Teacher and Staff Bios

Teachers and Staff of Sandwich Children's Center

Karyn Ames, Director and Lead Teacher, Infants

Karyn has a BS in Early Childhood Studies with a minor in Child Development from Plymouth State University. She also attended Manchester Community College for Childcare Administration and Management. Following three years as Lead Teacher in the preschool room, Karyn became director in 2010, a position she held until 2014, when she became Lead Teacher in the Infants room. This year-long return to the classroom gave Karyn the re-charge she felt she needed and she resumed the directorship this fall. She says, "I am honored to give the children a new experience every day, whether it be in the arts, science, music or natural world. I love being outdoors, so whenever we can, that is where we are, gaining a great familiarity with and respect for the outdoor world. My goal is to bring nature, science, art, music and a sense of community and family to each child who comes to the Center." Outside of work, Karyn enjoys writing fiction, drawing, wood burning and spending time with her family.

Shayna Hidden, Lead Teacher, Toddlers

Shayna comes to SCC from Bearcamp Valley School and Children's Center, where she was assistant director. She enjoyed administrative work but is thrilled to be back in the classroom with children. "I love to see their faces, their adventures," she says. "Seeing them on a daily basis, you get this really good relationship with them." Shayna joined SCC in 2012 and has an associates degree in early childhood education. Outside of work and family she enjoys photography, kayaking and hiking.

Jessica Horsch, Office Manager and Teacher's Assistant

Jess has a BS in Business Management from Plymouth State University. Her first connection to SCC came in 2009, when she worked as a teacher's aide while she was in high school. Jess joined SCC full time after college and still jumps in to any classroom that needs a helping hand. "It's such a close-knit community here, with all the families that I've known for so long," Jess says. In her free time, Jess enjoys hiking, fishing and 4-wheeling.

Corey Christensen-Judge, Lead Teacher, Infants

Corey has her BS in Early Childhood Education which she received from Granite State College in Conway, NH. Corey joined SCC in 2010 and has been here off and on throughout that time and now. She has two lovely children that her and her husband love spending time with. They love to go swimming, kayaking, Nordic skiing and hiking. Corey also brings her expertise in Yoga and gardening to SCC. She loves showing the children how to do yoga and reading and laughing with them.

Krista Smith, Teacher's Assistant, Substitute

Krista joined us as a Junior at Moultonborough Academy and is currently doing a Senior year apprenticeship with us, working throughout the center with all our programs and being mentored by our Lead Teachers. "I love watching them grow and helping them learn new things. I took a college psychology class my junior year of high school which was very interesting learning how kids and adults think and why they do things. The thing that I love most is seeing people happy and smiling." Krista also enjoys the outdoors, being on the lake and riding all terrain vehicles. Her favorite season is Fall, she enjoy bonfires and going to country music concerts.

Christina Hall, Lead Teacher, Substitute

Christina has a BS in elementary education but has worked with preschoolers and in childcare for many years. She has also taught skiing and swimming and joined SCC in 2012. "I've just always been involved with children," Christina says. "I love playing with them, sitting on the floor and singing songs -- I like to watch them grow and learn." Christina also enjoys cooking, hiking, swimming and cross stitch.

Nancy Killam, Associate Teacher, Substitute

Nancy is a retired early childhood educator. She has worked in a variety of settings during her 25+ years in the field of education. Nancy has her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College. Nancy began substituting for SCC in 2015. “I love being in the classroom with children and seeing their happy smiling faces as they explore their environment. I have always believed in the philosophy that children learn through their play. At SCC, they are given the opportunity to learn from nature which is so important to help spark their creativity and imagination.” Nancy enjoys traveling with her husband and visiting their 3 grandsons in Portland, Oregon. She loves boating and enjoys gardening and bird watching. She is an avid reader and beginner knitting enthusiast.

