Courtney grew up among trees, chickens, fairy houses, and the sounds of peepers in the spring. They spent their elementary years at a Waldorf school, because their mother didn't want their wild spirit to be tamed. Those years inspired Courtney to complete a Master's in Education and Social Change from Antioch University. Courtney joined the Center School in 2022 after years of working in schools in Los Angeles. They now live in the Hilltowns with their kid on an intergenerational family farm. Outside of school, they enjoy playing rugby, being in nature, telling stories on stage, doing puzzles, and building things.

Olivia grew up in Berkeley, CA and first came to Western Mass to attend high school at Buxton School in WIlliamstown. She took to their progressive, student-led philosophy, and fell in love with the east coast in the process. She went on to study visual art at Bennington College in VT. After receiving her BA from Bennington in 2016, she moved back CA to get her Masters in Education at Mills College. During that time, she worked as a cook at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. With restaurant’s acclaimed Edible Schoolyard Program, Olivia was able to combine two of her passions- cooking and working with young people. Now, she has returned to beloved Western Mass to teach, make art, and create a new home with friends and family. She loves exploring the best swimming spots with her dog, Misha, and most weekends you can find her at the ceramics studio throwing and glazing her wares.

Sandy discovered a passion for learning alongside children while volunteering as an English teacher for an indigenous-led, educational cooperative in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. After returning to the states, she spent ten years working with young children and families as a center-based preschool teacher, a home-based family advocate for Head Start, and a parent educator/playgroup facilitator. This is now Sandy’s sixth year at the Center School. Sandy lives in Orange with her partner Sarah, two cats, dog, and a small flock of chickens. In her free time she loves kayaking and reading every sci-fi, fantasy, or post-apocalyptic/ dystopian fiction book that she can get her hands on.

Meaghan is delighted to start her fourth year working with students and families at the Center School. Meaghan first ventured out to Western Mass to attend UMASS where she received a degree in Psychology. After spending some time back in Eastern MA teaching preschool, she returned to the Valley and taught at Gan Keshet Preschool in Northampton. Meaghan then attended graduate school at Lesley University in Cambridge for a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. For the past decade, Meaghan has practiced as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist in Greenfield. During her free time, Meaghan can be found hanging out with her daughter, going to see live music, camping, and hiking the 48 4000’ White Mountains!

Andy is originally a city kid from New York, but he's at home in the wilds of Western Mass. A frisbee enthusiast, musician, linguist and gamer, he just can't get enough of getting to do all those things at school and outside too. You might see him at contra dances at the Guiding Star Grange or playing pickup Ultimate at GCC. Andy speaks Mandarin and Spanish, so when you see him around school feel free to say "你好！” or "¡Hola!" and strike up a conversation! This is his 9th year as an Uppers teacher at the Center School and his 15th year classroom teaching altogether. After starting as a second grade teacher in Shanghai, China, he studied teaching for social justice at Marlboro College's graduate program SPARK in 2014 and has taught and coached in the valley ever since. Best of all, he's also a dad to Ernie and we spend most of our free time together.

Jenny has been teaching in the Pioneer Valley for the past eighteen years. She is excited about integrating nature and art into all aspects of the school day. Jenny and her family live on a homestead in the center of the Wendell State Forest where they grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. They also have raised hogs, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and quail. When she is not teaching, Jenny loves to garden, swim, ski, laugh, read and crochet.

Matt is a musician and educator enjoying their fourth year at the Center School. Growing up in the Hudson Valley, they were exposed to all kinds of music and began playing guitar and banjo when they were in elementary school. Now settled in the Pioneer Valley, they enjoy writing, playing, and teaching music for all ages.

Rebecca has been a teacher at the Center School since 2005! Much of that time was spent teaching science, literature, and slew of other things to the Uppers. She then took her love of science and the outdoors to the younger students and joined the Forest K/1 classroom. Most recently she has been part of the student support services team, working with K-4 grade. When not busy at the Center School, Rebecca can be found with her kids Linden (14), and Aliza (11). You can also find her in her garden growing things to add to her herbal apothecary, dancing to some live music, or running a Jewish education program.

