Executive Director

Teri Ann oversees day-to-day operations and makes sure the center is compliant with state licensing regulations. She secures grants to ensure the center’s continued operation and raises money for the tuition assistance programs. She works with the board of directors to establish policy, and then implements it. Teri Ann also attends all trustee, board and committee meetings. She has been at the center since July 2017. She is passionate about young children learning social-emotional skills, strong family engagement, and advocating for the early childhood educator workforce.

Past employment
Teri Ann worked for Alton Central School for four years as an educational assistant in full-day kindergarten prior to joining the center. She has also been a special education one-on-one para professional during two of Alton’s extended school-year programs. Prior to that, she spent 22 years with Hallmark Cards, Inc in Kansas City, where she was a senior vice president, providing organizational leadership for nearly 1000 creative professionals, and managing large-scale budgets and community relations.

Teri Ann has had comprehensive experience with two nonprofit boards. Locally for five years, she coordinated team and league sponsorship for the Alton Youth League. As a board member of AYL, she successfully attained grant monies for field equipment and on-going development, and established a scholarship fund for players in need. She currently serves as the backup deputy treasurer for Alton's SAU 72 and PMHS's SAU 301.

Education
Teri Ann earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University, then a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. In May 2018, she earned a master’s of education, with a concentration in curriculum and instruction focusing on early literacy, from Plymouth State University.

Family
Teri Ann and her family relocated back to New England in 2012 from the Midwest to be closer to her parents. She resides in Alton Bay with her husband, Bill; her teenage son, Christopher; and her chocolate lab, Madison.

Preschool and School-Age Coordinator

Jana is coordinator for the preschool and school-age programs. Previously, she was the director for Magic Moments, the preschool lab classroom at the Lakes Region Technical Center at Kingswood High School. She has taught children in the preschool and kindergarten programs as well as in the infant/toddler program. She started at the center in 1995.

Past employment
“I was a nanny for a family in Beverly Farms, Mass., and loved it, but missed my family too much. I returned to Wolfeboro and have been at the center ever since.”

Education
Jana earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Lifelong Learning. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
“I absolutely love being a preschool teacher. There are so many things about it that I love; the hugs and ‘I love you’s, the moments when I can see connections being made and basic concepts understood, watching language and literacy emerge, seeing the excitement and wonder in their eyes whenever I introduce something new, working with amazing families, and helping to problem-solve parents’ concerns about their child, just to name a few.”

Family
Jana was born and raised in Wolfeboro, where she lives with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog.

Infant and Toddler Coordinator

Tanya is the program coordinator for the infant/toddler program. She recently was the teacher for the Magic Moments Preschool, a lab classroom for ages 3 to 5 at the Lakes Regional Technology Center for almost two years. Prior to that, she was the teacher in the Cuddlebugs toddler room. She has worked at the center since 2001.

Past employment
Prior to working at the center, Tanya managed a restaurant. As a teenager, she worked as a nanny.

Education
Tanya earned an associate’s degree in behavioral studies from Granite State College. She earned an Early Childhood Master Teacher level 1 credential. She is trained in Preschool Pyramid Model Modules and is working towards Infant and Toddler Pyramid Model Modules through the Pyramid Model Consortium. She is certified in CPR and first aid.

On working at the Center
“Children are amazing, and as an adult you can learn a lot from them. I love watching them grow and develop their own personalities.”

Family
Tanya is a lifelong resident of Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. She is married and has two boys, who attended the center from 6 weeks old until school age.

HR Director & Business Operations Manager

Jessica joined us on June 1, 2022. She oversees payroll, human resources and accounts payable and receivable. She also supervises the office staff and assists with overseeing building maintenance.

Past employment
Jessica comes to us with over 20 years of experience in the commercial industry in Maine and NH where she was deeply involved with operations management, budgeting, and human resources management. In addition to working for such agencies as Chalmers Insurance Group and Melcher & Prescott Insurance, she also spent two years prior to the pandemic working as the Carroll County Payroll and Benefits Coordinator.

Education
Jessica attended St. Joseph’s College of Maine.

On working at the Center
“I am so happy and grateful to find a work home that allows me to use my experience and compassion for an area of our community that benefits every day from our services. The Children’s Center is a loving and vibrant place to work, and I am excited to be a part of what we offer to our community!”

