Our teachers have been carefully selected to meet the high standards set by our school. With many years of classroom experience, most hold degrees in Early Childhood Education. We are also fortunate to have teachers on staff with long tenure at the school.
The staff work in partnership with parents and value their involvement to be more effective in the classroom. All classes have two teachers and one parent helper each day, resulting in an adult to child ratio of 1 to 4 in the three-year-old program and 1 to 6 in the four-year-old program.
Shauna Parkinson, Director, Preschool I Teacher
Shauna started at NCNS in the Fall of 2013 as a Preschool I Teacher, and became Director in the Fall of 2014, however her affiliation with the school goes back to 2004 when the first of her two children started school here. From 2004-2009 Shauna served on the Board of Directors as Maintenance Coordinator, Past Parent, and Technology Coordinator. Shauna holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Bridgewater State College as well as a Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University. She currently holds a Lead Teacher Preschool and Director I/II license from the Department of Early Education and Care. She previously worked in Home Daycare, and as an elementary school teacher in the Norwood and Westwood Public Schools. Shauna lives in Norwood with her husband and two children.
Sadie Brownbill, Preschool I Teacher and Extended Day Teacher
Sadie joined the team in the Fall of 2019 in the Preschool 1 classroom. Sadie holds a Lead Teacher license from the Department of Early Education and Care, and has previously worked in both school and nanny settings. She also is a past parent of Norwood Cooperative Nursery School, having served on the Fundraising and Hospitality Committees.
Sadie also supervises the Extended Day program, working with students from both Preschool 1 and Preschool 2 in the afternoons.
Sadie is originally from Ireland and now lives in Norwood with her husband and son.
Amy MacDougall, Preschool II Teacher
Amy also has a long history with NCNS. Each of her four children attended school here from 2006-2015. Amy served on the Board of Directors during those years as Secretary, Past Parent, and Registrar. Amy joined the staff of NCNS in the Cooperative Kids toddler program and began teaching as a Preschool II teacher in the Fall of 2014. Amy holds a degree in Child and Family Studies with a focus on the young child from UNH. She also attended UNH for graduate school, studying Early Childhood Education. She is a certified Lead Teacher for Infants/Toddlers as well as Lead Teacher Preschool with the Department of Early Education and Care. Amy has previous experience as a teacher in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. She also spent time as a nanny. Amy lives in Norwood with her husband and four children.
Michelle Hill, Preschool II Teacher
Michelle came to NCNS in the Fall of 2015. She holds a degree in social work from Umass Boston. Previously Michelle worked in the health care field, most recently with Hyde Park Pediatrics. Michelle currently holds a Preschool Teacher license from the Department of Early Education and Care. Michelle lives in Dedham with her husband and three children.