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Where Children
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TLC Staff
Trish Miller — Executive Director
It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you and The Learning Center of Hopkinton. My name is Patricia (Trish) Miller and I have wanted to be a teacher and work with children for as long as I can remember. I am a graduate of Hopedale High School (class of 1978) and received my B.S. in Education in 1982 from Mass College of Liberal Arts. I have been teaching and/or supervising teachers over a span of 27 years and can honestly say that I love my job. Having my own center has always been my dream and with the help of my family it became a reality in September of 2000. I am truly blessed to have a superior teaching staff, a beautiful location, and a facility full of children to nurture and prepare for a successful education.
I have a collie named T.J. who is here at TLC with us everyday. When I am not here, I can be found at our family's cottage in New Hampshire cruising on my boat or hanging on tightly to a tow rope behind it. I am the youngest child with two older sisters who live in Florida and nieces and nephews that keep life interesting. My mom and dad live in Hopedale and can also be found at the family cottage on Newfound Lake all summer long.
Jen Blodget — Director Hi, my name is Jen Blodgett. I am the director of the Learning Center. You can find me in the office Monday thru Friday 7-4:30, Thursdays until 5:30. I have worked at The Learning Center since October 2006. I started as Lead Teacher in the Infant Toddler room and moved my way up to Director. I have been working in childcare since I was a C.I.T. in summer camp. It was such a wonderful experience I decided to make it my career. I became Director 1 qualified at my old center, where I worked for 14 years. I really enjoy working here and being close to my children and our community. When I am not at work I am cheering on our local sports teams, especially the PATS!!! I love spending time with my children Erin, 11 and Joe, 6. We love to get away on the weekends and visit North Conway or the beach in the summers. We enjoy going to the movies together and catching the latest new flicks.
Melissa LaPointe — Assistant Director
Hi, I'm Melissa LaPointe, Assistant Director here at the Learning center and Lead Preschool Teacher in the Small Fries classroom. My home away from home! I work Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. I began working at TLC in June, 2001, right after I obtained my Bachelor's Degree from Worcester State College.
I come from a family of five and I have been married for 3years this June to my loving husband Peter. We are expecting our first child in September of 2009. I also have lots of niece's and nephews whom I adore. If I'm not here at TLC you can find me right on the beach down the Cape with family and friends.
I come from a family of teachers. My father teaches physical education at a junior high school. My mother teaches kindergarten. When I was little, I would play school with my stuffed animals and use my parent's teaching supplies. I have always loved children and always will!!
I love watching the children grow everyday. When they accomplish something that was so hard for them and they look at you so proudly. All the hugs and kisses and love. The way they tell stories and giggle that is so innocent! This is why I work with children.
Cindy Featherstone
Hello, my name is Cindy Featherstone. I am originally from New York. I come from a wonderful family of 7 children of which I am second to oldest. I was one of 32 graduates from Wells Central School in 1980 in the Adirondack Mountains.
My passion for art and admiring my father's sign painting trade, lead me to Butera School of Art in Boston Massachusetts, in 1982 where I was trained to be a commercial sign painter. I worked in the sign trade for many years and still do work on the side doing custom painting.
I married in 1988 and have two beautiful boys. It was then that I met my good friend Patricia Miller. In 1996, Trish hired me as an assistant teacher and within that year became teacher certified at Mass Bay.
Over the years I worked for Trish, filling in when I was needed. I have been with TLC fulltime now since 2007 as a Teacher in the "Little Tykes" room. Having raised a family of two grown boys, now 19 and 20, I realize how quickly time goes by and how important it is to appreciate every moment. Being a part of the growth and development of all my wonderful "Little Tykes," makes me realize not only how much I can give to them, but how much they give back to me.
Melody Ring My name is Melody Ring. Before I was a teacher I worked as a hairdresser. I still enjoy doing that part-time. Because of my love for children, I decided to become a teacher. I took infant, toddler, and preschool classes when I began working for Trisha in 2000. Before coming to TLC, I worked at a daycare where Trish was the director. I worked in the preschool room for a while and am presently in the Little Tykes classroom. I have been married for 25 years to my husband and we have 2 sons, 23 and 21years old. We breed German shepherds and have 3 Shepard's, 2 cats, and 1 cockatiel. I love spring and summer and am usually working in yard and garden till dark. I love surprising my neighbors with my different garden designs every year.
Maria Gross Hello, my name is Maria Gross. I hold an Associates Degree from Bunker Hill and attend ongoing continuing education classes and workshops throughout the year. I have been in the ECE field for fifteen years and have worked with Trish for 10. My experience in early education includes subbing in the Hopkinton Elementary School system for 3 years, aiding within the town's Collaborative preschool and kindergarten classes, and offering one to one assistance to various special education students.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, teaching religious education at my church, volunteering with the Massachusetts Special Olympics children's chapter, various Middle and High school clubs, gardening, camping, reading, and walking.
Here at TLC you can find me in the Little Tykes classroom or downstairs with the half-day preschoolers. I enjoy working with children for many reasons. The satisfaction of seeing a young child master a new skill, learn and grow with guidance, assistance and care is both fulfilling and rewarding. I take great pride and satisfaction in my work and hope to instill a positive experience in the classroom setting.
