DIRECTOR, OWNER & UPK QUALIFED PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Katy Emond (She/Her) has spent the past sixteen years in public education as a high school English teacher and Drama Club Director. In her time working at the Bellows Falls Union High School, she has directed memorable shows such as Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Beauty & The Beast, and many more. She has also spent the past twenty-five years teaching swimming lessons around southern Vermont after being certified through both the Red Cross and The American Swim School Association. In addition to the Putney Place, Katy is currently the Afterschool Programs Director for the Putney Central School.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Kya (She/Her) has been working with infants since 2017, building a strong foundation in nurturing, responsive care during the earliest stages of development. As a proud single mom of three amazing children, she brings both personal and professional experience into everything she does—shaping the compassion and understanding she offers to families each day. She has served as the Assistant Director at The Pumpkin Patch since its doors first opened, helping grow the program from a small center into a thriving, community-centered space that supports children, families, and staff alike.

Kya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, along with Associate’s degrees in Business and Early Childhood Education, allowing her to blend creativity, organization, and child development into everything from classroom environments to family communication and community events. She is passionate about building strong relationships, supporting her team, and creating a warm, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued.

Outside of work, Kya loves spending time with her children, getting outdoors, and embracing life with a little extra sparkle—because she truly believes in leading with positivity, happiness, and just the right touch of glitter.

CURRICULUM & EARLY INTERVENTION COORDINATOR / LEAD SUN TEACHER

Joli (She/her) grew up in Western Massachusetts. She has been working with children for nearly 20 years. Her work includes outdoor education, Waldorf kindergarten, Reggio Emilia toddler classrooms, head start and early head start, running her own infant/toddler home daycare program, caring for children ages newborn-18 as a foster parent, and working as a developmental specialist with early intervention. She has a bachelor's in child growth and development and a master's in infant and family mental health. She is a certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach.

When Joli is not working with children, she enjoys training her puppy, baking, hiking, knitting, and folk music/dance. She recently completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in November 2023.

LEAD STARS TEACHER

Katarina has lived in Western Mass for the last 12 years. She graduated UMass Amherst in 2013 with a Bachelors in Japanese and Minor in Education. She started her Masters in Early Childhood Education back in 2015. Since 2013, she has worked at an elementary school in Mass. and is very excited to join the Pumpkin Patch team.

On her free time, Katarina likes to write, draw, and hang out with her two beautiful boys, husband, and family.

ASSISTANT STARS TEACHER

Jess (She/Her) joined Putney Place in August and brings over five years of early childhood experience in Brattleboro. Born and raised in the VT/NH/MA tri-state area, she’s passionate about creating a classroom filled with laughter, curiosity, and creativity. A proud boy mom of three—ages 24, 15, and 12—Jess fuels her days with coffee, color, and connection. When she’s not teaching, you’ll usually find her cooking up something delicious, tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants, or hula hooping her way through a sunny afternoon.

LEAD MOON TEACHER

Amy Powers-Whaley (She/Her) was born in Maine and lived in Bangor for a short time during her early childhood. She moved with her family to the Northeast Kingdom near Concord, Vermont before starting elementary school. Amy spent most of her childhood outside on her grandfather’s dairy farm nestled among the shadows of the White Mountains.

After high school, Amy earned an undergraduate degree in Theology with a minor in ESOL. Her early childhood career began later, at a small church preschool in Florida. Since then, Amy has worked in multiple preschools and public schools in both Florida and Vermont. She began early childhood coursework in 1995 and took a break from schooling after the birth of her wonderful twin daughters.

After her daughters were born, Amy earned her Florida Teaching License in Elementary Education. When Amy moved back to Vermont, this time to Southern Vermont, she began teaching at Elm Lea Childcare in Putney where she taught for eleven years.

Amy facilitated a nature- and play-based learning environment at Elm Lea Childcare, taking the children on daily farm, forest, and field walks and accompanying them in outdoor play for a daily minimum of two hours.

During her time at Elm Lea Childcare, Amy completed certificate coursework in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education at Antioch University and continued Early Childhood coursework at CCV. She is currently further expanding her expertise by participating in the Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) through the Vermont Child Development Division in partnership with WestEd California, strengthening her knowledge of responsive, relationship-based care for our youngest learners.

Amy is passionate about her family, Nature-Based Early Childhood Education, spending time outside and bringing the outside in, cooking nutrient-dense and local food, reading to children, and adding to her collection of vintage glass jars.

Amy enjoys spending time with her daughters and two beautiful grandchildren in Florida, birdwatching with her partner’s tortoise/Maine Coon mix cat, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking, wildlife sightings, walking, cooking, reading poetry, listening to classical and jazz music, and beauty hunting.

ASSISTANT MOON TEACHER

Joanne (She.Her) has over a decade of experience in education and working with children. Seeing children learn something new and seeing them laughing and smiling makes her heart feel full. When she’s not working - she have two children of her own. She enjoys spending as much time outside as possible.

ASSISTANT SUN TEACHER

Anjelica  (she/her) had lived in Mass until she moved to Brattleboro, Vermont to be closer to family. She worked in the health care field for a long time and was an LNA at nursing homes/assisted living for years. Anjelica wanted a career changed but still wanted a job where she can make a difference. 

