DIRECTOR & OWNER

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 lived in Brattleboro, Vermont for the past five years and Manchester, Vermont before that. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelors in Graphic Design and an Associates in Business from Becker College. She also has completed her Childcare Education at The Community College of Vermont. Kya has been working with Infants since 2017.

Kya is a Mom of three under three - Kya loves to take on a new challenge and provide love and support to those around her. In her free time, she enjoys giving her family the best life possible and supporting her Partner at softball games. She loves glitter, happiness and positivity!

CURRICULUM & EARLY INTERVENTION COORDINATOR / HEAD MOON TEACHER

Joli (She/her) grew up and still lives in Western Massachusetts, and has been working with children for more than 15 years. Her work includes outdoor education, Waldorf kindergarten, lead toddler teacher at a Reggio Emilia inspired program, head start and early head start, running her own infant/toddler home daycare, caring for children ages newborn-18 as a foster parent, and working as a developmental specialist with early intervention. She has a bachelors in child growth and development.

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

HEAD STARS 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 highschool, 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 the children 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. 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 new granddaughter, her beautiful Maine Coon cat, her partner and her family. In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, wildlife sightings, walking, cooking, reading poetry, listening to classical and jazz and beauty hunting.

STARS TEACHER

Shaylah (She/Her) grew up in Brattleboro, Vermont and attended Brattleboro Union High School.

There she completed coursework in early child development and nursing through the Windham Career Center. She loves animals and has a dog, Jackson. She also enjoys being outdoors four-wheeling and hiking, and is currently is working towards buying her own house.

Shaylah loves teaching small children, and has several cousins, nieces and nephews she enjoys spending time with.

MOON TEACHER

Janelle (she/her) grew up and has lived in Vermont her whole life.

She is a mother of two wonderful teenagers. She has spent the last six years supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Jenelle has provided care for babies and toddlers agesn0-4 for The Mother’s Circle and was a volunteer for “It Takes a Village”band the Village Community Closet.

Jenelle loves swimming, pets, and caring for her home and family

HEAD SUN TEACHER

Danielle Sammartino (She/Her), a native of Southern New Hampshire, has always had an innate affinity for children. This passion was evident during her teenage years when she became the go-to babysitter in her neighborhood. Her love for young minds led her to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the past 15 years, she has dedicated herself to nurturing and educating children from infancy to adolescence, spanning ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Danielle cherishes her personal life. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their son, Luca, creating lasting memories and fostering a loving family environment.

ASSISTANT SUN TEACHER

Ashley (She/Her) grew up in Putney, and graduated high school in 2019. Ashley has worked full-time in child-care since 2019, with ages ranging from 16 months to 3rd grade. She has also been working towards an Early Childhood Education Degree through the Community College of Vermont. Outside of work, Ashley can be found creating pottery, and spending time with her partner, two cats, and guinea pig. She also enjoys outdoor activities like gardening, boating, and snowboarding with friends and family.

FLOATER

Morgan (She/Her) grew up in Dummerston, Vermont and attended Brattleboro Union High School. She is a senior in High School but has completed her first year of college studying Early Childhood Education at CCV where she will be continuing her education. She has been studying Early Childhood Education since her junior year of high school.

She loves to spend time with loved ones and with friends. She has a five year old brother who she adores. Morgan has grown up around little ones her whole life and has been wanting to work with them for a while now.

FLOATER

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.

SKY ROOM HEAD TEACHER

Emma (She/Her) is a recent graduate of Keene State College with her Bachelors in Elementary Education. She has spent time teaching in classrooms from Infants to 5th Grade but Preschool is her favorite! She is looking forward to spending the days with her students exploring and playing! In her free time, we enjoys walking her dog and taking her on adventures!

AFTER SCHOOL TEACHER / FLOATER

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!

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 making food. Previously you may have seen her in the Moon Room where her daughter attends. When not at work, Willow enjoys time with her three children, in the garden or attending to her ever expanding homestead. At home, she is often in the kitchen baking or inventing recipes.

KITCHEN ASSISTANT

Paige (She/Her) is a Vermont native. She has numerous years of experience in childcare, and has always had a passion for food so this position combines two of her biggest passions. She currently has a Liberal Studies degree from CCV, and has plans on furthering her education. She looks forward to providing nutritious and yummy meals to all here at The Putney Place. When she is not working - she enjoy gardening, spending time with my two daughters, and doing DIY projects at home.

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.