Our Teachers
The teachers at The Children's Center have degrees in early childhood education, many with advanced degrees, and The Children's Center works hard to provide ongoing professional development opportunities. Beyond their excellent training, teachers here also possess warmth, patience, a sense of humor and sensitivity to the needs of each child and his or her family.
Click on a name to see a picture and to view more information about education and experience.
Director
Kindergarten
Red Room Pre-School
Green Room Pre-School
Blue Room Pre-School
Yellow Room Toddler
Purple Room Toddler
Jennifer Cusack, Director
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, University of New England
- Master's in Policy and Leadership, Early Care and Education Wheelock College, Boston, MA
Experience
- Teaching Since 1998
- Toddler Teacher, The Children's Center
- ME 1st Grade Teacher, Richmond, Virginia Public School
Meg Kirschner, Kindergarten
Education
- Master of Science, Special Needs Education, Wheelock College, Boston, MA
- Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Development, University of Delaware
Experience
- Teaching Since 1974
- Teacher, Bridgton Day Care/Head Start Center (PROP), ME
- Developmental Therapist, Preschool Teacher, Service Coordinator
- Child Development Services, ME
Stephen White, Kindergarten
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Maine, Orono
- K-8 Teaching Certificate Program, University of New England, ME
Experience
- Teaching Since 1988
- Preschool Teacher, St. Louis Child Care, Biddeford, ME
- Toddler Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
Ashley Baker, Red Room Pre-School
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, Stonehill College, MA
Experience
- Teaching Since 2006
- Preschool Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
Rita Bagala, Red Room Pre-School
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Education and Psychology, Georgian Court College, NJ
Experience
- Teaching Since 1988
- Preschool Teacher, Springfield Day Nursery, MA
- Preschool Teacher, Little House Nursery, NJ
- Preschool Teacher, Gorham Cooperative Preschool, ME
- Special Purpose Teacher, Sweetser Preschool, ME
Chris Lakari, Red Room Pre-School
Education
- Completing Associates Degree, Early Childhood Education, SMCC, ME
Experience
- Teaching Since 1990
- One on One Aide, Catherine Morrill Day Nursery, Portland, ME
- Preschool Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
- Substitute Teacher, Kindergarten, The Children's Center, ME
Aline Belanger, Green Room Pre-School
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Gorham State College
Experience
- Teaching Since 1979
- 3rd Grade Teacher, SAD #51, Cumberland Schools, ME
- Nursery School Teacher, Walnut Hill Nursery School, Cumberland, ME
- Nursery School Teacher/Asst. Director, The Caring Place, N. Yarmouth, ME
- One-on-One Aide/Preschool/Toddler Teacher, The Children's Center
Deb Faunce, Green Room Pre-School
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education
Experience
- Teaching Since 1989
- Volunteer/Preschool Teacher, Building Blocks, South Portland, ME
- Service Coordinator, Child Care Center, AmeriCorps, Lubec, ME
- Preschool Teacher, Catherine Morrill Day Nursery, Portland, ME
- Preschool Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
Tabitha Gould, Blue Room Pre-School and Office
Education
- Associates Early Childhood Development, Greenfield Community College
Experience
- Lead Toddler and Preschool Certified
- One on One Aide, Turner Falls, MA
- Toddler Teacher, Amherst, MA
- Toddler Teacher, Scarborough, ME
- Toddler Teacher, Falmouth, ME
Laci Hanken, Yellow Room Toddler
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Maine, Orono
Experience
- Teaching Since 2006
- Family Clinician, Washington County Psycotherapy Associates, P.A., ME
- Toddler Teacher, Mainely Kids Childcare and Preschool, ME
- Toddler Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
Maryann Aresti, Yellow Room Toddler
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Early Chidhood Education, U. of Maine, Farmington
Experience
- Teaching Since 2007
- Substitute Teacher, Sweatt-Winter Childcare, ME
- Substitute Teacher, Jay Elementary School, ME
- Toddler Teacher, The Children's Center, ME
Kate Smith, Purple Room Toddler
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Family Studies, University of New Hampshire
Experience
- Teaching Since 2005
- Helped Create Developmental Therapy Preschool Program at The Children's Center, ME
- Organic Farming in California and Maine
- Toddler Teacher at The Children's Center, ME
Amanda Whitney, Purple Room Toddler
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Maine, Orono
Experience
- Teaching Since 2003
- Substitute Teacher, Brattleboro Union High School, VT
- Substitute Teacher, Brattleboro Middle School, VT
- One on One Interventionalist, Brattleboro Middle School, VT
- Title One Ed Tech., Orono High School, ME
Kelly Swett, Purple Room Toddler
Education
- Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Andover College
Experience
- Busy Bees in Eliot, Maine
- Ocean House Child Care in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Working at The Children's Center since 2010
The Chalkboard
Come Visit Us
Call 207-797-9366 to set up an appointment.
Up coming events
Parents visit often to keep up to date with the latest events and planned volunteer efforts. At the Children’s Center we strive to keep everyone involved. The kids like it that way!
Visit our Events Calendar to see what’s next.