The Fessenden Children’s Center is staffed by seasoned, professional educators who are trained and certified in early childhood education. We are innately nurturing and committed to helping your children learn and grow. It is our hope that by modeling honesty, compassion, and respect, the children in our care will begin to develop a positive sense of self and feel, safe, supported, and loved.
At The Fessenden Children’s Center, we’re collaborative, innovative, and inclusive. We strive for excellence, but not perfection. We believe in the importance of creative problem solving, learning from our mistakes, and the blend of guidance and independence needed to navigate childhood. A genuine passion for supporting children’s growth and development takes center stage in our classrooms.
From our family to yours – it’s nice to meet you!
Valda Gabriel, Director
I believe children are: unique individuals that require love, attention, and stability to grow and succeed.
My favorite children’s book is: Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
My favorite children’s song is: “This Little Light of Mine”
When I’m not taking care of children: I am taking care of my dog, Rusty. I also enjoy spending time in the kitchen baking muffins and bread among other things.
Judy Terhune, Infants
I believe children are: our future.
My favorite children’s book is: Brown Bear, Brown Bear By Bill Martin Jr.
My favorite children’s song is: “If Your Happy And You Know It”
When I’m not taking care of children: I love spending time with my family going boating, to the beach, walking, and taking trips to Maine!
Kellin Lopez, Infants
I believe children are: the little humans of tomorrow. They hold the intelligence and creativity to make great changes in the world.
My favorite children’s book is: 1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Doctor Suess
My favorite children’s song is: “Five Little Monkey’s Jumping on the Bed”
When I’m not taking care of children: I’m spending time with the people I love most and working out.
Michelle Murphy, Infants
I believe children are: our future.
My favorite children’s book is: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
My favorite children’s song is: “ 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
When I’m not taking care of children: I love taking care of my dog Bella. I also love spending time with my friends and family.
Kristie Shablin, Infants
I believe children are: …our future! All of our time invested in them is time well spent.
My favorite children’s book is: Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton
My favorite children’s song is: “If You’re Happy and You Know It“
When I’m not taking care of children: I’m spending time with my family and friends…I always like going out and trying new things with them!
Adrianna Rodriguez, Infants
I believe children are: cool little humans
My favorite children’s book is: The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle
My favorite children’s song is: “Oh Mr Sun”
When I’m not taking care of children: I spend time working out with my friends!
Andrew Curtin, Toddlers
I believe children are: Always taking in their surroundings and learning every minute. By creating an enriching environment to learn in, we are creating a solid foundation for them to build off of in the future!
My favorite children’s books are: Welcome to Your World by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
My favorite children’s song is: “Skidamirinkadinkadink”
When I’m not taking care of children: I enjoy playing video games, reading, and spending time with my dog. Sometimes, I visit my brother down in the Cape, or I simply hang out with friends on the weekends
Lorraine Datzkow, Toddlers
I believe children are: imaginative, playful, and extraordinary! They are going to make up our future, and it is crucial to set a good foundation at such a young age. Children are constantly learning through play, conversations, and observation.
My favorite children’s book is: Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
My favorite children’s song is: “The Wheels on the Bus“
When I’m not taking care of children: I am spending time with friends and family, reading a good book, or hitting the gym! Some weekends, I go to visit my family in New York!
Robin Leonard, Toddlers
I believe children are: likely to live up to what you believe of them. We worry about what they will become tomorrow, yet we forget that they are someone today. We must remember that they are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.
My favorite children’s book is: Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
My favorite children’s song is: “Skidamirinkadinkadink”
When I’m not taking care of children: I like going antiquing and being overcome with nostalgia.
Ashley Ochoa, Toddlers
I believe children are: Our future that we are guiding to success.
My favorite children’s book is: Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
My favorite children’s song is: “Shake your Silly’s Out”
When I’m not taking care of children: I am usually watching movies, or taking care of my four cats Bean, Milo, Mia, and Nova. I also enjoy being outdoors, spending time with my niece Charli, and hanging with friends.
Catherine DePasquale, Toddlers
I believe children are: the future.
My favorite children’s book is: Lion Boy by Zizou Corder
My favorite children’s song is: “Frosty the Snowman”
When I’m not taking care of children: I like to paint with watercolors or acrylics.
Guimei Rao, Preschool
I believe children are: our future.
My favorite children’s book is: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
My favorite children’s song is: “The Hokey Pokey”
When I’m not taking care of children: I enjoy traveling, dancing and spending time with my family.
Olivia Gardiner, Preschool
I believe children are: Always learning and the things they learn when they are young stay with them as they grow into the adults they eventually become.
My favorite children’s book is: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
My favorite children’s song is: “This Old Man”
When I’m not taking care of children: I am spending time with my family and friends, reading, and playing sports.
Talitha Giarratani, Preschool
I believe children are: amazing little people who will grow to be our future leaders.
My favorite children’s book is: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
My favorite children’s song is: “London Bridge”
When I’m not taking care of children: I am spending quality time with my beautiful family.
The teachers truly master a balance of years of experience and expertise with the recognition that every family and child are different. They offered continuous support and guidance, and we’re still in touch even after our children have ‘grown up.’
