Our Staff

Meet Our Staff!

Who's who at MCC

Robin Holland – Hi Everyone! I am going into my 30th year at MCC. A big part of why I love it so much is the incredible people I work with I started off as a PreK and Nursery teacher. I then worked as Assistant Director, Director and now Owner/Director. I love being in the classroom and am always glad when I have a chance hang out with the kids. I graduated from Saint Anselm College with a BA in Psychology and from Southern Connecticut State University with a Masters in Psychology. In both of these programs I’ve taken numerous classes in early childhood, along with other classes in early childhood at Dean College in Franklin where I live. I have three great children, Nicky, Zacky, & Kacey. All three have attended MCC, Mrs. Dowd was their teacher. Nick and Zack are now a full-time teachers at MCC. Kacey is a senior in college, third generation at St. A’s, and pops into MCC as often as possible during the year, and is here all summer. I am the luckiest mom around, I get to see my boys every day! I have a wonderful husband, Michael, who helps out a lot at school doing anything that needs doing and is our Webmaster. When not at school I can usually be found with my Kindle or following my Yankees, yup, we have a mixed marriage But my whole family are HUGE Pats fans!!

Cindy Dowd – Hello, my name is Cindy Dowd and I am excited for a new year at MCC. This will be my 31st year at MCC and my 3rd year as a director. I can honestly say I look forward to each day working with the fantastic staff, wonderful parents and all the awesome children who always put a smile on my face. When I'm not at school I live in Holliston with my husband Henry and our dog buddy (best dog ever!). My favorite activities are gardening, reading, cheering on all the Boston/New England sports teams and being with my family. My grandchildren are my shining stars - 2021 began with four grandchildren and in May Brooklyn Harper joined the "Dowd Crowd". I am blessed!

Cailyn Varkas: Hi Everyone, I’m Cailyn Varkas, or as those under the age of 6 know me, Miss Cailyn. Wow-it’s hard to believe that this will be my 11th year at MCC!! My professional background includes a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Curry College, and a Master’s Degree in Early Education and Care from the American College of Education. For me, teaching has always been a lot like being a chef, I know it, sounds silly but hear me out! Chefs are always adding new recipes to their recipe books, otherwise they’d be cooking the same things over and over! I, as a teacher, love to find new and exciting curriculum and activities to share with my students as I learn and grow along-side them, those are my new “recipes”! In addition to my time in the classroom, I am also lucky enough to be the PM Director. This leadership role has allowed me to gain a new respect and perspective for this spectacular field. Looking forward to the new school year in our still new, absolutely beautiful facility!

Erin Grady – Hello! MCC has been my home for 7 years now! I am one of the Nursery II teachers in Room #11. This age group is my absolute favorite because I love seeing the personalities beginning to form in each child. We love taking the children’s interests and letting their passions teach us how to be better educators. For those of you who don’t know, my younger sister is Ms. Tara who works with the Nursery I kids (Room #10)! Ms. Tara loves pretending to knock on our door and then acting like we’re crazy when we open it. She is also loves an impromptu dance party with us. We’re one big happy family in our classrooms! Our mom works at the Franklin YMCA and is known as Ms. Pat-early childhood education runs strong amongst the women in our family (our dad handles pensions and our dog Duncan just lays in the sun). When I am not at MCC you can usually find me watching movies, watching Avengers: End Game for the 1,000th time, playing video games, or spending time with friends/family while simultaneously photographing all of it because I love making memories. There are three things that our MCC families know about me:

1. I love Star Wars
2. I love super heroes
3. I love GLITTER!! Apologies in advance for the glitter that will come home!

Here’s to another great year!

