Staff

Each teacher is given the freedom to use their own interests and particular abilities and those of the classroom children to develop a sense of trust, a sense of competence and a sense of initiative in their children. This starts even at the youngest ages.

All teachers use these strategies to develop the below character traits:

  • Follow a consistent schedule
  • Carry through announced plans and promises
  • Make contact with each child, each day
  • Make positive comments about children's play each day
  • Reinforce and value play activities
  • Have developmentally appropriate materials to play with
  • Provide materials that support and challenge
  • Praise the child's efforts
  • Help channel a child's frustrations
  • Encourage children to see a task through the end
  • Provide ample opportunities for creative expression
  • Allow children to explore the environment

Carol Barbierri, Executive Director

Carol started Happy Days Playschool 24 years ago, as a part-day preschool, which soon became incorporated, owned by a Board of Directors and expanded to include a full-day, full-year program. Her responsibilities as Executive Director of Happy Days include staff supervision and evaluation, building changes and maintenance, staff and children’s weekly scheduling, parent communication, working with the bookkeeper on financials and budgets, and representing Happy Days at local, regional and state meetings.

Carol recently completed courses in Law & Financial Issues and Human Resource Management. She is working towards a Director Credential through Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center.

Katie Murphy, Administrative Assistant

I am the secretary/administrative assistant at Happy Days Playschool. I live in Arlington with my husband, step-son, 2 daughters and a son. I have worked at Happy Days since 2002. I enjoy seeing all the children come in and out each day while I am at the front desk.

Peggy Hanson, Assistant Director and Head Teacher, 4-5 year olds

Peggy will be taking on more administrative duties this year and only teach the MWF Penguin Class. Her new duties will include preparing for NAEYC national reaccreditation, co-supervising staff, coordinating parent activities and the Parent Association, and updating our web site (when it is up and running!) in addition to writing grants, implementing the arts enrichment program and coordinating Camp Adventure.

This past summer Peggy completed a Human Resource Management course through CCV and is working to obtain the Afterschool Director’s Credential through Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center.

Peggy will continue as a mentor through the Stern Center for Language and Learning, acting as a mentor for Jayne, Cedar and Sharron through the Building Blocks program.

Stacey Martin, Head Teacher, 4 to 5 year olds

Stacey has been employed at Happy Days for three years, moving to the 4-5’s preschool classroom this year. She brings to the classroom a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a minor in Special Education, coursework in the education field, along with 8+ years of teaching experience. She is in the process of obtaining teacher licensure through the VECEL program. Stacey is enrolled in the Mother Goose Cares about Social Studies course this fall and will be incorporating this into the curriculum during the year. Stacey believes that “Every opportunity is a learning experience” and this is evidenced by the learning environment and activities that occur within the classroom. As this is the year before kindergarten, school readiness skills will be addressed during the year and parents will be kept informed about the skills their children are working on.

Sharron Harrington, Head Teacher, 3 to 4 year olds

Sharron has worked at Happy Days for 4 years in the two’s classroom. She has an Infant-Toddler CDA and has been taking courses for the last two years in preparation for obtaining a Preschool CDA. Sharron feels that the move to the preschool classroom with the same children she had in the two’s room made the transition much easier for the children and teachers. The children had already established relationships with their peers and teachers, so they were able to continue their learning without interruptions. This year Sharron will be taking Building Blocks for Literacy and Mother Goose Cares about Social Studies.

Jayne Lewicki, Head Teacher, 3 to 4 year olds

Jayne started her career in 1982 and worked as a head teacher in preschool classes in Massachusetts. She began work at Happy Days in 2002 as an assistant in the Turtle and Penguin Classes. Jayne has resided in Arlington for 9 years, with her husband Eddie and two children, Eddie, 14 and Kristi, 10.

Jayne has an AA degree and has taken courses in Behavior Management, Planning Programs for Children, Administration and Staff Development. This year she will be taking Building Blocks for Literacy and Mother Goose Cares about Social Studies.

I feel that children learn in many ways, as they are not all alike. Most importantly I feel that children must have positive role models, as they learn by example. I think routine is important, but I also want them to be resilient and know it is good to have fun! I value what each child has to say, listening is important. Hands on experiences are a great way for children to explore, through music, singing, painting, drawing, writing, dramatic play, running, jumping and just being curious!!! Children need to know they are loved and important!

