Meet the Staff
Administration/Leadership:
Mandy Burt - Business Owner and CEO
Mandy has her NYS B-2 teaching certification, a BS in interdisciplinary studies: human development/education, is pursuing an MBA in Human Resource Management, and started The Treehouse out of a desire to support and encourage parents during their child rearing journey. She is an army veteran and the mother of six young children.
Candy Shaw – HR Manager
Candy Shaw has been a part of the Treehouse family since May of 2015, when the full time center first opened its doors. She ran her own in-home daycare for 8 years prior to her employment with us, and she received her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in June of 2016. She puts so much love and positivity into everything she does! Before becoming part of our Admin team she was our lead teacher for seven years in the infant room. She is now part of our interviewing process, and is in charge of training, onboarding, and ensuring our staff are successful at their jobs. She is also in charge of enrolling new families and providing tours at our Center. Outside of working at The Treehouse, Candy is also a High School Varsity Coach, working in two dictricts, for 30 years. She has been happily married for 34 years and is a mother of 3, and has 2 grandchildren.
Autumn Weaver - Director
Autumn has been with us since 2018, and has grown from an assistant teacher, to a lead teacher. Her passion and drive for Childcare, is what has helped her achieve her goals. She has a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and has received her B-2 Teaching Certification which qualified her to become our Director. Autumn takes care of all daily operations ensuring quality within our classrooms and Center. She is part of the interviewing process, and is in charge of scheduling the staff for their weekly shifts, amongst many other tasks. She has been married for 4 years and has a son who attended here since the infant room and is now in our PreK class.
Rachel Thomas- Behavior Specialist
Rachel joined the Treehouse Team in 2024 as our Behavioral Specialist. Her and her husband are from the Watertown area and have a son and twin daughters. Rachel has previous experience in teaching Preschool and working as a Director at a Daycare Center. She will help us implement the Pyramid Model and work with individual children as needed.
Alyssa Faughnan - CPSE Coordinator
Alyssa is newly joining the Treehouse family as our CPSE Coordinator. She has a BS in Exceptional Education and a MAT in Exceptional Education and Elementary Education. She is a military spouse of 14 years and has volunteered with children and families everywhere she’s lived. She is a mom to five of her own kids, and she has a passion for advocating for students, and helping parents navigate the special education system.
Therapists:
Kristen Sparks -
I have a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology and a master’s degree in speech pathology. I’ve been a certified Speech language pathologist for 13 years and have worked with the preschool population for my entire career
I absolutely love working with preschoolers. Helping them establish a foundation for communication that allows them to access their world, sometimes for the first time, is a gift that I do not take for granted!
Chelsea Vanornum -
I have been an occupational therapist for 15 years, specializing in the pediatric population. I'm a mom of two very active boys and believe that becoming a mother has made me a better therapist. I've come to recognize that movement as well as emotional and sensory regulation, are integral parts for success in our children.
Sophie Caruso -
Hi! I’m Sophie Caruso, and I am a Speech Language Pathologist. I recently moved to Watertown from Philadelphia, and I am loving it already! I graduated with my Master’s degree from Temple University in 2024, where I fostered my passion for helping children grow their language, social, and play skills.
Valerie Gamble -
I’m Valerie Gamble, the Physical therapist at The Treehouse! I’ve been a Physical Therapist for 13 years. I hold a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy- both from Clarkson University. I have a lot of experience on the orthopedic side of physical therapy, bringing my medical based knowledge with me.
Kelly Spencer -
Kelly is a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant as well as a certified elementary teacher. She has 24 years of experience working with children in clinical, educational, and outdoor settings. Kelly has a BS in Child Development from Oklahoma State University, an MS in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam, and an AAS from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Kelly is also a certified TimberNook provider, offering outdoor play experiences that enhance child development by challenging motor skills, engaging the senses, and providing opportunities to practice social-emotional skills and problem solving.
