Liana began her career in education in 2018, joyfully teaching students from kindergarten to senior year. Growing up in a loving Spanish-speaking household with roots in the Dominican Republic, she developed a deep passion for the Spanish language. Liana's goal is to inspire her students to embrace Spanish and appreciate the beauty of being bilingual. Residing in Fitchburg with her husband, their spirited three-year-old son who attends Applewild Preschool, and their furry friends, Mishu the cat and Buck the chinchilla, Liana cherishes her vibrant family life. She is dedicated to helping her students connect with their culture and discover the incredible opportunities that language can bring.

Debbie has been with Applewild Preschool at the Deven's location for three years as a floater teacher.  Deborah is a former Montessori Preschool Teacher and has 20 years of experience with young children.  She has a 21 year old daughter attending Wheaton College. Together they love hiking and baking.  They recently adopted a kitten and named her Penelope.

Erin joined the Applewild Devens campus in 2018 bringing with her 15 years of experience working with children aged 3-12 and a bachelor's degree from Franklin Pierce College. She embraces the joy in children's passion for discovery and creating as she has focused on preschool and elementary art education for the past four years. She loves spending time outdoors with her ten year old daughter, husband and dog when she's not up-cycling found items into art.

Zachary Berard has dedicated the last four years of his professional career trying to work with as many different kinds of students as possible. Zachary Berard received his undergraduate degree from Fitchburg State University in History, then continued on to receive his Masters in Education at the same school. He loves painting miniatures, as well as many other hobbies, and spending time with his two cats Reeses and Tucker at his home in Pepperell.

Miss Berwick comes to us from the plains of North Dakota. She grew up in rural Vermont and decided it was time to adventure back. She joins us at Applewild as she goes into her 7th year of teaching. She holds an undergraduate degree in secondary education from Unity College and an MS in STEM from The University of Iowa. She lives on campus in the Flat Rock Dormitory with her 7-year-old heeler mix, Poppy. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, and traveling to national parks. 

Kayla Bilodeau has been in education for over fifteen years. She is a teacher in the Foundations Program and an Orton-Gillingham Tutor. Kayla holds a Master's and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Special Education. She is currently in the dissertation process, working toward her Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Kayla is also a yoga instructor and frequently teaches yoga to the students at Applewild. 

Mr. Bonanno graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s in Applied Performance on Clarinet. He has been a dedicated music educator for over 30 years. Mr. Bonanno also teaches at Groton Hill Music Center and serves as the choir director at St. Bernard Church. Mr. Bonanno gives his students the tools they need not only to become good musicians but also the strategies they will need in core academics, socially and emotionally. Instrumental music is critical to building the children’s mind, body, and soul. Mr. Bonanno is also a freelance woodwind player in the Boston area. He has performed with various entertainers, including The Temptations, Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, Wayne Newton, Ben Vereen and also appeared with the New York Pops. 

Jennifer Buck is in her 22nd year of teaching at Applewild!  Having taught at various elementary grade levels, including many years in the 4th grade, she is now the K-3 Coordinator, as well as a member of the Learning Support team.  Jenn is passionate about making sure each student has the tools necessary to be self-assured and successful and is certified as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner.  Outside of school, Jenn lives in Princeton, MA with her mother and her adult son, who is an Applewild alumnus.  She enjoys travel, live music, and comedy shows.  

Valerie has been in the early childhood field for over 15 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Education and Care from UMASS Amherst, and holds her EEC certification. Valerie has experience with infants, toddlers, preschool, pre-k and school aged children, as well as being a program coordinator, and experience as both an assistant director, and a director of a licensed program. She is the assistant director of our Deven’s location. In her free time, Valerie enjoys watching both of her son’s extracurricular activities, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Andy Carr enjoys working with students, families, and faculty in his role as Associate Director of Teaching & Learning and Dean of Students. His love of history and teaching also has him back in the classroom leading a 7th grade Geography class. Mr. Carr has been working in education since graduating from Colby College. After earning his M.A. in Private School Leadership from Columbia University in 2017, Mr. Carr has held various leadership roles in Connecticut and Virginia independent schools. Since joining the Applewild community in 2021, Mr. Carr has lived in the Flat Rock Dorm with his wife, Mrs. Carr, and their two young children who are Applewild students.