Christine Pagliocca (see Clubhouse)
Melissa LaPointe (see Asst. Director above)
Lisa Bartlett Hello, I'm Lisa Bartlett, I'm coming up on my 7th year here at TLC. When I started I was the "in house" stylist. I attended Ashland High School and Blaine School of beauty. I also went to Mass Bay and earned my teaching certificate. Soon after, I was working with the infants and toddlers. You can now find me working in the Small Fries room as a preschool teacher. I've enjoyed watching the young children I had as infants grow into happy and independent young people. I've been happily married for 10years and live in Worcester, Massachusetts. My passion in life is my 2 children Kenena and Andrew. I have 2 kitties and my puppy Murphy. I love spending time at my hone in Vermont and I love all my friends here at TLC.
Jenna Fitzgerald
Hi, my name is Jenna Fitzgerald. I attended Holliston
High School and am a recent graduate of Mass Bay Community
College. I received my Associates degree with a major
in Early Childhood education. I plan to further my education
by working towards a Batchelor's degree. I come from a
family of 4 including my mother, father, and sister. On
my father's side, I am 1 of 26 grandchildren. I helped
take care of my younger cousins which is where my interest
in caring for children sparked. I began working here at
TLC in September of 2007. I was a teacher in the Clubhouse
for over a year and have since been a preschool teacher
in the Small Fires room. I truly love working with my
co-teacher Lisa and the wonderful children in our classroom.
Teaching brings a great joy to my life. I love watching
each child develop and excel in their own ways.
Kerri Whitcher
Hi, my name is Kerri Whitcher. You can find me in the
Little Rascals room, where I work as a preschool teacher.
I attended Hopkinton High School and Becker College. I
have been a member of the TLC team since 2003. I come
from a family of 5 consisting of my mother, father, brother,
and sister. I got married last September to my husband
Tim and we are expecting our first baby, a little girl
Edda in July. When I'm not here at TLC, you can find me
spending time with my family and preparing for my little
bundle of joy. I enjoy watching children learn new things
and make new friends. It makes me feel so special to know
I've helped in their learning experience
Heather Shiloski
Hi, my name is Heather Schiloski. I am a graduate of Hopkinton High School, Nichol's
College, where I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology,
and soon to be Assumption College, where I will receive
my Master's Degree in school counseling.
My family was born and raised in Hopkinton and I am the oldest of 3 children. My whole life I have been surrounded by children, which is why I chose to be in this rewarding field. I graduated Nichols College in 2007 and soon after became a Special Education teacher's assistant, as well as working with the Adjustment Counselor, at Hopedale Memorial Elementary School. In June of 2008 I worked at Westborough State Hospital, working with at risk students during a summer program.
In my free time, I love being with family, friends, and my dog Coco. You can find me in the Little Rascals classroom, where I am a Preschool Teacher. I briefly worked here at TLC in 2005 and I returned in September 2008. I enjoy watching children flourish and become their own individual. It's very rewarding to know that I have had an impact on their experience here at TLC.
Stefanie White
Samina Hussain Hi, my name is Samina Hussain. I am a kindergarten teacher here at The Learning Center. I am married and have two children. I have earned my Bachelor's in Psychology from Pakistan and also have a Montessori diploma. I migrated from Pakistan to the USA 15years ago and since then I have lived on the west coast, in the south, the Midwest, and now the Northeast. I love working with children and spending time with them. In my spare time I like to watch movies and spend time with my family.
Marie Melnick (see Half Pints)
Brian PastoriniHi, my name is Brain Pastorini. I am currently enrolled in college at Mass Bay majoring in elementary education. I have worked at The Learning Center for a little over a year. I can be found downstairs in the Clubhouse. I enjoy working with kids because no matter how long you have worked with them you learn something new everyday.
Christine Pagliocca
Hi, my name is Christine Pagliocca. I grew up in Hopkinton and graduated from Hopkinton High. I attended college courses at Mass Bay for early childhood education to get my teaching certificate. Before TLC I worked for Head Start. I have been here for seven years. I can be found I the Clubhouse, preschool, or infant/toddler room. I enjoy working with children of all ages because of their innocence and eagerness to learn. Each smile brings a little more joy onto the classroom.
When I'm not at work I am with my family. My husband John and I have 2 children, a 12 year old son, and an eighteenth month old girl. We enjoy spending time outdoors, playing games, and just hanging out together and talking.
Maria Gross (see Little Tykes)
Marie Melnicks Hello, my name is Marie Melnick. I grew up right here in Hopkinton, when it was still a very small town. I am a graduate of Hopkinton High School and attended College at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley. I have been here at TLC since 2006. Before TLC, I worked in the Ashland Public Elementary school.
I really enjoy working with children. The look of wonderment on a child' face when they learn something new is amazing. There is such a joy in watching a child learn and explore and to see how they mature and grow from the beginning to the end of the school year. For all the things we take for granted as adults, to see again thru a child's eyes is a gift I can not thank them enough for.
I enjoy spending my free time with my family. In the summer I can usually be found at the beach. I am also an avid sports fan. My family and I really enjoy the Pawsox , fishing, camping, and just about anything outdoors.
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