Educators & Administration

Acorn

  • Tammy image Tammy Michaud is an Acorn Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 7/25/11. Tammy has an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. Tammy’s philosophy of teaching includes allowing each child to grow and learn at their own pace, building a relationship not only with the children but with their families as well, and providing students a safe and nurturing environment.

    Tammy is a professional member of NAEYC and Maine Roads to Quality, Level 4.

    Away from work, Tammy enjoys being with her family and friends and going back ‘home’ to Aroostook County to watch movies.

  • Steve image Stephen White is an Acorn Room teacher and started working at The Children’s Center in November, 1990; rejoining us again in November 2021. Steve has a B.A. in Psychology from UMaine, a K-8 Teacher’s Certification from UNE and 30 credits towards his Masters Degree from Nova Southeastern University. Steve’s philosophy of teaching includes giving children the guidance to express their feelings to their peers as soon as they learn to speak, and teaching children at an early age the basic behaviors of sharing, peaceful play, independence and self-control.

    Steve is a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality (Lvl 7).

    Away from work, Steve enjoys crosswords (still working on his Super Mega NYT Crossword), gardening flowers and vegetables, riding his bike in the summer and continuing to renovate his 100-year old home.

  • Aom Pongarun Kirchberg (Aom) is an Acorn Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2021. Aom has Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Education. Aom’s philosophy of teaching is that all children are unique and have specific learning needs and styles. Aom believes the teacher’s role is to act as a guide and help each child achieve their highest potential. Aom aims to bring an open mind, a positive attitude and high expectations to the classroom each and every day.

    Aom is a professional member of Center Based Professional (Lvl 7).

    Away from work, Aom enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games and watching movies and TV shows.

Pinecone

  • Christina Christina is a Pinecone Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since October, 2021. Christina has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Christina’s philosophy of teaching includes her beliefs that all babies are born ready to learn, and that it’s important for all of us to provide an environment where children feel safe to explore, build friendships and gain the confidence they need to grow and master new skills, It is very important to build strong family partnerships to ensure teachers and parents can work together to help the children reach their full potential.

    Christina is a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality (Lvl 6).

    Away from work, Christina enjoys spending time with her family, baking and watching her daughter play sports.

  • Brenda Brenda has over 30 years of experience in childcare and obtained her CDA in 2011. She enjoys working with kids of all ages, especially infants. Working in the infant room is her favorite because she gets to watch them grow and achieve different milestones. Brenda loves the infants’ curiosity, determination, and how their faces light up with excitement when they learn new things. She believes it is incredibly special to share the joy with parents when their child reaches a new milestone.

    When not working, Brenda likes to spend time with her family – especially her four grandchildren. Her favorite things to do with her family are bowling, walking the beach, and watching movies.

  • Hannah Hannah Given is a Pinecone Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since February, 2022. Hannah graduated from Falmouth High School and is currently working to get her CDA (3-years experience in ECE). Hannah’s philosophy of teaching includes helping her students hit milestones, herself being a source of comfort and encouragement for both her students and their parents, as well as being a part of the children’s overall learning and growth.

    Hannah is a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality (Lvl 1).

    Away from work, Hannah enjoys going for runs, spending time with her family and friends and being with her dog.

Purple Room

  • Stephanie Stephanie joined the Purple Room team in 2021. She is originally from the Ivory Coast in Africa and her husband is still there and hopes to move here in the future. Her first language is French and has worked at a bilingual school in Portland prior to her most recent job as a nanny.

    Stephanie has been working with children for the last 10 years, two of which she owned her own bilingual child care center. In her free time, Stephanie likes to read, watch documentaries, and loves to try new recipes!

  • Levi

    Levi Franklin is a Purple Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2021.

    Levi’s approach to education is built around fostering a love of learning and exploration in his students, while promoting the development of important skills and life lessons. His firm belief is that his students are entitled to learning on their own natural timeline, regardless of where they ‘should be’ based on standard practices.

    Levi holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Farmington. Levi has also completed his Child Development Associate and is a member of Maine Roads to Quality, Level 5.

