Executive Director
Maureen Velsor
Maureen is the Director of Neighborhood Schoolhouse. She first joined NSH in 2019 as a teacher in the infant room and was captivated by the school’s philosophy—especially its emphasis on time spent outdoors and the respect shown to children. Since then, she's worn many hats here: teacher, Director, and parent. Maureen is truly grateful for each of these roles and for the opportunity to be part of this incredible community. She feels deeply connected to Neighborhood’s mission and is committed to ensuring we continue to provide high-quality care for all of our children. Outside of school, Maureen stays busy with her two energetic boys, Milo and Charlie—who, as you’ll see, are rarely sitting still!
Awarded an Emerging Leader Award in 2025 from the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
Member of NSH since 2019!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Maureen is the Director of Neighborhood Schoolhouse. She first joined NSH in 2019 as a teacher in the infant room and was captivated by the school’s philosophy—especially its emphasis on time spent outdoors and the respect shown to children. Since then, she's worn many hats here: teacher, Director, and parent. Maureen is truly grateful for each of these roles and for the opportunity to be part of this incredible community. She feels deeply connected to Neighborhood’s mission and is committed to ensuring we continue to provide high-quality care for all of our children. Outside of school, Maureen stays busy with her two energetic boys, Milo and Charlie—who, as you’ll see, are rarely sitting still!
Awarded an Emerging Leader Award in 2025 from the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
Member of NSH since 2019!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Program Director
Annie Macy
Annie has been at Neighborhood Schoolhouse for nearly 10 years, wearing many hats, from volunteering and substitute teaching, leading the infant classroom, and all the way to Program Director! Annie has been working full time with children since 1997. Throughout her career, she obtained an A. S. in Criminal Justice and a B. A. in Liberal Arts, with a focus on Early Childhood Education. She also was the sole parent of her daughter who is now turning 24! In 2025, Annie married her long time partner and they reside in Brattleboro with their beloved animals. She loves spending time outdoors, especially camping, hiking, paddle boarding (with the dogs), skiing, snowshoeing, and traveling to the ocean any chance she can!
Member of NSH since 2015!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Annie has been at Neighborhood Schoolhouse for nearly 10 years, wearing many hats, from volunteering and substitute teaching, leading the infant classroom, and all the way to Program Director! Annie has been working full time with children since 1997. Throughout her career, she obtained an A. S. in Criminal Justice and a B. A. in Liberal Arts, with a focus on Early Childhood Education. She also was the sole parent of her daughter who is now turning 24! In 2025, Annie married her long time partner and they reside in Brattleboro with their beloved animals. She loves spending time outdoors, especially camping, hiking, paddle boarding (with the dogs), skiing, snowshoeing, and traveling to the ocean any chance she can!
Member of NSH since 2015!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator
Joli
Joli grew up in Western MA in a high quality home-operated family childcare program. As an adult, she worked in a variety of early education settings from Waldorf Kindergarten, to Reggio Emilia inspired toddler programs, to Head Start, to homeschooling and outdoor education programs, to early intervention. Her experience as a foster parent to over 50 children, ranging every age from newborn to 18, supported an increased awareness and understanding of children's and families' needs and how to support them. Over the past three years she has begun a journey of early education support work, such as administrative support, parent and teacher coaching, professional development workshops, and consulting. She emphasizes relationships through attachment-based caregiving and strengths-based interaction. In addition to a Master's in Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health, she is a certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach. At home she lives with her husband and adult foster son, enjoys snuggles and hikes with her puppy, and cares for a rotating cast of foster kittens.
Member of NSH team since 2026!