Kelly Carr is the math coordinator on campus. She is in her 3rd year of teaching at Applewild, and in her 10th year of teaching overall. Kelly's role is to support all K-9 students, teachers and families with math, and she is passionate about cultivating classrooms where students are exploring concepts hands-on, thinking deeply and collaborating. Kelly graduated from Union College, majoring in Mathematics and Psychology, and also holds a Masters in Education from Lesley University. Kelly lives at Flat Rock dormitory with her husband (Mr. Carr), her two children (Teagan and Logan) and her dog (Finnegan).

Asher Chase grew up locally in beautiful Royalston, Massachusetts. He has been teaching for eight years and has been the Spanish teacher here at Applewild for three. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, he moved to Taipei, Taiwan where he taught English for several years. He then moved to Mexico City where he started his own language school. He is passionate about languages, teaching and making sure every student has a fun, safe and educational experience in his classroom. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful wife, baby boy and chihuahua.

Briya Chester is the Billing and Account Analyst at Applewild. She grew up local to the area and enjoys going to the many restaurants around. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She has always had a passion for budgeting money, understanding computer systems, and analyzing data. Before Applewild, she was a supervisor in banking, working with money and members closely. She is dedicated to working with families on their accounts, while also helping with accounting tasks to maintain and grow Applewild's promising future!

Andrea Conrad started at Applewild in 2022 and currently holds the role Business Office Manager. With a strong focus on payroll, benefits, and compliance, Andrea ensures that all office operations align with legal standards and brings a strong commitment to creating efficient, well-run office environments.
Originally from the Philippines, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business. Andrea enjoys the warmth of sunny weather, a reflection of her vibrant and positive approach to work and life. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling and trying new cuisines with her husband Cody.

Madelyn Dame is a first year Preschool teacher at Applewild. She has a degree in Educational studies from Fitchburg State University and a Human Services degree from Mount Wachusett Community College. She previously worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Lunenburg for 5 years and as a paraprofessional in a 4th grade class in the Fitchburg Public School System. In her free time she enjoys, making bracelets, coloring, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Patrick Dee is the fifth grade homeroom teacher at Applewild. Patrick also teaches Social Studies and English Language Arts for fifth grade. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in history, specializing in Ancient and Medieval studies. Patrick then went on to complete a master’s degree in Elementary Education at Rivier University. Patrick has worked with elementary students throughout his time as a graduate student over the past 2 years. He is an avid skier and enjoys hiking in the White Mountians.

Jennifer DiCesare joined the Applewild in 2023 and teaches PreK with her co-teacher Carolyn. She received both her BA in French with a minor in Spanish as well as her MAT from Union College. She began her career teaching middle school French and Spanish and helped at a local preschool during her summers off before she had children. During that time she realized how much she enjoyed spending time with preschool aged children and earned her early childhood certification. Her own children are now 20 and 18 and after many years she decided to switch gears and return to education. She loves laughing, singing songs, and dancing with her young friends. In her spare time this Dunstable resident loves being outdoors- hiking and walking her dog, Dolce, baking, trying new coffee shops/bakeries with her husband, and escaping to the White Mountains.

Devin Dirk is currently in his third year at Applewild, where he teaches Foundations, 6th, and 8th/9th grade science, and serves as a dorm parent in the boarding program. He earned a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. After two years working in the field, Devin discovered his passion for teaching while living in Japan, where he taught English to both children and adults in Tokyo and Fukushima City. He joined Applewild in 2022 and now resides on campus at Flatrock with his wife, Yufi, and their puppy, Miso. In his free time, Devin enjoys building custom gaming PCs and diving into abstract science topics on Wikipedia.

Yulia Dirik is in her second year teaching preschool at Applewild. She has a varied work background, including working as a midwife, but is passionate about teaching. Originally from Indonesia, Yulia previously taught languages to adults and now enjoys teaching Early Childhood Education. She lives on campus and loves watching movies, taking pictures, cooking, and spending time with her puppy and her husband Devin.

Declan Drapeau is the Learning Support Coordinator for grades 5-9. He lives in and loves the city of Fitchburg. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico. He has been teaching since 2013 when he completed his teacher training with New Teachers Collaborative based out of Parker Charter on Devens. He earned his Master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University and also received his certification from The Orton-Gillingham Academy. He loves being able to work with students in tutoring, Writing Lab, the creative arts magazine, and advisory. His two adorable, brilliant, funny children attend Applewild’s Preschool. He decided to start boxing recently, much to his family’s chagrin.

