Board of Directors

jim-malandJim Maland

Chair, Brattleboro

Jim is Chair of the Science Department at Brattleboro Union High School.  His son and daughter are both in college.  Jim has a long-standing personal interest in child care and is aware of the critical importance of a good early start for children.

 
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Kim Nace

Brattleboro

After three years in the Peace Corps in Botswana, Kim settled in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1987. She married her classmate, Mike Earley, at SIT and they "moved down the hill" to start a family. Kim became involved in the field of early education while raising and homeschooling her children. She cared for young children in her home and joined the WCCA Board of Directors. She later directed data collection for the Comprehensive Child Development Project Follow-Up Study about school success for low income children, funded by the MacArthur Foundation. At the completion of this project she returned to Keene State College in the Principal Residency Network to become an elementary school principal. She was mentored for a full year at Oak Grove School by Mike Friel. Her first position as an educational leader was at Central Elementary School in Bellows Falls. She then accepted a contract for two years at the American International School in Chennai. She and her family returned from India in 2010. She is returning as a member of the Board of Directors at WCCA while maintaining her home and exploring new career options.

 

ken-brautigamKen Brautigam

Assistant Chair, Putney

Ken is the preschool teacher at The Grammar School in Putney.  His wife, Elizabeth Holmes, is Director of the International Student Program at the Putney School.  Their children are Miles and Carrie.  Ken’s teaching experience includes high school social studies, ceramics, assistant librarian, and soccer and baseball coach for the Putney Recreation League.  He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa.

 

faceyJennifer Facey

Treasurer, Greenfield, MA

An accountant at the Brattlebor Retreat, Jennifer has many years experience in finance for non-profit organizations.  She serves on the finance committee of the Board. She resides in Greenfield Massachusetts with her husband Bill.

 

Kathie-Gatto-GurneyKathie Gatto Gurney

Secretary, Brattleboro

Kathie is licensed in early education and is currently the director and a teacher at Timson Hill Preschool in Newfane.  She has a BA in Speech Communications and a MA in Dance and Dance Education. Timson Hill, under Kathie’s direction, obtained a 5 STARS rating and NAEYC accreditation.  In addition, Timson Hill was the first preschool program to develop an ADM partnership with the town of Newfane and has since developed contracts with Brookline, Dummerstonand Brattleboro.  Kathie was Windham Child Care Association’s 2008 Early Childhood Educator of the Year.  She lives in Brattleboro with her husband, son and daughter.

 

lisa-harrisLisa Harris

South Newfane

Lisa has run a child care program in her home for seven years.  A graduate of Hampshire College, she has a background in outdoor education and taught for two years at Hilltop Montessori School.  Lisa is one of the first home child care providers in Windham County to partner with elementary schools for Pre-Kindergarten education under Act 62.  She was named the Early Childhood Educator of the Year in 2011. Lisa lives in South Newfane with her partner and their son.

 

Annamarie_Pluhar_board_member_1.24.08_croppedAnnamarie Pluhar

Dummerston

Annamarie is an independent consultant who partners with organizations to improve organizational processes. She is the founder and director of The Television Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping parents understand how television use affects their families. She has been a certified elementary school teacher and started her professional life working at the KLH Child Development Center, one of the first corporate- and government-sponsored child care centers.

 

beverly-stewartBeverly Stewart

Guilford

Beverly and her husband, Dick, have been residents of Guilford for 36 years.  After raising her now-adult children there, Beverly is thrilled to be a grandparent to grandchildren Audrey and Finn.   Beverly does extensive volunteering locally, including with The Gathering Place Adult Day Service, local hospitals and nursing homes, and elementary schools.  She often makes Therapy Dog visits with her German Shepard, Zoe.  Beverly is an avid artist, primarily in watercolor, oils, and pastels.  She has been involved in early education and child care throughout her life and brings her variety of experience to her work on Windham Child Care Association’s board.