Anjelica loves working with kids. She is very understanding and patient, learning that from her son with autism. She is a loving mother of one and she loves her family very much. She loves spending quality time with them and her cat Paco.oes here

FLOATER

Abigail (She/Her) just moved back up north and has been working at preschools for almost 5 years. Before that, she was a nanny in Ireland. She enjoys taking her dog to the riverside waterfalls and hiking trails in the area

CLOUDS LEAD TEACHER

Sam (she/her) is a dedicated educator and proud mother to a wonderful little girl. She recently earned her Northern Lights Career Ladder Level 3A certification—an impressive milestone that reflects her commitment to growth and excellence in early childhood education. Sam is currently pursuing a degree in Human Services at Southern New Hampshire University and has been working with children since 2012, bringing years of experience, compassion, and knowledge into her work. She creates a classroom environment that is warm, colorful, and inviting, where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn and grow.

ACTING LEAD SKY TEACHER

My name is Hannah R, and I've been in childcare for over 7 years now! I've spent my last (nearly) 6 years in childcare centers between New Hampshire and Maine, and am always learning new ways to make learning fun! I am a big fan of messy sensory and imaginative play, and just about any art project I can think of. I believe learning through play is one of the best ways to introduce new concepts to curious minds.

SKY ASSISTANT TEACHER

Cindy (she/her) has a true gift when it comes to helping children feel calm, safe, and supported. With what we like to call her “magic touch”—and maybe a little fairy dust—she gently helps children re-regulate and find their way back to balance. Cindy has been working with children for the past three years, bringing patience, warmth, and intuition into every interaction. Prior to entering childcare, she successfully ran her own restaurant, building strong skills in leadership, organization, and care that she now brings into the classroom every day.

CLASSROOM AID

Molly Robinson (They/Them) has been involved in childcare for 8 years, and is looking forward to many more! They’re currently enrolled in online education to progress their career. They love singing, and walks in nature, and really getting to explore with art and natural materials. They are a loving parent to one big orange cat!

CLASSROOM AID

Jennifer grew up in both New York and Brazil, and has called Putney home for the past six years. She brings over 15 years of experience as a nanny for several families, specializing in multi-child households. In addition to childcare, Jennifer worked with Yard2Kitchen as a personal gardener and educator, leading engaging garden-based classes for families, apartment communities, and corporate groups. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, traveling abroad, reading, and—no surprise—gardening!

SKY ROOM FLOATER

Monica joined the Pumpkin Patch this past October. Originally from western Massachusetts, she later moved to southern Vermont after earning her bachelor’s in environmental science and has a background in environmental education. Monica loves working with kids and enjoys helping them learn and grow. In her free time, she loves being outdoors, baking, and spending time with her three cats.

FLOATER AND AFTERCARE ASSISTANT

Nicole (she/her), also known as Nikki, may be newer to the childcare field, but she brings a wealth of real-life experience from raising her two children and helping manage the busy Harlow family businesses. A true pro at juggling schedules and keeping things running smoothly, Nikki has a natural talent for organization and support. She uses these strengths every day to help all classrooms stay on track, stepping in wherever she’s needed with flexibility, care, and a positive attitude.

AFTERCARE TEACHER

My name is Meghan McRae, and I live in Dummerston with my husband, our daughter (who just finished her freshman year at UVM), two dogs, and two cats.

I am a special education paraprofessional in the Bellows Falls school district, working with preschool-aged children. I'm also excited to be joining the Pumpkin Patch team in the Aftercare program. In addition to my work, I'm currently studying to become a licensed special education teacher in early childhood.

It has been wonderful getting to know all your children, and I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with them here at Pumpkin Patch.

KITCHEN MANAGER

Willow (She/Her) has lived in Vermont most of her life and is so happy to be working in the Putney community. She comes from a background in the arts, fashion, and food. You will find her primarily in the kitchen, however she also enjoys working the grounds and is leading the Putney Place garden program. When not at work, Willow enjoys time with her three children, in the garden, and attending to her ever expanding homestead.

Professional Development Coordinator

Stephanie is a momma of 3 - Cooper (5), Silas (4), and Charlie (2), with 2 step sons - Bellamy (5) and Ted (3). They have a dog Duke, and 2 cats Poppy & Figs. She has lived in Putney for a year and really enjoys it! She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a cognate in Child Development and her Step 1 Directors Certificate and a Provisional Teaching License for Pre-K. Stephanie started working in Early Childhood Education in 2018, with a brief intermission when she worked with teens at the Brattleboro Retreat. She enjoys training staff in our field to help ensure we have quality educators to help children grow! 

SUBSTITUTE

Owen (He/Him) grew up in Montague, MA, and now lives just outside Montague. As a teen and young adult he was the go-to babysitter for his community and became a foster parent as an adult. He has worked as a daycare assistant in addition to parenting children of all ages. He loves supporting children in their learning and emotional development.

When he is not teaching he is continuing his education and fixing up his very old house. He recently completed a thru hike of the Appalachian trail with his wife, Joli.

SUBSTITUTE

Lu (they/them), a recent college graduate, is originally from western MA. They spent the last four years going to school in northern VT, with a stint in coastal ME. They find joy in being in community, making art, singing, cooking, gardening, and spending time with their cat, Tato. Working at the Pumpkin Patch is their first formal experience with early childhood education, and they find caring for and connecting with little ones very fulfilling.