Karen is a preschool teacher with over 30 years experience. Karen’s passion and presence in the education community has had a profound impact in the lives of many children and families. She has a degree in Early Childhood , Human Services and Psychology. Karen worked for many years in the Fitchburg Public Schools and for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance SNAP Program.  In her free time, Karen enjoys time with her family, friends, outdoors, hiking, gardening, and camping.

Sherri Ebner has been in the Early Childhood field for 40 years, she has taught Kindergarten, Toddlers, Preschool and Pre-K during her career.  Sherri has been an Early Childhood Director for 30 years and was the consultant who assisted Applewild in starting and growing our Deven's satellite site. Sherri enjoys the beach, island hoppings off the coast of Portland Maine, shell collecting, and hiking.

Wyatt Ellinwood is new to classroom teaching, but has worked exclusively in schools since graduating from the University of Vermont in 2022. At UVM, Wyatt double majored in Japanese language and Asian Studies, and uses a love for history, literature, and communication to fuel an impassioned commitment to Applewild’s academic and residential life curricula. A graduate of St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, Wyatt has a strong background in prep school and boarding life, and uses that knowledge as an Applewild dorm parent to support, engage, and foster the growth of the school’s growing boarding population.

At Applewild School, Jennifer serves as the Office Manager and Registrar, ensuring seamless administrative operations and creating a welcoming environment for students, families, and faculty. With nearly 20 years of experience in independent schools, she is dedicated to supporting the academic and social growth of the Applewild community.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Jennifer also supports the K-5 Drama program, where she fosters a love for the performing arts and encourages students to explore their creativity through performance. With a strong focus on building confidence and collaboration, she uses engaging activities to help students discover the joy of storytelling.

Francesca Feldman is working across teams as our Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement. After graduating from Muhlenberg College, she volunteered in Thailand, worked for a non-profit in Philadelphia, and taught Kindergarten in Bangkok. Upon returning to Boston, Francesca contributed to the advancement offices at both the New England Conservatory and Boston Architectural College, where she honed her skills in educational administration and development.
An alumna of Applewild School, Francesca graduated in 2008 after attending for 11 years. Returning to Applewild feels like coming home, and she is thrilled to help foster the same sense of community and growth that she experienced as a student!

Karen Flanagan is in her 25th year of teaching, 24 of those years as a part of the Applewild community! She completed her undergraduate degree at the College of the Holy Cross in Biology/Pre-med. In her first few years at Applewild, she went on to get her Masters of Teaching Science and Math at Fitchburg State College. Karen has held various roles throughout her years at Applewild in both the math and science departments and is excited to be back in the classroom full-time this year! She lives in Lancaster MA with her husband and three amazing children, Kayla, Zachary, and Mackenzie. In her free time, Karen loves to read, watch her kids on the sports field or up on stage, and spend time with family and friends.

James Geary has been an educator for a couple of decades, working with students from Kindergarten through university. He spent more than ten years teaching internationally. James received a BA from Bates College,then later studied at the University of Illinois where he received a MEd and a PhD in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership. James serves as Director of Residential Life at Applewild, living in Flat Rock Dorm with his wife Christine and their two dogs.

Emily Goodrich is a graduate of Worcester Academy (‘19) and Boston University (‘23) where she received a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. She is Second Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where she serves as a Military Intelligence Officer. Emily is fluent in Mandarin and enjoys traveling, going to the gym, and caring for her numerous plants. She loves being a dorm parent and spending time with students of all ages on the Applewild campus.

Tara Goodrich serves as the Assistant Dean of Students for Grades 4-9 and teaches English and Humanities to Grades 6-9. Tara graduated from Assumption University and has taught English for over 20 years. She is currently completing her Masters in Educational Leadership at Fitchburg State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the water, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.She lives in Oxford, MA with her husband and has two wonderful daughters, Emily and Brooke.

Born in Mississippi and raised in Arkansas as the son of two educators, Grayson attended Southwest Tennessee CC as a baseball player, before completing his Bachelor's at Arkansas State University, studying History. Grayson's passion for music, movies, pop culture, sports, and his being a native southerner gives him a unique perspective that he is always excited to share with the students and build their skills and knowledge as they move forward in their education. This is his first year in the classroom and at Applewild, and he has embraced living in New England and at Applewild as his new home. He serves as a History/Humanities teacher for the 6-9th grade, and as a dorm parent in Applewild's Residential Life Program. Also cat dad to a lovely little cat named Bridget.