Trish Mileti – Hi! I have 12 years of experience at MCC and I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else. We’re a family here and I’m very proud of our special connection with the kids. If you’re new to MCC, welcome to the family! I’m looking forward to another great year teaching Nursery 1. I absolutely love teaching this age group. Admittedly, it’s the craziest job in the world but it’s also the most rewarding! After all these years, it still amazes me how independent and mature these kids become by the end of the school year. My goal is to create a fun and structured environment where the kids can thrive socially and academically. Most importantly, we want the kids to be happy here and to love their time at school. For those of you who don’t know me, I have raised two daughters in this town: Lauren, who is a sophomore in college and healthy and Maddy, who is a 2020 graduate from Medfield High School. I grew up in New Jersey where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Kean University in Union, NJ. Prior to teaching, I was Public Relations Manager for a real estate company in New Jersey. I’m also a licensed real estate salesperson. Cheers to a fantastic school year!

Tara Grady: Hi everyone, my name is Tara and I am one of the Nursery teachers at MCC. I have been teaching in this classroom for about five years now and love every minute of it! I find this classroom to be very rewarding because of how much the children grow throughout the school year. It’s great to see the kiddos come out of their shells and become their own person. I really love doing art projects and enjoy having spontaneous dance parties in the classroom as well. During the school year I like to spend as much time as possible outside, it’s nice for us all to get some fresh air and run around! Outside of MCC, I take classes as I am working on my degree to become a Paralegal. Not to worry though, this does not interfere with my time and attention to the class. I really love movies of any type and am a big Marvel movie fan. I even named my cat Odin after the Thor movies. I also have a husky named Duncan. Music is one of my favorite things and I love to listen to classic rock the most. Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies too, I’ve been to almost half of the states in our country and have a goal to visit all of the states. I also like to be outdoors and love camping too. I’m looking forward to a fun year ahead and getting to know the Nursery I kiddos!

Nick Holland - Hey everyone! I have been working here now for the last 13 years on and off. I initially started out working only in the summers and after school while in high school, and then during the summers while back from college where I received my MBA in 2017 year. I will be with Nursery II kids this year. I am a big fan of all things Boston sports, and a huge Arsenal fan. I can’t wait to have a great year with you all!

Kacey Holland: Hi everyone! My name is Kacey and I am currently a Junior at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire! I am a double major in criminal justice and business and love it! It seems crazy to me that I have had the privilege to not only go to MCC but be able to now work alongside my mom. I always get so excited during any breaks and over the summer so that I can come back to work and see the kids!!

Jess Adams - Hello everyone! My name is Jess and this will be my fourth year teaching at MCC and I will be in the Toddler II room! I absolutely love working with this age group and watching all the toddlers' personalities grow and shine throughout the year! I have always loved kids since I was young and it is my passion to be able to teach this age. I have achondroplasia dwarfism, which just means that I have shorter arms and legs than that of an average person. This however does not interfere with my daily life and I do not let it affect my ability to complete the task at hand. I graduated from Norfolk County Agricultural High School and studied Veterinary Science. Along with my passion for kids, I have a love for animals too, and have a yellow lab named Gus at home. My family owns a flower and greenhouse center which I work at part time and I love designing and arranging different floral bouquets! I am very excited for another year at MCC and cannot wait to watch them learn and grow each day!

Ursula Roxin-Dixon – I am so happy to be starting my 4th year at MCC and to be teaching in the Toddler room! Previous to being with the toddlers, I have been working as an Infant teacher. I have over 20+ years of experience working with children and adults in a wide variety of settings including working in after schools and with children with special needs. I have an MED in education and have worked as an ABA instructor with children with autism. One of my most favorite activities to do with children is read them stories and have them reenact the stories through puppetry and music. When I’m not working I’m at home in Holliston with my fiance and 2 young adult sons. Looking forward to a great year!

Heidi Meehan - Hello everyone, my name is Heidi Meehan. I'm a mother of two wonderful and ever growing children, Paige (8) and Chance (5). I am a teacher in Room #9 classroom here at MCC. This is my third year working here and love it! I'm a nature person and love to go for walks in the woods/trails or camp with my family. I'm also a huge animal lover! I look forward to meeting all the new families and catching up with all the returning ones. Let's have some fun the year friends!

