PO BOX 540
20 River Rd
New Boston NH 03070
Where learning meets play outside
Business/Admissions: 603-487-0153
Parents/Emergency Line: 603-316-8973
PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Theresa Elliott
Ellen Shea
Ali Burkhamer
Anna St. Hilaire
Heather Young
Marcy Smith
Maddy Rossi
Abby Mitchell
Associate Teacher
Extended Care
GET TO KNOW US
THERESA ELLIOTT: Owner/Director/Lead Teacher
Theresa has been a certified NH Teacher with Elementary Certification K-8 since 2008. Prior to obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2008, she worked as a paraprofessional at New Boston Central School from 2003-2007. She has taught both 5th grade at New Boston Central School for 10 years and for the last 3 years has been the first and only math interventionist at New Boston Central School.
Her passion for the early learning years was where it all began, and after teaching for over 10 years in the upper elementary grades, she is now pursuing the roots of her entry into the field of education. She is a nature enthusiast and believes that all children belong outside every day. She believes that all children are capable of learning but need to be encouraged to make discoveries and connections to truly learn and master skills guided by teachers. She believes that not all students demonstrate their understanding in the same way or on the same day, and has encouraged this throughout her years as an educator.
Theresa loves being outside, reading, drawing, hiking, biking, and skiing. She and her husband Mark have two children and an adorable springer spaniel. Theresa has a love for this local community, growing up in Dunbarton, NH, living in Goffstown, NH, raising her children in New Boston, and now residing in Weare in Mark's childhood home. She is looking forward to being able to give back to the community that raised her.
Ellen Shea: Assistant Teacher
Ellen Shea has been taking care of children in one capacity or another for the better part of her adult life. She is a mother to two grown children, Gary, and Theresa - Owner of Roots and Wings School. She has watched children in her home while her children were young, became a substitute teacher in the public school system, which ultimately led her to become a paraprofessional before leaving the school system to again watch her grandchildren in her home day care setting. She was a paraprofessional at New Boston Central School for 14 years where she worked in a variety of grade levels. Her longest assignment was working as the Kindergarten paraprofessional for seven years. After her years in public school, Ellen left the profession to watch her grandchildren. For the last 10 years she has watched children from birth through age 5 daily and has watched elementary age children after school.
Ellen loves to read, craft, and spend time with her family.
Anna St. Hilaire: Lead Teacher and Aftercare Group Leader
Anna has worked with children for many years as a helper for her mother’s private at home daycare, as a teacher’s assistant at Ste. Marie’s Childcare Center in Manchester during high school, and as a math tutor during high school and college. She has a bachelor’s degree from Chestnut Hill College in Mathematics and studied Secondary Education during her time there as well. In 2019, she obtained her Masters degree in Nutrition Education from American University. Earlier this year, Anna started her own business providing nutrition counseling as a nutritionist.
Anna currently lives in Manchester with her fiancé, Ryan, and their dog, Lola. She loves the outdoors, hiking, playing with her niece and nephew, and reading. Anna firmly believes in the mission and ideals that Roots and Wings teaches and is so excited to be joining their team!
Ali Burkhamer: Lead Teacher
Ali has been working in childcare for 7 years, working with infants to school-aged children. She grew up in Weare and decided to continue her education at New England College, where she got her bachelor's in business administration. After a year, she pursued her love for teaching and go her Early Childhood Education certificate at NHTI. Ali believes one of the most essential parts of being a teacher is allowing the children to express and feel their emotions. She is excited to create many memories with everyone at Roots and Wings.
She has always loved the outdoors, from bugs to birds and everything in between. Her passion for community and togetherness brought her to Bennington, where she lives with her two cats.
Marcy Smith: Lead Teacher
Marcy loves working with children of all ages. She thoroughly enjoyed raising her three sons, who are all young adults now. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MEd in Education. She has worked in public schools in both urban and rural settings, as a volunteer, paraeducator, special educator and case manager. Marcy is a certified Yoga Teacher, who loves the outdoors, especially walking in the woods with her Lab Rosie. She also enjoys reading, making pottery, and spending time with her family. Marcy finds that teaching is a beautiful way to connect with her community, as well as to develop meaningful relationships with individuals. New Boston has been home for most of her life, and Marcy is grateful to be able to continue to be a part of the community.
Heather Young: Extended Care
Heather, has been taking care of infants as well as school as children as a Nanny for 8 years in the New Boston Area. She has also volunteered as a Tee Ball Coach in New Boston through the Recreation Department. Spending many summers at the YMCA Camp Foss overnight camp for girls, she found her love of the outdoors, dance, horseback riding, and swimming. Heather received her Lifeguard Certification through the YMCA and participated in the Counselor in Training Program. Singing silly songs is one of her favorite things to do to pass the time. Heather spent some time at UNH and danced in the Modern Dance Company with many performances well received. Her extensive dance experience enabled her to accept a position at a Ballroom Dance Studio where she competed throughout the country with students and her professional partner. Heather retired from dancing in 2005 and eventually making roots in New Boston where she has lived for over 11 years. She lives with her Husband Andy, her son Ryan, 2 cats, Mittens, and Ravenpaw, and her horse Noah.
Abby Mitchell - Extended Care Assistant
Abby has been a New Boston resident since 2012 and has always been a proud supporter of her community, starting with her elementary education at NBCS which she eagerly participated in as many extracurricular activities as she could. Now a junior at Goffstown High School, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, running, camping, skiing, and anything water-related. Abby is also a devoted animal lover, with her two Labradors, and she passionately supports the Roots and Wings nature-based learning program. Although she is relatively new to teaching, and to Roots and Wings, Abby has spent the last seven months working with children and is truly enthusiastic about this career. She sees teaching as a wonderful way to connect with and learn more about the community that shaped her, and she can't wait for the upcoming school year with all of you!
Maddy Rossi - Extended Care Assistant
Maddy is a junior at GHS, and enjoys participating in school clubs like Latin Club and Creative Writing Club. She also really likes being outside, especially camping and hiking. Her hobbies include crocheting, drawing, and reading. Maddy especially like reading fantasy, and would like to write and publish her own fantasy novel someday.