Faculty and Staff

Molly Oglesby: Interim Principal and Lead Teacher of the Preschool Program

Molly comes to the Neighborhood Schoolhouse with more than 25 years of experience in the early childhood field. With a background in teaching in a multiage classroom as well as experience in special education and tutoring, she creates a classroom where students are eager to learn, play, explore, create, dance, sing, laugh, feel safe, have fun, be curious and succeed. Molly co-founded preschools in Wilmington and Wardsboro. As an ELF/4 Winds volunteer, she brought her love and knowledge of nature to children ages 3 to 8, an awareness she also brings to the preschool program here. Molly began serving as the school’s Principal during the 2009-2010 school year.

Julia

Julia von Ranson: Administrative Assistant

Julia joined Neighborhood as a staff member in 2010, and is also an NSH parent. A student of progressive education herself, she graduated from Goddard College with a B.A. and holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science from Texas Woman’s University.  Julia also holds a Certificate in Non Profit Management from Marlboro College Graduate School.  She has worked as a Librarian and Researcher at various private schools, universities and libraries throughout New England. Julia strives to listen to and answer your questions and provide a well organized and smoothly operating office. Her door is always open.

Stacey

Stacey Johnston: Assistant Teacher: Preschool Program

Stacey brings six years of teaching experience to the preschool classroom. She works closely with parents to promote understanding of their child’s growth and development, and looks for the sparkle in the children’s eyes as her primary motivation to give the love and energy that teaching requires. She believes that freedom to explore combined with learning to accept responsibility helps children define their place as individuals and members of the group.

Laureen

Laureen Reavey: Lead Teacher: Kindergarten

Laureen joined the staff of Neighborhood Schoolhouse in September 2002, after receiving a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in counseling from Keene State College. She helped found Neighborhood’s Pre-K class. Laureen strives to create an environment in which children feel safe and secure, enabling them to become active participants in the classroom community.  By integrating Responsive Classroom, Lindamood Bell LiPs Program, Wilson Reading Method and Fundations philosophies she provides a rich curriculum for her students.  Laureen is a certified Children’s Yoga Instructor and has been trained in Awareness Through the Body, a program that promotes concentration and body awareness.  Throughout the  year she teaches children’s yoga classes and directs summer camps at NSH. Outside of school Laureen is an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast.

Hanna

Hanna Wheeler: Lead Teacher: Primary/Elementary Program

Hanna has worked with children as an outdoor educator, programs coordinator, reading tutor, 4-H leader, and classroom teacher. She completed her Masters Degree in elementary education with a concentration in science and environmental education at Antioch University New England in December 2011. She brings to her teaching a variety of other work experience including organic farming, journalism, community organizing, and volunteer work abroad. She and her fiance live in Brattleboro.

Jody

Jody Hauser: Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Jody has been working with children for 20 years. In the the past 10 years, she has run a variety of children’s programming, including the after-school satellite at the local YMCA as well as the Guilford Free Library. She has a bachelor’s degree in holistic studies and psychology from Vermont College at Norwich University, and is currently enrolled in a graduate-level certification sequence from the University of Vermont for School Library Media Specialist. She has two sons – Durin, who is 11, and Emmett, who is 5 and attends pre-K at Neighborhood.

Dot

Dot MacDonald: Literacy Specialist and Alumni Relations

Dot joined Neighborhood in 1989 as a special aide in the pre-school program, and has been here ever since. She was the lead kindergarten teacher for 15 years before taking on the one-on-one role of literacy specialist for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. She has a bachelor’s degree from New York University and extensive training as a literacy tutor. A lover of the outdoors, Dot spends time hiking and biking, and has completed both the Appalachian Trail and a cross-country cycling tour.

Mac

Mac Oglesby: Advanced Math Specialist

Mac Oglesby has been volunteering at The Neighborhood Schoolhouse with the elementary class during the past three years, doing math exercises with the older children. He began his teaching career in 1958 as wood shop teacher at The City and Country School, a notable private school in Manhattan. He also taught at The Grammar School in Putney along with his wife, Claire, and served as principal there for two years. Mac later moved on to Grafton Elementary and Westminster Center School, and retired from teaching in 1992. He has a private pilot’s license and a passion for sundials, several of which can be seen nearby.

Mary Cay

Mary Cay Brass: Music Teacher

Mary Cay has worked for 8 years as a classroom music teacher in public and private schools in southern Vermont. She now works regularly as an artist-in-residence in New England schools, working thematically with teachers to create programs of songs and folk dances. Her specialty is finding songs and dances to complement themes being studied in a classroom or school. Using traditional music to create community is her life-long passion and commitment.

Brian

Brian Robertshaw: Environmental Educator

A Boy Scout since childhood, Brian has been sharing the out-of-doors with others since his teen years. He teaches wilderness skills to both children and adults throughout New England, and is also the director of the wilderness studies program at Kindle Farm school and a co-founder of the Vermont Wilderness School. In addition to his wilderness leadership activities, Brian is also the founder and owner of Beadniks in downtown Brattleboro.