Emily Hamberger is the 4th/5th grade Foundations homeroom teacher here at Applewild. She teaches Foundations English Language Arts as well as Social Studies. Emily received her B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from the University of Vermont. For the last 4 years she has worked with students of all ages both in Vermont and here in Massachusetts. Emily enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with her cat Mia.

Born in Montreal and raised in Leominster, Megan Harvey completed her Bachelor of Arts in Economics at The University of Massachusetts before moving to Spain for a year. In Spain, she taught English to preschool-aged children and developed a passion for working in the education field as well as learning about different cultures and languages. Her family's roots in the United Kingdom have sparked her love for travel and she has been to 15 countries and continues to explore more. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time at the barn and horseback riding. This year, Megan joined Applewild school and is excited to combine her passions into her role as Admissions Associate at Applewild. She lives in Leominster with her german shepherd/rotweiller puppy.

Born in Buenos Aires, Leo completed his studies at the Beethoven Conservatory before earning his Master’s in Music from the Yale School of Music as a Fulbright Scholar, becoming the first student to complete a semester exchange between Yale and the Conservatoire de Paris. With over two decades of experience in independent schools, Leo has served as a teacher, academic department chair, coach, dorm parent, and administrator. A decade ago, he discovered his passion for advancement and has been dedicated to supporting school communities ever since. In 2022, Leo joined Applewild School and lives on campus as a member of the residential life team with his wife, Kara, their three children, and their dog Lulu.

Libby is a Preschool teacher bringing in 5 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Throughout the couple of years teaching she has worked with all age groups infant to 5 years of age. For a short time Libby took a little over a year break to adventure in the Veterinary field to become a Veterinary Assistant working with dogs, cats, and exotic small animals! Her passion and love for children is what brings her most joy and brought her back to her roots. In her spare time Libby enjoys coloring, spending time with her family, and baking sweets! Working in a Reggio Emilia inspired setting has brought so much inspiration and uniqueness to her teaching style! 

Bethany has been at Applewild since the beginning of Foundations! She is passionate about helping students with LBLD engage with curriculum, build confidence and have fun while learning. Bethany holds a MA in Elementary Education and Massachusetts licenses for Elementary Education and K-8 Moderate Disabilities. She is also a certified tutor through the Orton Gillingham Academy and occasional Vedic Meditation teacher. In her free time, Bethany enjoys tennis, travel, going to her kids’ rugby games and hiking with Merlin, her therapy cat in training. 

Amanda Hu is the English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Applewild. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, an M.A. in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania. With over five years of dedicated experience, she has taught English to learners of various ages and linguistic backgrounds, focusing on cultivating self-regulation and intrinsic motivation among her students. Residing on campus, Amanda also supports the Residential Life Program and is passionate about languages, sports, and travel.

Margo is a dedicated educator with a passion for hands-on learning. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Salve Regina University and a Master's degree in Art Education from Lesley University. With teaching experience in various settings, including South Korea, Margo brings a global perspective to her classroom. As a second-grade teacher at Applewild, she creates dynamic and engaging lessons that inspire students to explore and discover. Outside of the classroom, Margo enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys art, tennis, kayaking, and discovering new hiking trails.

Brenda Koperniak grew up locally, in Rindge, NH.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in History and French from Williams College.  Brenda has been teaching since 2007.  She received her Master’s Degree in Education from Keene State College with a focus on Social Justice and Diversity.  When she is not teaching, Brenda enjoys playing tennis, practicing yoga and going for nature walks with her family.  At Applewild she loves teaching songs in sign language, leading design challenges and taking her students to the Fitchburg Art Museum. 

Nicole began teaching prekindergarten at Applewild in 2020 and is currently in her 13th year of educating. She earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley with a focus on child and adolescent psychology, as well as, continued coursework from SCSU. Nicole is a dedicated educator who infuses curriculum based teaching with Reggio Emilia style teaching to create dynamic learning environments inside and outside the classroom; preparing students academically and socially for their next chapters. In her free time Nicole loves to travel to new places, learn new skills around the house, and spend time with family. 

