I am the Director of Acorn School, TimberNook certified, and one of the Mighty Oak teachers and I also work with the Extended Day team. I have a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire with more than 30 years of experience working with preschoolers and kindergarteners guiding them along their developmental path of acquiring social, emotional, physical and academic skills through Acorn’s science and social studies curriculum. All four of my children attended Acorn School.

My goal and desire for every Acorn student is to develop an “I can” attitude, to understand it is okay to make mistakes and to love to learn.

Hello! I am Kim Williams.  I wear a few hats at Acorn School.  I work with Sue in the Acorn office, teach yoga to the Mighty Oaks and enjoy lunch with morning Chipmunks on Tuesdays.  I started with Acorn when my 2 sons were young.  I was on the Acorn Board for a few years and then moved into the office position. 

I worked as a nurse after completing my BS in Nursing at UNH.  I also am a certified YogaLight yoga instructor. The wonderful staff and community of Acorn make it a special place!

I am a graduate of UNH, passed the PRAXIS in 2002 and was the permanent sub at Main Street School in Exeter for 20 years. I love all animals (especially horses as I started riding at age 9) and I sing, play guitar and the piano! I was in a female acappella group (Mamapella) for 10 years and plan to sing with the Rockingham Choral Society this year.

Lydia Barnes is a singer, songwriter, and pianist from Stratham, New Hampshire. Both an Acorn School and Berklee College of Music alum, she studied songwriting and classical voice in college. In her years as a camp counselor in the Lakes Region, she taught many subjects, but she feels that music with the children was the most rewarding. In 2019, Lydia organized and led a youth songwriting workshop class at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC). Now she is thrilled to return to Acorn School to spend time in music with the students.

I first became part of the Acorn School community five years ago as a parent. All three of my children have thrived at Acorn with its rich outdoor play experiences, engaging curriculum, and kind and caring teachers. When Sue asked if I would be interested in teaching with the Friday Extended Day team and subbing as needed this year, it was a no brainer! I’m so thrilled to be working with such a dedicated and skilled group of educators at this magical school. 

I have a B.S in Elementary Education and Neuroscience from The College of William and Mary and an M.Ed. in Reading and Literacy from Boston College. I am also certified as a Montessori Lower Elementary teacher, and spent 8 years teaching in Montessori classrooms before taking some time to stay home with my children. 

I am looking forward to returning to teaching and getting to know you and your children this year!

I am an alumni parent who has transitioned into being the primary staff for the Extended Day Programs.

I am the lead teacher of the Mighty Oak kindergarten class. I received my BS Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Child Psychology from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I have been involved with Education for 30+ years teaching all grades from kindergarten through sixth grade as well as being a literacy tutor and serving on several boards, including Acorn School. I am one of the Co-Founders of the Seacoast Charter School which was a direct result of the experience at Acorn School for my four children as well as myself. I truly enjoyed my time as a parent at Acorn School and am so thankful to be able to be part of this teaching community.

I live in Exeter and when I am not teaching I enjoy gardening, running, skiing, reading and traveling with my family.

I am one of the Mighty Oak kindergarten teachers. In 1986, I received my BS Degree in Elementary Education with minors in child Development and Psychology from Plymouth State University. I have also taught kindergarten and third grade in the past. I love to read and travel whenever I get a chance. I live in Newfields with my husband and have 3 grown sons.

My roots run deep here at Acorn! All three of my boys were Chipmunks, Chickadees and Mighty Oaks many years ago and now I have been teaching at this wonderful little school for over 20 years.

Hello Acorn Community!  I am Shelly Gordon and I am the lead teacher for the Chickadees (am) and Tadpoles (pm) four year old classes.  I also get to be the assistant with the Chipmunks - 3 year olds in the smaller classes (10).  I have a degree in elementary education, a background in environmental education and am a TimberNook certified teacher here at Acorn School. 

My favorite parts of Acorn School are the warm and long lasting connections to families in our community, the freedom and creativity to teach emerging curriculum from student interests, to share my passion for the wonders of our natural world and of course the fantastic students!