Contact Me: jolianna@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Joli grew up in Western MA in a high quality home-operated family childcare program. As an adult, she worked in a variety of early education settings from Waldorf Kindergarten, to Reggio Emilia inspired toddler programs, to Head Start, to homeschooling and outdoor education programs, to early intervention. Her experience as a foster parent to over 50 children, ranging every age from newborn to 18, supported an increased awareness and understanding of children's and families' needs and how to support them. Over the past three years she has begun a journey of early education support work, such as administrative support, parent and teacher coaching, professional development workshops, and consulting. She emphasizes relationships through attachment-based caregiving and strengths-based interaction. In addition to a Master's in Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health, she is a certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach. At home she lives with her husband and adult foster son, enjoys snuggles and hikes with her puppy, and cares for a rotating cast of foster kittens.
Member of NSH team since 2026!
Contact Me: jolianna@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Gosling
Lizz
Lizz was born and grew up in Marlboro, Vermont. She spent most of their childhood in the woods, up in the trees, or swimming at South Pond, which is walking distance from her home, where she still lives. Lizz graduated from the Compass School in Westminster and went on to get an Associates degree through GCC with a heavy focus on infant and child development and psychology. She has three children, ages 13, 11, and 9. Lizz loves spending time outside in her gardens during the warm months, and tending to her houseplants in the cold months.
Member of NSH team since 2025!
Contact Me: lizz@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Lizz was born and grew up in Marlboro, Vermont. She spent most of their childhood in the woods, up in the trees, or swimming at South Pond, which is walking distance from her home, where she still lives. Lizz graduated from the Compass School in Westminster and went on to get an Associates degree through GCC with a heavy focus on infant and child development and psychology. She has three children, ages 13, 11, and 9. Lizz loves spending time outside in her gardens during the warm months, and tending to her houseplants in the cold months.
Member of NSH team since 2025!
Contact Me: lizz@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Randii Elie
Randii's two big loves in the world are historical facts and arts and crafts. After graduating from college she was excited to find a way to give back to the community she grew up in here in Brattleboro. They joined the Neighborhood team at the height of the pandemic and they've been here ever since. The faculty and the students here at Neighborhood are all wonderfully unique, kind, and foster a strong sense community and love for learning.
Member of NSH since 2020!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Randii's two big loves in the world are historical facts and arts and crafts. After graduating from college she was excited to find a way to give back to the community she grew up in here in Brattleboro. They joined the Neighborhood team at the height of the pandemic and they've been here ever since. The faculty and the students here at Neighborhood are all wonderfully unique, kind, and foster a strong sense community and love for learning.
Member of NSH since 2020!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Owlet
Carson Summers-Pelkey
Carson has worked here at Neighborhood Schoolhouse since 2021 as both assistant and lead teacher in the Gosling (infant) classroom. He loves bringing curiosity to the classroom through science and art and, like a toddler, Caron loves a good mess. Rain or shine, it is a good day to play outside and he looks forward to exploring our wonderful wooded campus with these adventurous toddlers.
Member of NSH team since 2021!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Carson has worked here at Neighborhood Schoolhouse since 2021 as both assistant and lead teacher in the Gosling (infant) classroom. He loves bringing curiosity to the classroom through science and art and, like a toddler, Caron loves a good mess. Rain or shine, it is a good day to play outside and he looks forward to exploring our wonderful wooded campus with these adventurous toddlers.
Member of NSH team since 2021!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Rachel R.
Rachel was born and raised in the Hudson Valley of New York. She holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz and worked for Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival as an actor and teaching artist for 7 years. Her career in early childhood education began in 2018 at Little Nest Learning Center, a creative play-based preschool in Brooklyn, where she started as an Assistant and was promoted Co-Lead Teacher the following year. Upon moving to Montana in 2021, she led classes of 3-8 year old students at Cottonwood, a child-led learning center in downtown Helena. More recently, Rachel was the Lead Infant Teacher for nearly 2 years at Ohana Daycare & Preschool. She is a certified 200-hour Hatha yoga instructor and holds a Children’s Yoga Certification through Little Flower Yoga’s Teacher Training Program. Rachel is also the owner of a wildlife photography business, Ritacco Photography, and is eagerly focused on how her work in that realm can support conservation efforts worldwide. From late 2025 through early 2026, she traveled extensively in Africa and Costa Rica to build her portfolio before moving back to the northeastern US with her husband to be closer to her dear family and friends. Rachel is an avid hiker, profound lover of chocolate, and is passionate about arts and environmental education for children of all ages.