Family
After raising her family in Maine, Jessica now lives in Wolfeboro with her partner, a cranky corgi, loving lab and two cats. Jessica is an avid gardener. Walking and hiking are favorites as is baseball where a healthy Red Sox/Yankees rivalry exists! As a side note, Jessica owned and operated her own nursery school in Maine when her children were very young.

Project Manager

Nancy was the former finance coordinator for 23 years and with retirement is now working on a by-project basis. She continues to work on projects that include financial reporting, human resources, donor management, and building and grounds. Nancy has been at the Children’s Center since 1996, when she started as a part-time bookkeeper.

Past employment
Nancy and her family moved to Wolfeboro in 1993. She had several stops on her way to the Children’s Center, where she has been since 1996, including teaching high school French in Florida, and coordinating the movement of products through Customs for an international trading company in NYC.

Education
Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and French from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

On working at the Center
“I like to stick my head into classrooms whenever I can to see what the kids are up to. I especially like to watch their reaction to singers or dancers we invite to perform. I love working at the center because the staff, board of directors and trustees are so committed to the children and the center. They are talented, professional and dedicated.”

Family
Nancy has two girls, Emma and Rebecca. Both attended the center from the time they were 6 months old. Now grown, both have maintained friendships from those early years. Nancy also has a cairn terrier, who occupies the empty nest.

Enrollment and Outreach Specialist

Shannon is the enrollment and outreach specialist for the center. She has worked at the center since 2007.

Past employment
Shannon worked for the Concord Monitor, a daily newspaper, for 10 years, first in the circulation department and then in the newsroom.

Education
Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. She earned a master of fine art’s degree in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. She is certified in CPR.

On working at the Center
“I love that the center is such an important part of the community. I love being part of that.”

Family
Shannon lives in Ossipee with her husband, son, daughter, and two misbehaved cats. Both kids have attended the Children’s Center.

Marketing Communications Coordinator

Melody is responsible for developing and implementing marketing plans and materials that include but are not limited to event promotions, articles for local newspapers and other print communication, as well as social media. Melody reports to Executive Director Teri Ann Cox, and works closely with the enrollment specialist and board event chairs to ensure internal and external communications align with the vision and mission of The Children's Center. She has been at the center since September 2019.

Past employment
Melody is an accomplished marketing professional. She was a marketing media buyer and e-commerce associate with REEDS Jewelers Corporate in Wilmington, N.C., prior to relocating to New Hampshire.

Education
Melody earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

On working at the Center
"I am thrilled to be working for a valued nonprofit that directly impacts our community in such a positive way. I feel that I am finally using my skillset to make the world a better place."

Family
Melody and her family relocated to New Hampshire in 2013 from North Carolina to be closer to family. She resides in Wolfeboro with her husband, Joe; and her two kids, Emilija and Luka.

Bookkeeper

Alisa is the bookkeeper for The Children's Center. She has been at The Children's Center since March 2021.

Past employment
Alisa worked as a merchandising coordinator for TJ Maxx for more than eight years. She also worked at the Gold Toe Store, Banana Republic and Eddie Bauer in North Conway, and as a travel agent in Perm, Russia.

Education
Alisa earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Perm State Technical University in Perm, Russia.

On working at the Center
“Like many others working at the Center, I loved the idea to be able to work in the same place where my daughter would go to the daycare, and to be able to spy on her during the day. So that sounded perfect for me. Besides, I love kids and enjoy being involved in helping families to care for their kids.”

Family
“I live with my husband, daughter, dog, and cat in Effingham and enjoy gardening in summer and playing in the snow with my daughter and pets in winter.”

Early Morning Opener

Nicole is the early morning opener for The Children's Center. She opens the center at 6:30a every weekday and is the friendly face that will greet you for the first few hours of the day. Nicole helps families sign in, answers the telephone, accepts payments and much more. She has worked at the center since November 2022.

Past employment
Nicole has most recently been a stay-at-home mom for over three years. Prior to that, she was a dental hygienist in Charlotte, NC.

Education
Nicole has an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Dental Hygiene.

On working at the Center
“I am very excited to be working at The Children’s Center after not working outside my home for over three years, even if it is only a couple hours in the morning. I see this as an opportunity to get to know people in our community and grow professionally as well as educationally.”

Family
“I live with my husband, two sons (ages 3 & 1), dog (Scout, Great Dane), and two cats (Nala & Larry) in Mirror Lake.”