There are three classes at Bigelow for 2009-10: Rainbow 1 (11-23 months), Rainbow 2 (24-36 months), and Rainbow 3 (3-5 years). Bigelow is licensed for 2008-09 to accommodate 32 children at a time. With nine full-time teachers, two administrators, 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).
Gerlinde Hossain-Endl was born and raised in Austria, where she received her degree in Early Childhood Education from the 'Bundes Bildungsanstalt für Kindergärtnerinnen' (The Federal Education Institute for Early Childhood Teachers) in 1981. She also holds a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education from Cambridge College. From 1984 to 1987 she founded and directed an alternative daycare center in Vienna, Austria. After coming to Cambridge in 1987, Gerlinde team-taught preschoolers in a multicultural day care center for 5 years, and shared the administration as Assistant Director for 3 of those years. In 1992 she joined her husband Shakeel in India while on a six months leave of absence, and consulted at the Kindergarten Program of St. Ann's School in Calcutta. She completed her Infant/Toddler - as well as Director II certification in 1993.
Gerlinde has been the director of Bigelow Cooperative Day Care Center in Cambridge since 1993. She has served on the board of the Cambridge Community Partnerships for Children (CCPC) since 2003. She is also a member of NAEYC. Gerlinde has two sons.
Jennifer B. Ering has been at Bigelow since 1996. She began as a teacher in the Rainbow 1 room and then was the Interim Director for Gerlinde's maternity leave. Jen missed working one-on-one with the children, and when Gerlinde returned she started a new role at Bigelow as a morning teacher (in the Rainbow 2 room) and afternoon director. Since 2007, Jen has worked exclusively as Bigelow's Assistant Director to enable her to have more time at home with her son.
Jen received her education in the Berkshires with an associates from Berkshire Community College and her BA in Sociology/Art from MA College of Liberal Arts. She then completed her Lead Teacher/Director I & II certification with courses from Quincy College and Wheelock College. Jen is a fun-loving, energetic, and spontaneous Teacher/Director. She is always a true advocate for the children.
Susan has been at Bigelow since 1988! She taught in all three rooms at various times, and currently teaches in Rainbow 1. 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 three grandchildren. Susan will be working at Bigelow 4 days a week this year.
Melissa joined our RB1 team in September 2009. She received a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in Communication Design and Illustration in 2007 from Massachusetts College of Art. In 2008-09 she worked at a Reggio Emilia inspired school in Boston. She co-directed the after school programs and was the school's core floating teacher, working mostly with pre-K age children. Her experience working with young children has led to her pursuit of a career in early childhood education. Melissa is currently working towards a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and Creative Arts in Learning at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She believes the role of an educator is to be a child's advocate and facilitator and to assist in the great depths of exploration that starts in early childhood. She truly believes in following the child's interests and making learning visible throughout the classroom. Her formal training as an artist has given her the tools to foster creativity in every aspect of learning.
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.
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.
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 her last Center Becca participated in the Diversity and the Budget Committee and served as teacher representative to the Board. She is currently enrolled in a Masters Program for Early Childhood at Lesley University.
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.
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.
Josefa re-joined Bigelow in the summer of 2004. She completed her internship here while studying at the Elizabeth Peabody Teacher Training Program back in 1992. Josefa was hired in the summer of 1993 and worked in Rainbow 1 with Susan and later in Rainbow 2 with Karen before moving to Florida in 1997. For the past three years she has been the lunch-lady, the third co-teacher in Rainbow 2, and Rainbow 1 & 2 Extended Day co-teacher. She is a fun loving teacher who is not afraid to be silly with the children. Josefa has four children. Josefa was born in Puerto Rico and will continue to enrich the Rainbow 2 curriculum by teaching the children Spanish. She is currently enrolled at Urban College of Boston. Josefa is working toward an Associate's Degree of Arts in Early Education.
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 is a wonderful asset to Bigelow and we are thrilled to have her back!
