The Family Cooperative benefits from a creative and experienced group of teachers, many who hold a Master's Degree in our field. We recognize that we are all teachers and learners as we collaborate, form strong connections, and reflect on our interactions with each child.
School Support Teachers
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Anntonnette Thompson joined TFC in 2021Anntonnette received her teaching certificate from Bunker Hill College in early childhood education and started working in the childcare field in 1991. She is a grandmother of eight beautiful grandchildren and has been working with children for 34 years. Additionally, Anntonnette is TFC’s resident storyteller, with a professional certificate in storytelling, art, and storytelling with puppets. Her first 30 years of teaching took place at Bigelow Cooperative Daycare Center in Cambridge Mass, and she then joined the team at TFC and has loved every minute of it! In Anntonnette’s own words: When you’ve worked with children as long as I have, it becomes a way of life. I love and enjoy coming to work every day . I am happy I chose child development as my career and wouldn’t have it any other way. Watching children learn and grow and seeing the smiles on their faces when I show up at work is priceless. Thanks for having me as a Support Teacher at TFC, for I love my job and my colleagues. |
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Inaya Dia joined TFC in 2018Inaya is a passionate member of TFC, and a mother and grandmother dedicated to working with children. Originally from Lebanon, Inaya lives with her family in Foxborough MA. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and serves as an all school support teacher at TFC, where she works hard to embody the Reggio Emilia approach through her work. Committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere, she aligns her professional practices with her personal values of dedication and hard work in every aspect of her teaching. Inaya joined TFC in 2018, and has been working and supporting the TFC community since. |
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Kate Laude joined TFC in 2021Kate graduated from Wheelock College and holds a degree in Human Development with a certificate in Community Based Human Services. Early in her career, she was a Behavior Specialist in inclusive classroom settings for children ranging from 15 months - 4 years. As she continued her career working with young children she was introduced to the Reggio Emilia approach. She has spent the past six years teaching in Reggio-inspired preschools. Through these experiences, Kate has learned how capable children are, and that their innate curiosity for the world around them is astounding. In her spare time, Kate loves going to the beach, spending time with friends/family, and adventuring to new places. |
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Samantha Madden joined in 2022Samantha (Sam) has always had a passion for working with young children. Growing up, adults referred to her as a “natural” and a “baby whisperer”. This gave her the confidence to eventually pursue a career working with young children. Sam went to a technical high school with an early education and care program. This allowed her to start her teaching journey in a hands-on manner at the age of 14. Sam graduated with infant/toddler/preschool certification. After six years of teaching at one center, Sam decided it was time to branch out and explore different approaches to teaching. Then Sam found TFC! Exploring the Reggio Emilia approach through experiential learning opportunities and seeing just how children change has made Sam feel right at home as she grows as a teacher alongside the children. |
Sequoia Room Teachers
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Claire Messier joined TFC in 2020Claire has been working with young children for over a decade. In that time, she developed a strong love for working with babies and young toddlers. She sees that there is so much to be learned from connections with the youngest members of our community. Claire believes in finding joy in the little things, both inside and outside of the classroom. This is reflected in the fact that Claire spends most of her time away from TFC engaging in one of her many hobbies including reading, gaming, knitting and various other mediums of art.
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Erin Sheehan joined TFC in 2022Erin graduated from Salem State University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a focus in Early Childhood Education. Over her years of experience in a variety of school and home settings, she earned a lead teacher certification and has worked with children aging from infancy to school age, as well as children with special needs. After coming to TFC, Erin fell in love with the child-focused atmosphere and community of teacher-learners in a Reggio Emilia-inspired school. This is also where she found her true home in a classroom with infants and young toddlers.
In her free time, Erin can always be found with a book in her hand, spending time with her nephews, and traveling with her friends! |
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Sarah Hollis joined TFC in 2021Sarah graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Child, Youth, & Family Studies, a double minor in Education and Global Studies and a specialization in Teaching Infants and Toddlers. She has spent the last several years learning and growing as an infant teacher specifically, as this age group has stolen her heart. She hopes to create an environment based on respect through exploration, discovery, and play. She sees her job as helping to guide and facilitate learning through a co-construction of knowledge based on children's curiosity and interests. Sarah's teaching philosophy and pedagogy is deeply rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach and she is continuing her education by pursuing a Master's Degree in Innovative Early Childhood Education through CU Denver in collaboration with the Boulder Journey School. Outside of the classroom, Sarah is a passionate volleyball coach and player. She is currently the assistant women's volleyball coach at Suffolk University.
