HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
TEACHERS & STAFF
The teachers and staff at HCAMS have a deep respect for children and the Montessori philosophy. We are committed to providing the highest quality education to our students and encourage each child to discover their amazing and unique abilities.
Cailyn Freeman
Head of School, Lead Teacher
Cailyn has been teaching in some form since 2000. She has worked in childcare centers, as a para-educator in public elementary schools, a private tutor, and as an ABA therapist in a school for children with ASD. She received her Primary Montessori certification in 2007, and has taught in 3 different Montessori schools, including HCAMS from 2014-2020. During the pandemic, Cailyn continued to educate children privately and in a public-school setting. In 2023, Cailyn rejoined the HCAMS family as Head of School. She is looking forward to being in the classroom full-time for the 2024-2025 school year!
Cailyn resides in Vernon with her husband and 2 teenaged sons (both former HCAMS students!) She enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, cooking and exercising.
Contact Phone: (860)646-5727
Office hours: Monday-Friday 7:45-3:45
Kate Balletto
Montessori Guide
Kate has a great deal of classroom experience with preschool-aged children. She received her bachelor’s degree from Goodwin College in Child Studies and her master’s degree in Montessori Education from the University of Hartford. She also has her AMI diploma from the Montessori Training Center Northeast in Primary Education and is State certified in Montessori Primary Education. She enjoys working with children because it is so rewarding to watch them learn and grow. We are happy to welcome her back for her second year of teaching! Kate enjoys listening to music and skiing in the winter.
Sharon Wagner
Assistant Teacher
Sharon has many years of experience assisting and substituting in Montessori classrooms. Sharon holds a bachelor’s degree in art education. She started as the morning Assistant in our classroom in 2011 and we are happy to have her back for this school year. You can also find Sharon ice skating at Bolton Ice Palace, where she is an instructor!
Sharon lives in Manchester with her husband and son.
Paulina Goodale
After Care Coordinator (returning November 2024)
Paulina has been working with children as a babysitter in different countries and Montessori teacher assistant in Mexico since 2010. She worked with us at HCAMS last year as a teacher assistant and now joining us for the after care program. She will be introducing some Spanish in our classroom!
Paulina moved to the USA in 2020 and lives in Coventry with her husband, her 4 year old daughter Talulah and a baby girl on the way September 2024.
Vicki Thomas
Assistant Teacher
Vicki spent 22 years at Aetna in Hartford as an Administration Supervisor, and another 22 years as an elder care case manager. Now retired, Vicki joined the HCAMS family in 2023 as one of our aftercare teachers. She returns this year as an afternoon assistant in the classroom. Vicki enjoys reading, walking, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren—two of which are HCAMS alumni!
Vicki resides in Manchester with her husband.
Cassidy Schneider-Babcock
Afternoon Assistant/After Care Assistant
Cassidy joined us in the spring of 2024 as an aftercare assistant. Cassidy has a great deal of experience working with children of all ages, working as a nanny and babysitter. She enjoys reading and playing with her labradoodle, Atlas!
Christine Pender
Office Assistant
We welcome Christine to our staff this year as an administrative office assistant. She will be working mostly behind-the-scenes to assist with daily administrative tasks.
Christine lives in Vernon with her husband and three children, ages 7, 10 and 12.
