Meet our Staff

Linda MacGillvary, Director

Linda began her sixth year at HCC in June. She has been working with young children and their families since 1985. Linda has a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in early childhood education. She lives in Harrisville with her husband, Darrel, and two sons, Jonas and Zachary. She loves gardening, photography, and being with her boys. Linda is also very involved in the community, serving on a variety of committees as well as overseeing the Harrisville Old Home Days weekend held each summer. Her hours at HCC vary, but she can usually be reached here M-F 9:15-2:45. Feel free to call her at home at 827-3405.

Karen Baird, Business Manager

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 21 years, spending the last five years focusing on the needs of local non-profits. Karen’s responsibilities at HCC include billing, accounts payable and payroll. She resides in Hancock with her son, Stephen. Karen can be reached via cell phone at 562-5362 or at home at 525-4700.

Pat Rossi, Teacher–Infant Program

Pat is a native New Yorker who happily transplanted herself to NH at age 28. She now lives with her family on Forest Lake in Winchester. This is Pat’s fourth year at HCC. She has taught for 25 years, mostly in the Monadnock Waldorf School as a classroom teacher, music teacher, and substitute for grades preschool through eight. Pat has just completed the Sophia’s Hearth training course in Keene, “The Child in the First Three Years” and is excited to work with what she learned about the very young child. Pat loves the outdoors and creating gardens. She also enjoys canoeing, hiking, and contra dancing. She is very excited to be with the infants again this year and hopes to create a trusting, happy relationship with them.

Liana Hoffman, Afternoon Teacher–Infant Program

Liana began as a substitute teacher at HCC during the 2006 Summer Program. She joined us as the afternoon teacher in the infant program during the late fall of that same year. Liana has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and special education from Franklin Pierce College, as well as certificates in vocational evaluation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Assumption College. She has worked as a coordinator of individual services in the human service field, specializing in adult services. During this past summer, Liana attended a week-long workshop at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center in Keene titled “Nurturing the Young Child from Birth to Three”. Liana loves to bake and cook, which she does with a chef friend as a catering business. She lives in Hancock and enjoys snowshoeing, gardening, photography, reading, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. Liana has two children, Alicia and Noah.

Rachel Winski, Teacher–Younger Toddler Program

Rachel is entering her second year at HCC as the lead teacher in the Younger Toddler Program. Rachel has her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Ohio State University. She has gained experience working with families and their children as a nanny and child care provider during college and most recently as a case manager at the Phoenix House in Dublin. Rachel and her husband, Todd, bought their first home in Keene this year. They are busy working on the house and taking care of their 18 month old son, Brennan. Rachel enjoys running, reading, and watching Ohio State Football.

Helen Bullard, Teacher–Older Toddler Program

Helen joins us this year as the lead teacher for the Older Toddler Program. Helen has her Master’s degree in education, state certification for grades K-8, and Waldorf teaching certificate. She has worked in both public and private schools grades 1-3 and ran an in-home child care center when her daughter was younger. Helen lives in Stoddard with her husband, Louis, and eight year old daughter, Sephirah. She loves to garden, work with animals, do crafts, sing and generally try to make the world a more beautiful and peaceful place.

Melissa Leopold, Assistant Teacher–Older Toddler Program

Melissa recently moved to New Hampshire from Milford, New Jersey. Born in Liverpool, England (where the “Beatles” came from), her parents moved the family to America when she was three years old. Melissa lives in Nelson with her husband, Steve, and six year old son, Blake. She loves to spend time with her family and walking her dogs, Bilbo Baggins and Maggie May. She is eager to learn more about early childhood education from the wonderful HCC teachers.

Julia Pakradooni, Teacher–Preschool Program

This will be Julia’s seventh year teaching at The Harrisville Children’s Center. Julia is a past parent of the Center and served as the president of the Board of Directors. Julia will continue to teach preschool children, again this year with children ages 3-5 years old. Julia has her Master’s degree in special education. She has two children, Andrew and Haley. She lives in Harrisville.

Hannah Tewksbury, Afternoon Teacher–Preschool Program

Hannah grew up in the beautiful community of Nelson, NH with her mother, father, and older brother and sister. She graduated from Keene State College in August 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Studio Art. Hannah is excited about her first teaching position and is looking forward to a wonderful year.

Libby Gannett, Afternoon Teacher–Younger Toddler Program

Libby Gannett began working with the younger toddlers in the afternoon program in November 2007. During the day, Libby is a special education para-professional at Marlborough School. She grew up in Sutton, NH, a small town near Sunapee, and loves living in New England. Libby graduation from Keene State College in May 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and geography. She enjoys hiking, canoeing, laughing, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. Libby is also enjoying her work with HCC's toddlers.