Seeds Infants:
Terrah Widrick - Lead Teacher
Terrah has been with us for 10 years. She started as an assistant for 7 years in our Seeds Infant Classroom. She completed her CDA Credential three years ago and successfully lead our first Continuity of Care classroom. She took over as Lead Teacher in our Seeds Toddler Classroom and looked forward to new challenges, meeting milestones and forming great relationships with her toddlers. Terrah and her husband have three children, her boys attended the Treehouse through their infant, toddler and preschool years. We are excited that Terrah has chosen to return to the infant room as Lead Teacher with her team . Terrah is looking forward to all the baby cuddles and providing a safe and nurturing environment for our infants.
Jocelyn Loveland - Assistant Teacher
Jocelyn started in our Preschool classroom and has dediced to move into our infant room. She has a sweet demeanor and works very well with our infants. She is a military wife and we welcome here at the Treehouse. We are super excited to have her on our team.
Makenna Brown - Teachers Aide
Makenna is a newer hire of the infant team. She is a bonus mom of four and loves working with infants. She looks forward to being a great addition to our team building great relationships with all the infant families as well as the infants in her classroom.
Roots Infants:
Aleah LaFlamme - Assistant Teacher
Aleah has worked in childcare for 8 years. She is the mother of two. Aleah has completed her CDA Certification and is our Lead Teacher of our Roots Infant Classroom. She strives to continue her education in early childhood development and build her family over the next few years.
April Harding – Teacher
April grew up in Southern California, but have lived all over including overseas being a military spouse. She is a mother to 3 girls; two teens and an 8 year old. She has worked on and off in childcare in between being a stay at home mom. She has completed her CDA to be the Lead Teacher
Bryanaugh Currence - Teacher Aide
Bryanaugh is a mother of one sweet little girl. She is filling in for Maternity Leave. She is looking forward to bonding with both the infants and their families and helping the team in the classroom to provide a safe and healthy environment.
Seeds Toddlers:
Stephanie Wadsworth - Lead Teacher
Stephanie is a mom of five children who always keep her busy. She realizes her passion is for the younger age group, and enjoyed working her first year as an Assistant in one of our toddler rooms. Stephanie enjoyed working with the busy toddlers, but wanted to give the infant classroom a try. While on maternity, she decided to take up some college courses and is excited to be working on completing her degree. When Stephanie returned from maternity leave, she decided to take a Lead Teacher position which put her back into her former toddler classroom. She looks forward to providing a fun, loving learning environment for her toddlers.
Havyn LaCerte - Assistant Teacher
Havyn started as an Assistant in our Seeds Toddler Classroom. She interned at our center while completing her Early Education Program through BOCES. She has been a great asset to our team and loved helping the toddlers learn through play. Havyn is very excited to now be an Assistant along side Terrah in our Infant Classroom. She hopes to continue her career in Early Childhood..
Siaunna Stevens - Assistant Teacher
Siaunna is our toddler classroom closer. This is her first year with us. She is a mother of a little girl who also attends the Treehouse. Siaunna enjoys helping the toddlers play and learn and getting them through the day creating fun memeories.
Roots Toddlers:
Heaven Gauny - Lead Teacher
Heaven had two years of professional experience before joining our team this year. She started in our infant classroom and loved working with the babies. Heaven decided to continue her education and is working on completing her CDA Credential. While working on her credential, she has taken over as Lead teacher in one of our toddler classrooms. Her bubbly personality is surely loved by all of our toddlers. Heaven is looking forward to creating a happy, fun learning environment for her toddlers.
Hollace Stevens- Assistant Teacher
Holly has her degree and is currently an assistant in our Roots Toddler Classroom. She loves working with the toddlers, teaching them and guiding them throughout their day.
Rylee Dombach - Assistant Teacher
We are so happy that Rylee returned to the Treehouse. She has a big personality which engages well with the toddlers. She too has fun participating in art, songs and circle time with her kiddo’s and helps the teacher create a fun loving environment for all.