I have an art education background certified in K-12  and have taught art classes in both public and private settings over the past 20 years.  I love that Acorn School is fully committed to being outdoors year round and dedicated to developing a strong curiosity and love for the natural world.

My name is Melissa Guy and I’m so excited to be back in the Mighty Oak classroom as an assistant teacher. Both of my girls attended Acorn as Chipmunks, Woolly Bears and Mighty Oaks, so I know how special this school is. I spent many years as a fourth grade teacher & have a MEd degree in Elementary Education. 

I live in Exeter with my family and Golden Doodle, Parker. It’s going to be a great year!

Hello friends! This year I will be the lead teacher for the Woolly Bear classes and the assistant teacher for the larger Chipmunk classes. This is my 5th year teaching at Acorn school, but I have been in education since I graduated in the 90’s. My degree is in Elementary Education, but I have also taken lots of classes in Early Childhood, Outdoor Education, Learning Styles, Art, and Communication.

I love how much we are outside at Acorn, where the children can be loud, run, and move their bodies as they are meant to do. We honor the whole child and see the value in play.

My name is Jody MacBride and I help with Club Acorn. I received my BA degree in Child Psychology and my Masters Degree in Elementary Education, both at UNH. I have taught second, third and fourth grade, and recently retired from full time classroom teaching. I live in Stratham with my husband and two dogs, where we raised our three kids, who now have families of their own. I love hiking, snowshoeing and pickleball, as well as reading and drawing. I am really looking forward to the year at Acorn!

I am a Chipmunk lead teacher as well as an assistant in the Mighty Oak classroom. I live in Newfields with my husband, son and daughter, who attended Acorn as a Tadpole and Mighty Oak. I earned my BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maine Orono. When not at school I enjoy cooking, gardening, playing games and adventuring with my family.

This is her 5th year at Acorn School and she has loved exploring and learning with the children in their outdoor environment. She looks forward to welcoming your children into her class this year. 

Hi! My name is Kelly O'Hearn and I will be teaching the 3 year old Chipmunk classes at Acorn. I earned my masters in elementary education from Boston College and have taught for 15 years in early childhood classrooms mostly in Boston, a few years in Switzerland, and a summer in Ghana. 

My favourite thing about Acorn School is the wonderful and friendly community of both the staff and the families attending. The partnership makes for an enriching environment where children are offered unforgettable childhood experiences.

I received my Masters of Science in Reading from Wheelock College in 1992. I also received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a major in Special Education from Wheelock College in 1981. My teaching experience over the years has included 4 year olds, kindergarten, first grade, second grade and children with special needs. I live in Newfields, NH with my husband and we have two grown daughters who also attended Acorn School many years ago. When I am not teaching I enjoy reading, traveling, time with my family and friends and being at Squam Lake.

Hi, my name is Rima Sawyer and I am a part of the extended day team. I live in Greenland with my husband, two daughters and our dog Brady. I have a BS in Family Studies as well as an MEd in Elementary Education, both from UNH. Prior to staying home with my girls, I taught 2nd grade in the Dover school system. My oldest daughter is an Acorn Alum and my youngest is currently enjoying her Woolly Bear year. Acorn School has made such a big impact on my own family and I’m excited to have this new role in such a wonderful community. 

I provide a weekly nature-based extended day program at Acorn School.

I hold a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and am a licensed occupational therapist in New Hampshire. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Special Education. I am a TimberNook certified teacher at Acorn School and enjoy working with children in child-led, nature-based experiences. Outside of Acorn, I work as a pediatric occupational therapist in private practice supporting children and families.

My two children attended this special little school in the woods to start their learning journeys, and I have also had the privilege of serving as both a staff member and a board member.

What I appreciate most about Acorn School is its commitment to nurturing the whole child during the early developmental years. I also love how Acorn’s outdoor spaces offer just-right challenges that spark creativity, curiosity, imagination, and joy.