Greg Miller is the Director of Admissions at Applewild School. He has been there for just over a year and is in charge of all aspects of the enrollment process. Prior to Applewild, Greg spent 3 years in the Admissions Office at Gould Academy in Bethel, ME. In his previous profession, Greg was a professional basketball player and College/Prep School Basketball Coach. Greg attended undergrad at the University of Delaware and majored in Business and St. Lawrence University for his Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Originally from Mount Holly, NJ, Greg is married to Alex Norden, Head Ski Coach at Boston College, and lives in Hudson, MA with his newborn son, Zach, and 3yr Saint Bernard dog, Gracie.

Miranda Namiotka is an Admissions and Residential Life Associate at Applewild. Having grown up on boarding school campuses as a faculty child and then graduating from Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, boarding and independent schools have a special place in her heart. This past May, she graduated from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts with a major in English and minor in Education. Throughout her four years at Clark, she held multiple positions in the Undergraduate Admissions Office as a student worker sparking her passion for the field. In addition to her role in the admissions office at Applewild, Miranda serves as a dorm parent for the residential students and coach for the field hockey & ultimate frisbee teams. This is her first year at Applewild; she is very excited to begin her professional career working in a position that combines her passion for boarding schools with her love of admissions work. In her free time, Miranda enjoys reading, attending concerts, and thrift shopping!

Trinace Nichols is the Preschool Teacher at Applewild and brings with her 30 years of experience the field of Early Childhood Education. Throughout her career she has taught multiple age groups ranging from Infancy through Kindergarten. In her spare time, Trinace enjoys museum exhibits, going to the theater and spending time with her family.

Dr. Packard has dedicated her professional career over the last 27 years to education. She leads a diverse and dynamic faculty and supervises all teaching and learning. Dr. Packard received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her MAT at Sacred Heart University where she presented on students who were double identified as LBLD and Gifted. She then went on to earn her doctorate degree in educational leadership at Northeastern. She loves living on campus with her husband Mr. Ben and her very large chocolate labrador, Toby.

Emma Pepin is a recent 2024 graduate from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. Throughout her four years in Early Childhood Education, she was able to earn her EEC Certification. During her externship senior year at Applewild, Emma earned her Child Development Associate Credential. She is currently in her freshman year at Mount Wachusett Community College to further her education as a preschool teacher. Emma has two fluffy cats named Bailey and Bandit. She loves reading and can often be found at Barnes & Noble or her local library!

Sarah Powell is an art teacher and dorm parent here at Applewild. Prior to teaching, she received her bachelor’s degree in studio art at Willamette University. She is particularly interested in printmaking, painting, and textile art. She loves spending time in nature, and discovered her passion for teaching while working as an outdoor educator at YMCA Camp Willson in Ohio. Another interest of hers is traveling. She spent the past two years working as an assistant English teacher at a local elementary and middle school in Yamanashi, Japan. Sarah is so excited to finally combine her love of art and teaching.

Dr. Pugh has over 30 years of educational experience and believes that no one ever stops learning. She received her B. A. in French from the University of Georgia, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics from New York University, where her dissertation concentrated on dialectal variation and change on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When her own son was diagnosed with dyslexia, she trained with the Academy of Orton-Gilliingham Educators and Providers (AOGPE), and currently works with students with dyslexia. She lives with her husband, their three children, and their two large Bernedoodles near Worcester.

This is Miss Tiffanys second-year teaching at Applewild and her twelfth year of teaching Early Childhood Education! She works alongside the sweet Miss Yufi in their Preschool B classroom. She's taught both toddlers and preschool, but preschool is her jam! She loves making memories each day with her students, especially through sensory and nature! She lives locally with her husband Tyler; whom she just got married to this past August! She has a dog named Ollie and a kitten named Lavender. Tiffany finds Applewild to be her perfect fit as she believes children should be children in their early childhood years and learn through play and their interests!

Linda Reida returned to Applewild in 2021 after previously teaching there for ten years while her daughter attended the school.  With over 30 years of experience in education, she holds a Master’s degree in Education and Deaf Education and is a trained Wilson Reading instructor. Early in her career, she taught deaf children and worked with deaf adults. During her time away from Applewild, Linda directed a local tutoring center and ran her own business. Her focus has always been on supporting students and young adults with learning differences. Now back at Applewild, she enjoys teaching executive functioning, study skills, learning support, and Wilson Reading. She resides in Westminster with her happy husband and their two playful Maine Coon cats. On a personal note, her daughter, an Applewild alumna, now works as an Executive Assistant at a Boston-based biotech company.

