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.
Jennifer Leone, Infants
I believe children are: little humans that are so full of life, as well as, eager and fascinated with learning new things!
My favorite children’s book is: Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
My favorite children’s song is: “B-I-N-G-O”
When I’m not taking care of children: I am enjoying time with my family and my puppy!
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!
Michelle Fournier, 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!
Sana Shah, Infants
I believe children are: Joyful, sweet, and innocent.
My favorite children’s book is: Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
My favorite children’s song is: “Three Little Kittens”
When I’m not taking care of children: I love spending time with my family going on picnics, laughing, talking, and having a fun time with my 3 beautiful children and my husband.
Andrew Curtin, Toddler 1
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, Toddler 1
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, Toddler 1
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: “Skinny Marinky Dinky Dink”
When I’m not taking care of children: I like going antiquing and being overcome with nostalgia.
Guimei Rao, Toddler 2
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, Toddler 2
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.
Catherine DePasquale, Preschool
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.
Scott LaRosee, Preschool/Assistant Director
I believe children are: naturally curious and eager to learn more about the wide world around them.
My favorite children’s book is: Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
My favorite children’s song is: “Animal Action” by Greg and Steve.
When I’m not taking care of children: I like to spend time with my family. We enjoy playing games, watching and participating in sports, as well as cooking.
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.
Allyson White, Substitute
I believe children are: sponges that absorb everything.
My favorite children’s book is: Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman
My favorite children’s song is: “Slippery Fish”
When I’m not taking care of children: I like to go to the gym, read and listen to music (except country).
Debbie LeBlanc, Substitute
I believe children are: precious!
My favorite children’s book is: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
My favorite children’s song is: “The More We Get Together”
When I’m not taking care of children: I spend time with my husband and three daughters (36,25 and 23 years old). I also love spending time with my Dad and my sister. I love to read, bake and watch all Boston sports teams! I also love going to the beach with family and friends.
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.’