Tayler was born and raised in Northern California, and first moved out east to study visual art at Bennington College. While there, she fell head over heels for the lushness of the northeastern landscape and the unraveling drama of the changing seasons. After some traveling and living in different parts of the country, she is happy to finally put down her roots here in the Pioneer Valley. Her best days are spent outside- drawing, swimming, canoeing in the rivers, and exploring the forests. She also spends much of her time in the studio, where she makes rugs, stained glass, ceramics, and paintings. Tayler has always been drawn to working with kids, with whom she can share in her two very favorite things- art and play. In addition to teaching in the Puzzle Primes, Tayler will be teaching in our After Care program.

Beverly is the creator of the children's page for the Montague Reporter, the vice president of Looky Here art and workshop space, and the director of Lovelight Children's Theater. She has worked as the children's librarian at the Slate Memorial Library and is also the founder of the annual Fairy House Day on Avenue A in Turners Falls. She loves to write poetry and has made two records of her music. In addition to teaching in the After Care, Bev is the floating teacher in the Preschool Primes.

Cynthia was born and raised in New Salem and Orange, MA. She graduated from R.C. Mahar High School in 2020, and began working as a nanny for two children shortly thereafter. After spending two weeks subbing in the woods in early January 2022, Cynthia was hooked on the Center School! She is excited to spend her days learning, playing, and exploring the outdoors with kids. When she's not working, you can find Cynthia playing dek hockey, camping, caring for her animals, and hanging out with her girlfriend, Sisi, a Center School alum. While working full-time at the Center School, Cynthia is also working towards her degree in early education this spring.

Grace grew up in Springfield before finding a home on the river further north. With several years of experience working with children in outdoor settings, Grace loves guiding them through hands-on nature-based projects, crafts, and imaginative play. She is passionate about creating a space where creativity can flourish, and is constantly inspired by children's endless capacity for curiosity and wonder! When not at school you can find Grace at a trivia night, social dance, drag show, taking pictures, or reading at home with her new cat.

Joe studied music at Bennington College and has been working with kids ever since. He is thrilled to be entering his third year as a Center School teacher. Originally from Storrs, Connecticut, Joe moved to Franklin county in 2017 and fell in love with the vibrant communities and natural spaces in the area. At home, he loves to spend time with his family, tackle building projects, experiment in the kitchen, and generally spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Sara grew up in Franklin County and has a strong connection with this area. She graduated from Smith College with a major in Education and Child Study, where her focus was on teaching social justice in lower elementary grades. Sara is beginning her nineteenth year teaching at the Center School. When she is not teaching, she loves cooking and baking, and being with her family. Her two daughters, Maeve and Sadie, are both Center School alumni.

Kara was born and raised in Greenfield MA. She spent 12 years working with students in the Greenfield Public Schools, teaching fifth grade for the last 5 years and working at Newton Elementary School for 7 years before that. She has always loved working in schools and comes from a family of educators. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and crafter. She also likes to mix it up by training and competing in the sport of strongwoman. She loves spending lots of time outside, especially in the warmer months, hiking and exploring!

Katie has been teaching at the Center School since October 2018. Katie started working at the Center School when her daughter, Grace, now a fourth grader, was 19 months old. Katie has a passion for working with early learners and loves the wonder and magic that working with toddlers can bring. Katie has been working professionally with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers since 2010 when she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. When not teaching, Katie enjoys gardening, seeing live music, hiking, making herbal medicines, and getting outside in all kinds of weather. She brings a deep respect and admiration for children to her work and seeks to create a kind, compassionate environment for all children to thrive.