Shawna Ray - Hi Everyone, my name is Shawna Ray and I've been at MCC for 3 years now. I'm excited to start my 4th year. I became a certified Infant, Toddler & PreSchool Teacher in July of 2019. I was a teacher with the older Toddlers for 3 years, but this year I will be teaching the younger Toddlers. Can't wait to have a wonderful year with all your kids; working with kids has always been my passion, I've been watching kids since I was a teenager. I was a stay at home mom for over 13+ years and loved every moment. Before I had my own children, I worked in childcare so I’m very used to being called Miss Shawna! Now my kids are teenagers/adult, CJ (21) who is in his senior year of college at Mass Art, Crystal (18), a freshman at Mass Bay and Michelle (16) a junior at Franklin High School. I've been married to my husband Chuck for 23 years. I have volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher at United Methodist Church in Franklin, as Girl Scout Leader, Cheer Mom and Assistant Cheer Coach, and volunteered for all 3 of my kids in school and out of school since they were little. I still volunteer for my daughter at FHS. I love being outside, going to the beach during warm weather, doing arts and crafts, Disney movies, and taking lots of pictures because making memories is very important to me. My time alone (when I can get it), is catching up on shows, going out with my friends, dancing and listening to our favorite bands. Spending time with my family is my #1♡

Bonnie Corlito: Hi everyone! My name is Miss Bonnie and this will be my third year teaching at MCC! I am excited to be in the Toddler II classroom. I love teaching this age group and helping them learn and grow. I am currently taking classes toward my Director certification. When I’m not at MCC you can find me spending time with my husband and two children, Adam(19) and Alyssa(17). Looking forward to another great year!

Lisa Pease – I am a seasoned PreSchool teacher of 24 years. I truly enjoy helping children learn everyday and achieve goals through many hands-on learning experiences and fun exploration. I graduated from Mount Ida College with a BA in early Childhood Education. I continue to expand my learning by taking numerous classes to keep my knowledge of Early Childhood current as things change. I am the proud mother of 17 year old twins, Megan and Stephen, who will be seniors at Medfield High this fall. I believe in helping others and do so by sponsoring a 15 year-old girl in Zimbabwe, Africa where life is difficult. In my free time I enjoy time with my kids, watching Boston sports, with the Pats being a favorite, reading and gardening. I feel fortunate to be part of the MCC family and teach with a great staff. I look forward to creating a positive learning experience for each child every day!

Courtney Zahner: Hi everyone! I am Ms. Court, and I teach PreK here at MCC. I could not think of a better place to be and a more supportive staff to work with. I look forward to teaching my third year of PreK at MCC this fall! It is hard to believe that I have been teaching for 21 years. I received a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College. I have taught in both public and private school settings; teaching PreK, kindergarten and first grade. My favorite part of teaching is allowing the children to learn through play and to explore the world at their own pace. I enjoy teaching with a sense of humor and allowing children to find a love for learning. Outside of school, I am married to my amazing husband Paul, and we’re always busy driving our 9-year-old son Jake to baseball events, school activities and meeting his social agenda! 😊

Nicole Killilia: Hi everyone! I’m starting my third year here at the MCC & I love it! I’ve had the best time getting to know you & your wonderful children. When I’m not at the MCC I’m usually with my 11 year old son, who plays soccer, baseball & basketball here in town, and will be starting the 5th grade at Dale in September. I also work part time at Nicole Carol Hair Studio in Wellesley, on the weekends. I’m looking forward to a great school year & hopefully getting back to normal in the near future!

