Katie DeRoche, Center Director
Katie initially joined the SCC team in 2018 by working as a teacher in the infant program. During her time away, she earned her bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and teaching certification from Plymouth State University. She is so grateful to be back as the Center Director, along with her daughter, Emma. Through gaining experience in various classrooms, Katie has become knowledgeable about each domain of early childhood development. Much of her learning and experience focused on fostering the social-emotional growth of children, and how to best support their needs and strengthen these skills. She firmly believes in the importance of child-led, play-based education for early learners, which is the standard at SCC. Katie loves working with children and witnessing their joy and curiosity as they discover the world around them. When she isn’t teaching, Katie enjoys taking nature walks with Emma, spending time on her family’s farm, and enjoying the company of family and friends. She is thrilled to have returned to the close-knit SCC community!
Katie initially joined the SCC team in 2018 by working as a teacher in the infant program. During her time away, she earned her bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and teaching certification from Plymouth State University. She is so grateful to be back as the Center Director, along with her daughter, Emma. Through gaining experience in various classrooms, Katie has become knowledgeable about each domain of early childhood development. Much of her learning and experience focused on fostering the social-emotional growth of children, and how to best support their needs and strengthen these skills. She firmly believes in the importance of child-led, play-based education for early learners, which is the standard at SCC. Katie loves working with children and witnessing their joy and curiosity as they discover the world around them. When she isn’t teaching, Katie enjoys taking nature walks with Emma, spending time on her family’s farm, and enjoying the company of family and friends. She is thrilled to have returned to the close-knit SCC community!
Mariah Sizemore, Lead Toddler Teacher
Mariah Sizemore is a passionate and dedicated individual who has always had a deep love for early childhood education. Born and raised in the breathtaking Cascade mountain range of Washington State, Mariah’s curiosity and eagerness to learn were nurtured by the stunning natural surroundings. Mariah has an Associates in Human Growth and Development and a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Sciences. Embarking on a career in Education, her goal is to provide young children with a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters their growth, curiosity, and love for learning. With her creativity, intelligence, and friendly demeanor, Mariah is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of her students, inspiring them to embrace their own unique journeys of discovery.
Mariah Sizemore is a passionate and dedicated individual who has always had a deep love for early childhood education. Born and raised in the breathtaking Cascade mountain range of Washington State, Mariah’s curiosity and eagerness to learn were nurtured by the stunning natural surroundings. Mariah has an Associates in Human Growth and Development and a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Sciences. Embarking on a career in Education, her goal is to provide young children with a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters their growth, curiosity, and love for learning. With her creativity, intelligence, and friendly demeanor, Mariah is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of her students, inspiring them to embrace their own unique journeys of discovery.
Tyler Hunter, Lead Preschool Teacher
Tyler received her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a focus in Care with a minor in Child Welfare and Family Studies from Plymouth State University. Tyler knew from day one that education was the field she was destined to be in. Tyler has a deep love for music and literature. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family. She enjoys walks in nature.
Tyler received her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a focus in Care with a minor in Child Welfare and Family Studies from Plymouth State University. Tyler knew from day one that education was the field she was destined to be in. Tyler has a deep love for music and literature. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family. She enjoys walks in nature.
Rita Thagouras, School Age Coordinator
Rita Thagouras has been working with children for over a decade. Her passion strives from being one of eleven children. Rita has an Associates in Teacher Education, and is certified in Special Education. She has five years experience overseen by Speech and Language Pathologist and Teacher of The Deaf. Following the SCC mission, she believes in helping each child strive to find the natural world, nurturing their curiosity to learn more about themselves, and exploring communities around them. Rita enjoys the outdoors and belongs to the New England Sports Women's Group. She spends her time in the woods bow hunting and her hobbies include cooking, camping, hiking, fishing, water activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Rita Thagouras has been working with children for over a decade. Her passion strives from being one of eleven children. Rita has an Associates in Teacher Education, and is certified in Special Education. She has five years experience overseen by Speech and Language Pathologist and Teacher of The Deaf. Following the SCC mission, she believes in helping each child strive to find the natural world, nurturing their curiosity to learn more about themselves, and exploring communities around them. Rita enjoys the outdoors and belongs to the New England Sports Women's Group. She spends her time in the woods bow hunting and her hobbies include cooking, camping, hiking, fishing, water activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Paula Kondo, Assistant Preschool Teacher
Paula recently moved from York, Maine and settled in Sandwich with her partner. She has a BA degree in teaching Early Childhood Education from Rivier University in Nashua, NH. She is also a certified dental assistant and worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME for the past nine years. She ran a daycare for many years, and worked with 501(c)(3) facilities. She has two grown daughters Lily (24) and Ruby (21). Lily is a Cosmetologist and lives in Sweden. Ruby lives in South Portland, Maine, and is a student at USM. Paula loves being with her family and friends, and doing anything outdoors!
Paula recently moved from York, Maine and settled in Sandwich with her partner. She has a BA degree in teaching Early Childhood Education from Rivier University in Nashua, NH. She is also a certified dental assistant and worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME for the past nine years. She ran a daycare for many years, and worked with 501(c)(3) facilities. She has two grown daughters Lily (24) and Ruby (21). Lily is a Cosmetologist and lives in Sweden. Ruby lives in South Portland, Maine, and is a student at USM. Paula loves being with her family and friends, and doing anything outdoors!
Corey Judge, Float Teacher
Corey Judge grew up in Sandwich, New Hampshire and also spent time living in Portland, Maine. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Granite State College. Corey has worked with children as an Early Childhood Teacher and nanny for the past 17 years. She also has taught kids yoga and been a swim instructor, and Reiki practitioner, as well as having her own cleaning business. Corey believes in a play-and nature-based environment for children. In her free time, Corey loves to spend time with her husband and two children. She enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, swimming, snowshoeing, skating, and Nordic skiing.
Corey Judge grew up in Sandwich, New Hampshire and also spent time living in Portland, Maine. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Granite State College. Corey has worked with children as an Early Childhood Teacher and nanny for the past 17 years. She also has taught kids yoga and been a swim instructor, and Reiki practitioner, as well as having her own cleaning business. Corey believes in a play-and nature-based environment for children. In her free time, Corey loves to spend time with her husband and two children. She enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, swimming, snowshoeing, skating, and Nordic skiing.
Greta Olafsen, Operations Manager
Greta Olafsen grew up in Sandwich and some of her earliest memories are from her time attending Sandwich Children's Center. She spent time earning a Bachelor's in Science for environmental conservation, traveled and hiked throughout the country, and settled in Wyoming. After 15 years, Greta and her husband moved their family back to her hometown to raise their kids in the same loving and beautiful community that she cherishes. Greta enjoys being able to contribute to the health of SCC by addressing grant funding and facility needs.
Steve Twaddle
Bookkeeper
Steve moved to Sandwich to embrace small town life. When he's not working at Town Hall as the Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, he helps keep the SCC financial records in good shape. Steve's hobbies include reading and playing in the woods with his tractor. Please feel free to reach out to Steve with any billing, payment or financial questions at [email protected].
Bookkeeper
Steve moved to Sandwich to embrace small town life. When he's not working at Town Hall as the Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector, he helps keep the SCC financial records in good shape. Steve's hobbies include reading and playing in the woods with his tractor. Please feel free to reach out to Steve with any billing, payment or financial questions at [email protected].