Educators & Administration

Acorn- Infant

  • Hello! My name is Lakiesha, and I’m so excited to be part of your child’s journey! 

    I have been working in early childhood education for about 8 years, and I am truly passionate about creating a safe, and welcoming environment where every child feels supported and valued. 

    I believe each day should be filled with joy, laughter, learning, and plenty of exciting opportunities to grow!
    When I’m not at school, you can usually find me relaxing by the lake or enjoying time at the ocean with my fiancé and our St.Bernard Bowser. 

    I am so excited to get to know each of you as well as your little ones! 

  • Hello my name is Tammy Michaud.  I have worked in the early education field since 1992.  I began at TCC in July 2011.  I began as a Purple Room teacher then transitioned to Minis when it first opened.  One of my favorite things about working with children is no two days are the same, each day brings a new adventure.  I also love building relationships with not only the children but with the families as well.  I enjoy spending time with my daughter, visiting my family in Aroostook County, going to the movies, bargain shopping and listening to 80’s music. 

Pinecone- Infant

  • My name is Brenda, and I am a teacher in the Pinecone Room. I have worked at The Children's Center since October 2021. I have over 30 years of experience in childcare and obtained my CDA in 2011. I enjoy working with kids of all ages, especially infants, and strive to provide them with a safe and fun place to learn and grow. Working in the infant room is my favorite because I get to watch them grow and achieve different milestones. I love the infants’ curiosity, determination, and how their faces light up when they learn new things. I believe it is incredibly special to share the joy with parents when their child reaches a new milestone. 

    I am a professional member of Maine Roads to Equality (Level 5).

    When not working, I like to spend time with my family - especially my four
    grandchildren. My favorite things to do with my family are bowling, walking the beach, and watching movies.

  • Hello! My name is Charley, and I am so excited for this school year in the Pinecone Room! Outside of work, you can find me walking on the beach or with my friends! I also love to travel! One fun fact about me is that I have been to more countries overseas than states! I look forward to getting to know you all and getting to watch your little ones grow!

  • My name is Christina, and I am a Pinecone Room teacher. I have worked at The Children’s Center since October, 2021. I have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and have been working in the field since 2011. I spent three years as a Floater which gave me a lot of experience with the different age groups before fully dedicating myself to infants in 2014. My philosophy of teaching includes my 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 learn new skills. I believe 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. One of my favorite moments in Early Childhood Education is watching the little ones hit their milestones. I love the looks of joy, pride, and sometimes surprise in their faces as they master new skills. Seeing a child start to walk, hearing them say their first words, or succeeding at a puzzle or task they have been attempting is incredibly rewarding. It's so amazing to be a part of their journey and to celebrate these big achievements with them and their families.

    I am a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality (Lvl 6).

    Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, baking and watching my daughter play sports.

Purple Room- Toddler

  • Alexandra has been working at TCC for almost 3 years and has worked with foster children for about 8 years. They enjoy embroidery, carpentry, and sewing. Alexandra is very excited to start the year off in the Purple Room and watch the children learn through play.

  • Hi families! My name is Danielle, and I’m so excited to welcome you and your children to our classroom! I was born and raised in New Hampshire, but I’ve called Portland home for the past five years. I’ve been working in the early childhood field for seven years now, and working with young children is truly one of my greatest joys. My favorite part of this work is building meaningful relationships with children and their families and getting to watch them learn, grow, and discover the world around them (and, of course, all of the funny little things they do along the way!). Before moving to Maine, I spent six years coaching youth and middle school cheerleading, so I’ve always loved working with kids. Outside of work, I enjoy listening to podcasts, spending time in nature, and hanging out with my dog, Lia, who is basically my entire personality outside of the classroom. I’m so excited to get to know each of your families, learn all about your little ones, and make lots of fun memories together this year!

  • My name is Stephanie. I was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, and moved to the United States 18 years ago. Over the years, I have lived in Dallas, Oakland, Los Angeles, and New York before moving to Portland, Maine, in 2019.

    I have been working with children for over 10 years, and it is a career I truly love. Before moving to Maine and joining The Children’s Center (TCC) in 2021 as the Purple Room Lead Educator, I owned and operated a bilingual family daycare in New York. French is my first language, and I love bringing my language and culture into my work with children and families.
    I especially enjoy working with toddlers and witnessing their growth and development. I love watching them discover the world, become more independent, build friendships, and develop their own unique personalities. I also value building strong, trusting relationships with both children and their families.

    My teaching style is centered around creating opportunities for children to explore, be curious, express themselves, and learn through meaningful experiences and play.

    Outside of work, traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I also enjoy listening to music and watching documentaries. I love discovering new places, learning about different cultures, and continuing to learn about the world around me.

    I feel very fortunate to do what I love and to be part of so many children’s early years and growing journeys.

Yellow Room- Toddler

  • Debby Kimberlin has been a dedicated early childhood educator since 1985 and a valued member of The Children’s Center community since May 2011. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Maine Community College and brings decades of experience, warmth, and wisdom to her work with young children.