Sarah Norton, Lead Teacher, Preschoolers

Sarah has worked in Early Childhood Education for a number of years and has been with Sandwich Children's Center since 2008, first in the infant/toddlers room and currently as Lead Teacher in the preschool room. She has an associates degree from New Hampshire Community Technical College in Nashua, NH. Sarah also served for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Sarah says, "I am passionate about helping children learn and grow by exploring nature and the community around them. Things I enjoy outside of work are spending time with my family, camping, kayaking, snowmobiling, and playing softball."

Dynasty Dempsey, Lead Teacher, Toddler

Dynasty returned to SCC in 2016 after a year away with her family in North Carolina. She is very excited to be back where there is emergent curriculum and staff that love spending time with the children. She studied at White Mountain Community College where she has received 19 credits in Early Childhood Studies. She plans on returning to take a couple more classes so she can earn her Associate's Degree. "I really enjoy watching them grow and being a part of their lives, and helping them learn through their play." Dynasty enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls. They love to go hiking, swimming, spending time outdoors and doing arts and crafts.

Tawnya Calzada, School-age Program Coordinator

Tawnya has a BS in Developmental Psychology from Plymouth State University. She has been at SCC since 2010 and has been in her current position since 2015. Working with children has always been a passion and she enjoys helping create a caring and loving environment in which children can flourish.

Abbie Cameron, Associate Teacher, Infants

Abbie has a BA in theater from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, where she also received six credits in early childhood education. She recently took Foundations for Early Childhood Studies through UNH online services where she recieved another 3 credits in ECE. She worked with children at her church during college and joined SCC in 2015. "I've loved kids all my life," Abbie says. "Their excitement about life and everything is just contagious!" Abbie also works for Sandwich's theater company, "Advice to the Players," as a stage manager, educational program assistant and summer camp assistant. In addition to kids and theater, she enjoys hiking with her golden retriever, snowboarding and swimming.

Judy Hewson, Infant Teacher

Judy has worked with children most of her life, beginning as a teenager teaching skiing, later serving in Christian ministry positions, raising 2 children, and having 6 grandchildren. She has worked with children in preschool, and school age in a before & after school program. Judy has earned her Associate’s Degree from Granite State College, and has an additional 12 credits in Early Childhood Education. She’s currently working toward her State of NH Credentials. She plans on continuing her education at Granite State College. Her household is full and busy with her husband, daughter, four grandchildren, two dogs, four cats, and any other teenager that happens to be around.

Barbara Pries, Teacher’s Assistant, School Age Sub

Barbara began substitute teaching in elementary and preschool classrooms in 2012. She volunteered in Montessori classrooms before that, when her children were in preschool. She believes in providing the basic materials, then supporting children's built in curiosity in preschool and early grades. Since retiring with her husband to Sandwich in July 2015, Barbara has appreciated SCC's approach to letting children learn by playing, and each child being allowed to challenge them self at their own pace. Barbara holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, programming for years before raising their three children in Massachusetts. She enjoys gardening, knitting, reading, and day hikes with her dog.

Catherine Simari, Lead Teacher Preschool

Catherine is a Senior at Plymouth
State University where she is
studying for her Bachelor of Science
in Early Childhood Studies with an
option of Early Care and Education.
Catherine is from Salem, NH where
she lives with her three siblings and
parents. She’s worked at three
different child care centers with five
years of experience in teaching. She
loves working with children,
watching them grow and learn!

Mary Ann Drapcho, Lead Teacher, Substitute

Mary Ann has spent her professional
life teaching children and families.
Over the past forty years, she has been
an Early Childhood Educator, Parenting
Instructor, Director of Christian
Education, and Home Visitor. She
attended the University of Iowa and
Penn State, majoring in Early Childhood
Education. She raised five children, and
has three grandchildren. After seven years
in Madison, WI, she moved to NH to be
closer to her grandson, Otis. Mary Ann
tells us that she feels very fortunate to have
found our family centered community at
Sandwich Children’s Center.