Sue Dexter
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 Drozdowski
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 Brady. Jill enjoys the beach, playing softball and the Red Sox.
Brenda Corey
Infant Co-Teacher 09/2011 – Present
Brenda began working at Woodside Children’s Center in September 2011. She has enjoyed getting to know all her co-workers and meeting so many new families. Of course she gets to care for so many cute babies each day!
Before Woodside Children’s Center, Brenda spent 15 years at Creative Kids Preschool in Westfield, MA caring for 20 children ranging in age from three to five. She also spent a year in Georgia caring for infants.
Brenda lives in Easthampton as she has most of her life. She earned an associate degree in Early Childhood from Holyoke Community College. She is also Massachusetts DEE Lead Teacher Certified for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, the beach and sports, especially the New England teams–Go Sox!
Alanna Williams
Toddler 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 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!
Ana Devine
Toddler Co-Teacher 2015 – Present
Ana is a graduate of UMASS Amherst with a bachelors 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. The majority 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.
Preschool Co-Teacher 2014-Present
Allie began working at Woodside in the Summer of 2014 as an aide. After receiving her teacher’s certification, she became a part of our full time staff and is currently in our Preschool class. Allie has enjoyed her time at Woodside, and loves working with her students. Becoming a part of the Woodside team has encouraged her to continue her schooling and earn a degree in Early Childhood Education.
When Allie is not at Woodside, she enjoys relaxing at home, cooking and reading.
Katherina Rochalski
Infant Co-Teacher 2016-Present
Kasia is a teacher in the Infant classroom. She started working at Woodside Children’s Center in 2016 and loves every single minute of it. Kasia loves that she gets to be part of watching all the children grow, explore new things, and also all of the snuggles. She loves to create a welcoming space for the Infants by letting her creativity shine within the classroom. Kasia graduated from Holyoke Community College in 2020, with her Associates majoring in Early Childhood Education. She also earned her Bachelors degree from University Within Walls in 2022. Kasia is currently working on her Masters at the Univeristy of Massachusetts Amherst. She hopes to own her own child care center someday. In her free time, Kasia enjoys hanging out with friends and DIY projects/ideas for the classroom.
Rebecca Tremblay
Infant Co-Teacher 2018-Present
Becky has worked with children of all ages in various enrionments for over ten years. She has experience teaching in elementary schools, child care centers, and overseas. Becky recieved her Bachelors 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 infant’s development with gentle, nurturing, interactions and fun activities that engage their minds and bodies. She lives in Northfield, MA with her husband, Andrew and her daughter, Evelyn.
Jessica Siersma
Preschool Co-Teacher 2020-Present
Jennifer Tucker
Former Program Director 06/2013 – 04/2019
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.
