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Volunteer

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

The AppleCorps Volunteer Program

The AppleCorps Volunteer (ACV) program offers 14- and 15-year-olds in the Applewood community a chance to grow as leaders, develop new skills, and make a meaningful impact.

About the AppleCorps Program

The ACV program is rooted in Applewood’s commitment to community service and volunteerism. It’s designed to help young teens become independent, explore their interest in working with young children, and build confidence in their abilities.

ACVs are assigned to one of our classrooms, where they:

  • Interact with young children.
  • Learn about child development.
  • Gain insight into the field of early childhood education.

This experience allows volunteers to develop talents, take pride in their achievements, and positively contribute to the Applewood community.

To discover more about the program, read the article “The AppleCorps: An Alternative to Young Teens Home Alone” in Exchange Magazine.

Interested in participating in the AppleCorps Program?

Contact us today to speak with one of our staff members.

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testimonials

What Volunteer Families Say:
“My child gained responsibility, positive role models, experience with children, friendships, and feeling good about helping others.”
“My experience as an ACV helped me realize how demanding and rewarding it is to provide care for young children. I feel confident that the constant interaction with the kids has helped prepare me for when I have children of my own.”
“Applewood provides a supervised setting for teen volunteers to gain confidence and hands-on experience working with young children while having the teacher resource available to ask questions about the children’s behavior, etc.”
“I have wanted to join AppleCorps since I was in Kindergarten and it first started.”
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Granite Steps for Quality

Milly Brunette

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2025

Education: Sophomore at Londonderry High School

Favorite Quote: “I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Making friends with the children.

Favorite Hobby: Sleeping

Abby Ramshaw

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2025

Education: Junior at Londonderry High School

Favorite Quote: “Everyday might not be good, but there is something good in every day.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching them grow and develop.

Favorite Hobby: Skiing

LeeAnna Alabachian

Teacher Assistant

First Year at Applewood: 2024

Education: Currently attending Pinkerton Academy

Favorite Quote: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching kids grow.

Favorite Hobby: Photography

Morgan Laczynski

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/her

First Year at Applewood: 2024

Education: Senior at Londonderry High School

Favorite Quote: “The roots are the most important part of the flower”- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Being able to interact and help them with growth.

Favorite Hobby: Skiing

Tonya Kirichok

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2024

Education: HS Diploma, currently attending MCC

Favorite Quote: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Seeing their personalities come out and grow.

Favorite Hobby: Crocheting

Jaylin LaPlante

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2023

Favorite Quote: “Keep looking up… That’s the secret of life” -Winnie the Pooh

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Seeing the kids grow into themselves and start becoming their own person with their own personality.

Favorite Hobby: Watching movies.

Julia Davis

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2023

Education: High School Diploma; Currently attending NHTI.

Favorite Quote: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Reading to the kids.

Favorite Hobby: Drawing

Abbie Lemay

Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2024

Education: Associates in early childhood education

Favorite Quote: “A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable…” Polly Berrian Berends

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: I love getting to see the world through their eyes. I love seeing them light up when they achieve something new. I love getting to hear them laugh.

Favorite Hobby: Doing puzzles and being outside

Samantha Greenwood

PS1 Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2015

Education: Associate in early childhood education

Credential(s): Early Childhood Teacher – Level 3

Favorite Quote: “You are stronger than you think.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching all the milestones and connections the children make each day.

Favorite Hobby: Photography, swimming and spending time with family.

Kim Boilard

PS1 Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2021

Education: Associates in Early Childhood Education

Credential(s): Master Teacher, Level 1

Favorite Quote: “One kind word can change someone’s day.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching the look of wonder & excitement on a child’s face when they discover something new for the first time.

Favorite Hobby: Cooking, Baking, & Taking Nature Walks

Susan Weiszeck

PS2 Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2019

Education: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

Credential(s): EC Teacher – 6

Favorite Quote: Treat others the way you want to be treated. 

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching their imagination and creativity grow through the year.

Favorite Hobby: Legos, shopping, and puzzles

Ashley Student

PS Head Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 1999

Education: Bachelors: Applied Studies in Human Services and Early Childhood Development

Credential(s): Master Teacher 2 and Out of School Time level 1

Favorite Quote: “Best Day Ever!”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching their growth and development and developing relationships

Favorite Hobby: Going on vacation

Aara Jensen

IT3 teacher

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2023

Education: Associates in early childhood education Favorite Quote: “Storms make trees take deeper roots” -Dolly Parton

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Getting to know each child individually and learning their cues and reactions that are unique to them. I also love having the opportunity to work with other adults in the child’s life to positively impact a piece of their development as a person.

Favorite Hobby: Painting

Kazumi Francis

IT2 Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2006

Education: Associates in early childhood education.

Credential(s): Master Teacher – 1; I/T Endorsement

Favorite Quote: “The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Witnessing facial expressions of children discovering, working hard to achieve tasks in their mind and achieving those tasks; and being their biggest cheerleader.

Favorite Hobby: Running and traveling

Dylan Juneau

Support Teacher

First Year at Applewood: 2021

Education: Working on Associates in early childhood education

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching them go from little guys who need our scaffolding to strong independent little minds!

Favorite Hobby: Anything outdoors! From biking to hiking!

Ariana Connors

IT3 Head Teacher

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2021

Education: Associate’s degree in ECE.

Credential(s): Early Childhood Teacher – Level 3, Out of School Time – Level 1.

Favorite Quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: I love watching the children try and the look on their faces when they succeed!

Favorite Hobby: Traveling! Always up for an adventure. I also love to read.

Kayla Klement

Bookkeeper

First Year at Applewood: 2014

Education: BS in Accounting

Favorite Quote: “Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning’s End”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: I love seeing everyone’s smiling faces throughout the day!

Favorite Hobby: Relaxing on the Boat in the shade and shopping!

Makayla Evants

Teacher Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her

First Year at Applewood: 2024

Education: HS Senior

Favorite Quote: “Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower. ” – John Harrigan

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Being able to help the next generation.

Favorite Hobby: Reading

Kaitlyn Silke

IT1 Teacher

Pronouns: She/Her

Joined Applewood: 2019

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology focusing on Child and Adolescent Development

Credential(s): Early Childhood Teacher – Level 3, Out of School Time – Level 1.

Favorite Quote: “What’s meant to happen will happen”

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: Watching even the smallest developmental milestones take place and seeing the children smile and feel proud!

Favorite Hobby: Listening to music.

Melissa Vaccaro

IT1 Head Teacher, Enrollment Coordinator

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Joined Applewood: 2004

Education: BS in ECE and Elementary Education with a Minor in Developmental Psychology from Keene State College

Credential(s): Early Childhood Credential Educator III, Infant & Toddler Intermediate Level, Early Childhood Professional Development Specialist: Consultant & Mentor, Afterschool Direct Service Credential Level 1

Favorite Quote: “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington

Favorite Part of Teaching Young Children: How I can be a part of setting their foundation of learning, discovery and investigation. To see them light up when they have figured something out is truly an amazing gift!

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with my family in VT and watching and cheering my boys on in all their extra-curricular activities.