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 the private and public settings.
Linda Scanlan
Teacher - Infant Program
Linda Scanlan moved with her family to Nelson, NH from Millis, MA five years ago. She has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Massachusetts Bay College. She first worked an an infant teacher at the Wellesley College Community Children's Center and then as a toddler/preschool teacher at Riverside Children's Center. For the next 20 years Linda owned and operated an NAFCC (National Accreditation for Family Child Care Standards) accredited child care center in her home. During that same time period, Linda also worked for Charles River Community Partnership for Children where she inspected child care centers in Massachusetts and helped to bring them up to Nafcc standards.
Michelle Emerson-Small
Afternoon Teacher – Infant Program
Michelle began her first year at the Harrisville Children's Center in March 2011 as an assistant teacher in the infant room and became the Afternoon Infant Teacher shortly thereafter. She enrolled at Manchester Community College in the spring and is working toward an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. Michelle looks forward to spending her afternoons with the infants and observing their growth as they make their journey into the world.
Sarah Dube
Assistant Teacher – Infant Program
Sarah has had two major passions in her life: theater and teaching. She comes from a large family with many children and has enjoyed caring for her seven nieces and nephews. Sarah graduated in May 2001 with a B.A. in Theater from the University of Southern Maine. While earning in May 2001 with a B.A. in Theater from the University of Southern Maine. While earning her degree, she was a middle school mentor as well as an assistant teacher of Aerial Dance for children ages 4-11. Sarah recently moved to New Hampshire to pursue an M.Ed. in elementary Education with a concentration in Arts and Humanities at Antioch University New England starting September 2011. She began working at the Harrisville Children's Center in the summer of 2011.
Heather Scanlan
Teacher — Younger Toddler Program
Heather Scanlan is originally from Massachusetts, but currently resides in Nelson. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Keene State College and has taken numerous Early Childhood Education classes at River Valley College. This fall she will be starting a Master's in Public Health program online. Heather has always enjoyed interacting with children as a teacher’s assistant at her mother’s in-home child care center, as well as a live-in nanny. Prior to working as a teacher in the younger toddler program, she was an assistant in the older toddler program at HCC. Heather has been working at the Harrisville Children's Center since August 2009.
Diana Damato
Assistant Teacher - Younger Toddler Program
Diana has loved connecting with young children for as long as she can remember. She has had the privilege of working with and teaching infants, toddlers and preschoolers for the past eight years, primarily at the Keene State College Child Development Center. Diana substituted for teachers in various classrooms at the Child Development Center and sometimes filled in full-time for short-term periods. Diana brings a love of the outdoors and nature to her work. She started her second year at the Harrisville Children's Center in the fall of 2011.
Jessica Kipka
Teacher — Older Toddler Program
Jessica has always had a fondness for the very young and the very old and is utterly delighted to have found a position at the Harrisville Children's Center beginning the fall of 2011. She has been working with children since high school and has taught tennis, swimming, gymnastics, theater, and most recently, first grade in the ConVal School District. Jessica is really excited to explore the world with the wonder and curiousity of two and three year olds. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Keene State College and a Master's in Elementary Education from Antioch University.
Amber Peabody
Assistant Teacher – Older Toddler Program
Amber worked at the Harrisville Children's Center in 2008 as a substitute teacher. She is now the assistant teacher in the older toddler room for the 2011-2012 school year working with Jessica Kipka. Amber is currently working toward a degree in early childhood education from River Valley Community College in Keene. She has had experience caring for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at other child care centers in both New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Marina Beerli
Teacher-Preschool Program
Marina was pleased to begin working at the Harrisville Children's Center in the fall of 2011. After getting her Masters of Education from Antioch New England, Marina moved to New Mexico where she taught 2nd/3rd grade on the Zuni Indian Reservation before opening her own preschool called Heartwings Nursery School. Marina went on to work in the teacher education program at the University of New Mexico before moving with her husband to New Zealand where she worked as a performing arts and classroom teacher. She and her husband have just moved back to New England where they look forward to putting down new roots. Marina loves supporting children's innate curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder.
Joshua Lapinsky
Assistant Teacher - Preschool Program
Joshua started his first year at the Harrisville Children's Center in the fall of 2011. He is a recent college graduate with a degree in Anthropology. As an intern at the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough, NH he assisted the Education Director in teaching children about other cultures. During the summer he is the lead counselor for the Summer Teen Adventures Program in Rindge, NH. Joshua is also the program coordinator for the Rindge Recreation Department and runs a successful after school program. His work with children in grades K-5 has been creative and exciting. Joshua is looking forward to bringing those same elements to the preschool program.
Katie Dillon
Assistant Teacher — Preschool Program
Katie started working at the Harrisville Children's Center in November of 2009 as an assistant teacher in the preschool program. Prior to that she spent five years at The Discovery Museums in Acton, MA as part of the education staff. This job 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 will be working with Marina Beerli in the preschool room.
Susanna Sornatale
Floater/Afternoon YoungerTeacher
Susanna is very excited to begin at the Harrisville Children's Center in the fall of 2011. She is originally from Norwalk, CT but decided to move to southwestern New Hampshire after attending college here. She graduated from Keene State College in May 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Her practicum allowed her the experience of working with children between the ages of three and seven in both private and public settings.
Jody Halliday
Teacher – Afternoon Toddler Program
Jody is beginning her third year as an afternoon teacher at the Harrisville Children's Center. She holds a BA in English and a NH K-8 teaching certification. Jody recently retired from the public school system and now spends her mornings in her wearable art business studio and her afternoons at HCC enjoying the great outdoors with the older toddlers and preschoolers. In the winter, snow rooms and sled runs are on the schedule; spring brings planting; summer is for watering, weeding and mulching; and fall is for raking and brisk walks. Jody lives in Keene with her husband and black lab.
Karen 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.