Martin F. Gold, Executive Director
Mr. Gold grew up in Connecticut and moved to Burlington Vermont to attend the University of Vermont where he majored in physics. After attending the University, Mr. Gold founded and served as CEO of Artec Distributing, Inc for 23 years. The Company became one of the top 10 consumer entertainment software distribution and production companies in the United States before it was sold in 1993. Mr. Gold was also president of Academy Entertainment, Inc. where he served as executive producer of 18 feature films and participated in the financing of many others.
Mr. Gold has been active as a board member of both for-profit and non-profit organizations. He currently consults for small businesses concentrating in the areas of strategic planning, organizational development and financial planning and serves as Executive Director of Acorn Child Care, LLC. Mr. Gold has also been active in property development and commercial real estate management and is currently the managing partner of Bluewater Realty, LLC.
Mr. Gold lives in Burlington with his wife and their 12 year old son.
Kathy L, Program Director
Kathy was born in Middlebury, VT. She has lived in Addison County all her life. She graduated from Johnson State College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught public school for ten years. In addition, she has taken over 500 hours of early education and child development courses since graduating from college. She owned and directed a licensed family child care for twelve years and worked in a licensed preschool for two. She lives with her husband, Norman and her thirteen-year-old daughter, Carrie. Kathy’s family owns four pets; Kathy’s toy poodle Gabby, her husband’s Airedale Maxie, Carrie’s cat Max and Carrie’s horse Cody. Kathy and Norman have three other grown children.
Jennifer L, Head Teacher, Early Infant Classroom
Jennifer lives in South Burlington with her long-term boyfriend, Eric, and their cat, Trenton. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and plans to go back for her Master’s in Education within the next few years. Jen has worked with children all throughout her life, making it her focus when she was exposed to UVM’s fantastic education program in her early college years. Since then she has worked in an infant classroom on UVM campus, a kindergarten classroom, and a first grade classroom. She has also spent time as a nanny for Middlebury College’s president and as a substitute teacher at Essex Elementary.
In her spare time Jen enjoys taking pictures, hiking, and spending time with family. She is particularly excited for the birth of her first niece/nephew in May 2010!!
“Children, from the earliest of ages, are very capable beings. They are constantly learning, building on everything they know and beginning to form their own thoughts and ideas. It makes working with young children truly unique and amazing, and my job as an early educator that much more important.”
Tiffany T, Head Teacher, Mobile Infant Classroom
Tiffany was born in St. Johnsbury and has lived in Vermont for all of her life. She began working with children in 1998 as an assistant gymnastics instructor for 2-4 year olds and has been working with children in many different settings ever since. Before she got her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Tiffany worked as a nanny for many different families and also as a kindergarten classroom assistant. She was also a program leader for the kindergarten and first grade after school program at H.O. Wheeler in Burlington, and a program leader for the Dynamic Youth Mentoring program in St. Johnsbury which had similar responsibilities. Tiffany has also worked with children in the medical setting, as a Pediatric Care Assistant and as a Midwifery Assistant at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Tiffany also has some experience with special needs children as she worked for HowardCenter as a Specialized Community Support Worker, providing daily and overnight care to children with various developmental disabilities including mental retardation, autism, Down’s syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Since graduating from UVM, Tiffany has worked in childcare and has been at Acorn since April, 2009.
Shelley B, Assistant, Mobile Infant Classroom
Shelly was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and was raised in Vermont where she currently resides. She graduated from Whitcomb High School in Bethel, VT in 1998. She has experience with all ages from her time as a home daycare assistant and her volunteer time as an activities assistant at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, VT. Shelly worked several years in a manufacturing facility and did some summer work at a couple of area greenhouses before deciding that she would really enjoy working with children. She especially enjoys helping children to learn new things. Shelly loves gardening, flowers, and playing outside with her two beautiful daughters, Avyanna Rose & Alyssa Marie.