    Away from work, Levi enjoys cooking, exercise, playing video games with friends and creating memories with his wife and four cats in Gorham. Levi also fosters cats for the Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk.

  • Vanessa Vanessa was thrilled to join the Purple Room in March of 2023. With a background in youth and family counseling and prior experience working with children with developmental disabilities, she firmly believes in fostering creativity and using art as a medium for expressing emotions.

    Away from work, Vanessa enjoys babysitting her brother's golden retriever, Otto, thrifting for fun clothes, decorating her living space for every holiday, especially Halloween, and throwing herself into her new passion… Roller Derby.

    Vanessa is committed to making a positive impact on the young learners in the Purple Room, creating an environment filled with fun and creativity.

Yellow Room

  • Debby Debby is a Yellow Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since May 2011. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Maine Community College and is working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Maine, Farmington. Her philosophy of teaching is that learning is based on children’s interests and hands-on experiences. The environment can be an additional teacher and we take advantage of the natural playground and use it as an extension of the classroom. She wants to develop the children’s relationship with the natural world to build a foundation for ecological literacy.

    “Children, teachers, and families should have fun learning and playing together.”

    Debby is a professional member of NAEYC, MAEYC and Maine Roads to Quality, Level 6.

    Away from work, she enjoys time with her family, especially her grandchild, reading, the Art Walk in Portland, and walks with her husband.

  • Meghan Meghan is a Yellow Room Teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since December, 2019. Meghan has an Associates Degree in ECE from Southern Maine Community College and is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in ECE at the University of Maine in Farmington. Meghan’s philosophy of teaching includes getting down to her student’s levels and talking to them with the same respect as she would give adults, as well as helping her students learn through their play.

    Meghan is a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality (Lvl 5).

    Away from work, Meghan enjoys camping and hiking, gardening, and spending time with her husband Callan, her daughter Violet and her many, many pets.

  • Maddie Maddie is a passionate educator, in the Yellow Room, who is currently pursuing her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education at SMCC. Maddie strongly believes in allowing children's interests to guide their learning, and she strives to foster a sense of patience and openness to new or different ideas in her teaching approach.

    Outside of work, Maddie enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, exploring new restaurants, and expressing her creativity through painting.

Green Room

  • Myra Myra Van Eekelen is a Green Room Teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2015. She graduated High School from Waldorf School in Zeist, The Netherlands and has a B.S in Education and Mathematics from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. Her philosophy of teaching is based on valuing the creative potential in each child, offering activities that help foster enthusiastic learning, intellectual growth, self-esteem and social responsibility and to offer a nurturing environment for a healthy development for each child.

    “Where is the book in which the teacher can read about what teaching is? The children themselves are this book. We should not learn to teach out of any book other than the one lying open before us and consisting of the children themselves.” – Rudolf Steiner

    Myra is a professional member of NAEYC and a Maine Roads to Quality, Level 5.

    Away from work, she enjoys traveling, gardening and reading.

  • Cathleen Cathleen is a Green Room Teacher who has worked at The Children’s Center since July 2017. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. She believes that children learn best through hands-on experiences, that each child has unique abilities and that we must meet them where they are currently in development.

    “Children need to have a consistent and secure environment to continue to grow in all areas of development.”

    Cathleen is a professional member of NAEYC and a Maine Roads to Quality, Level 6.

    Away from work, she enjoys paddle boarding, hiking and yoga.

  • Anna B. Anna started the summer of 2019 at TCC as a Substitute and accepted the position as Assistant Teacher in the Green Room in August 2023!

    She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently working towards her Bachelors Degree at SMCC.

    Away from work she loves drawing, watching movies and spending time with her family and dog, Sadie.

Red Room

  • Rita Rita is a Red Room Teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2004. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education from Georgian Court College. Her philosophy of teaching is based on creating a safe, happy environment. This allows her to approach each child as an individual and allows her to offer materials that encourage children to explore, investigate, and interact with their peers so that they can grow and develop in all aspects: physically, socially, and emotionally.

