our teachers
Our staff consists of a director/lead teacher and an additional co-teacher, both with many years of early education experience. On any given day there will be two teachers and usually one parent helper in the classroom, providing an adult-to-child ratio of approximately 1:5. This allows the teachers to provide more individual attention and to design curriculum and activities that meet each child's interests and needs.
In addition to our teachers, we periodically have music, science, reading, and movement specialists visit the classroom. This serves to both enrich the curriculum and add a little extra excitement to the day!
BARB DAY, Director/Lead Teacher
Barb has been with Burr Cooperative for almost 15 years — she began as an assistant teacher in 1996, was lead teacher for several years, and became Director of the school in 2005. After graduating from Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota, she began working in the field of early education at several childcare centers and after school programs. After her youngest child entered the first grade, she came to work here at Burr Co-op. Both her children attended cooperative preschools and she is committed to this educational model.
Barb lives in Newton and has two college-age children and three cats. Her hobbies include reading fiction and listening to different kinds of music. In the classroom she enjoys reading stories to the children and introducing them to new materials and experiences. Her greatest delight is watching the development of the children's social skills and sense of community unfold as the year progresses.
MARGOT STITHAM, Co-Teacher
Margot joined the Burr Cooperative team in 2010. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and is a DEEC certified preschool teacher. Margot has over 20 years experience teaching children 2.9-5 years old, including interning at Wellesley College Child Study Center and most recently working in a longer day school setting in Wellesley Hills. She began her career at a cooperative nursery school in Watertown where she worked for many years, and is excited to be returning to a cooperative school environment which she feels provides added benefits for children, parents and teachers.
Margot lives in Wayland with her husband and two children. She enjoys day trips and spending time with friends and family. As a teacher Margot enjoys developing relationships with children and assisting them in improving skills and building self esteem. She still finds working with children provides a reason to smile each day.