Natasha Stevens- Hello Families! I am so excited to be returning for my third year at MCC! Although this is only my third year at MCC, I have 27 years of teaching experience under my belt. The past thirteen of those years have been spent teaching preK. My experience in the preschool world is varied! Before coming to MCC, I taught at a preschool in Holliston for eleven years where I filled many roles including; Art teacher, Workshop coordinator and teacher, Extended Day teacher, Children’s Literature teacher, preK Lead teacher and Assistant to the Director.
I am a graduate of Framingham State University where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education. I am Early Education and Care Lead Teacher and Director 1 certified. I live in Holliston with my family which includes my husband Nick (better known as Mr. Stevens to all you Wheelock families!), my daughter Becca (20) a Junior at UMASS Amherst, my son Brady (17) a senior in high school, my dog Mabel, and my cat Ranger. I love all creatures big and small and would probably own a zoo if I could! Other than enjoying the wildlife in my backyard I love photography, gardening, reading, going on hikes with Mabel, and having fun with family and friends.
I love teaching at MCC! I love seeing smiling faces, hearing giggles and laughter, and being part of it all every single day. Helping children learn, discover, and grow emotionally as well as academically is incredibly rewarding to me. I look forward to another amazing year at MCC!

Kirsten Carlson - Hi, my name is Kirsten Carlson, I am a junior at Medfield High School and I am a proud MCC graduate! This is my second year at MCC and I am beyond excited to be back! I started working with kids while in 6th grade, assisting in the nursery at my church. For the past 3 years I have been babysitting for several families in Medfield and Millis I have always had a passion for working with kids, but over the past few years I’ve been thinking more about going into the field of education and pursuing a career working with kids. Outside of school and work, I am on a competition dance team, I volunteer as a leader at my church’s middle school youth group, and I love spending time with my family and dog. I can’t wait to have an amazing year and to get to know your kids better!

Liam O’Leary: Hi Everyone! I am starting my first year here at MCC and I’m so excited to join the team! I was a camp counselor at the Medfield Parks and Rec summer camp for four years, and I’m happy to bring that experience to the classroom. I am a 21 year old college student, former MCC student and a lifelong resident of Medfield. I have loved working with kids from a young age, and spent many holidays watching over my younger cousins. I’ll be helping out (mostly) in the Nursery I class, but I look forward to getting to know you all!

Mary Hanley: Hello! My name is Mary Hanley and this will be my first year teaching at MCC. I am beyond excited to be a part of this wonderful community and to experience many incredible memories with the children, families and staff. This past May, I graduated from Dean College with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. There I spent most of my days in their preschool program learning and observing how the teachers ran their classrooms. I was then able to take what I learned and got to teach lessons of my own. I enjoyed every second of my schooling and cannot wait to apply it here at MCC! Outside of the classroom, you will find that I have a love for dance. I danced at Medway Dance Authority for 15 years and it has become a great passion of mine. Fun Fact about me, I have led and danced in two Disney parades in Magic Kingdom! I definitely plan to incorporate dancing into the classroom, because I believe it has such a positive impact in child development! Here’s to a great school year

Hello Everyone! My name is Judy, and I am looking forward to another year at MCC. This will be my third-year teaching in the Toddler II classroom. It is so rewarding to see the children as they grow and develop. I absolutely love teaching this age group. I am continuing my education, and I am currently working on my Lead Teacher and Director certifications. I have taught in both public and private school settings; mainly as a paraprofessional in grades K-2. I live in Mansfield with my husband Larry and my daughter Dylan. Dylan is a senior at Mansfield High School and worked with the Junior K children this summer. I cannot wait to start a new year and get to know all of you and your little ones.

Morgan MacLean: Hello everyone! My name is Morgan and I am looking forward another year at MCC and as a Little Cubs teacher! This is my second full year of teaching and I have enjoyed the experience of getting to care for and bond with the littlest members of the MCC community 🥰. My favorite part of teaching is building a classroom environment based on the children’s interests and where they are in their development. I enjoy watching the children explore the classroom and providing new/different experiences for them like art, sensory play, using instruments, music and movement, and reading lots of stories!

When I am not at MCC, I will be working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education at Fisher College and spending time with my boyfriend, Bobby, at our home in Plainville. My hobbies include drawing and painting, yoga, photography, video gaming, and traveling.

