Jessica Labbe
Program Owner
Jess is a Nature Based Educator and Ambassador committed to environmental education and improving early childhood development through nature based exploration. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education and has worked for the past 20 years with preschool aged children outside.
In 2020 she opened The Village Nest Cooperative.
Jess has a passion for inspiring imaginative play and can often be found telling stories about unicorns and mermaids to anyone who is interested. 
In her personal time, you can find her on nature walks, kayaking, enjoying the beach, camping, or somewhere in her garden. 

Caroline C.
Program Co-Director &
​Lead Teacher of K-1 Microschool Heron Class
(5-7 year olds)
Caroline was born and raised on the East Coast Seacoast and grew up immersed in outdoor activities at various camps.
She holds dual degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies, a testament to her interdisciplinary interests and commitment to addressing complex challenges. After graduating from undergrad, Caroline returned to her coastal roots and found VNC, an organization that aligned with her values and aspirations! She has been with the program for the past 5 years. 
Eager to deepen her understanding and impact, she is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Nature-Based Education, focusing on early childhood development for ages 3-10 years old. 
When Caroline is not working she finds solace and joy in diverse recreational activities. Whether she is spending time with her beloved feline companions, cooking up a new recipe, carving slopes on skis, or trying something new, her zest for exploration and discovery remains unstoppable.

​​Amelia V.  
Assistant Teacher in K-1 Microschool Heron Classroom
(5-7 year old)
Hello! My name is Amelia, and I am so excited to join the Village Nest Team! I am a recent graduate from Hampshire College, where I studied theater and education. I’ve spent the past two and a half years working at a preschool in Amherst, Massachusetts. There, I discovered my passion for early education! My other passion is theater, but more specifically, puppetry! In my free time, I build and perform with muppet-style puppets. I also love going on walks, playing games and puzzles, taking naps, spending time with my friends and family, and above all else, I love spending time with my cat, Count Olaf.

​Ceili McC-B
Lead Teacher of Owls Class (2-3 year olds)
Hi! My name is Ceili - I have been working with children since I was really young! I've always found working with kids to be the most rewarding and fulfilling task I can do. I took an early childhood vocational class in high school, I briefly went to college for Arts Education. I've worked at several different daycares and nannied for a summer in 2023. Working at VNC has been a great experience - I love to be outside all dat everyday and the best part is that the kids do so well and feel so comfortable with us. In my free time I love to create art, work at MudCity Clay, sing, and hang out with my loved ones. 

Megan L. 
Assistant Teacher of Owls Class (2-3 year olds)
Megan was born and raised in Southeastern Connecticut and has always had a love for exploration and the outdoors. As a young teen they started babysitting for family friends and working as a counselor at summer camps, where they found their passion for working with children. Megan took courses in Human Development, Family Studies, Music Therapy, and more, and In 2020 they graduated high school and briefly went to Weber State University as an Early Childhood Education major. After working in professional childcare in Connecticut for over a year, they moved to Maine to start a new adventure and discovered The Village Nest, where they are excited to be outside with nature and to work with kids to make the world a better one. In Megan’s free time, you can find them hiking, biking, baking, playing the New York Times mini games, and cuddling with their dog :)

Katie M. 
Co-Teacher of Hawk Classroom (3-5 year old)
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Katie holds BAs in Journalism and French from The University of Georgia. After being a nanny during college, she moved to France to teach middle-school English, and has worked in a variety of early childhood classrooms including Waldorf-inspired schools in India and California, a Montessori kindergarten in Colorado, and Reggio-Emilia based preschools. Before starting her journey in EC Education, Katie was an artist agent in NYC and Europe for ten years. Feeling the need to work with young children again in a creative environment, she then began her training at The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy in Vancouver, BC. Last year she transferred to study at Sophia’s Hearth in Keene, NH, graduating this summer 2026 with a Birth-to-Seven Waldorf teaching certificate. She is deeply inspired by painting and singing, and feels blessed to be in beautiful Maine as a part of VNC.

​​Laura S.
Co-Teacher in Hawks Classroom (3-5 year old)
​
Laura is an East coast native who fell in love with the outdoors at summer camp. She has over 20 years of experience working with children in various roles including Camp Counselor, Swim Instructor, and Preschool Teacher. As an outdoor enthusiast, she loves guiding children to explore, grow and play in nature. Laura is also certified in Childlight Yoga and Mindfulness, which builds confidence and awareness that goes beyond the classroom. When not at the VNC Laura loves hiking new trails with her two dogs. 

Jenn K. 
Lead Teacher in Nuthatch Infant Classroom
​(12 weeks to 2 years old)
Jenn was born and raised in New England and resides in Maine with her husband and son. In 2023, after 20 years in corporate banking, she was given the opportunity to step away from the corporate world and work at a local childcare center, the rest was history. Jenn found her passion for caring for infants and young toddlers after becoming a mother. Her approach is rooted in patience, compassion, and a genuine love for helping young children grow, learn, and flourish every day. When she isn’t at VNC, Jenn can be found at her family’s homestead where they raise pasture-raised poultry for meat and eggs, in her garden growing an abundance of food for her family, or camping in the White Mountains.

Selena A.
Teacher in Nuthatch Infant Classroom
​(12 weeks to 2 years old)
Hello everyone! From a very young age, I have always enjoyed the outdoors and helping care for children. I used to help my mother with incoming foster children by helping them set up the rooms and helping them feel safe to adjust to our home. If my mother had baby’s placed in her care, I helped with feedings and diaper changes as well.  I spent all my summers in the Midwest on my grandfather's farm with my twenty-plus cousins. We had lots of farm chores to do we enjoyed them except having to clean up the bull pen. That one was not so fun, and we sure did have to be quick. After chores were all said and done, we got to go swimming in my grandfather's lake, ride the ATVs, go mud sliding, hay bale hopping, play on the tire swing, draw with slate stone in the driveway, and so much more. We ran barefoot, wild and free; it was my favorite time of year. Now to find a job here at The Village Nest, where it brings those two foundations of my life together, is beyond wonderful. I’m excited to get to know you all and your children!

​​Wendy S. 
Teacher in Nuthatch Infant Classroom
​(12 weeks to 2 years old)

I grew up in the Albany area of NY state followed by a time living in Western NY. After my three children were born, I moved to the Seacoast Region and have resided in Maine for the past 18 years. I graduated with a BS degree in Behavioral Sciences and worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. I found this work to be challenging but highly rewarding. After leaving the field of mental health, I wanted to find something that would be stimulating as well as something I would love. I have always been fascinated byhow social, psychological, and cultural influences impact human development.  My degree and work experience provided me with a strong background and led to the understanding of the importance of a loving and supportive environment in infancy and childhood.  In turn, children that receive these supports are more apt to grow into strong and secure adults. While at Little House I can work on providing these things to the children in our care. When not rocking babies or playing with toddlers, you’ll find me working in my garden, entertaining friends, traveling, (I’ve done missionary work in Romania) reading, volunteering at community activities, and best of all, spending time with my family. 

Special shout out to our substitute staff and "specials" team

Bash
Facilities Manager & Substitute Staff

Liz M.
 Float Stupport Staff

Alicia
Substitute Staff

Patrice M.
 Float Stupport Staff