Cara C, Head Teacher, Mobile Infant Classroom
Cara graduated from the Universtiy of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work in May 2003. While attending UVM she took "Social Work from an International Perspective" in Finland and also spent two years as a student intern at Women Helping Battered Women and a year as a volunteer at Dismas House. Since graduatiing, Cara has spent 5 years working in child care, the last year with Acorn.
Marcelia C, Assistant, Mobile Infant Classroom
Marcelia is from Concord, MA. She went to Champlain College and CCV. She is currently still working towards her Bachelors degree. She has worked in Carroll school in Lincoln, MA, C.A.S.E Collaborative in Bedford, MA and Mater Christri School in Burlington,VT. She has always felt strongly about the importance of giving children a nurturing, healthy space in which to grow and develop. She loves to be part of that. "It takes a village to raise a child", says Marcelia.
Erica H, Head Teacher, Mobile Infant Classroom
Erica was born and raised in Vermont. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont in May 2009. Her major concentration was psychology and human development. She worked at the University of Vermont Campus Children’s Center as a work-study student for 3 years.
Erica enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys snowmobiling at her parents' home in Irasburg during the winter. She also enjoys shopping, scrap booking, cooking and swimming.
Erica loves being able to give the cildren a nurturing and caring environment in which they can flower and grow. She has been at Acorn since she graduated from University in May 2009.
Brandy R, Head Teacher Early Toddler Classroon 2
Brandy was born and raised in Vermont. She grew up in Hinesburg and since she got married has lived in Shelburne. She has her CDA in Infant/Toddler and also a Associates Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Champlain College. She has been a Infant/Toddler teacher for 4 years. She also has been working in Human Resources, as well as a payroll Administrator. When Brandy emplains what brings her to child care, this is what she says, "I have always loved children ever since I was little myself. I started babysitting after taking the Red Cross Babysitting course when I was 12. After becoming a mother I really wanted to work with children. After my second child was born, I changed careers." Brandy explains a transforming event, "During my second pregnancy I took two Early Childhood course and decided after my baby was born I was going to change careers. I began working as a teacher, teaching infants with my daughter as one of my students. I continued my courses and received my CDA in Infant/Toddler." "I love watching children grow up from infants to toddlers to preschollers. It is such a wonderful rewarding experience." Brandy now lives in Shelburne with her husband, James and daughters, Gaberielle and Samantha and her cat Bean. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the movies, reading a good book, shopping and watching the Red Sox with her husband.
Annette F, Assistant, Early Toddler Classroom 2
Annette was born in Jersey City, NJ. She now lives in Elmore, Vermont. She graduated high school on June 1 and was hired two days later by the R.W. Mansfield Company as a “chartist” where she worked for fifteen years. In 1990, she and her husband moved to Vermont and are now settled in the town of Elmore. She has fond memories of caring for her mother who suffered from dementia and eldercare for a friend’s mother. She was providing private childcare before being hired at Acorn. She lives with her husband Ed, whom she has been with since they were teenagers, and their two sons; Joseph, 18 and Dylan, 13. Annette recently completed a 30-hour Child Development Class. When asked what brings her to child care, she replied, “Children soothe the soul.”
Debra V, Head Teacher Early Toddler Classroom
Debi grew up in Richmond, Vermont. She attended Richmond Elementary School, Camels Hump Middle School and Mt. Mansfield Union High school. Debi then went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from St. Michael's College. Debi began working with children at an early age and although she has taken other career paths over the years, she feels nothing suits her better than teaching young children. Debi currently resides in Colchester with her son, two daughters and their dog Hippi. "The children that I work with amaze me every day. Each child in my classroom and throughout our center is unique and special to me. To know that I can make a difference in the life of a child as they unknowingly make a difference in mine is my inspiration to teach."