Member of NSH team since 2026!
Contact Me: rachelr@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Rachel was born and raised in the Hudson Valley of New York. She holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz and worked for Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival as an actor and teaching artist for 7 years. Her career in early childhood education began in 2018 at Little Nest Learning Center, a creative play-based preschool in Brooklyn, where she started as an Assistant and was promoted Co-Lead Teacher the following year. Upon moving to Montana in 2021, she led classes of 3-8 year old students at Cottonwood, a child-led learning center in downtown Helena. More recently, Rachel was the Lead Infant Teacher for nearly 2 years at Ohana Daycare & Preschool. She is a certified 200-hour Hatha yoga instructor and holds a Children’s Yoga Certification through Little Flower Yoga’s Teacher Training Program. Rachel is also the owner of a wildlife photography business, Ritacco Photography, and is eagerly focused on how her work in that realm can support conservation efforts worldwide. From late 2025 through early 2026, she traveled extensively in Africa and Costa Rica to build her portfolio before moving back to the northeastern US with her husband to be closer to her dear family and friends. Rachel is an avid hiker, profound lover of chocolate, and is passionate about arts and environmental education for children of all ages.
Member of NSH team since 2026!
Contact Me: rachelr@neighborhoodschoolhouse.com
Starling
Rebecca Michaud
Rebecca lives in Westminster with her husband and their two cats. She is also the proud mom of two fantastic young adult children. She is originally from southern New England and she still loves to take trips back to visit friends, family, and the ocean when she can! Rebecca has worked in early education for over 15 years. Her goal is to support your child’s growth and development by cultivating curiosity, building strong social-emotional skills, and fostering a love of the outdoors. Rebecca believes every child deserves to be respected and celebrated for who they are, while also learning the joy of being part of a caring, connected community. She looks forward to partnering with you to support your child’s growth and well-being!
Member of NSH since 2019!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Rebecca lives in Westminster with her husband and their two cats. She is also the proud mom of two fantastic young adult children. She is originally from southern New England and she still loves to take trips back to visit friends, family, and the ocean when she can! Rebecca has worked in early education for over 15 years. Her goal is to support your child’s growth and development by cultivating curiosity, building strong social-emotional skills, and fostering a love of the outdoors. Rebecca believes every child deserves to be respected and celebrated for who they are, while also learning the joy of being part of a caring, connected community. She looks forward to partnering with you to support your child’s growth and well-being!
Member of NSH since 2019!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Robin
Zoe
Originally from California, Zoe moved to Southern Vermont 14 years ago. Brattleboro is her home and early childhood education is one of her loves. She has been working in preschool and primary classrooms for 10 years and knows that every day with students brings a gift. Preschool is made up of many opportunities for children to meet uncertainty with curiosity and Zoe treasures being an observer and collaborator in these moments. In and out of the classroom she makes art, bakes, sings and thinks about how we are all still building our world.
Member of NSH since 2026!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Originally from California, Zoe moved to Southern Vermont 14 years ago. Brattleboro is her home and early childhood education is one of her loves. She has been working in preschool and primary classrooms for 10 years and knows that every day with students brings a gift. Preschool is made up of many opportunities for children to meet uncertainty with curiosity and Zoe treasures being an observer and collaborator in these moments. In and out of the classroom she makes art, bakes, sings and thinks about how we are all still building our world.
Member of NSH since 2026!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Magpie
Peregrine
Ana Williams
It’s been over two decades since Ana set forth on this amazing path. Every day, Ana is amazed by the moments of curiosity and excitement that her students experience in their learning. She loves finding a cool beetle in an odd spot or stopping to listen to the way the wind travels through the trees. These moments are important. Having the space to explore emotions, navigate social dynamics, experience friendships, problem solve and think critically is vital for young children. She is so grateful to learn with your children! When not exploring with and guiding children through their learning, Ana is with her lovely family: 3 humans and a “dog” human! In the Summer and into the Fall, Ana can be found amongst her flowers, vegetables and weeds. In the Winter she is snuggled up, waiting for Spring and the early signs of life to finally appear!
