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 and Shelburne Bay Realty, LLC.
Mr. Gold lives in Burlington with his wife and their 12 year old son.
Emily V, Program Director
Emily taught Elementary School in New York for 6 years. She earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts and her Master of Education from SUNY, Potsdam. She has a New York and Vermont Teaching License and holds a Highly Qualified Teaching Status in Elementary Education in Vermont. Besides teaching, Emily is a trained opera singer and enjoys performing whenever possible. An avid Disney fan, Emily can best any opponent in Disney Trivia…although she finds the children at the School to be worthy opponents. Emily lives in South Burlington with her husband Jeremie, and her precocious miniature schnauzer Tedy.
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 D, Assistant Teacher, Early Infant Classroom
Tiffany graduated from Lyndon State College with a BS in Elementary Education. She worked at Head Start for a year before joining Acorn. Tiffany is also a soccer and softball player.
Tiffany T, Head Teacher, Toddler 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.
Elizabeth F, Assistant Teacher, Toddler Classroom
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque before serving a two year assignment in the Peace Corps in Belize. She then came to Vermont and earned her Master of Science in Community Development and Applied Economics from the University of Vermont.
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.
Tamara P, Assistant, Mobile Infant Classroom
Tamara holds her BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont’s College of Early Childhood Education and Social Services. She also holds her Vermont Teaching License. Tamara is fluent in Serbo-Croatian and German.
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, 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."
Aubrey E. Assistant., Toddler Classroom
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.
Erika A, Assistant Teacher, Preschool Classroom
Originally from Deerfield, Masachusetts, Erika grew up on two prep school campuses where her father taught math. She started babysitting at the age of 7 and quickly realized her passion for spending time with children. Having always been surrounded by education, pursuing a certificate in Elementary Education along with a BA in Anthropology from Saint Michael’s College in 2010 was the next logical step. She traveled abroad to Ecuador in the fall of 2008 and was afforded the valuable experience of teaching many English classes as well as strengthening her Spanish fluency. She comes to Acorn having worked three years at the Early Learning Center at Saint Michael's College. As someone who has worked extensively with children, she thinks that one of the most valuable experiences you can have when you become the student and the children become the teacher: “children have so much to offer, share and teach us—we just have to remember to listen.” Erika is also a member of the alto section of the Chorale and Chamber Singers.
Terri G, Head Teacher, Prekindergarten Classroom
Terri is originally from Liberty, New York and now lives in Burlington. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SUNY at Oneonta and her Master’s Degree in Elementary. Education. from SUNY New Paltz and she holdsVermont Level II Teaching License. Terri has been an Elementary teacher for many years and was an Elementary School principal for two years and she has never lost her passion for teaching.
Upon her arrival in Vermont in 2005 and until 2009, Terri taught at a private school where she taught Grades 1-3. She has just completed a year of teaching Preschool and is in the process of finishing her CDA.
Being a former New Yorker, she is an avid Yankee fan as well as a huge outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, rollerblading, swimming, to name a few. She is from a large family and has 10 siblings. Both of her adult children live in Boston. Her son, Ian, is a graduate of Northeastern University and her daughter, Jamie, is a graduate of UVM. When asked what her greatest accomplishment has been, her answer will always be, “My children.”
Valerie V, Assistant, Prekindergarten Classroom
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.
