of Vermont.
Sam
Hello, I’m Samantha. I live in Vermont because I love spending time with my family and
friends. I need the views of Mount Mansfield, the wind coming off from Lake Champlain and
the top of Camps Hump to take pictures from each season. One of my many dreams is to
have a photograph that I have taken be published in Vermont Life. I love waiting for hours
to capture on camera, the wing span of an eagle, a fox in an open field and a loon
catching a fish for a snack.
I graduated from Johnson State Collage with a BA in Elementary Education and a BA in
Psychology. During and after my time there, I mountain biked daily, hiked the Long Trail for
many days and nights, began to snowboard and for the first time in my life was thankful for
being short. I taught swimming lessons, played capture the flag and coached my favorite
sport (basketball) to children of many ages.
I have a dog named Duke, love music and drive a transformer for a car. I always have
overdue library books. I love to bake often and give it all away. Volunteering throughout
Vermont keeps me balanced. I hand write letters and call my family on the phone.
Working at BCS has reminded me to enjoy the simple everyday moments that children have
to offer. Having long term goals to work for are wonderful and much needed, but
documenting the everyday moments of conversations, accomplishment and reading the
same book 78 times in three day is heartwarming. Building relationships with children, families
and co-teachers is my passion.
Sara
Being the Director of the Burlington Children’s Space and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I
grew up in Vermont, then moved away for 20 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early
Childhood Education from Bennington College and a M. Ed from the University of Wisconsin.
I also lived in Sweden for a year studying the Swedish approach to early childhood
education. I’m really interested in creating a sense of community at BCS and finding ways
for BCS to contribute to the quality of life for everyone in Burlington. When I’m not at BCS I
like to ski, skate on frozen lakes and ride my bike.
Erika R.
I grew up in Bangor, Maine, moved to Burlington in 2007, and spent most of the time in
between in New York City. Just before moving here, I spent 6 months on Culebra, an island
off the coast of Puerto Rico. My brief time there, during which I snorkeled nearly every day,
occupies a disproportionate slice of my memory during cold Vermont winters. A chronic
transfer student, I started out studying sociology at Clark University in Worcester,
Massachusetts, and later geography and women’s studies at U.V.M, and then at Hunter
College in New York City.
I came to BCS through my son, Max. He started here, in the young toddler room, when he
was nearly two. I didn’t realize quite how lucky we were that he had gotten a spot until I
started subbing a few weeks later, and began to see what a special place this is. After a
year as a substitute, I became an afternoon teacher in the infant-toddler rotation. Max
graduated in the spring of 2013, and went on to the Integrated Arts Academy.
We live just a block away, here in the Old North End, as part of the Thelma Maple Housing
Co-op. We are members of the Unitarian Universalist Society at the top of Church Street,
where I also work as the childcare coordinator. I enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors, both
in urban and more natural settings. I have never owned a car, so you’re likely to see Max
and me walking, running, biking, and scootering all over town, in all sorts of weather. I love
this community and all that it has to offerfamilies and children, and I’m proud to play a small
part in that here at B.C.S!
Erica G.
Hi. I’m Erica, a teacher in the Green Preschool classroom. I was born and raised in
Connecticut, where I attended the smallest public school system in the state, with only 46
students in my graduating class.
From there I headed to Saint Michael’s College where I discovered my love for teaching and
for Vermont. I received bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and psychology. After
graduation I had the opportunity to travel to Italy. For 6 weeks, I lived with my second cousin,
teaching his kids English in exchange for room (one in Rome and one on the Tyrrhenian Sea)
and board (including the very best food I have ever eaten).
I’ve been teaching and learning from preschoolers since 2001, and was truly delighted to
join the Burlington Children’s Space team in 2011, having admired the work done here for
many years. I am still delighted to come to BCS each morning, and now have the added
pleasure of bringing my daughter to school here. When I’m not teaching, I like being outside,
practicing yoga, baking chocolate things, playing Scrabble, crafting with yarn and fabric,
and spending time with my fabulous family.
Becca Mack
Rebecca Mack is an artist and musician living and teaching preschool in the Old North
End neighborhood of Burlington, Vermont. Rebecca is co-founder of Research Sharing
Via Paper, a correspondence initiative which seeks to invigorate communities of thought
outside of academic institutions. Her current studies center around themes of human
development across the lifespan, the work of making, and extra-institutional scholarship.
Rebecca’s most recent publications include RECORDS, an artist’s book with read-alongrecord soundtrack, and a monograph of recent works made in residency at Vermont Studio
Center in February, 2014. Rebecca is also a performing vocalist and percussionist with Brass
Balagan.
Tracy Hewitt
Hello! I am the newest addition to the BCS community as an Afternoon Teacher for the
infant-toddler loop. I was born in Washington D.C., but grew up mostly in Westchester, New
York with my family- my parents, my sister and my brother. My family has since moved to
London, England, which is a place I really enjoy visiting and exploring. I moved up to
Vermont five years ago to attend Green Mountain College where I earned a degree in
Elementary Education. I student taught in a Kindergarten classroom in Poultney, Vermont
and fell in love with working with young children! I also worked in a Nursery School in New
York when I was in High School and most recently was working at Trinity Children’s Center in
Burlington. I also have a niece who is three years old, and 2 goddaughters- two years old
and six months old. They are the loves of my life!
I love spending time with children, getting to know their interests, learning and growing
with them, playing music, dancing, reading and being a supportive person in their lives. I
absolutely love to be outside- rain or shine! I enjoy exploring the natural world with kids.
When I am not at BCS I love to bake, cook, go on hikes and walks and play my ukulele. I am
lucky that I can also do these things with the children at BCS! I am so happy to become a
part of the BCS community.
Erinn
I'm Erinn Simon and I'm so proud to be the lunch lady at BCS. I live in the Old North End
with my husband Sam and my kids Eli, Cal, and Sadie. Eli and cal go to school at the IAA,
and in the fall Sadie will start preschool there as well.
I've been a part of the BCS community for many years, and I couldn't love this place or this
neighborhood more.
My family loves baseball! Eli and Cal play (and my husband coaches) Center City
Little League.
When I'm not cooking or thinking about lunches, I'm often making crocheted toys and
other kooky things which I sell in my Etsy shop and at the BCA Artist Market in City Hall Park
during the summer.