2006-2007
Classes & Teachers
Morning Classes
Three-Year-Old Preschool (Wed. & Fri.)
• Kathy Gallagher and Mary Higgins
• Suzanne MItchell and Donna MIller
Four-Year-Old Preschool
(Mon., Tue., & Thur.)
• Sue Dionne and Suzanne Mitchell
• Mary Higgins and Sharon Carter
Kindergarten
• Irene Humel and Carol Flint
Extended Day Classes
Kindergarten (Mon. - Fri.)
• Kim Vincent and Helen Bethel
Afternoon Classes
Four-Year-Old Preschool & Kindergarten
(4's Mon., Tue, & Thur.; K's Mon. - Fri..)
• Sue Dionne and Suzanne
MItchell
Teachers and Staff
Nutfield Cooperative School is committed to providing quality, caring education for children. Kathy Gallagher, the Director of Nutfield, has assembled a top-notch staff of educators, with each member bringing her own unique abilities and experiences to the classroom. In addition, every teacher is CPR and First Aid Certified.
Please contact teachers by phone at the school (434-2602) or by email.
Helen Bethel helen@nutfieldcoop.com
“Working
at Nutfield over the years has given me a wonderful educational experience.
Every child is unique and getting to know each child is very rewarding.”
Education
NH Community Technical College, Early Childhood Education
Professional Experience
Preschool/Kindergarten Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School, East
Derry, NH, 1991 to Present
Classes
Extended Day
Kindergarten
Sharon Carter sharon@nutfieldcoop.com
“My
mom taught me to think outside the box. Not all apples are red; not all flowers
are the same. Look outside the box and listen to what's around you! I love
kids and they seem to love me. I think I get way more out of being with them
than they get from me, although I like to think I have touched their little
lives in a positive way. I feel children should be respected--they know way
more than most of us give them credit for.”
Education
Bristol Community College
Professional Experience
Preschool Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH,
2004 to Present
Preschool Teacher, Smith Mills Weekday Nursery School, Dartmouth, MA, 1992-1996
Kindergarten Teacher, Over the Rainbow, Windham, NH, 2002-2003
Seven years coaching softball, and 4 years coaching soccer
Classes
Morning
4's
Susan Dionne
sued@nutfieldcoop.com
"One
of my goals as a teacher is to help children develop a love of learning.
That is what I most wanted for my own children when they came to Nutfield
years ago. One way I do this is by building on children’s innate love
of nature (and my own) and incorporate the natural world into the curriculum.
Since preschoolers specialize in moving, we do a lot of music and movement
activities; both of which contribute to a child’s intellectual as well
as physical development. Imagination and creativity are promoted by the children’s
writing of stories (I take down their dictation) and story acting. To help
cultivate pro-social and problem solving skills, I include a variety of cooperative
learning experiences in our day. We all have a fun and fulfilling day!"
Education
Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education
Currently attending Granite State College working towards a Bachelors Degree
in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Language and Literacy
Professional Experience
Preschool Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH, 1997 to Present
Classes
Morning 4's, Afternoon
4K's, Music Classes
Joan Dresser joan@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
love Nutfield. It is the best family environment one can find. It is a wonderful
experience being a part of the Nutfield School community. I love working
with the little ones; they create such energy, and in turn, give me endless
energy.”
Professional Experience:
Hall Monitor and Contingency Aide, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry,
NH, 2005 to Present
One-to-one Aide, Derry Cooperative School SNAP Program, 2000-2005
35 years as Special Education Aide, Woburn School District, Woburn, MA
Responsibility
Afternoon Hall Monitor
Carol Flint carol@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
have enjoyed being a part of the Nutfield Cooperative School community for
over 22 years, as a parent and as a teacher.”
Education
Bachelor Degree, English, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Professional Experience
Kindergarten through Preschool Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School,
East Derry, NH 1983 to Present
Classes
Morning Kindergarten
Nancy Francis nancy@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
live in Derry with my husband, Bob, and our son, Sam. I like horseback riding,
gardening, and taking pictures. I love getting to know children and seeing
them grow and change.”
Education
Bachelors Degree, English, Cum Laude, Providence College
Professional Experience
Contingency Aide, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH, 2003 to Present
Baseball Coach, Derry, NH, 2001 to Present
Responsibility
Contingency Aide
Kathy Gallagher kathy@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
enjoy seeing the world through a child's eyes. I have a great deal of respect
for children and a firm belief in their abilities. I try to provide children
with opportunities to stretch and grow every day in my class--and in all
of the classes at Nutfield, by hiring teachers who practice a hands-on, process-oriented
style of teaching. During the course of a year I get to know all of the parents,
and many siblings of the children who attend Nutfield. These relationships
are what help make Nutfield feel like a community to me.”
Education
Bachelors in Elementary Education
UNH Cooperative Extension trained Parent Educator
Professional Experience:
Director of Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH, 1979 to Present
Preschool Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH 1979 to Present
Preschool Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 1977-1979
Fourth Grade Teacher, Derry Village School, Derry, NH
Co-founder of The Children's Metamorphosis Children's Museum
Classes
Morning
3's, Director
Mary Higgins mary@nutfieldcoop.com
“Everybody
knows that Nutfield is a great place for children. It's a proven fact.