After years of teaching at progressive elementary and middle schools in Massachusetts and California, Lauren is now in her fourth year as Director of Admissions and Outreach. In addition to her role in the administration, you can also find her teaching Sex Ed. in the Uppers, or strumming along on her ukulele in the All School band. When not at school, Lauren enjoys competing in Highland Games alongside her partner, Katie, learning new board games, and listening to audiobooks at breakneck speeds. Lauren and her son, Maio (a 3rd grade Mup!), live in the woods of Montague with their two sassy and playful cats.

Emily grew up in Western New York, where she attended a small independent school that nurtured her love of reading, writing, and climbing trees during lunchtime. With a Master’s in Social Work and certification as a yoga teacher, Emily has dedicated many years to working with communities, families, and children in various settings, creating safe spaces for change and self-reflection. Emily joined the Center School community in 2021 as a parent, and as the Director of Admissions and Advancement in 2024. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her children and dog, hiking to scenic views, finding the best swimming holes, reading, and playing in the kitchen.

Amanda joined the Center School staff in 2011. She enjoys spending her days supporting students, teachers, and families, and the various joys and challenges that come along with that role. Amanda’s three daughters are all Center School graduates (2013, 2017, & 2021). She currently resides in Athol with her daughters, Sierra, a junior at Wheaton College in Norton, MA, and Eva, a junior in the cosmetology program at Monty Tech. Her oldest daughter graduated from FIU in 2021 and lives and works outside of Orlando, FL.

Vanessa was born and raised in Greenfield, and is a Center School Alum. For years, Vanessa worked in the Greenfield Public School system. Starting as a substitute teacher, she moved on to work full time in a variety of special education programs as an instructional assistant while also coaching girls soccer and basketball after school. Prior to joining GCS, she had stepped out of the classroom to focus on behavior management and restorative practices at the Greenfield Middle School. Vanessa values play and movement. For many years she coached gymnastics and parkour at The Y. In her spare time, she enjoys sitting by a fire, fishing, bird watching, gardening, and eating.

Chris is a 5th generation educator, and has worked in the field of education for 28 years, 23 of which have been at the Center School. He has a son, Eliot, who studies art and Ultimate at Vassar College, and a high schooler, Rain, who loves to write, draw and take care of dogs. Chris is a passionate woodworker in his spare time, building furniture and fixing things in his workshop. As Facilities Director, he enjoys involving students in creative problem-solving alongside hands-on building and design projects.

This is Julie’s fourth year at the Center School. Trained as an Occupational Therapist, Julie spent many years working with elders and teaching at the graduate level before shifting into Early Intervention and working with kids ages 0-3 and their families. This is where she witnessed first hand the amazing things tiny humans can learn and do. She has a passion for helping young children discover new skills, learn how to move and regulate their bodies, and explore their worlds in new ways. In addition to teaching, she can be found exploring local hiking trails with her husband and son Liam (6), singing, drumming and listening to music of all kinds, snuggling with her kitties and trialing just about every sensory material she can get her hands on.

This is my first year at the Greenfield Center School, but I have been working in education for my whole career. I’ve taught preschool and elementary school in a variety of settings, led wilderness trips with Outward Bound in Maine, worked with families through Early Intervention, and run my own playgroup when my kids were very small. My favorite thing about teaching is witnessing and supporting people as they step out of their comfort zones and develop new skills and strengths. I’m a dabbler who is curious about most people, places and things, but I particularly love art, music, hiking and canoeing, and good food. I live in Greenfield with my partner, Andrew, our two kids (Max and Frankie), Pearl Rainbow Flower The Puppy (golden retriever), Socrates (the cat), and five chickens whose names all start with A.

This is Anna’s second year with the Power Primes and her fourth year at the Center School. She studied fine art and creative writing at The New School and UMass Amherst and is currently working her way through the Early Childhood Education program at GCC. Anna feels called to work with children during the formative stages of their lives. She is inspired by young children’s creative expression, curiosity, and boundless imagination, and loves creating opportunities for them to explore and grow. When she’s not teaching, Anna is usually off on an adventure with her two daughters, spending time in the studio, or taking a long walk.