Directors
Sue
Director • 2019–Present
Toddler Co-Teacher • 2017–2019
Sue joined Woodside Children’s Center in April of 2017. Prior to joining us, Sue owned a family childcare center for 25 years in Belchertown. Where she lives with her family. She also spent time teaching at Head start in Amherst.
Sue received her BA in Early Education from the University of Massachusetts in 2008. Sue also enjoys walking, hiking, doing yoga and camping.
Jill
Assistant Director • 09/2009–Present
Jill has worked in childcare since 1991. She has work with a variety of ages from infants to school age children. Jill has been working at Woodside since 2007. Prior to working at Woodside Children’s Center, she worked at Young World Childcare Center in Easthampton for 16 years.
Jill lives in South Hadley with her husband Kevin and Chocolate Lab Bentley. Jill enjoys the beach, playing softball and the Red Sox.
Floating Teachers
Elizabeth
Infant, Toddler and Preschool Floating Teacher • 2023–Present
Elizabeth is a teacher/ floater in the infant, toddler and preschool classroom. She started working at Woodside in 2023. She is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education through Greenfield Community College. Previously Elizabeth worked as a live-in nanny in Washington. Growing up her parents fostered infants and toddlers and that’s where she got her love for young children.
In her free time Elizabeth enjoys reading, arts and crafts and spending time with her family.
Infant Teachers
Kasia
Infant Co-Teacher • 2016–Present
Kasia graduated from Holyoke Community College in 2020, with her Associates majoring in Early Childhood Education. She also earned her bachelor’s degree from University Within Walls in 2022. Kasia is currently working on her master’s at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She hopes to own her own childcare center someday.
In her free time, Kasia enjoys hanging out with friends and DIY projects/ideas for the classroom.
Becky
Infant Co-Teacher • 2018–Present
Becky has worked with children of all ages in various environments for over ten years. She has experience teaching in elementary schools, childcare centers, and overseas. Becky received her bachelor’s from Bridgewater State University in 2008. Before joining Woodside Children’s Center, she worked as a Developmental Specialist for Reach Early Intervention.
Becky is passionate about supporting infants’ development with gentle, nurturing, interactions and fun activities that engage their minds and bodies. She lives in Belchertown, MA with her husband, Andrew, and her daughter, Evelyn.
Ana
Infant Co-Teacher • 2015–Present
Ana is a graduate of UMASS Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-medicine and a minor in education. She had worked and volunteered with a variety of age levels including infants, toddlers, elementary students at the Chinese Immersion School in Hadley, college students.
Most of her teaching experience has been with toddlers at the Center for Early Education and Care at UMASS. Ana grew up in Hadley on her family’s dairy farm of about 250 cows. In her free time, Ana enjoys being outside, gardening, swimming, painting/drawing, and any type of DIY, craft project.
Toddler Teachers
Hailey
Part Time Toddler Co-Teacher • 2023–Present
Hello everyone! My name is Hailey Spafford, and I am thrilled to be one of your toddler teachers. Teaching young children has always been my passion. I am excited to share my current knowledge and experiences while continuing to learn myself. As an educator, I strongly believe in using a variety of teaching methods to ensure that each child can learn and grow to their full potential. I draw inspiration from both common-core standards and Montessori practices to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of classrooms starting during my sophomore year of high school and continuing into my college studies for early education. One of my most significant experiences was working in Mrs. Auclair’s laboratory preschool, where I developed a deep appreciation for positive reinforcement and redirection as effective teaching tools. My goal is to collaborate with my co-teachers and students to create a classroom environment that fosters both creativity and knowledge. I am looking forward to a wonderful time of learning and growth together!
Brenda
Toddler Co-Teacher • 09/2011–Present
Brenda graduated from Holyoke Community College in ’96 and has been doing childcare ever since. I came to Woodside Children’s Center in 2011 and am one of the Infant teachers. Prior to that I was at a preschool in Westfield for 15 years.
I grew up in Easthampton, MA and have lived there my whole life minus 1 year in Georgia. In August of 2021, I adopted my daughter Josephine, aka Jojo who was born in September 2018. She is the light of my life and melts my heart every day!
Preschool & Pre-K Teachers
Alanna
Preschool Co-Teacher • 2001–Present
Alanna has been a toddler teacher at Woodside Children’s Center for 20 years and has worked as a toddler teacher for over 25 years. She is currently working as a preschool teacher. She has a daughter in high school, a son in elementary school and another son who attends Woodside. Her older children also attended Woodside Children’s Center.Alanna enjoys music, dance, art, and nature, all of which she tries to incorporate in the classroom. When not teaching, Alanna enjoys hiking, African dance class and yoga!
Sasha
Preschool Co-Teacher • 2022–Present
Hi, I’m Sasha. I have been working as an Early Childhood Educator for over 18 years. I have worked with various ages throughout the years. One of the many things that I enjoy about working with children are the smiles and giggles as they learn something new. Repeating an activity that they have had fun with also brings me joy.
I look forward to the many adventures that awaits me in the Preschool room at Woodside Child Care Center.
Jessica
Pre-K Co-Teacher • 2020–Present
I have been working with children for 25 years. In many different capacities. In the past 25 years I have learned more from the kids and their families than I could ever imagine teaching them.
The biggest thing I hope my families’ take away is a sense of magic.
Sara
Pre-K Co-Teacher • 2022–Present
Sara has been teaching for over 30 years. Originally grew up in Amherst and pursued her teaching career in Springfield, MA after graduating from Amherst High School. For three years Sara taught Preschool of 10 and then Pre-K during the Pandemic.
She was an Assistant Teacher at Pioneer Valley Montessori School for 10 years and Head of After School program for 4 years. Both of her two daughters were able to attend Montessori School during the years she had taught there. Her oldest daughter graduated last year from High School recently living in NC, youngest daughter a Freshman in High School. When not teaching, Sara enjoys running 5k and 10k, hiking, golfing, fishing, and working out. She also enjoys any DIY arts and crafts to incorporate within the classroom.
Jennifer Tucker
Former Program Director 6/2013–4/2019
Jennifer was the Director of Woodside from June 2015 until April 2019 when she lost her fight to cancer.
Throughout her time at Woodside, she touched the hearts of many children and their families. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.