Chickadee Infant & Toddler Care Team
Our center offers 5 classrooms: Tiny Cubs, Little Fawns, Playful Kits, Chipmunks, and Chickadees
Brianna
Director
Brianna has been in the Early Childhood Education field for nearly 15 years. She graduated from Eastern Connecticut State with a Bachelor's degree in Child Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis and Movement. Her background includes Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and open-play inspired schools. Brianna's favorite part of teaching is forming those special bonds with all of her students and their families.
Kim
Infant Coordinator
Kim has worked with children in schools and early education settings for many years. She is a mother of one with a background in education, theater, and technology. Kim comes to Chickadee excited to care for children and help them learn through exploration and play.
Courtney
Chipmunks
Courtney is originally from Connecticut. She graduated York College of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree. She enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and was stationed in Everett, Washington. It was there she reconnected with her now husband. Her daughter was born in 2023. She just recently moved to Maine not to long ago due to her husbands orders being changed. She is excited to be on the Chickadee team!
Calla
Assistant Teacher
Calla recently relocated to Maine from the tiny town in Colorado she grew up in. She plans to return to school after becoming more established in the area. She fell in love with working with kids at a very young age, and has been working in childcare since she was just 10 years old! In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing a variety of games, and spending time with the people she loves.
Taylor
Chickadees
Taylor is originally from Minnesota and moved to Portland in 2023. She attended college at Plymouth State University where she received a degree in biology and also played on the Women's Ice Hockey team. She has taught skating lessons to children of all ages, and this is what sparked her love of working with children! Taylor is excited to create a fun and nurturing learning environment here at Chickadee!
Keegan
Curriculum Coordinator/ Chipmunks
From the very beginning Keegan has always been interested in helping and caring for others. She was a CNA for 6 years prior to entering the childcare field. One summer she chose to work part time at a daycare and ended up loving it. She learned that she really enjoys watching and assisting the children grow up and move onto their next developmental mile stones.
Bailey
Little Fawns
Bailey has lived in Maine her whole life, and graduated from USM with a degree in theater arts. This passion for the arts began in middle school alongside her investment in working with children, starting with babysitting to teaching and volunteering. She has found her love for theater and all things Disney-esc helps when starting a relationship with new children. She hopes to teach kids to keep seeing magic in the world, and to make sure they feel loved.
Danielle
Little Fawns
Danielle has a passion for childcare grown through many years of related work experience, as well as through raising her three sons; Micah, Desmond, and Cosmo. She began assistant teaching in dance studios at the age of 8, after which she has held many roles, including lead dance teacher, summer program organizer/teacher, and nanny. She also comes with experience, both personal and professional, working with neurodivergent children. Danielle strives to curate a safe, respectful, and child led environment in which each little is met at their individual development, to best support them as the unique beings they are.
Maggie
Playful Kits
Bio coming soon
Michelle
Tiny Cubs
Michelle is excited to be a Tiny Cubs teacher and to join this Chickadee community! She lives in South Portland with her two kids and husband. She has two bonus, adult 'stepladies'. Michelle comes to us with 20 years of teaching experience; rangingfrom classrooms, early childhood centers, and homeless shelters. She has degrees in Art, Gender Studies, and in Education. Her Masters Degree is in Elementary Education, and she is in progress for her Masters in Social Work. She also holds a K-8 teaching license. Michelle loves music, being outside, and spending time with her family.
Yusra
Assistant Teacher
Yusra, born and raised in Portland, Maine, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Sociology at the University of Southern Maine. She plans to continue her studies by earning a master’s degree in Social Work. Yusra is passionate about working with children and providing them with a nurturing and supportive environment where they can thrive. With a background in sociology, she brings a unique perspective to understanding and meeting the needs of all children and families. Yusra looks forward to making a positive impact on the lives of the children and families here at Chickadee!
Amber
Asisstant Teacher
Amber is a west coast native that recently moved to Maine at the beginning of 2024. She has been working with children as a nanny for over 12 years. She is a new mother to Audrey who attends Chickadee, too. Amber enjoys cooking delicious recipes for Audrey and enjoying her family’s cabins in Deer Isle. Amber is passionate about childhood development, the way kids learn and observe the world. Amber is committed to ensuring children are safe and nurtured while being creative and imaginative.
Prodige
Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Prodige Lohomboli ( Mr. P ). I’m originally from the DRC Congo and now live in Gorham. I speak three languages, those being French, English, and Lingala. I started working with childcare after graduating high school in 2020. I’m a teacher for my church Sunday school and that’s what lead me to working in childcare. On my free time I’m sleeping, Eating and occasionally be active. I look forward to meeting all of you and your little ones.
Amanda
Playful Kits
Amanda grew up in Massachusetts and recently moved to Maine after living in Tennessee for a few years. She went to Salem State University where she graduated with her degree in exercise science. She has always loved working with children and has had many years of childcare experience through babysitting and nannying. Amanda is looking forward to being a part of the team at Chickadee!
Becca
Assistant Teacher
Becca graduated from Gorham High School in 2014. She’s always had a passion for teaching children new things and watching them grow. She has 7 years of experience working with children 6 weeks through 12 years. When Becca is not working, she likes to spend time with her friends and family. Becca is very excited to be a part of the Chickadee team!
Addie
Chipmunks
Addie is originally from Vermont and moved to Maine in September 2023 They started out in our Tiny Cubs room, and moved to the Chipmunks in December 2023. Addie has found working with toddlers is their jam and loves to be silly and have fun with their kiddos! We are so thankful to have Addie on our Chickadee team!
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Our Mission
To inspire the spirit of the child, nurturing them through compassion and creativity. Our vision is to educate the whole child for intellectual ingenuity and moral character through the vehicles of kindness, intelligence, and nature. We support the development of lifelong curiosity, nurturing people who live with purpose and pass on kindness to better the world they live in.