    Debby believes that meaningful learning happens through hands-on exploration, guided by children’s interests and supported by intentional environments. She embraces the idea of the environment as the “third teacher” and sees the classroom—especially the natural playground—as a vital space for discovery, growth, and connection. One of her passions is helping children build relationships with the natural world as a foundation for ecological awareness and stewardship.

    Equally important to her teaching is cultivating a collaborative relationship with families. Debby deeply values the partnership between home and school and recognizes that families are the true experts on their children. By honoring their voices and perspectives, she strives to create a strong foundation of trust and shared purpose in supporting each child’s learning journey.

    She is a professional member of NAEYC and holds a Level 6 on the Maine Roads to Quality Career Lattice.

    Outside of work, Debby treasures time with her family, especially her five grandchildren. She also enjoys reading, thrifting, and attending music festivals.

    "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." – Plato

  • Hello! My name is Maddie and I am one of the lead educators in the Yellow Room. I have been at TCC since June 2023. I am currently pursuing my degree in Early Childhood Education and am a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality Level 3. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, trying new restaurants, being by the water, painting, playing board games and baking.

    As an early childhood educator, I believe that the foundation for lifelong learning begins in the earliest years. I value creating a nurturing, inclusive, and play-based environment where every child feels seen, heard, and respected. My goal is to support children by fostering curiosity, encouraging independence, and building strong, trusting relationships. I view young children as capable, competent individuals with unique perspectives and the ability to drive their own learning. I see the learning environment as a “third teacher” and value documentation as a way to make children’s thinking visible. I also believe strong relationships with families help create a deeper, more meaningful learning experience for every child.

Green Room- Preschool

  • My name is Molly, and I have four years of experience in early childhood education, including two years here at TCC! I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Maine College of Art and Design in 2023. I started my early childhood education career by working during summers and school breaks while I was in college and continued working full-time after graduating. I have experience with both toddlers and preschoolers.

    Kindness, curiosity, and caring for one another and our natural environment are at the heart of my approach to early childhood education. I enjoy finding ways to nurture children’s connection to nature. I am the chair of TCC’s Garden Committee, so when the weather is warm, you can often find me outside helping with planting, weeding, and harvesting in our gardens. Our gardens are a great way to teach children about the importance of nature and how gentleness and kindness toward plants can help the gardens flourish. 

    When I am not working you can find me on a neighborhood walk, caring for my own gardens, and spending time with my husband and three adopted cats.

  • 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 7.

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

Red Room- Preschool

  • Originally from Pennsylvania, Gabrielle began working in early childhood education during her time at The Pennsylvania State University. After graduating in 2023, she relocated to Maine and began planting roots in New England. She spent two years working as a Pre-K teacher in Freeport, along with three months teaching English in Poland and France, before joining The Children’s Center in January 2026 as a Yellow Room Assistant Educator. 

    Gabrielle is excited to take her next step here at TCC as she moves upstairs to the Red Room later this fall. She values fostering strong relationships with both her students and their families and is grateful to be getting to know new faces while continuing to strengthen the connections formed in the Yellow Room. No matter the age group she is working with, Gabrielle strives to create a safe environment where children are encouraged to experiment, explore, and express themselves fully!

    When not in the classroom, Gabrielle enjoys listening to live music and traveling as much as possible!

  • Hello! My name is Rita Bagala, and I have been part of The Children’s Center family for the past twenty-three years. It has been a very special place for me and my family. I am married and have two grown daughters, who also spent time working and volunteering at TCC over the years.

    The philosophy of The Children’s Center, its hands-on approach to learning, and the wonderful outdoor space are just a few of the many things that make TCC so special. These are some of the reasons that first brought us here and have kept us a part of the TCC community for so many years.

    Outside of TCC, I enjoy spending time with my husband, especially going on walks and making lasting memories with my family. I especially love spending time with my two grandsons, Stanley and Wesley. We are also excited to welcome our newest family member, another grandson, who is due to arrive in October!

    I feel very fortunate to have spent so many wonderful years at The Children’s Center and look forward to continuing to be part of this special community.

  • 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 spending time with her daughter and son, exploring and teaching her new things. She also enjoys cooking and playing with her 3 cats.

    “Play is our brains favorite way of learning.” - Diane Ackerman

Blue Room- Preschool

  • Charlie Scalia-Bruce has worked at The Children’s Center since Summer 2021, has been a Lead in the Blue Room since Summer 2024, and has earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an Early Childhood Special Education minor from the University of Maine at Farmington. The cores of his teaching philosophy are nurturing empathy, cultivating community, and encouraging independence in his students. He believes that with the right balance of close support and room to grow, a child is capable of anything they set their mind to. 

    "When the school introduces and trains each child of society into membership within such a little community, saturating him with the spirit of service, and providing him with the instruments of effective self-direction, we shall have the deepest and best guarantee of a larger society which is worthy, lovely and harmonious.” -John Dewey

    Outside of the classroom; Charlie enjoys reading comics, biking around Portland, and collaging.

