Our Teachers

Meet our teachers!

Our highly qualified educators hold degrees and represent a diverse background in early childhood education and the sciences. Our educators value learning and are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance leadership, support core competencies and integrate their knowledge of early childhood education/child development. All Nature Center Preschool educators have completed rigorous South Shore YMCA training including comprehensive Child Protection modules, CPR, and First Aid certification.

Jessica Hagen, Preschool Director

Jessica studied Psychology and Early Childhood education at Framingham State and holds her Director certification through the Department of Early Education and Care. She has been in the field of education for over 20 years and has been with the South Shore YMCA since 2013, joining the Nature Center Preschool in 2022. She is also the proud mom of 2 daughters.

Teachers:

• Kristin Achorn has been with the Nature Center Preschool since 2017. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and obtained her Lead Teacher certification through the Department of Early Education and Care.
• Rachel Bond has a Bachelor’s degree in both Biology and Environmental Studies, with heavy concentration and certification in Holistic Health and Wellness from Lesley University. She holds her Teaching Certification from the Department of Early Education and Care, and is also our Lead Animal Specialist at the South Shore Natural Science Center, in charge and taking care of all the animals on site. Rachel has been a Nature Adventures Camp Counselor and Nature Center Preschool Teacher for 2 years now, but her time here goes way back as she is a Nature Center Preschool Alumni! Rachel is passionate about working with, educating, and involving children on nature conservation, use, advocacy, and responsibility, as well as more generally helping others to reconnect and reunite with the natural world that we are a part of.
• Michelle Coghlan is a substitute teacher who began working at NCP in 2019. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has a working background in Social Work and Human Resources. Michelle is a mother of three children who enjoys spending time in nature while connecting and nurturing each child as an individual with their own special interests and strengths.  
• Joan Gerhard holds a Bachelor’s degree and license in Occupational Therapy and Preschool Teacher certification from MA EEC. She has experience as a substitute teacher in a public school setting and had been involved with youth in leadership roles in Cub Scouts, BSA, and Girl Scouts, as well as youth soccer coaching for many years. She is currently in her 7th year teaching at NCP and continues to find joy and renewed awe in the inspiration of children and the wonders of nature through her discoveries and adventures with her classes.
• Laura Lally has an associate degree in Secretarial Arts Business Technology as well as EEC Preschool Teacher Certification. She chose to teach at NCP because of how unique it is, her love of nature, and the emergent curriculum that allows the children to explore/learn about nature in so many ways. She has taught in local preschools for 7+years and has been a teacher at Nature Center Preschool since 2017.
• Kiki Pion holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Early Care and Pre-K from Bridgewater State. She is Lead Teacher certified through the Department of Early Education and Care. She worked as a Pre-K teacher before becoming a full-time nanny for several years. Kiki has been a teacher at Nature Center Preschool since 2017.
• Christina Walsh holds a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College. After a decade in the non-Profit sector, Christina returned to her first love of teaching in 2012 and has continued working with preschoolers since. She studied Early Childhood Education at Bates College and earned her lead teacher certification in 2019. Christina has been teaching at Nature Center Preschool since 2015 and was promoted to Senior Lead Teacher in 2022.
• Jill Zielinski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology, both from Boston College. She maintains Lead Teacher and Director certifications with the MA Department of Early Education and Care and brings a passion for lifelong learning and outdoor exploration into the classroom. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and has been a teacher at Nature Center Preschool since 2013.
• Mary Beth Hines is a Massachusetts Early Education and Care certified Lead Teacher who taught at the Nature Center Preschool from 2014 to 2020. Mary Beth also substitute taught at Wilder Nursery school and Erdman Family Preschool. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, a mother of three children, and has held numerous volunteer positions with such organizations as her children’s School Boards, Horizons for Homeless Children, and as a Pet Therapy volunteer at Linden Ponds and South Shore Hospital.
• Liz Colantoni has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and English. Liz has worked in the education field for over 15 years. She is currently working towards her EEC lead teacher certification. Liz has a passion for teaching, learning, and exploring. When she is not in the classroom Liz can be found all over the south shore with her husband, three kids, and two dogs.
• Haley Durant is a substitute teacher at Nature Center Preschool who started working here in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass Boston. She was excited to join the NCP team as it is the perfect combination of her passion for working with children and her love for spending as much of life as possible outdoors enjoying nature.
• Caroline Kourafas has been working at the nature preschool since 2022 as an assistant preschool teacher! She is originally from Hingham, MA, and attended the University of Maine Orono for her bachelor’s in child development and family interactions. She has a lot of experience working with kids of all ages as well as experience working with children with cognitive or developmental disabilities. Some of her interests are hiking, skiing, traveling, swimming, animals, and music.
• Jada Leung holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Sustainable Development. Jada came to us from the Y’s Early Learning Center and started working at the Nature Center Preschool in 2023. She enjoys nature and teaching children the joy of being outdoors.
• Nicole Morrison has her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. She has worked in the field of early childhood education for 17 years with more recent experience in early intervention services. Nicole has her lead teacher certification through department of Early Childhood and Care and has been with Nature Center Preschool since February 2023.
• Jane Farrington is an assistant teacher at the Nature Center Preschool. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Fine Arts from Saint Michael’s College. She lives in Norwell with her husband and 2 children, who are both NCP alumni. After being a stay-at-home Mom for several years, Jane realized her love of nature and the outdoors along with her love of working with young children would make NCP a perfect place for her to restart career. When Jane isn’t in the classroom, you might find her in her garden, spending time at the beach with her family, or reading.
• Clara Bulman holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A lifelong resident of the South Shore, Clara has a deep-rooted passion for the area’s natural environment and its history. Growing up homeschooled in the forests of Duxbury, she developed a strong appreciation for nature-based education and its role in fostering curiosity and learning. Since 2023, Clara has been dedicated to helping preschoolers connect with the natural world through her work at the Nature Center Preschool.