Sprouts:
Emily Estal- SPED Teacher
Emily has been with the Treehouse for over two years as one of our Pre K lead Teachers. Her kind hearted spirit and passion for our preschoolers is what makes her such a special teacher. We are super excited that Emily is continuing to further her education in the field of special needs and look forward to seeing her pour into the lives of the children.
Kaitlyn Bisig - Lead Teacher
Kaitlyn has worked several summers with us while attending College throughout the school year. She recently graduated with a Bachelors Degree and is super excited to return as the Lead Teacher. She is currently out of the room and doing her student teaching requirements.
Diara Adames - Sub Lead Teacher
Diara has worked as a Lead, and a 1:1 Aide for us in the past. She is currently subbing in for our current Lead teacher who is out for student teaching. We
Hannah Luke - Assistant Teacher
Hannah is an amazing hardworking assistant that loves her students. She always comes in ready and willing to participate in all the activities the teachers have planned for the day. We are grateful for all she contributes to her team and students.
Kolin Kriner - Assistant Teacher
Kolin first joined the team as a 1:1 aide and is now enjoying the assistant role in our Sprouts classroom. He has a super fun personality and does a great job engaging with the students and making their day fun.
Thrive:
Thrive:
Aleigha - SPED Lead Teacher
Aleigha is our SPED Lead. She looks forward to welcoming all the children in the morning and prepares a loving environment for all the children to to feel safe to learn in. She Co Leads with our Gen Ed Lead and helps modify lessaon plans so that all of the children can develop appropriately.
Dyna Eastman - Lead Teacher
Dyna is our newest hire for the classroom. She is a certified Teacher and we are so excited to have her join the team and to help the creacte a creative. loving and learning environment.
Kaetlin Flecker - AssistantTeacher
Kaetlin is the assistant on the team. She started in our toddler classroom and moved into a PreK classroom as an assistant. She is looking forward to helping the kids meet their needs for the day. She plans to help the teacher provide a fun and safe environment to play, grow and learn.
Rhyan Salcido- AssistantTeacher
Rhyan started in our Meadow Classroom and is now one of the assistants in our Thrive classroom. She enjoys assisting the children throughout their daily activities and shows great patience with the children.
Flourish:
Flourish:
Sydney Sladden - Lead Teacher
Sydney has her Bachelors Degree and has been an assistant in our preschool classroom for the past year. She has become the lead teacher for this upcoming school year. With her positive energy and kind heart we are super excited to have Sydney on our team and leading our classroom.
Emmalee White- SPED Lead Teacher
Emmalee has a Master Degree and has been an assistant, training in another classroom over the summer to be prepared to become our Sped lead teacher for this school season. Her gentle and kind personality helps create a warm environment for the classroom and the children.
Morgan Lucey - Assistant Teacher
Morgan has her Associates degree and several years of experience working in a childcare environment. She is a great asset to our team and we are fortunate to have her here with us at the Treehouse. She is also a mom with a child attending our infant classroom. She is compassionate with her students and provides great support to her team.
Buds:
Buds:
Tyler Gannon- Assistant Teacher
Tyler is an amazing addition to the team. We are so lucky to have her. She is such a caring and soft spoken teacher and the kids respond so well to her. Tyler looks forward to her first year at the Treehouse.
Elizabeth Hebert - Teacher
Lizzy ran a daycare in her home for almost a decade and is excited to now be collaborating with us at the Treehouse. She now has experience with being a Lead and Assisting a Lead Teacher. She loves to spend her free time with her two school age children. Lizzy is excited to lead her students and give them a great preschool experience.
Meadow:
Lisa Goutremout - Lead Teacher/Director
Lisa has been working with us for three years. She completed her CDA and is currently working on completing her degree. She has accepted a new role as the Director at our second location on State St. She will continue to fulfill a duo role as both Lead Teacher of the Meadow Classroom and Director. Lisa provides a warm and welcoming environment for her parents and students.