Erin King, Head Teacher, 2 year olds

Erin has worked at Happy Days for 10 years, mostly with infants and toddlers. She has an Infant-Toddler CDA and is working towards an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Erin felt the move to the two’s room was a great opportunity to move with the children and support them in their growth and development. The children see themselves as “bigger kids” now and are willing to explore and experiment more. Erin’s philosophy is to provide the children with many opportunities to explore, experiment and learn, while supporting their explorations and experimentations.

Sarah Bowen, Head Teacher, 1 year olds

Sarah has recently moved to the Head Teacher position in the Toddler class and has the advantage of knowing all of the children from her work in the infant room. She and Jessie will be encouraging children to be more independent and will assist the children in learning to feed themselves, wash their hands and brush their teeth. They are offering a short circle time for the toddlers at which time they sing songs, play games and read stories. They are encouraging children to use more language to express their needs.

Sarah is working towards her Infant Toddler CDA (Child Development Associate) and will be taking classes to meet these requirements.

Michelle Ennis, Head Teacher, Infants

Michelle is a mother of two children and has worked in the Infant room at Happy Days for seven years. She has an Infant-Toddler CDA and is currently taking courses through CCV, working on an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Michelle’s philosophy on growth and education for infants is to provide them many opportunities to explore new experiences. The teaching, schedule and curriculum in the classroom are guided by the needs of the children.

Cedar Klein, Assistant Teacher, 4 to 5 year olds

Cedar has been employed at Happy Days for 2 years, working as an assistant in the classroom with Stacey. Cedar has received her preschool CDA and is enrolled in the Building Blocks for Literacy program through the Stern Center for Language and Learning this fall. Cedar is currently working towards obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in education from Johnson State College.

Christina Ripley, Assistant Teacher, 3 to 4 year olds

Christina lives in Shaftsbury and is a mother of three and step mom of one. She earned her CDA in June 2006 from CCV and previously ran an in-home childcare program. Christina has been employed at Happy Days since March 2007, working in preschool and pre-k classrooms. She joins the Turtle Class this year in addition to being a floater on MWF’s and a schoolage teacher for the K-2 group in the afterschool program. You should see her calendar!! Christina is currently enrolled in the Mother Goose Cares about Social Studies course and is working towards obtaining an Associates Degree in Early Education.

Kayla Peters, Assistant Teacher, 3 to 4 year olds

Kayla began working at Happy Days five years ago through the Employment & Training Program while she was in high school. She completed a two-year Human Services program while in high school and worked in the schoolaged program at Happy Days. She then moved to the two’s room for a year while completing the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals Course. Kayla commented that the growth and changes in children from ages two to three is amazing. This fall she moved with Sharron and the children to the preschool classroom and is currently enrolled in the Mother Goose Cares About Social Studies course while working towards her Preschool CDA.

Nancy Hoyt, Assistant Teacher, 2 year olds

Nancy lives in Arlington with her husband and two teenage children. She has an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and operated a registered family in-home childcare program for 23 years. Nancy has been at Happy Days for two years, working in a preschool classroom before moving to the two’s room.

Jessica Cone, Assistant Teacher, 2 year olds

Jessica has worked at Happy Days for a year and a half, beginning in the preschool and schoolaged classrooms before moving to the two’s room this fall. She loves the curiosity that two year olds exhibit and enjoys helping them explore the world around them. Jessica has taken courses in Human Services through Southern Vermont College and is beginning to work towards obtaining an Infant – Toddler CDA.

Jessie Cerretani, Assistant Teacher, 1 year olds

Jessie has worked in the toddler group since Jan. 2007. She is working towards her Infant-Toddler CDA and is currently enrolled in the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course through CCV. She believes that this is an important learning age for the toddlers... "they are intrigued and fascinated by everything you show them."

Irma Shortsleeve, Assistant Teacher, Infants

Irma is a mother of two children, a teenager and a pre-teen, and loves to work with the babies, watching them develop, explore and grow everyday. Her previous experience includes being an LNA, working at nursing homes and working in the toddler room at Happy Days. She is working towards obtaining an Infant-Toddler CDA and is currently enrolled in the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals Course through CCV.

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