Linda MacGillvary
Director
Linda became the part-time director of the Harrisville Children’s Center in 2002. It wasn’t long before the Board of Directors realized that the center actually needed a full-time director, and Linda accepted that position, where she remains today. Linda has her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education from Keene State College and her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Needs from the University of NH. She has taught preschool through grade two in both private and public settings. Linda lives in Harrisville with her husband and two sons. She enjoys gardening, photography, crossword puzzles, and browsing bookshops whenever she has a chance. Linda is excited to start the 2012-2013 school year with nearly full enrollment, a waiting list for some classes, and a wonderful staff. Linda’s hours are typically Monday through Thursday, 8:15-3:15 and Fridays 8:15-11:45 and 5:00-8:00. She can be reached at home at 827-3405
Claire Gargan
Teacher - Infant Program
Claire has more than 30 years experience in the field of parenting and child care. Grandmother of three, she recently arrived in NH from Southern Africa to join her family who lives in Harrisville. She has been married to Phil for almost 34 years now. Claire has two Montessori Diplomas from London in the field of Nursery Foundation and Primary Teaching, and a Hornsby Diploma in Special Education, also from London. For the last 18 years she has taught in elementary schools as a classroom teacher and school principal in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She believes in holistic care and teaching where each child learns at his or her own pace. Claire enjoys sewing, knitting, reading, swimming, and spending time with her grandchildren. She looks forward to taking on the position as Lead Teacher in the Infant program.
Janet Buckbee
Assistant Teacher – Infant Program
Janet is beginning her first year at Harrrisville Children's Center. Janet has over 35 years of experience, ranging from her first position at the Keene Daycare Center in 1974, to the birth of her third grandchild this past July. Janet is a mother of two and a grandmother of three. Prior to having her first child in 1977, she was a substitute teacher at the KSC Child Development Center and the Peterborough Daycare Center. While she was a stay-at-home mom, she substituted at the Rise program and was actively involved as a parent at the Monadnock Waldorf School. Most recently she has worked as an assistant at Helping Hands Preschool in Marlborough. Children bring great joy to Janet's life. Janet lives in Marlborough with her husband Frank and her 92 year old mother. She enjoys horseback riding, gardening, hiking and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited about joining the Harrisville Children's Center and looks forward to getting to know everyone.
Katie Dillon
Teacher — Afternoon Infant Program
Katie started working at HCC in November of 2009, as an assistant teacher in the preschool room. She spent five years at The Discovery Museums in Acton, MA as part of the education staff, which included working with four- through six-year-olds at the Museums’ summer camp program. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Keene State College, and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England. Although her degrees are not directly related to children, Katie has always loved being with children, sharing their learning experiences and helping them grow as individuals. This year Katie is the afternoon teacher in the Infant Program.
Erika Curtiss
Teacher - Younger Toddler Program
Erika began her education in Fine Arts at Antioch College where she received her BA in Visual Arts. She then went on to obtain her MFA at Marywood University. Upon graduating from Marywood, Erika moved back home to Keene, New Hampshire after being gone for fifteen years to take care of her grandparents. While taking care of her grandparents she came to the realization of how art assists in the growth and health of all human beings, young or old. It was then that Erika decided to attend Antioch University New England for both Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Her intention was to integrate art into all aspects of the curriculum with the idea that art aides in the formulation of motor skills, the ability to observe, as well as cognitive development. Upon completion at AUNE, Erika joined the HCC community as the Younger Toddler Teacher. She is very excited about being with children that are open to opportunities to explore not just art but everything around them
Amber Reed
Assistant Teacher — Younger Toddler Program
Amber started working at the Harrisville Children’s Center in June of 2012 as the infant teacher, and moved to the younger toddler room for the school year. She is a recent college graduate of Lesley University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Mathematics. During the school year she is also the After School Program Coordinator for the Marlborough School. Teaching and being in the classroom are her passions, and she is excited for the upcoming year.
Charline Kellerman
Teacher — Afternoon Younger Toddler Program
In her first few months at HCC Charline feels welcomed and energized to participate as a team teacher at a wonderful, caring early childhood program. She has a Bachelor 's from SUNY Potsdam and has been involved primarily in early childhood education throughout her career. She is passionate about facilitating the unique developmental growth of each child respective of his or her personality, as well as recognizing parents’ concerns and questions. Charline has two grown sons and pursues interests in watercolor painting, fly fishing, gardening, stenciling and any natural outdoor activities. She is looking forward to this school year with you and your children in this professional atmosphere as she shares the joys and successes of each young child's exploration and adventure in the pursuit of the love of learning.
Jessica Kipka
Teacher — Older Toddler Program
Jessica is delighted to begin her second year at Harrisville Children’s Center. She has always had a fondness for the very young and the very old and has taught tennis, swimming, gymnastics, theater, and First Grade. Jessica is really excited to explore the world with the wonder and curiosity of two and three year olds again. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Keene State College and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Antioch University. Her education in child development has been, and continues to be, supplemented by her own three children who range in age from 10 to 17. Jessica lives with her kids, husband, and three silly, black cats in Peterborough.
Lilli Somero
Assistant Teacher – Older Toddler Program
Lilli is a lover of beautiful things including literature, nature and children, all of which have surrounded her throughout her upbringing and continue to be a reminder providing her with inspiration. Her passions collide through watching the patience and desire of children and their ineffable drive to learn about what surrounds them. Rarely is there a time when Lilli is not with children, at which point she walks local mountains and forests seeking the solitude and calm that comes with the acceptance of time passing, only to drive home to an atmosphere filled with children playing outdoors and laughter all around.
Nicole Ludecker
Teacher – Preschool Program
Nicole started working in the preschool program at Harrisville Children’s Center in July 2012. She just recently moved to Troy, NH from Raynham, MA where she taught preschool for 2 ½ years. Nicole graduated from Bridgewater State College in 2010 with her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. What she loves most about working with young children is their natural love of learning and their constant curiosity. Seeing a child’s imagination at work is such a wonderful experience. In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading, painting, and exploring the outdoors around her.
Sandra Turner
Assistant Teacher – Preschool Program
Sandra joined the HCC staff in the fall of 2012. She retired from teaching in June, 2012 after many wonderful, rewarding years at Rindge Memorial School where she taught SP. Education, 1st and 2nd grade, and most recently as a Tier II teacher. She graduated from KSC with a B.S. degree
in Elementary/Special Education. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, baking and being with family and friends. Sandra loves to spend time in Maine, walking the beaches searching for sea glass or just watching the sun set over the oceanKaren Baird
Business Manager/Administrative Assistant
Karen began working at HCC in July of 2007. She studied Accounting and Business Administration, leading to a degree at Franklin Pierce College. Karen went on to receive her Master’s Degree at Southern NH University. She has owned Baird Financial Management for the past 24 years, spending the last eight years focusing on the needs of local non-
profits. Karen’s responsibilities at HCC include billing, accounts payable and payroll.