Lauren has been focused on teaching preschool for many years. She moved to Boston after completing her master's degree in early childhood education from The University of Hartford with a concentration in Early Literacy.  In Boston, she taught at Harvard Affiliate school where she received extensive professional development on social-emotional development and anti-bias education. She has enjoyed expanding her experience around the Reggio Emilia approach at CNS, creating a safe and inspiring community for students to learn and grow. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cooking, baking, and traveling as well as spending time with her family.

Jennipher Ray is one of the original founders of Charlestown Nursery School. In addition to sending her daughter, she served as both president and co-director at the school. She brings extensive experience in the “CNS approach.” Her background is as an HR manager at PWC and has been a leader and volunteer in various non-profit organizations in the Boston area and beyond. Most recently, she tutored recent immigrants as Write Boston at Boston International Academy. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Valerie has been in education for almost a decade, both at Shady Hill School and Charlestown Nursery School. In addition to her teaching experience and education, she has a degree in architecture from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California.  In her study, she especially enjoys collaborating on STEAM projects as part of the emergent curriculum. Valerie had the chance to highlight one such collaboration as she and Julia Soyer shared at the 2019 BARIN conference, "What ALL children Deserve: Dialogue on the Rights of Children," sharing the story of Esplanade’s year-long food truck inquiry as a lens to view the rights of children to be active agents in learning. In 2019, she attended the Boulder Journey School conference, "Contemporary Conversations Surrounding Early Childhood Education." In Autumn 2022, Valerie traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to continue learning alongside international educators as part of a study tour, and she continues to engage in dialogue with educators through BARIN's Pedagogical Leadership Cohort. Outside of school, she enjoys commuting by bike, designing with recycled materials, and multi-media art projects. She practices Nia dance and plays volleyball. Nature walks, meditative prayer, and volunteering for various community initiatives inspire her.

Julia has been teaching and learning alongside children for over two decades, most of those years as an early childhood teacher. She earned her master’s in elementary education from the University of Massachusetts, a master’s in theater history from Tufts University, and a bachelor’s in theater studies from Wellesley College. In 2022, Julia continued learning at the Centro Internazionale Loris Malaguzzi in Reggio Emilia, Italy. In her current research, she is drawing inspiration from Segni Mossi, a movement and mark-making approach to creative expression. In addition to teaching, Julia serves as a coordinating member of the Hawkins Centers of Learning/New England, a group of educators inspired by the work of Frances and David Hawkins. Most recently, Julia was invited to join the Board of KidsArts, an arts program in Jamaica Plain. Outside of school, Julia enjoys reading, visiting museums, attending theater, and time with family and friends.

Jessica has worked in education for over a decade in a variety of formal and informal settings, public, charter, and private schools, as well as in museums. She studied Arts in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, English at Boston College, art at the New York Studio School, and participated in a study tour of the municipal preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. In addition to teaching at CNS, Jessica works as a consultant specializing in arts-based learning, classroom environments, and documentation, and has presented about place-based education to educators from all over the world. Recently, she has been co-teaching the course “Contemporary Art in Early Childhood” at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and this year, she is offering a seminar at our Center for Teacher Research. Outside of CNS, Jessica spends time with her textile-based art practice. She enjoys visiting museums, reading, time in nature, and being with family and friends.

Lise has been in early childhood education for over two decades. She has her master’s in child development and early childhood education from Wheelock College and her bachelor’s in English from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Lise’s teaching practice has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach since 2000, and in 2016, she participated in a study tour of the municipal preschools and infant-toddler centers. In addition to teaching at CNS, she also teaches educators at the university level and facilitates workshops and teacher training seminars, currently at our Center for Teacher Research. In her recent studies, Lise has been inspired by research showing the beneficial effects of access to green spaces and is focusing on fostering a relationship with nature among young children in an urban environment. Outside of CNS, Lise enjoys birdwatching, kayaking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Erika has taught young children in the Boston area, as well as NYC, for more than twenty years. A graduate of Lesley University, she has an M.A. in Early Childhood Education as well as extensive professional development – including advanced training in assessment and documentation and in programs such as Handwriting Without Tears, Lively Letters, and Orton Gillingham. Most recently, Erika has helped to start and run a nature-immersive preschool, as well as teach at an outdoor, farm-based early childhood education program. Outside of school, Erika enjoys spending time with her two young children, practicing yoga, baking, and reading.

Angelica has worked in education for over a decade in variety of Reggio Emilia-inspired preschools in Cambridge and Brookline. After completing her bachelor’s degree in education in Mexico, she moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree from Lesley University in Early Childhood education with an emphasis on integrating the arts in the curriculum. In addition to teaching at CNS, she is studying with the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network and other local professional development this year. Outside of school, Angelica enjoys exploring the Boston area with her husband, two children, and two dogs.

Sarah has worked in education for the last year and enters her second-year as a research fellow at Charlestown Nursery School. She has a background in culinary study and is currently pursuing her certification and study through the Neighborhood Villages apprentice program. In addition to teaching, her study will focus on our work with the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network and the Center for Teacher Research. Outside of school, she enjoys floral design, cooking, and spending time with her large extended family.