I was born in Worcester in 1982 and adopted into my amazing family where I grew up in Leicester, Ma. My mother truly inspired me to want to be a teacher, as she was my role model growing up, watching her handle, care for, teach and love children like they were her own. I knew at a young age I wanted to be a teacher, work with children and make a difference in my community whether that was in social work or in a classroom.
I attended Leicester High School and Anna Maria College for my undergraduate. My studies have focused on early and elementary education. My husband and I have 4 beautiful children and have lived in Holden for over 10 years. After teaching in many realms of education, I decided to open my first daycare center in Holden in 2014 and my second in Paxton in 2017. Due to Covid, we temporarily have closed our Holden location. I also founded Shine On Prom Dress Drive in Worcester in 2014. We have provided over 500 dresses to young woman in our communities who cannot afford prom dresses for free. We help them to feel beautiful from the inside out and shine on Prom.
In my free time I enjoy coaching soccer, singing, dancing, hiking, tennis, golf, knitting, volunteering and crafting.
Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
I am thankful and blessed to say that I get to do what I love every day. I love making a difference in children lives daily and watching their faces when they have mastered something they have been working on.
What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
My favorite restaurant in Worcester is Nancy Chang’s, and my favorite dish is the Vegan GF Cashew Chicken
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
The most interesting person that I have ever met is my daughter who is 15 years old. She has a plethora of medical anomalies and was trached at 2 wks old. She has endured dozens of surgeries in her life. She is nonverbal yet she has the most to share with us about life, strength, overcoming obstacles and through it all is always smiling.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would travel to the Maldives. It looks absolutely beautiful!
What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I love all music as it is so therapeutic, however, Tracy Chapman is my favorite.
What is your best advice?
You are never too old to start something new, experience something new and be something new!
What is one of the top three items on your Bucket List?
I have completed a lot of my bucket list as I truly live in the moment and take nothing for granted.
What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester?
Grille on the Hill
Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
I would love to have lunch with Lady Gaga. She is an absolutely amazing advocate, interesting and talented. She also has Fibromyalgia like me, and she would be extremely interesting to sit down and talk with.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself in 5-10 years still running my childcare, mentoring young ladies in the field and being the best mom and version of myself I can be.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
Something interesting about me that some people may not know is that I was an All American athlete in Soccer.
What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Three words that come to me when I hear the word HOME is Massachusetts, Warm and Loving
If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
I would have Drew Barrymore play me. She is an amazing actress and I respect her work so much.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
My favorite thing about Worcester is the diverse range of restaurants and food!
What is your favorite smell?
My favorite smell is cupcakes or cookies baking in the oven
Who inspires you to be better?
My family inspires me to be better each and every day.
