Child Care Assistant

Stevanie is a child care assistant for the Lil’ Angels, a classroom for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. She was previously in the Jungle Cubs room. Stevanie started at the Center in Summer 2023.

Past employment
Stevanie was formerly a paraprofessional in the Pittsfield School District.

Education
Stevanie has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator Emerging Professional Certificate.

Teacher

Darcy is the teacher for the Cuddlebugs, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She has also been a teacher for the L'il Angels, and a teacher’s aide for the Busy Bees. She has been at the Center since 2003.

Past employment
Darcy has been babysitting since she was 12-years-old. She came to the Center shortly after college.

Education
Darcy earned an associate degree in early childhood education from Granite State College in 2021, and is certified in CPR and First Aid. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator II Professional Credential as well as the Infant Toddler Foundational II Credential. She also has an associate degree in architectural engineering from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord.

On working at the Center
“I love working with children. They have such love and imagination. Every day is always so different.”

Teaching philosophy
“Every day you will learn something new. I want to be open minded, caring and a good listener.”

Family
Darcy has three older brothers and a younger sister.

Teacher’s Assistant

Grace is a teacher’s assistant in the Busy Bees classroom, working with children ages 2 to 3 years. She has also supported children in the Little Owls classroom and has been a valued member of The Children's Center team since Fall 2025.

Past employment
Grace worked as a child caregiver and teacher for Chester Village Daycare & Preschool in Chester, NH before joining us at The Children’s Center.

Education
Grace graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH in 2023.

Substitute

Elizabeth is a substitute for the Center. She was previously a teacher’s assistant for the Jungle Cubs. Elizabeth is a rising senior at Keene State College. She began working at the Center in Spring 2025.

Past employment
During high school, Elizabeth worked as a camp counselor for horse camps at High Meadows Farm in Wolfeboro. She was also part of the Careers in Education program at LRTC that works hand-in-hand with our Magic Moments Preschool program.

Education
Elizabeth is currently a rising senior at Keene State College and has declared her major in early childhood education. She graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in 2023.

Teacher’s Assistant

Karen is a teacher’s assistant for the Jungle Cubs, a classroom for ages 13 to 24 months, on Mondays and Wednesdays. She started at the Center in August 2024.

Past employment
Karen comes to us from The Learning Path in Derry with nearly 20 years of experience.

Education
Karen is a graduate of Hesser College.

On working at the Center
"I hope to be a positive addition to the amazing staff at The Children's Center. I enjoy interacting with children whom I have always been drawn to my entire life."

Teaching philosophy
Karen believes in enhancing the well-being of children, their families, and the community while meeting milestones and educating.

Family
Karen moved to Tuftonboro in March 2024 with her husband and both are busy renovating their new home. She has two amazing sons who are the light of her life. Both sons have graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology and are successful in their respective field of study in the Boston community.

Float

Taya is a float for the toddler and preschool programs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Previously, she was a preschool paraprofessional in the Snapdragons room. She has worked at the Center since February 2024.

Past employment
Taya has worked as a Courier at USPack in Portsmouth, NH and as a Dietary Aide at a rehabilitation & assisted living facility in Rye, NH.

Education
Taya graduated from Exeter High School in Exeter, NH in 2016.

Teacher’s Assistant

Jaylynn is a teacher’s assistant for the Little Ducklings, a classroom for ages 6 to 16 months. She was previously in the Cuddlebugs, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. Jaylynn has been at the Center since Fall 2025.

Past employment
Before joining The Children's Center, Jaylynn worked as an esthetician at Soulful Touch in Cornish, ME and a barista at Aroma Joe’s in Ossipee, NH.

Education
Jaylynn graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in 2024 and went on to earn her esthetics certification from Empire Beauty School in 2025.

On working at the Center
“Working in childcare is knowing that the little moments you give each day become the memories and confidence a child carries for a lifetime.”

Teaching philosophy
“I am passionate about supporting children as they learn and grow. I strive to create a safe, positive, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, confident, encouraged, and loved.”

Family
Jaylynn lives in Ossipee with her parents and her basset hound, Milo. She also has a sister named Amy who is her best friend.

Teacher

Samantha is the lead teacher for the Little Ducklings, a classroom for ages 6 to 16 months. She has also worked in the Cuddlebugs, Jungle Cubs, and Little Owls. She has worked at the Center since January 2012.

Past employment
“I started volunteering at the center when I was a junior in high school. I enjoyed it so much I started working at the Center after I graduated.” Samantha also worked as a counselor at the Ossipee Recreation Department’s summer day camp.

Education
Samantha graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in 2011. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“You can learn a lot from the kids and I love watching them grow. It’s an amazing feeling to know you can make a difference in a child’s life.”

Teacher

Megan is the teacher in the Busy Bees classroom, working with children ages 2 to 3 years. She has been with us since early 2026.

Past employment
Megan previously worked at The Children's Center for two years before pursuing her dream of operating her own in-home daycare program. In early 2026, Megan returned to The Children's Center, bringing with her valuable experience and a continued passion for early childhood education. She is excited to once again be part of The Center community and support young children as they learn, grow, and explore.

Education
Megan is currently working toward her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development while working at The Children's Center.

Teacher

Alissa co-leads the Little Owls, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She was previously a teacher for the Mighty Monkeys room. Alissa has been at the Center since January 2022.