Elaine D, Assistant, Early Toddler Classroom
Elaine was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Vermont from 2005-2009. She graduated with honors as a double major in Political Science and Geography, hoping to pursue a career in eco-tourism. Elaine’s study abroad, however, changed her plans. She studied at Stellenbosh, South Africa for 6 months, where she volunteered at a local township mentoring and teaching highly underprivileged 4 and 5 year olds and now feels committed to continuing to work with children and to being a part of their lives. She is hoping to pursue a Master's in Special Education within the next year. Aside from working with children, she loves visiting her family in San Antonio, biking around Lake Champlain, cheering for the San Antonio Spurs, volunteering with my college sorority, and snow shoeing out in Stowe.
Melissa S, Head Teacher, Toddler Classroom
Melissa is from Fairfax, VT. She has her B.S. in Early Elemnetary Education from Champlain College. She has worked as a Caregiver/Weekend Supervisor at the Treasures Childcare in Smuggler's Notch Resort. She has also been a long term sub at Stepping Stones Child Enrichment Center. She has two cats, Mimi and Sora. She has two nieces, one is 6 and the other is 5 weeks old.
Michele M, Assistant, Toddler Classroom
Jaclyn N, Head Teacher Toddler Classroom 2
Jaclyn is originally from Long Island, New York but lives in Colchester presently. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in English. She has held a variety of postions working with children which include substitute teacher in grades one through six, a grade six paraprofessional, summer school teacher at the first through fifth grade level, assistant preschool teacher, babysitter and private tutor. Jaclyn has a boyfriend named Donovan. She loves to walk, ski and play volleyball. “I love working with children. I’m thinking about getting my masters degree in early childhood special education.”
Vanessa S.E, Head Teacher, Preschool Classroom
Vanessa is from Bustos Bulacan Poblacion, Philippines and grew up in Hartford, VT. She currently resides in Burlington. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont. She has previous experience in childcare. She worked at the UVM Child Care Center as a Preschool Teacher. She also worked as a Co-Kindergarten Teacher at H.O Wheeler Intergrated Arts Academy. She has a true passion for learning and scaffolding learning for children by creating hands-on lesson plans to help them perceive the most meaning of the world. She also loves to do yoga, teach salsa and sing. Her favorite passtime is gardening along with sewing and going to the beach.
Amber T, Head Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Classroom
Amber is from Shelburne, Vermont. She is a University of Vermont graduate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a major concentration in Psychology. She has worked in a variety of child care settings including employment as a lead teacher at a Preschool in Essex Junction and an instructional assistant at Porters Point Elementary School before coming to Acorn. “I have always enjoyed working with children. I find it to be a very rewarding experience .My favorite thing about working with children is watching the excitement on their faces when they have just learned something new.”
Valerie V, Assistant, Prekindergarten
Rebecca C, Head Floater
Rebecca (Becca) is from Starksboro and now has her own place in Hinesburg. Rebecca graduated from Mount Abraham Union High School in Bristol, Vermont. She has taken the “30 Hour” child care course in addition to classes that address challenging behaviors in children. She is also working towards finishing her CDA. She started working in a preschool setting at age sixteen. She became a nanny when the Center shut down one and half years ago. She was a preschool assistant until she was hired at Acorn. She is the oldest of six children, she has two sisters and three brothers. “I have always enjoyed working with children. The independence that they thrive for is just remarkable.”
David B, Floater
David was born in Newburgh, New York and then moved to Granville, New York where he graduated from Granville High School in 1992. David then attended Adirondack Community College for 2 ½ years before moving to Burlington, Vermont in 1996. After enjoying a brief stint giving tours at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, David found his ideal job working with children. He has been working with children of several ages including infant to 3rd graders for the last 12 years. He is working toward his CDA and is always taking current and relevant courses to further his education.
Katey L, Head Teacher, On Leave
Katey is from Vermont. She has her CDA and has acquired over 300 hours in child development courses. Beginning at age sixteen, Katey worked at her mom’s licensed family child care for four years. Katey and her boyfriend have two sons; Johnny, age 4 and Zachary, age 11 weeks and 2 dogs; Amy and Abby. They live in Bristol, Vermont. Her hobbies are cooking, basketball and scrapbooking.