Carly Ricard is the first-grade teacher here at Applewild. She has a diverse background of 20+ years of teaching (preschool through 3rd grade), including several years in special education with a focus on students with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis. Carly grew up locally in the Ashburnham/Westminster area, where she currently lives with her husband, 2 children, and dog, Gus. Carly is a current graduate student at Fitchburg State University and a graduate of UMass Amherst with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Miss Julia started at Applewild in November 2023, as a Toddler Teacher, and has 10 years of teaching experience. She earned her A.S. for Early Childhood Education from MWCC and is working on her B.A. in Early Elementary Education, online through UMass. In her free time, Julia spends time with her boyfriend, their dogs, family, and friends. She relaxes by being surrounded by nature and going for hikes, and also by creating and crafting. Julia has a strong passion and love for teaching young children, and she and her co-teacher, Miss Deona, both bring that passion into their Toddler B Classroom, where they use the world around their toddlers to spark creativity and a love for learning.

Lori Saafi joined Applewild in 2022 with extensive experience in youth, education, and community-focused nonprofits. Known for capturing hundreds of photos of daily life and special events at school, Lori considers it a privilege to share the stories of students and faculty at Applewild. She lives in nearby Groton, MA with her husband Jamel, their four children, and a crested gecko named Yoda. Lori holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Vermont and is actively involved in her community as co-chair and school committee representative for the Groton-Dunstable Special Education Parent Advisory Council. When she's not shuttling the kids to activities, Lori enjoys running, gardening, and attending live music performances.

After receiving her Masters degrees in both education as well as visual arts from the University of New England, Sara Sanford has dedicated her forty year career to being an educator. She has been an elementary homeroom teacher, an english teacher as well as an art instructor grades Kindergarten-12. She is a certified Responsive Classroom teacher. She has been a dorm parent and taught in both private and public school settings all over New England. When she isn’t working in the studio at school, she is writing or painting in her studio at home, or hiking and spending time with her husband Conrad, her 6 adult children and her dog Nutmeg.

Miss Tabitha is on her second year of teaching at Applewild School at the Devens campus. This year she has taken on the wonderful world of pre-k. With 24 years of early education experience and a Bachelors degree n Early Education as well as working with infants to Kindergartners to being Director, she is excited for this next school year. Sprinkled with lots of love, fun, and creativity she cannot wait to see what is in store for all. When she isn’t in the classroom Miss Tabitha spends her weekends seeking new adventures to embark on or finding a peak to climb, crafting and creating, and of course, spending time with her family. 

Robert is a Preschool Teacher at Applewild and has loved for the last several years learning and teaching multiple different ages. Prior to becoming an educator Rob was a professional Chef for several restaurants along the east coast, ranging from Charleston, SC to NYC to Boston. Outside of Applewild and teaching Rob is a sports nut and trains in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

After working over 14 years in college athletics, Greg Van Pelt was thrilled to join the Applewild community as the Director of Athletics in the fall of 2023. Greg developed strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and guide programs toward success on and off the field of play. Greg has coached basketball at all three NCAA levels and has helped his teams to 4 NCAA Tournaments and an NIT bid. Greg has a Masters degree in Exercise Science from East Stroudsburg University and has built successful and versatile weight training programs for athletes of all levels. This July, Greg and his wife, Erin, welcomed their first daughter as they live on campus at Applewild with their Golden Retriever, Maeve.

After 20+ years of teaching public school, Alison was thrilled to have found a place here in the Applewild community four years ago. As a Middle School Math Teacher, Alison truly enjoys getting to know each student and identifying their specific needs as a math learner. You can also find her coaching our Girls Basketball and Soccer teams. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Business from Merrimack College, she went on to earn her Masters in Education at Fitchburg University. Alison enjoys spending time with her husband and son at their home in Pepperell where you'll probably find her reading on the porch. She also frequently visits her parents in Wells, ME throughout the summer and tries to see at least one rock concert a year. Keep an eye out for her Doodle, Lucky, who enjoys attending Spring sports games with her!  Go Hawks!

Associates degree in Human Services, Mount Wachusett Community college. Several years of working with inpatient clients in the behavioral health setting. Middlesex Community College evening classes in Early Childhood Ed., 2012-2014. EEC Lead Pre-School & Pre-K certification 2015, 6 years of preschool teacher experience. Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate Mount Wachusett Community College May 2019. I really enjoy working with young children and watching them learn so many things in the classroom!