WHO IS WHO AT MCC SOUTH STREET
Wendy Bennett – I have been a teacher at Medfield Children’s Center for 19 years and have loved every minute of it! I have had the opportunity to teach both the Nursery and PreK classes and have enjoyed both. The kids are all good storytellers! I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Bridgewater State College. I then went on to get certified to be a Director. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. In addition to teaching, I also work for a pediatrician and volunteer as a Big Sister, both of which I’ve done for over 19 years as well. I am a very active person and spend most of my time in the gym (often referred to as my second home). I keep myself busy since there isn’t much I don’t enjoy doing!
Michelle Calo – Hello! This is my second year here at MCC as a Toddler teacher. I grew up here in Medfield and graduated from MHS. I furthered my education at Curry College. After I graduated, I decided I wanted to work with young children. I’ve been teaching toddlers for about 11 years. I’m 32 years old and currently live in Medfield. I have a 7 year old son named Austin. I love working here at MCC and am looking forward to the years to come!
Elizabeth Caputo – I’m very excited to be starting my 7th year at MCC. I’ve been teaching in the Big Hall for six of these years. This past year I had the opportunity to teach the PreK’s & I had a great time. I’m now looking forward to teaching the Nursery class again! Your children and I will be learning how to play, listen and share with others. I’ve lived in Medfield for 14 years. I’ve been married 21 years to my husband Stephen & we have an 11 ½ year old daughter, Catherine. Before I started teaching I was a Delta Airlines Flight Attendant; I flew the friendly skies for 18 years! I love children & have always wanted to work in the PreSchool field. I’ve loved every minute I’ve been here.
Cindy Dowd –It’s hard to believe, but I’m entering my 22nd year at MCC! Every year gets more fun but seems to go much quicker! My college education includes two degrees, one in early childhood and the second in physical education. I’ve been teaching 26 years, 3 at a Nursery School in Dover and one year of high school physical education. I’m director certified by the Department of Early Education and Care which allows me to work as MCC’s Assistant Director. My husband Henry, dog Leo and I live in Dover. Our three children, Sam, Nick and Emily all live in the area. My two grandchildren, Lilly (6), and MCC graduate and Jake (almost 2), a current MCC student live in Millis. It’s been an exciting summer as my daughter Emily was married in July. Life is great for the Dowd Crowd!
Robin Holland – Hi Everyone! I am going into my 20th year at MCC and can honestly say I’ve loved every minute of it. I started off as a PreK and Nursery teacher. I then worked as Assistant Director, Director and now Owner/Director. I loved being in the classroom and am always glad when I have a chance hang out with the kidsJ. 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 (17), Zacky (14) and Kacey (11). All three have attended MCC, and Nick now works here after school! I have a wonderful husband, Michael, who helps out a lot at school doing computer “stuff” for us, or anything else that needs doing. He does most of the shopping for the school and is known at the Franklin BJ’s as “Day Care Man”. Our last family member is our 7 year old Bichon Frise Maggie Mae. When not at school I can usually be found with a good book or watching my beloved Yankees on televisionJ
Lisa Langer – I’m going into my 2nd year at MCC. I’m fortunate enough to float between all classes, allowing me to meet & watch all the children grow & learn. I graduated from the University of Hartford with a BA in Psychology & a minor in Special Ed. I’ve had many years of experience in property & management as well as my own business working with the special needs population. When my oldest son turned 5, I decided to go back to work with the young ones. I started as a sub at a couple of schools in Medfield, including MCC. Teaching has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience. I live in Medfield with my husband Eric & 2 boys, Lex (6 ½) & Harrison (4 ½). Lex is a graduate of MCC & Harrison is a current PreK student I’m looking forward to the upcoming school year & feel fortunate to be a part of the wonderful MCC team of teachers.
Maureen Lupo – Hello, I am starting my 11th year teaching at MCC. I’ve taught both the PreK and the Transitional programs. I graduated from Framingham State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After almost 20 years in the corporate retail environment, I returned to my education roots. I live in Norfolk with my husband Jim, son Matt ( 2001 MCC graduate) and my dog Rocket, a westie who thinks he’s human! I am looking forward to a great year with your children!
Kristin Masterson – Hello Everyone! As many of you know, I am a Nursery Teacher. I have been very lucky to teach at this wonderful Center for going on 10 years. I started my teaching career in Plainville in 1994. The next step on my journey to MCC brought me to the Norfolk Public School system in 1997 working in the integrated PreSchool Program. I learned so many things from these experiences that I use to make a great classroom here at MCC. I look forward to meeting the new faces and welcoming back the old ones. Being at MCC and working with this tremendous staff, parents, and children has been extremely rewardingJ
Trish Mileti - Hi! I hope you had a terrific summer. This is the start of my fourth year as a teaching assistant at MCC and I have had the privilege of spending time in all the classrooms and getting to know all the kids. It has been a wonderful experience watching them grow. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m an experienced, loving and proud Mom of two daughters, 11-year-old Lauren and nine-year-old Maddy who have become familiar faces to the kids at MCC as well. I grew up in New Jersey where I earned my bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Prior to being a stay-at-home Mom, I was Public Relations Manager for a real estate company in New Jersey. We moved to Massachusetts 10 years ago and to Medfield shortly thereafter. I’m really looking forward to another great school year!
Debbie Wilson – This will be my fourth year at MCC as one of the Toddler teachers and I can’t wait to share all the fun and exciting projects and activities we have planned for our Toddler Class! Prior to joining MCC’s family, I was a one-on-one special needs/behavioral aide in the Holliston elementary schools, and I also ran a home child care, all the while being mom to my two daughters, Samantha now 18 ½ who just finished her first year of college and Rachel who is 16 years old. I hope everyone had a great summer, I look forward to seeing all those smiling faces!
Cailyn Varkas - Wow! Has it really been a year? I can't believe I am already entering my second year here at MCC! My first was filled with exciting learning experiences for both the children, as well as myself as a new teacher! MCC has truly helped me grow as a person this past year, I could not have dreamed up a better place to start my teaching career! As I enter my second year at MCC, I look forward to working with the PM Nursery kids, we are going to have a blast!! I graduated from Curry College with a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education in the spring of 2010. I have known since I was a little kid, playing "school" with my stuffed animals as my students, that I wanted to be a teacher. To me, the best feeling in the world is seeing the "lightbulb" go on above a child's head and knowing that I taught them something they will carry with them into their future! When I am not at MCC or planning new and exciting projects for my students (sometimes I think I enjoy these projects more than my little ones), you can find me with my wonderful family and friends, shopping or relaxing watching my biggest guilty pleasure, reality TV!
Nicole Pender - I am a 16 ½ year old student in myy junior year at Medfield High School. I enjoy playing sports such as volleyball, basketball and softball as well as art and music. I am interested in pursuing my college education in early childhood development. I have two younger sisters ages 12 and 3 who I often babysit. I like doing arts and crafts with them especially teaching my3 year old sister to read, learn her numbers and create different types of art projects suitable for her age. I look forward to being a part of the staff at Medfield Children’s Center where I can learn and develop skills that will help me in my future career choices.
Nick Holland – I’m a 17 year old senior at Franklin High School. At FHS, I’ve been involved in Mock Trial since my Freshman year and this year I will be captain of the team. I’ve been working at MCC for the past 3 years during the summer. When summer was over a year ago, I realized how much I would miss all the kids so I decided to work here after school four days a week. When I’m not hanging out with the kids, I like to play video games and play sports. I love watching all the Boston sports teams, and especially like watching the Red Sox beat my mom’s Yankee team.