Past employment
Alissa most recently was a lead teacher at Kid’s Culture Childcare & Learning Center in Somersworth, NH. She has also been an assistant teacher at a family and child enrichment center in Barrington, NH.

Education
Alissa has her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from NHTI Concord’s Community College in Concord, NH. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator II Professional Credential.

On working at the Center
“I have known since I was 15 that I wanted to work with children. To me the most rewarding job is being able to watch and help children grow and learn.”

Teaching philosophy
“Every child learns differently and that’s o.k. as long as they have a safe and encouraging classroom. Being able to meet every child’s needs and help them succeed anyway we can is crucial.”

Family
Alissa is married with a son and daughter who both attend the Center. She also has three brothers who she truly adores.

Teacher

Katie is the teacher for the Jungle Cubs, a classroom for ages 13 to 24 months. She worked as a teacher’s aide in the Little Dragons and Munchkins, and has worked at the Center since 2003.

Past employment
Katie started babysitting at the age of 11. She first came to the center through the high school’s early childhood education program.

Education
Katie graduated from Kingswood Regional High School. She earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord and has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator II Professional Credential. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“I have always enjoyed working with kids. I like knowing I am teaching them something new every day.”

Teaching philosophy
“I want to always be willing to learn something new, even if it’s from the children. Everything we do can be used as a teaching tool.”

Family
“I grew up in Ossipee, then moved to Gilmanton, where I own a home with my husband.”

Teacher’s Assistant

Autumn is a teacher’s assistant for the Jungle Cubs, a classroom for ages 13 to 24 months, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. She began working at the Center in Spring 2025.

Education
Autumn graduated from Kingswood Regional High School where she was involved in the Careers in Education program through Lakes Region Technology Center.

On working at the Center
“When working at the Center, I love to watch the kids grows, and get to know them more.”

Family
“I have a brother and sister. We live on a lake and spend most of our summer days by the water.”

Teacher’s Assistant

Lala is a teacher’s assistant for the Cuddlebugs, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She began working at the Center in Spring 2025.

Education
Lala graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in Spring 2026 where she was involved in the Careers in Education program through Lakes Region Technology Center.

On working at the Center
“Working at the center has been an absolute delight. I’ve had the privilege of working with children, which is my passion. The supportive environment and the incredible team have made me feel incredibly comfortable and confident in my work. Every day, I’m learning and growing, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to care for these little ones.”

Teaching Philosophy
“My teaching philosophy revolves around creating a safe and comfortable environment for every child in my care. I believe that every day should be an opportunity for children to gain new knowledge, whether it’s significant or small.”

Teacher

Dena is the teacher for the Lil' Angels, a classroom for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. Previously, Dena was the teacher for the Busy Bees & Little Ducklings. She first started at the Center in 1999, working as a one-on-one and a teacher's aide. She has cared for children at the Center for more than 20 years in total.

Past employment
Dena first started working at the Center when she was in high school. Growing up, her mother owned a daycare center where Dena helped out starting when she was 10 years old. Dena has also been a preschool teacher for Joyful Footsteps in Alton and ran her own in-home daycare before returning to the Center.

Education
Dena graduated from Alton Central High School. She has taken courses in early childhood education at Granite State College and Laconia Technical College and has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator I Professional Credential. Dena is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“I love to see the smile on the kids’ faces when I walk into the room in the morning. It makes me feel like I have done something right.”

Teaching philosophy
“I try to be the best teacher I can be. Sometimes it is hard to work with different age groups and learning abilities, but you find things that work.”

Family
Dena lives in New Tuftonboro with her husband and three children, Ella, Anna and William. “They have all been through the center since they were babies and have had wonderful experiences.”

Child Care Assistant

Natalie is a child care assistant for the Lil’ Angels, a classroom for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. She has worked at the Center since November 2023.

Past employment
Natalie was a student of the Careers in Education development program at Lakes Region Technology Center in Kingswood High School and received a diploma from Carroll County Adult Education. Natalie also has experience as a babysitter and has worked at Hannaford Supermarket in Ossipee as well as Harvest Market in Wolfeboro.

Education
Natalie recently graduated from Kingswood High School and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Teaching philosophy
”Working with children makes me feel fulfilled. Being a positive example in a child’s life is a blessing.”

Family
Natalie has five siblings in her family. She has been with her significant other for two years.

Teacher

Tapanga co-leads the Little Owls, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She has also worked as a child care assistant for the infant/toddler program and as the kitchen assistant at the Center.

Past employment
Tapanga started at the Center in 2019 in the kitchen. She fell in love with the children and moved to work in the classroom in 2020. Before starting at the Center, she worked all over Wolfeboro.

Education
Tapanga graduated from Newport (NH) High School; she later graduated from Granite State College, now known as the UNH College of Professional Studies, with High Honors in 2024. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator I Professional Credential as well as the Infant Toddler Foundational I Credential.

On working at the Center
"I love helping children discover and learn the world around them. Knowing we have such an impact on their lives really makes you think about how important those early years are.”

Teaching Philosphy
”I believe children learn best through play and observation. Children are always watching and listening to the world around them. If we are positive and kind to one another during those early years, imagine the kind of impact we could have on the future generations.”

Family
Tapanga lives in Wolfeboro with her husband and many furbabies. They enjoy time on the lake, camping, and being with friends and family.