  • Meghan Gilley is a Lead Blue Room teacher. She has an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Maine Community College and is currently working towards her bachelor's in ECE from the University of Maine Farmington.

    Meghan started at TCC in December 2019. Meghan has been an assistant teacher in both the Yellow and Purple rooms, and was a Lead Toddler teacher in the Yellow room for the 23/24 school year. Meghan believes that children learn best through play, with the nurturing guidance of an educator. That children should be given many opportunities to explore and engage with the natural environment. And that each child is unique and should be met where they are.

    Outside of work, Meghan can be found hiking or running, reading a book, or spending time with her daughter Violet (blue and yellow room alum).

    Meghan is a Maine Roads to Quality level 6.

Pre-K

  • Cristel started at the Children's Center in the summer of 2020. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Elementary Education from the University of Southern Maine. She holds a State of Maine teaching certificate in Elementary Education but her true passion is early childhood with over almost 19 years of teaching experience as a Pre-K teacher. Cristel received National recognition for Excellence in teaching in 2016. She believes that young children learning best through play and meaningful engaging hands on experiences. She is passionate about creating a nurturing and inspiring environment and planning engaging hands on activities. Cristel lives with her husband and son in Biddeford Maine! Her son also attends the children’s center and loves it here. When Cristel is not teaching she enjoys reading, crafting, traveling with her family, attending concerts and seeing live music, going to the beach, swimming, cooking and spending time with friends and family!

  • Hailey began teaching at The Children’s Center in 2024, after graduating from the University of Maine at Farmington with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. For the past nine years, she has been active in the Early Childhood community by gaining experience from volunteer work, student teaching experience in ages from Pre-K to 3rd grade, and eventually landing her role as a Pre-K teacher here at TCC.

    Hailey strives to nurture children's curiosity and creativity. She prioritizes free-play experiences that ignite their interests. Children should be encouraged to explore new concepts through play and learn foundational skills alongside teacher support. 
    Outside of teaching, Hailey enjoys hiking, kayaking, collecting rocks, and beach days. Surrounding herself with children, nature, friends, family, and her cat Merlin brings her the most joy!

Administration

  • JennJennifer Baker joined The Children’s Center as its Executive Director in September 2025. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social and Public Policy from the SUNY Empire State University. Jenn comes to TCC with over 17 years of experience in early childhood education, having directed a large, statewide Head Start program in New York State. Jenn is deeply committed to equitable early childhood education, having witnessed firsthand its transformative impact on children, families, and communities. She believes the early childhood years are critical for healthy growth, development, and readiness for school and life, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve children and families within that context here at TCC.

    Jenn lives in Yarmouth with her husband, 12 year old son, and 2 dogs. In her free time, she enjoys attending sporting events, reading, baking, hiking, and exploring her new home state of Maine with her family!

  • Kailyn Hello, my name is Kailyn Se, and I am the Director of Programming here at TCC. I studied Early Childhood Education at Southern Maine Community College and the University of Maine at Farmington and have been in the field for over 14 years. I began my career as an infant teacher, later taught Pre-K, and transitioned into leadership roles, first as Preschool Coordinator, then Assistant Director, and now Director of Programming. I have been a part of the TCC community since 2019.

    I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Nonprofit Leadership, continuing to expand my knowledge and skills in leadership, advocacy, and nonprofit management. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children (MaineAEYC) and am a professional member of Maine Roads to Quality, Level 6. I am also a member of NAEYC and MeECO.

    My husband, Jeff, and I live in Biddeford with our two boys, Maddan and Theodore. We share our home with Inka, our Catahoula Leopard Plott Hound mix, Peter, our tuxedo cat, and our two newest feline addition, McGee. Outside of work, I enjoy cheering on Maddan at his sporting events, swimming in the ocean with Theo, spending time with my family, and curling up with a good book or a movie.

    I believe the classroom environment sets the tone for learning and extends far beyond its physical walls. Every child deserves respect and learns best through hands-on exploration and meaningful experiences. When educators learn alongside children, we foster a dynamic, responsive learning journey that encourages curiosity, independence, and growth.

    "Play is the highest form of research." – Albert Einstein

Floater Educators

  • Stephen White is one of our float educators 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 toward 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.

  • Susanne was born and raised a music lover in Lincoln, Maine, then moved on to receive a BA in Interdisciplinary Theatre Arts from the University of Maine at Farmington. She has 20+ years of multi-faceted experiences working with children — from camp counselor to performing arts director to music programmer to nanny (and even a former TCC educator in 2011 and 12)!  Today at The Children’s Center, you can find her bopping through everyone’s classrooms as both a floater and a music teacher.

    Susanne encourages children to fully express themselves through play, exploration, imagination, art, and music. She nurtures their creativity and their SIMPLE JOYS!  She believes finding joy in everyday moments is one of the most beautiful and rewarding parts of working with children.

    When she’s not at TCC, Susanne sings for joy as a professional vocalist. She is the leader of a 10 piece Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Say You Love Me, and has been singing and producing shows in Portland and beyond for 15 years.

Substitute Educators