Our Staff
Teaching Director
Heather Inferrera
Heather has been at ECDC for 17 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with Special Education from Lasell College and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Educational and Administration from Wheelock College. What she loves about teaching is the wonder of children and exploring that wonder together. In a single day we can be exploring simple machines AND being a
pirate or princess. Outside of school, Heather loves having all of her kids home. She also enjoys having game nights with friends and going on adventures to find waterfalls or historic places. Purple is her favorite color, her love language is cooking and baking, and she ends every day with a good book.
Butterflies Teacher
Anne MacDonaugh
As she enters her 20th year teaching at ECDC, Anne is not a stranger to the school. Both of her children are alumni of ECDC. She loves the uniqueness of a parent cooperative, and still enjoys seeing parents involved at school with their children. Anne has been teaching preschool for 25 years. Prior to that, she taught art in the Medway school system and in the Community Education organization. She also worked as
a graphic designer, winning numerous awards. Anne has a BFA from Boston University in Art Education, and a Design Certificate from Mass. College of Art. Anne has lived in Sherborn for almost 40 years and she enjoys walking to school in all kinds of weather. You can see her walking all around town with her husband and digging out in the garden. She loves music, creating art and crafts, antiques, hanging with friends and family, and eating great food! And chocolate 😏
Turtles Teacher
Karilyn Hammer
This school year marks Karilyn’s 19th year at ECDC. Karilyn feels very blessed to have landed at ECDC after teaching in Ashland for 9 years. She is a Board Member in the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club. She founded Tony and the Sole Sisters … an adventure group of sorts pairing hiking with dining and more. She’s in three book groups and is at the library daily. She’s an avid moviegoer at least once a week, and
loves to cook. With three grown sons, she always has a plus one at the theater and never has leftovers! Skiing and snowshoeing are favorites of hers … the more snow the better! Spring brings kayaking and golf.
Turtles Teacher
Beth Ecker
Beth is beginning her 21st year at ECDC as a Turtle Teacher and Stay & Play teacher. Before joining ECDC, Beth taught Kindergarten and First Grade in New Jersey and at the Temple Beth Torah Nursery School in Holliston until it closed. She is currently an Early Childhood co-chair for the Temple as well as holding various Board of Director positions. Beth has a Bachelor of Science in Education and has three
children. Beth was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader and has been teaching Sunday School in Holliston for 20 years. Beth believes the dedication of the staff and administration at ECDC is amazing. Beth appreciates the fact that all of ECDC's volunteers go the extra mile to make sure the school is the best it can be. When not working, Beth likes to travel, read, and see her friends.
Turtles Teacher
Sharon Skelly
Sharon is our newest addition and she brings to ECDC a great amount of ECE experience as a teacher in many settings: in her own preschool program, in public school including special education support, in a corporate daycare center, and as a nanny. She has taught a range of ages from two through early elementary. She is thrilled to be part of this school, which is more like a family.
It is rewarding for Sharon to watch her students thrive throughout her time with them. She enjoys
teaching through music, fingerplays and dances. Outside of teaching, she loves to walk, crochet, play games with her teenage kids and read.
Music & Creative Movement Teacher
Jacquie Marcus
Jacquie came to ECDC in 1985 as a parent of a young son. She never expected she would be coming back as a teacher a few years later when the ECDC director called and asked if she would fill in for the music teacher! She decided to give it a try and thirty-three years later she is very happy with her career choice.
This is Jacquie’s 33rd year as the music and
Stay & Play teacher and 28th year as the creative movement teacher. She says her reasons for choosing ECDC for her children are still what she sees as positives today: the idea of a parent cooperative, where parents are an integral part of the school’s policies, and are welcome to add enrichment to the curriculum. She likes the open communication ECDC encourages between staff and families, along with the classroom configuration and the theme-based curriculum. Jacquie still sees the close relationships of the school and its families as a great positive and she very much enjoys being part of the ECDC family.
All School Teacher
Kim Adams
Kim begins her 7th year at ECDC assisting in both the Turtles class and teaching in the Butterflies class. Kim resides in Medfield with her husband Kim begins her 7th year at ECDC and will be an All School Teacher in both the Butterfly and Turtle classes. Kim resides in Medfield with her husband and two dogs, Grizzly and Rambo! She was a stay-at-home mom to her 5 children for many years. Prior to raising her family, she
was a Grade 1 teacher and an ESL Tutor in the Quincy Public School system. She holds a BS in Elementary Education and Sociology from UMass Boston. Kim can't think of a better environment to work and play in than with the inquisitive and fun-loving children at ECDC!
Stay & Play Teacher
Stephanie Thorsen
This is Stephanie’s 3rd year at ECDC as a Stay & Play teacher. Prior to that, she taught pre-k for 10 years. Stephanie lives in Walpole with her husband and has two children. She has a degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College. As a teacher, Stephanie strives to make students feel respected and supported in their growth academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. This includes interacting with
each student in a way that acknowledges their individuality and recognizes their strengths. Some of the things Stephanie enjoys most about preschool-aged children are their enthusiasm and sense of humor. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys cooking and baking, gardening, being out in nature, and spending time with family and friends.