About Us:
Administrative Staff
Johanna Vaczy - Executive Director
Johanna Vaczy joined Otter Creek as executive director in 2006. She has had a long career in the field of early childhood programs in both Massachusetts and Vermont. Johanna holds a BS in Early Childhood development and a Master of Education in Early Childhood and Human Services Leadership. Long a believer in professional development, Johanna has sought a variety of opportunities to increase her knowledge about programs for young children. She has visited programs in Italy and Colorado, and has presented at statewide conferences. Johanna believes that in our current society early education settings are one of the few opportunities young children have to make important connections with the natural world, and is putting this belief into practice at Otter Creek Child Center.
Johanna believes that children have incredible potential and amazing capability and that each child actively seeks to construct his or her own knowledge. As adults and as a society, it is our job to provide the encouragement, materials, and environment in order for children to do so.
Marie Orr - Business Manager
Marie Orr is in her fifth year of being business manager for the center. She shares with us a wide range of abilities and experiences. Marie lives in Orwell with her husband, Peter and their son, Travis, 19. Travis is currently attending Saint Michael’s College as a sophomore. Travis is a member of the Otter Creek Alumni. AS you might guess, Otter Creek has a special place in Marie’s heart. Peter and Marie have been married for 23 years.
Besides spending time with her family and friends Marie fills her spare time with various craft projects, cooking projects (she loves to collect and read cookbooks) and family trips.
Sea Pup Staff
Wendy McCalie
Wendy McCalie has been at Otter Creek Child Center for nearly 25 years. During that time she has learned a great deal about the healthy growth and development of children. Because of her years of experience and knowledge of the history of Otter Creek Child Center she is a valuable asset to our program. Wendy loves every child she cares for, and treats them as if he or she were her own.
Wendy lives in Salisbury with her daughter Lindsey and son, Ethan. Lindsey is an Otter Creek alumnus, and Ethan is currently an Eagle.
When she has free time she likes to fill it with hiking adventures, camping trips, and watching auto racing.
Marilyn Napoleon
Marilyn Napoleon is in her ninth year at Otter Creek. She spent her first several years in the Infant/Toddler programs, and one year as an Eagle teacher. She has returned to the Infant/Toddler programs and has joined Wendy as a co-teacher.
Marilyn has taken five Early Childhood Courses as part of her Professional Development Plan, and has become quite excited about curriculum and activities for young children. Prior to coming to Otter Creek, Marilyn had years of experience caring for children in her home, volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader, and as a classroom volunteer. She cares deeply about children’s well-being and about providing an environment where children feel safe and loved so that they can grow, learn and thrive.
Marilyn lives on a mini-farm in New Haven with her husband, Fred. They have been married for thirty six years. She has two grown children, Stephanie and Aaron. Her passions include gardening (she grows everything), collecting recipes and cooking, crewel embroidery and time with family.
Otter Staff
Yari Candelari-Rodrigues
Yari Candelari-Rodrigues is beginning her eighth year at Otter Creek. She got her B. A. in Early Childhood Education at Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She is really happy to be a part of the Otter Creek family. Yari has devoted her professional development to learning more about the Reggio Approach. She has taken part in a study tour of the Boulder Journey School in Boulder, CO, as well as taking a course from the University of Vermont this past spring. She has shared her new learning with the other teachers, and is an inspiration to us. Yari takes great joy in her work with children, and sets the bar for the rest of us.
Yari came here from Puerto Rico. She has been in Vermont for nine years. She is presently living in Middlebury.
Tracy Thorpe
Tracy Thorpe is one of our newest teachers, being in her first year at Otter Creek. Previously she worked at Robinson Elementary School as a para-educator. She grew up in Bristol, Vermont and graduated from Middlebury High School where she participated in the Human Services Program.
Tracy enjoys traveling to new places, but above all she loves spending time with her family, whether it’s hanging out at home or going on a worldly adventure. Tracy believes there is nothing more important than building memories with loved ones. She plans to continue her education and knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education.
Tiger Staff
Lori Nicklaw
Lori Nicklaw is in her ninth year of teaching at Otter Creek. Lori is a passionate learner, receiving her CDA in 2001 and continuing to pursue child development course work and workshops in many areas of interest. She enjoys Otter Creek because it offers her the opportunity to take a child’s interest and extend it. In this way the teacher and child learn from each other. She has learned that no matter what age, each child has something special to be shared.
Lori’s goal is to provide children with exciting memories that they will reflect on and share with someone else. Providing activities and field trips that support children’s interests are ways she hopes to make this happen. She values open activities that allow children to be creative as individuals while also offering them opportunities to depend on friends socially and cooperatively.
Lori lives in Leicester with her husband, Rusty and three sons, Jaymie, 17, Jodie, 16, and Jason, 14. As a mom she has been a Cub Scout Master, a swimming lesson coordinator, and advocate, and has been active with her local school.
Maxine Saville
Maxine Saville is in her first year at Otter Creek after spending four years teaching a pre-school class in Burlington. She attended SUNY Potsdam before transferring to the College of St. Rose, and hopes to attend Castleton in the Fall of ’09.
Maxine is an avid reader, and shares her passion with children. She loves to offer the children the chance to be at the library every week to pick their own stories to read, write and tell about.
Maxine and her husband Matt moved from the Lake George area in New York to Vermont four years ago with Matt’s job in the dairy industry. They have a bulldog, Diesel, and a cat, Tank. Matt and Maxine spend their free time on their Harleys across New England or in New York with friends and family.
Eagle Staff
Jennifer Cyr
Jennifer Cyr is beginning her seventh year at Otter Creek. She has enjoyed every minute of her time here. She has been working with children since she was fifteen years old in day camps, after school programs, in preschools, and as a nanny. She has a B. A. in Psychology from Trinity College.
Jennifer and her husband, Phil, live in Middlebury with their son, Devon. They have been married for nine years.
Jennifer, Phil and Devon enjoy being part of the Middlebury community. They like to be outdoors, and love to watch Panther Hockey games at Middlebury College.
Jennifer enjoys bringing the children into the woods where they have amazing adventures. She also enjoys finding ways to create art with natural materials both in and out of the classroom. She feels that connections with nature promote creative thinking and calmness. Jennifer also believes that connections with nature are also important because our children will be the next stewards of our planet.
Lily Bixby
Lily Bixby grew up in nearby Bridport and went to Middlebury High School where she enjoyed playing soccer, hockey and lacrosse. She then attended Champlain College and graduated with an Associates Degree in Early Education in 2006. After college she worked at Rutland County Parent Child Center for 2.5 years. She now lives in Brandon and has been working at Otter Creek since June 2008.
Lily brings a love of art, boundless energy and commitment to the field of Early Childhood Education with her to Otter Creek. The children’s work on display in the Eagle room is evidence of her dedication.