Payton Davis - Assistant Teacher
Payton has worked for us as a teacher assistant in both our 3UPK and 4UPK classrooms. She has decided to take an assistant role in our 3 yr old PreK Classroom at our new site in our Meadow Classroom. Payton is such a great support to the team and we are fortunate to have her here with us.
Heather Bremmer - AssistantTeacher
Heather started as an assistant in our Flourish Classroom over the summer and is now our assistant and closer of our 3 yr old classroom at our second location in our Meadow Classroom.
4UPK
Brittany Vandewalker- 4UPK Lead Teacher
This is Brittany’s 9th year teaching Pre-K. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was 5 years old. She is so excited to work with her preschoolers, making learning fun> When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and the rest of her family.
Nicole Williams -Assistant Teacher
Nikki has been working at the Treehouse for a few years. This year she is working as an Assistant in our 4UPK Flourish Classroom. Nikki has a degree in Criminal Justice and continues her Early Childhood training. She has three grown children with her husband and recently became a grandma. She has previously been an assistant in our three old program and is beyond excited to work with the 4 year olds this year.
Taylor Augustus - Assistant Teacher
Taylor is excited to be an Assistant Teacher again this year in our Flourish classroom. Taylor loves to help the children learn and to see them reach their full potential. She has two little boys who attend the Treehouse as well.
Ohio School: Cassandra’s Classroom
Cassandra Ernst - Lead Teacher
Cassandra has joined the team this school year as our 4UPK lead teacher, and we are so excited to have her on our team. She is enjoying her new classroom of students and is looking forward to having an amazing school year.
Cieran Castor - Assistant Teacher
Cieran has been an assistant or a Lead teacher for many years at the Treehouse and has worked in many of our classrooms. She completed her CDA in Birth -5 yrs and is currently enrolled in College to complete her degree. She is currently working at the Ohio Elementary location as an assistant in our Meadow 4UPK Classroom.
Amaya Goodman - Teacher Aide
Amaya is new to our team and is looking forward to working in the classroom aiding the teacher and assistants to create a fun, loving, learning environment for all.
Food Service:
Megan Sidwa- Food Program Manager
Megan has joined the team in 2024 to be our Food Program Manager. She has years of prior experience and we are grateful she chose to join the team and head up our kitchen.
Bethany Main - Assistant Cook
Beth has worked in the early childhood education field for 16 years. She has been married for 32 years and has 3 wonderful children and is a local of northern New York. Beth has been working at the Treehouse since September of 2019, and has been helping to prepare delicious meals in the kitchen!
Rhonda Wilder- Sub Cook -
Rhonda has 30 years of experience working in a school cafeteria and has recently retired. We are happy to have her on our team to sub in when needed.
Substitutes and Floats:
Dawn Rennhack - Float
Dawn has been working with children for 24 years. She has 5 children of her own and has lived all over the country. Dawn has worked at the Treehouse since July 2019 and is an Assistant in our Sprouts 3 year old Preschool classroom. Dawn looks forward to giving your child a fun learning experience.
Gracie Harrelson - Float
Gracie started working here over the summer and has a daughter who attends the Treehouse. She loves to work in all the rooms to get the opportunity to work with all age groups. She looks forward to giving your child a fun learning experience.
Makenzie Blair Jones - Float
Blair has been with the Treehouse for a couple years now. She has been a great assistant in our preschool classroom and will be returning from Maternity leave as a building float. We look forward to having her baby in our infant room and to have Blair back as a support for our classrooms.
Katie Mellnitz - Float
Katie has been working for us in many areas. She has been an assistant in both the classrooms and the kitchen. She has two boys who attend the Treehouse and loves having them at the same place she works. She love the support she brings to all the classrooms.
1:1 Aides:
Shaundra Hess - 1:1 Aide
Christy Cosentino - 1:1 Aide
Kara Thomas - 1:1 Aide
Erica Calloway - 1:1 Aide