Jess Oehley: Hi MCC families! My name is Jess. you may remember me since I previously worked in the toddler room from 2017-2019. I started in the old MCC church and am looking forward to exploring the new building! After stepping away for a few years to explore different childcare routes, I am ecstatic that I found my way back to my home at MCC. I will be in the infant room this year and I am looking forward to seeing what is to come this upcoming school year. I have had a passion for watching children ever since I was little. I was always the family babysitter at family gatherings, and it has definitely carried into my adult life as well! I graduated from Norfolk County Agricultural High School in 2015 and also have a love for animals. I have two dogs at home named Smithers and Barney, as well as horses and goats. In my spare time I love taking my dogs hiking and swimming in the lake and spending time with family and friends. I am so excited to meet all the new families and watch the kids learn and grow this year!

Janet Danish: Hi everyone, I’m Mrs. Danish. I’m so excited and lucky to be part of the wonderful MCC family. It has truly been a blessing. This will be the start of my third year teaching in the PreK room and my 17th year teaching this age group. Prior to MCC, I spent 14 years teaching at Holliston Christian Preschool. PreK is my favorite age group to teach. Seeing the pure joy on their faces when they complete a task/project, build a creation, or simply learn to write their name warms my heart!! Next to being a mom, it is the greatest job in the world!! When I am not at MCC, I am spending time with my wonderful husband and our three amazing adult daughters, Kimberly, Nicole and Stephanie. One of my favorite things to do is spend time in Vermont.

Nicole Jackman: Hi everyone! My name is Nichole Jackman, also known as Miss Nichole. I am so excited to be a part of the MCC family. This will be my second year with MCC. I am teaching in Junior Kindergarten with Miss Cailyn. I originally studied Dance Education and Performance with the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance, at Dean College. I fell in love with teaching when I first joined the field as an assistant preschool teacher in 2006. I quickly then became certified, and have been teaching ever since! In addition to teaching Junior K, I also teach dance, right across the street at Mass Motion Dance in Medfield! I am from the area as well. I grew up in Dover, and currently live in Medfield. I’ve been dancing practically my whole life (since the age of 3), and love to incorporate it in the classroom as well. I am an avid sports fan too! Especially my Patriots! I also really enjoy anything that involves the outdoors, live music, and cooking. I’ve always enjoyed working with children from a young age, and am truly lucky to have a career I love, and am passionate about. I am so looking forward to getting to know all of you, and your wonderful children this 2021-2022 school year!

Stacy Bingham: Hello Everyone! I am very excited to be starting at MCC. I am Lead Teacher certified in both Infants and Toddlers, and Pre-School with more than 20+ years of experience. When I’m not working I LOVE spending my time with my husband David and two children, Danny (21) and Bobby (19) and our dog Kingston. I live in Walpole but I’m originally from West Roxbury. Infants are my favorite age to work with because I love to care and nurture the youngest ones. I can’t wait to meet all of you in the upcoming months!

Clarice Papp: Hello everyone, my name is Clarice Papp. When I am not at MCC, I will be working towards my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Dean College. I’m a summer person, I love going to the beach, sitting by a bonfire, and going to amusement parks. When I’m not working or attending classes I love spending time with family and friends, going shopping, cooking/baking, and traveling. I enjoy going up to the White Mountains every year. This is my first year at MCC and will be working in classroom #7. I’m excited to start this new adventure at MCC and look forward to meeting the children and families of MCC. Let’s have a great school year!

Sharon Maillet: Currently on leave due to the Coronavirus

MCC has been home for so many years it’s hard to think of a time when it wasn’t part of my life. I went from a family of 4 teachers and 48 families at our Pleasant Street location to a family of so many more at our 105 North Meadows home. It has been a joy getting to walk down the hallway every day to peek into windows and doorways to say hello. The kids’ sweet smiles, hugs, waves, and conversations melt my heart every time. Childhood is so precious; I can’t thank you enough for letting me be a small part of your child’s preschool story.