Member of NSH since 2017!
Contact Me: [email protected]
It’s been over two decades since Ana set forth on this amazing path. Every day, Ana is amazed by the moments of curiosity and excitement that her students experience in their learning. She loves finding a cool beetle in an odd spot or stopping to listen to the way the wind travels through the trees. These moments are important. Having the space to explore emotions, navigate social dynamics, experience friendships, problem solve and think critically is vital for young children. She is so grateful to learn with your children! When not exploring with and guiding children through their learning, Ana is with her lovely family: 3 humans and a “dog” human! In the Summer and into the Fall, Ana can be found amongst her flowers, vegetables and weeds. In the Winter she is snuggled up, waiting for Spring and the early signs of life to finally appear!
Member of NSH since 2017!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Chris Bunn
Chris is an environmental educator originally from New Jersey. They're excited to return to Vermont, as they studied at Green Mountain College not too long ago! Since graduating, they've focused their career in environmental education and stewardship including positions as a watershed program coordinator, summer camp counselor, state park interpreter, and regenerative farmer. Chris loves being an educator because they get to share a sense of wonder in nature with others and form deep, reciprocal relationships with the land, their students, and their fellow educators. When they are not working, Chris loves to write and perform music, grow vegetables, and spend time outdoors!
Member of NSH since 2025!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Chris is an environmental educator originally from New Jersey. They're excited to return to Vermont, as they studied at Green Mountain College not too long ago! Since graduating, they've focused their career in environmental education and stewardship including positions as a watershed program coordinator, summer camp counselor, state park interpreter, and regenerative farmer. Chris loves being an educator because they get to share a sense of wonder in nature with others and form deep, reciprocal relationships with the land, their students, and their fellow educators. When they are not working, Chris loves to write and perform music, grow vegetables, and spend time outdoors!
Member of NSH since 2025!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Support Staff
Melanie Storm
Mel was born and raised in Brattleboro and still calls this town home. She was introduced to the Neighborhood community through her younger sibling who attended elementary school here. Mel joined the team in the fall of 2022, working predominantly as a support in the Raven classroom. Now, she supports all of the rooms as a floating teacher and loves getting to work with all of the age groups and form relationship with all of the children. In spring of 2025, Mel got married and they welcomed their baby girl, Rosie, this summer.
Member of NSH since 2022!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Mel was born and raised in Brattleboro and still calls this town home. She was introduced to the Neighborhood community through her younger sibling who attended elementary school here. Mel joined the team in the fall of 2022, working predominantly as a support in the Raven classroom. Now, she supports all of the rooms as a floating teacher and loves getting to work with all of the age groups and form relationship with all of the children. In spring of 2025, Mel got married and they welcomed their baby girl, Rosie, this summer.
Member of NSH since 2022!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Aiden
Aiden started working here shortly after graduating high school, and it has quickly become like a second home to him. He is still getting to know everyone, but so far, everyone has been very welcoming. What started as a subbing position has evolved into being a floating teacher on the first floor in the Gosling and Owlet rooms. Aiden truly enjoys learning alongside the children of NSH. When not at Neighborhood, he is probably enjoying good food and friends!
Member of NSH since 2025!
Contact Me: [email protected]
Aiden started working here shortly after graduating high school, and it has quickly become like a second home to him. He is still getting to know everyone, but so far, everyone has been very welcoming. What started as a subbing position has evolved into being a floating teacher on the first floor in the Gosling and Owlet rooms. Aiden truly enjoys learning alongside the children of NSH. When not at Neighborhood, he is probably enjoying good food and friends!
Member of NSH since 2025!
Contact Me: [email protected]