    “Learning happens when children are offered many opportunities to play and explore the materials around them.”

    She is a professional member of NAEYC and Maine Roads to Quality, Level 7.

    Away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family and going for walks with her husband.

  • Taryn Taryn is a Red Room Teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2020. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies. Her philosophy of teaching includes the belief that children learn best through play, exploration and questioning.

    Away from work, she enjoys playing with her 2 cats, spending time with family and cooking for the people that she loves.

  • JJ We’re happy to welcome JJ back to TCC as the Assistant Teacher in Red Room.

    JJ joined TCC in 2022 as a sub, is originally from Texas and is really excited to be a part of the TCC team! JJ’s favorite things to do are go to work, the gym, and hangout with their pet lizard, Savida!

    When you meet JJ, you will see why we and the children love them!

Blue Room

  • Roxanne Roxanne has worked in the Blue Room at The Children’s Center since 2019. She comes to us with twenty five years of preschool and Head Start experience and has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.

    Away from work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

  • Megan Megan is a Blue Room Teacher, and started working at The Children’s Center in October 2019. She received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at Southern Maine Community College. She plans to work towards her Bachelor’s Degree through the University of Maine – Farmington. Megan believes that children learn and grow through play and through their peers in the classroom.

    Away from work, she enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and traveling.

  • Daniell Danielle loves being a Blue Room Teacher! She was born and raised in the small town of Claremont, New Hampshire and moved to Portland in 2021. In Claremont not only did she work in childcare, but she also coached youth/middle school cheerleading for six years. Working with children is a true passion of hers and it truly warms her heart to watch them grow and meet new milestones. Danielle has been working in the ECE field for three years now and has worked with every age group.

    In her free time, Danielle likes to hike, go to the beach, and spend time with her niece and nephew.

Pre-K

  • Cristel Cristel started at The Children’s Center in the summer of 2020. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Elementary Education. She holds her state of Maine teaching certificate in Elementary Education, but her true passion is early childhood with over 12 years of teaching experience as a Pre-K teacher.

    She received National recognition for Excellence in Teaching in 2016. She believes that young children learn best through play and meaningful engaging experiences. She is passionate about creating a nurturing and inspiring environment and planning engaging hands-on activities.

    When Cristel is not teaching she enjoys working in her garden at her home in Biddeford, traveling with her husband, swimming, cooking and spending time with friends and family!

    Away from work, she enjoys playing with her 2 cats, spending time with family and cooking for the people that she loves.

  • Kalah Kalah Patterson is a Pre-K Room teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2/25/19. Kalah has her (CDA) Credential for Child Development Associate and is part of Maine Roads to Quality. Kalah’s philosophy of teaching includes creating a safe and happy environment where students can explore materials and learn through play.

    “The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”

    Away from work, Kalah enjoys spending time with her partner Josh, her nephew and her family. After work, you can find her at the gym or reading a book.

  • Ivan Ivan is the Assistant PreK Teacher and has been at The Children’s Center since 2017. He has his Bachelors in Animation from Westwood College in Chicago. His philosophy of teaching is that children learn through play. He enjoys teaching children through art and brings his expertise to the classroom. He is an active member of Maine Roads to Quality.

    Away from work, Ivan enjoys spending time with his family, drawing, playing video games, pottery, and biking.

Administration

  • Anne Anne began her career by working as a camp counselor for many years. After graduating from undergrad, Anne moved to the Czech Republic and taught English in a preschool for three years. This experience sparked interest in Early Childhood Education and prompted Anne to go back to school for Education. She has a B.A. in Music and a Masters in Elementary Education, both from DePaul University in Chicago.

    Shortly after moving to Maine, she found the Children’s Center in 2015. She is thrilled to have found a community of people who are so devoted to children and their families. In her free time, Anne loves spending time with her family, learning how to garden, spending time outdoors and reading. Anne is a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality, Level 8.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

  • Kailyn Kailyn is the Assistant Director and has worked at The Children’s Center since 2019. She has a Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from SMCC and is currently working towards her Bachelors Degree at the University of Maine, Farmington.