My school story started in Waltham where I grew up. There will always be a smile in my heart when I think of the red brick elementary school with the big weeping willow out front where my love for school began. And my love for books! In third grade, Miss Bonica introduced me to the wonderful world of Zuckerman’s farm and the sweet characters who lived there and just down the road. “Charlotte’s Web” and a special teacher started me on a road that took me all the way to Medfield after graduating from Framingham State University with a degree in education. It was back to FSU a few years later to earn a master’s degree in Special Education and after that a director’s course at Dean College.

Once I entered MCC’s doors 28 years ago, I was home. After years as a PreK and Nursery teacher, I became director and moved a few steps out of the classroom and into the office. I had the best view in the world from my office window. I saw the smiles. I heard the laughter. I eavesdropped on the sweetest conversations. This year I couldn’t be happier than to step back into the classroom and be called teacher once again. My heart never left the classroom and my “best view” just got even better. I won’t see the smiles, hear the laughter, and eavesdrop on the sweetest conversations from behind a window, I’ll be right there in the middle of it all!

My other home is in Hopedale where my husband and I cherish every moment with our sons, both MCC graduates. It’s hard to believe, but Josh is now in ninth grade and Brandon is in first. We also have a dog, Shadow, who adds more energy and love to our family.

Jeanne Baker: I am delighted to be returning to Medfield Children’s Center for my 19th year. I am a graduate of the the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Psychology and Education. Many years ago, my four children had the fortunate opportunity to begin their educational experience at MCC. This opened the door for me to continue my work as an educator. Prior to having children, I had the privilege of teaching Pre-K for 10 years at The Chestnut Hill School in Newton. Needless to say, when the opportunity to get back into the classroom became available, I was thrilled! I love the fact that no single day at work is the same. I learn from the children everyday and admire them for their endless energy, honesty, creativity, and eagerness to learn. I look forward to supporting each child in their natural development while fostering the love for learning. When I am not working, my husband, Eric, and I look forward to spending time with our children, Michael (27), Cate (25), Lily (23), Maggie (21) and our dogs, Rosie and Emie. With extended family near by we love to spend time with them as well.

I am so excited to return to Medfield Children’s Center for my 17th year! Each September, I look forward to greeting 24 new nursery friends and 24 new pre-k friends! It is a pleasure to go to work every morning, encouraging the curiosity and excitement that these young minds bring to our classroom every day! As a Medfield native, it was an easy decision to return to my hometown and raise our four children - three of whom are MCC alums! Now that our children are grown, I can once again experience all the amazing wonders of three, four and five year olds! Throughout the years of teaching, I learned to appreciate the importance of patience and understanding that is necessary to model social behavior in the classroom, and encourage confidence with a positive attitude towards learning. I am thrilled to work with your children as they begin their schooling experience!

Kristin Henry: My name is Kristin Henry and I cannot believe this is my fifth year at Medfield Children's Center. I grew up in Garden City, NY and attended the University of Rhode Island. I live in Medfield with my husband Brian, and our two children, William (12) and Reidy (9). When I am not at MCC you can typically find me on a sports field, reading a book or researching a family outing. I am so excited to be back for another wonderful year and look forward to watching your children learn and grow.

Delia Davis: Hi everyone! My name is Delia Davis and this is my second year teaching at MCC full time! I am a 2020 graduate from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and have always loved working with kids. Last year I taught the Nursery and Pre K half day program and this year I will be joining room 10 in Nursery 1. I am a former MCC student and love the welcoming community that it provides for their staff, students and families When I am not in the classroom you can find me being a social butterfly! I love to surround myself with my friends and family… and especially my dog Moose! I also enjoy traveling to my favorite places during the summertime: Cape Cod and Newfound Lake, New Hampshire.  I am looking forward to a fun-filled year!