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Magnolia Room Teachers
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Dawn Sandberg joined TFC in 2021Dawn was born and raised in Tewksbury, where she still resides in her childhood home with her husband, two sons, and mom. Dawn began her teaching career at an after school program while attending community college. Over time, Dawn found the education classes exciting and engaging, which then guided her further into the field of early education. Dawn went from teaching in an after school program to a traditional daycare center, which her children then attended. As time progressed, Dawn made the decision to finish her degree and attended Lesley University where she earned a degree in American Studies: History and English with a minor in Education. Dawn also holds DESE certification in English and History 5-8. Dawn spent seven years working in a public school as an ABA Therapist, specifically working with pre-k through grade 2 students. She has been trained and certified in ABA practices and Safety Care. Dawn made the decision to leave the public school system and go back to teaching in an early childhood setting. The Reggio Emilia approach has inspired Dawn to reimagine the way she teaches and learns from the children. She especially enjoys the creativity, mess, and joy the children bring to the class! |
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Hannah Sheridan joined TFC in 2024
Hannah has been working in the field of early childhood care and education for over ten years. Finding inspiration in learning from and drawing upon different educational methods and philosophies, she has worked in both Montessori and Reggio Emilia inspired schools. She earned her Montessori teaching certificate in 2014. Hannah has a special fondness for outdoor education, and is a founding member of the board of directors for the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network. Some of her greatest joys are creating opportunities for children to connect with nature, designing process-based art projects, singing songs and reading books with children. She views children as capable, creative, and important members of our society. It is her intention as an educator to foster independence, collaboration, self-confidence, self-awareness, inclusivity, community, and a sense of stewardship of the Earth, inspiring an intrinsic, life-long love and joy of learning and exploration in all of the children she has the honor of working with. In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time outside hiking, biking, camping, gardening, and going to the beach. Some of her other hobbies include cooking, fiber arts, and herbalism. |
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Kelly Shedd
Coming soon... |
Willow Room Teachers
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Maureen Linnane Joined TFC in 2016A native from the west coast of Ireland, she now calls Boston home. She has a deep love for the city and all that it has to offer to developing minds. She teamed up with her sister to open up a bar and restaurant in Cambridge. While enjoying the challenges and experience of the family business, she knew that her true vocation was to work with children.
While working full-time, she pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education, which led her to The Family Cooperative. She immediately felt a connection to the school and the unique sense of community that exists among the parents and teachers. She feels so fortunate to be part of a Reggio Emilia inspired center and finds it a privilege to witness the growth and development of the children as they build the foundation for a love of lifetime learning. She is excited to share in the wonder and discovery of each day as it’s filled with fun and creativity. |
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Kimberly Cosky Joined TFC in 2022Kim has been in the Early Childhood field for over twelve years. She graduated from Westfield State College and holds both teacher and director certifications. Before coming to TFC, Kim taught Pre-K and was a principal at a private school. In the classroom, Kim finds inspiration in the Reggio Emilia philosophy. She enjoys creating a classroom environment that supports each child’s growth and development. Outside of the classroom, Kim enjoys traveling with her husband and exploring the architecture of different cultures.
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Erica Hetrick Joined TFC in 2023Erica was adopted as an infant and was raised by two loving parents in New Jersey. As a tween, her family moved to Florida, where she lived until moving to Newton just before starting the 2023 school year. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida… go Gators! While attending college, she started teaching at a Reggio Emilia inspired early childhood center and quickly fell in love. She brings her passion for art and music into the classroom and is continuously motivated by the children and their interests. She strives to create a classroom environment where each child feels loved and valued. She loves learning alongside the children, and they show her new ideas and perspectives every day. In her free time, she enjoys music, movies, and video games.
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Maple Room Teachers
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Monica Fall Joined TFC in 2022Monica Fall grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and now lives in Watertown, MA with her husband and two children. Her journey to working in early childhood education began after having her own children and enrolling them in a cooperative preschool. Seeing the joy and fascination young children have as they learn inspired Monica to pursue a career as an early childhood educator. She believes strongly in child-centered approaches to education and is dedicated to growing and learning along with the children at The Family Cooperative.
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A. R. Joined TFC in 2024Coming soon... |
Chestnut Room Teachers
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Beth Nadeau Joined TFC in 2020
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Amy Kao joined TFC in 2024Amy was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan and earned her M.Ed. in Art Education (PreK-8) from Lesley University in 2021. After teaching art in Taiwan for two years, she moved to the Boston area in 2018 and has loved working with young children ever since. Amy is excited to bring her art experience to the TFC community and continue her studies in early childhood education. She’s dedicated to creating a warm and respectful environment where kids feel loved, supported, and free to explore their curiosity. Amy loves finding creative ways to help each child discover their strengths! For her personal practice in art, she loves doing pottery and printmaking. |
Administrative Team
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Caitlin Maddix joined TFC in 2017
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Kate Hudson joined TFC in 2018
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ADDRESS51 Kondazian Street
Watertown, MA 02472 Telephone617.393.8356
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