There are three classes at Bigelow: Rainbow 1 (11-23 months), Rainbow 2 (24-36 months), and Rainbow 3 (2.9-5 years). Bigelow is licensed to accommodate 32 children at a time. With nine full-time teachers, a Director, a Program Coordinator, and parent helpers, Bigelow offers an excellent child/teacher ratio that meets NAEYC guidelines and often exceeds the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
Melinda Weber holds an undergraduate degree in marketing from Nichols College, a masters degree in finance from Boston College and a masters degree in early childhood education from Lesley University. After an earlier career in business, she comes to us from the Belmont Cooperative Nursery School where she was a Teacher/Director for 5 years. Prior to Belmont Cooperative, she was a teacher for five years at the Winchester Cooperative Nursery School. Melinda is Director II certified. Melinda has three children and lives in Winchester.
What makes Bigelow special?
What attracted me to Bigelow was the high educational standards, the sense of community and the rich diversity of families. I believe that a cooperative care model with parents and teachers having a stake in their children's education is the ideal learning environment. I have been impressed by the quality of staff at Bigelow and their genuine respect for each other. I believe that Bigelow's flexible schedule sets it apart from other schools and its warmth is second to none.
Susan has been at Bigelow since 1988! She has taught in all three rooms at various times. After 21 years of teaching at Bigelow, Susan took on the newly-established position of Program Coordinator. In addition to her years at Bigelow, Susan has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in early childhood programs. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the Elliot Pearson School at Tufts University. As the longest employed teacher, Susan has a wealth of experience and carries the 'institutional memory' at Bigelow. She is the MVP of our staff and a friend and mentor to all families. She loves everything around and about curriculum and provides an endless source of ideas. Susan has three grown children, as well as four grandchildren. Susan will be working at Bigelow 4 days a week this year.
Ray has been at Bigelow since 2007. Ray is preschool teacher certified and has completed certifications for Power Play and Rainbow Dance. Prior to Bigelow, he had been teaching at an early childhood center in Jamaica Plain for 4 years. He continues to be a Facilitator of Power Play Groups as well as Rainbow Dance, both therapeutic programs for children. Before that he worked at Jumpstart for Young Children for 4 years, where as a Corps Member he worked one-on-one with a child at a Center, participated in creating a literacy-based curriculum, and facilitated a team of corps members. Ray is working towards his BA in education.
Petra has over 14 years of experience in working with young children, toddlers as well as preschoolers. She grew up in Trinidad but has lived in the US for more than 20 years. She has two sons. Among other places, Petra worked with the Clinton Family and Homes for the Homeless child care program in New York for 7 years and for the past 6 years has been teaching toddlers and preschoolers in a Somerville child care center. Petra has a warm and cheerful disposition and will be working with our young toddlers this year.
"I like working with children."
Donna started at Bigelow as a substitute teacher in 1991, and was hired in 1999 as the Rainbow 1 & 2 Extended Day Teacher. She received her teaching certificate from the Tri-Cap Teaching Program in 1990. Donna is a very caring teacher who enjoys observing the children and their play. She likes art projects and will always have a story about your child at the end of the day. Donna has a grown daughter.
Karen has been teaching at Bigelow since September 1989. She is a graduate of the Elizabeth Peabody House Teacher Training Program. She earned her Lead Teacher qualification at Wheelock College. Karen has vast experience with children of all ages and their families. She is thoughtful and nurturing, loves singing and dancing, dress up and role play, and provides amazing consistency for the children in her care. Karen has a grown daughter.
"Sometimes it's hard to put into words things that come naturally. As for me, I like being a teacher because you get to experience the growth and development that each child accomplishes each day. I feel that children learn best through play and when they are being cared for in a safe and nurturing environment, which I hope to provide each day."
Lauren came to Bigelow in 2008 as a substitute teacher while taking courses to get teacher certified. Lauren is currently working towards a degree in early childhood education. She taught toddlers at a Center in Brookline for one year before returning to Bigelow in the fall of 2010 to teach in RB2. Lauren is a wonderful young teacher with great energy. She enjoys the cooperative model of teaching and having parents in the classroom for support. Some of her favorite things to do with children are cooking and exploring the neighborhood we live in.
"I'd never dreamed teaching would be so deeply fulfilling for me. Every aspect, from the wonderful people, to the ever changing challenges, or the lessons children are always teaching me. I love it all and if nothing else in the world, I know most certainly that I am a great teacher."
Eric started working at Bigelow in the summer of 2009 as a substitute teacher. Eric earned a degree in Philosophy and Anthropology from the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill and discovered his love for early education after working with children in Guatemala and here in Boston. Eric is a man of many talents, including computer and design skills. He was hired to teach older toddlers/young preschoolers in RB2 and extended day in August 2010 and is also a part-time office assistant.
"Being a teacher at Bigelow allows me to watch and support children as they explore their worlds and grow into articulate, curious, socially-aware little people."
Rebecca has been at Bigelow since 2007. She is Infant/Toddler and Preschool Teacher certified. Prior to Bigelow, she had been a preschool teacher in a Cambridge Center for three years, and a floating teacher with infants-preschool age for two years before. In addition to teaching in Rainbow 3, Becca also serves as the Special Needs Coordinator for Bigelow. Becca holds a Masters in Early Childhood from Lesley University.
"It's funny that I'm a teacher because I hated school, but I'm a teacher probably because I had one or two teachers in my life that believed in me, and as a teacher I see the value that all children can--and do--bring to my classroom."
Stassja joined Bigelow in 2007 as a substitute teacher and became a preschool teacher in September of 2008. She received her BA in Sociology and Society & Health from Simmons College. Stassja is infant/toddler and preschool teacher certified. She is a caring, fun, and dedicated teacher who loves working with children. Prior to Bigelow, she worked at the Children's Hospital in the Marsha E. Freed Cardiac Resource Center and served as a co-coordinator for the Harvard School of Public Health Youth Task Force.
"I love seeing the milestones children make during the preschool years. Kids have such a fantastic imagination and sense of humor. Best of all, I love the ridiculous but wonderful number of hugs I get at my job each day."
Anntonnette rejoined Bigelow in the summer of 2008 as the preschool/extended day teacher. She first came to Bigelow in 1991 as an
intern. After gaining her teaching certification from the Tri Cap teaching program, she joined the full-time staff in 1992. She briefly retired in 2007, but she missed the children too much and returned 10 months later to her position in the preschool room. Anntonnette is very creative and is known as the "Junk Art Queen." She has a vivid imagination and inspires preschool children to create and experiment with different kinds of material. She is always full of energy, loves reading with children as much as chasing them in the park, and is a great story teller. As one of the senior teachers at Bigelow, Anntonnette is committed to the importance of creating learning opportunities for children of all ages. She has seven grandchildren.
"I love being a teacher. When I first came to Bigelow many, many years ago I felt accepted by the children. Whenever I would walk into the classroom they were all over me. I don't know what they saw in me so it made me come back day after day. So after being here for almost twenty years, when I walk into the classroom the children are still running over to me and that makes me love being a teacher. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it."