It's the feeling you get when you observe in any classroom here. You
witness children and adults working, sharing and playing together and
love is always present. In my time at Nutfield, however, I have learned
that this is a wonderful place for adults as well. Teachers form a bond
with each and every child and we learn much through this process. The
friendships that are formed between parents in line and on the playground
can last a lifetime. We share and learn information on an amazing variety
of topics. We learn lessons that help fill in the blanks in the child-rearing
guidebook that our doctors forgot to give us when our children were born.
We become better parents by observing and modeling behaviors of teachers
who have years of experience, both as teachers and parents. I am so fortunate
that my family experienced the wonder of Nutfield and that I am now able
to continue to teach and learn here.”
Education
BA English, UVM, with minors in Education and French
Master's Degree, Columbia University's Teachers College, in Reading
Professional Experience
Preschool Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 2006 to Present
Preschool Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 2003
to 2006
2nd grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, Reading Specialist, Bicentennial School,
Nashua, NH, 1989-1997
Reading Specialist, Public School 244, Brooklyn, NY, 1985-1989
Special Needs Teacher, Public School 274, Brooklyn, NY, 1983-1985
Classes
Morning
3's, Morning
4's
Irene Humel irene@nutfieldcoop.com
“’Kindergarten’ is
the German word for “children’s garden.” Being a teacher
of young children requires many of the same skills a farmer needs to grow
and tend a garden. A healthy garden requires rich soil for the plants to
grow. A classroom requires a thoughtful and hands-on curriculum in which
the children may thrive. Gardens require water and sunlight to grow, and
children need guidance and encouragement. A farmer’s garden will contain
a variety of plants—carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes,
lettuce, and sunflowers—with each plant requiring special and unique
care. Kindergarten children are also diverse, with different learning styles
and unique needs. Gardens require a farmer’s green thumb, but it also
takes many additional hands to bring in the harvest. In much the same way,
parents, aides and the community at large must help the teacher ensure a
child reaches his or her fullest potential.”
Education
Bachelors and Masters in Education, Lesley College
Professional Experience
Kindergarten Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, Derry, NH 2005 to Present
Educational Consultant, Nutfield Cooperative School Board of Directors, 2004-2005
Parent Representative, Nutfield Cooperative School Board of Directors, 2003-2004
Teacher Multiage 1st and 2nd Grade, Northwood Elementary School, Northwood,
NH 1997-1998
First Grade Teacher, Northwood Elementary School, Northwood, NH 1990-1996
Kindergarten Teacher, Northwood Elementary School, Northwood, NH 1989-1990
Readiness Teacher, Northwood Elementary School, Northwood, NH, January 1989-June1989
Classes
Morning
Kindergarten
Donna Miller donna@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
have been teaching and working with children for over 20 years. I enjoy sharing
my energy and enthusiasm for learning with the children at Nutfield. I also
bring my experiences raising my own children and guiding them through their
school years.”
Education
Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
Masters in Counseling, specializing in Mediation
Professional Experience
Preschool Teaching Assistant, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 2003
to Present
Classes
Morning
3's
Suzanne Mitchell suem@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
am patient, caring, and I just love to listen and watch these little people
during their day in school.”
Education
Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education, Fitchburg State
Professional Experience
Preschool Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, NH, 1998 to Present
One-to-one aided to an autistic boy, 2002-2005
Preschool Teaching Assistant, Walnut Square School, Haverhill, MA, Dec1991-June
1992
Head Teacher/Grade 2 Teacher, Walnut Square School, Haverhill, MA, 1988-1991
Classes
Morning
3's, Afternoon
4's
Maxine Oldenburg maxine@nutfieldcoop.com
“I
feel that being associated with Nutfield over the past 30 years first as
a parent, as Registrar, and as a teacher's aide has taught me to empathize
with parents and students alike. I have now come full circle as I introduce
my grandchildren to Nutfield. I am proud to say that the premise upon which
Nutfield was founded in 1969 still hold true today. Parents are an integral
part of their children’s preschool experience, the importance of which
cannot be overstated.”
Education
Associates Degree, Burdett College, Boston, MA
Professional Experience
Teaching Assistant, Preschool through Kindergartent, Nutfield Cooperative
School, East Derry, NH 1978 to Present
Registrar, Nutfield Cooperative School, 1977-2005
Responsibility
Contingency Aide
Kim Vincent kim@nutfieldcoop.com
“When
it came time to choose a preschool for my daughter 19 years ago, I chose
Nutfield. As a teacher, it was important to me to become an active participant
in my child’s education. Because of the “cooperative” nature
of the school, I was thrilled to join the staff. I love getting to know the
family as well as the child.”
Education
Bachelor in Elementary Education, Certified for teaching K through 8th Grade
Professional Experience
Kindergarten Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 1995 to Present
Preschool Teacher, Nutfield Cooperative School, East Derry, 1987–1994
5th Grade Teacher, South School, Londonderry, NH, 1979-1983
6th Grade Teacher, Londonderry School System, Londonderry, NH, 1975-1978
Classes
Extended Day Kindergarten