    “All children are unique individuals and should be celebrated. Children learn from hands-on experiences. Families are an important part of learning and are the bridge between home and school.”

    Kailyn is a member of Maine Roads to Quality, level 4.

    Away from work, Kailyn enjoys spending time with her family, swimming and being by the ocean. She also loves her Sunday trips to Target!



  • Mo Megan made a checklist when switching careers in 2016: fresh air, working with children, supportive coworkers, a creative atmosphere, and being of service to others. She found it all at TCC. When Megan began her role as Administrative Assistant, there were four other Megans at TCC. Rather than being known as "Office Megan," she chose to go by her college nickname, "Mo."

    With a B.F.A in Graphic Design from RISD, Mo brings a creative outlook to everything she does. Her versatility and passion for learning have led her to take on various roles, including Museum Exhibition design in San Francisco, Handiwork on Stevens Ave., Art Director at Whole Foods Market Northeast. She spent 10 years prior to TCC as an independent designer.

    Away from work, Mo enjoys fixing things, breaking things, live music, succulents, traveling to warm waters, embroidery, photography, cooking, and doodling. Mostly she just wants to hang out with her 2 teenagers and her wee dog, Ozzie.

Guest Educators & Other Staff

  • Taylor

    Taylor, our new full-time floater at The Children's Center, holds a master's degree in gender history and a bachelor's degree in women and gender studies and sociology. With several years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field, Taylor is passionate about nurturing children's creativity and fostering their social-emotional skills.

    Taylor is currently a level 5 on Maine Roads to Quality. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the guitar, spending quality time with her family, and exploring new destinations through her love for travel. Taylor also loves spending time with her cat, Minnie.

  • Bridget Bridget has been a joyful presence at TCC for the past 3 years. She loves to play and learn with your children.

    Bridget graduated from Yarmouth High School and Strive U, and is First Aid and CPR certified. She loves children, and wants to encourage them to be kids! Play, explore, run, dance and get energy out in a positive and safe way.

    Away from work she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her cat, Katie. She loves going to the beach, surfing, and dancing.

  • Charlie Charlie is a substitute teacher and has worked at The Children’s Center since May, 2021. Charlie is pursuing an Early Childhood Education degree at the University of Maine in Farmington.

    Charlie’s philosophy of teaching includes prioritizing time in nature, cultivating an environment of acceptance and community, and maturing children’s enthusiasm and energy.

    Away from work, Charlie enjoys reading comics, camping, and riding his bike.

  • ERI Erin is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree from USM in Sociology, with an honors minor. She has also taken several education courses which have taught me a lot about various teaching methods. Erin is joining us for her second year and we are thrilled she is a part of our team.

    Her philosophy on working with kids is that the teacher’s role is to be a guide and aid in children’s education. She believes that children can teach us how to best teach them, if we practice active listening. I am thrilled to be a part of TCC and to have the opportunity to help kids grow, learn, and prosper!

  • JESSICA Jessica was born and raised in Portland. She graduated from Portland High School and recently began working towards her degree in nursing. She is first aid and CPR certified and has spent the last 8 years working with children and adolescents with autism.

    Jessica believes that children should be allowed to express who they are and encourages them to self regulate through big body movement and talking about their feelings and emotions.

    When she isn't working or going to school she enjoys spending time with her two nephews, traveling and looking for a good bargain.

  • Sarah Sarah started working at The Children's Center during the summer of 2022, initially covering at Minis. She is currently a student at Wheaton College, where she is actively pursuing a degree in early education.

    Sarah strongly believes in fostering learning through a child's innate curiosity and encourages various forms of exploratory play. She recognizes that these approaches are among the most effective ways to promote learning and growth.

    Outside of her work, Sarah finds joy in crocheting, immersing herself in the outdoors, particularly at the beach, and finding solace while spending quality time with her beloved cat.