Tara (Lenhart) Rego, Owner
Tara opened Little Scholars Preschool in 2015. Before owning Little Scholars, she was employed as a teacher for 22 years. As a certified classroom teacher, she has experience working with all levels of elementary school children. Tara holds a BA from Providence College and is state certified to teach both regular education and special education. She owns the preschool with her husband Brad, and they have two daughters, Sophia and Ella who was a graduate in their first graduating class!
Tara opened Little Scholars Preschool in 2015. Before owning Little Scholars, she was employed as a teacher for 22 years. As a certified classroom teacher, she has experience working with all levels of elementary school children. Tara holds a BA from Providence College and is state certified to teach both regular education and special education. She owns the preschool with her husband Brad, and they have two daughters, Sophia and Ella who was a graduate in their first graduating class!
Michelle Lord, Director
Michelle loves being a part of children’s development and helping to start their young lives on the right path with the knowledge and skills they need for life. She went to college for education, and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Leadership at Wheelock College in Boston. Michelle has worked as a teacher, education specialist and as a Director for KinderCare Learning centers for the past 12 years. When she is not at the school she is spending time with her husband, Ben and son, Oliver who is a Little Scholars' graduate!
Michelle loves being a part of children’s development and helping to start their young lives on the right path with the knowledge and skills they need for life. She went to college for education, and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Leadership at Wheelock College in Boston. Michelle has worked as a teacher, education specialist and as a Director for KinderCare Learning centers for the past 12 years. When she is not at the school she is spending time with her husband, Ben and son, Oliver who is a Little Scholars' graduate!
Ruth Johnson, Assistant Director
Ruth has been an assistant director for 36 years. She joins the LSP team this school year! She is passionate about what she does and will continue to share her love and nurturing qualities with the students and families at Little Scholars Preschool! She is the proud mother of her daughter Jessica. In her free time she loves walking, spending time at the ocean and enjoying nature. Her hobbies include photography, drawing and reading.
Ruth has been an assistant director for 36 years. She joins the LSP team this school year! She is passionate about what she does and will continue to share her love and nurturing qualities with the students and families at Little Scholars Preschool! She is the proud mother of her daughter Jessica. In her free time she loves walking, spending time at the ocean and enjoying nature. Her hobbies include photography, drawing and reading.
Jennifer Tanner, Teacher
Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in a preschool environment. She holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Vermont College. She also graduated with high honors from CCRI with a degree in Early Childhood. She is lead teacher certified. She has two daughters and enjoys spending time gardening, cooking and with her dog. She comments that her teaching philosophy is simple...excited teacher=excited students! She is always looking for the next adventure in learning that she can take her students on!
Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in a preschool environment. She holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Vermont College. She also graduated with high honors from CCRI with a degree in Early Childhood. She is lead teacher certified. She has two daughters and enjoys spending time gardening, cooking and with her dog. She comments that her teaching philosophy is simple...excited teacher=excited students! She is always looking for the next adventure in learning that she can take her students on!
Amy Melanson, Teacher
Amy's passion for teaching young children began at the age of 12 as a babysitter in her neighborhood. She received her BA in Psychology from Western New England University. Over the years she has been a nanny, an infant/toddler lead teacher and a preschool teacher. She also has enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering in the public school system and at The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. During her leisure time she enjoys baking, traveling and spending time with her husband, two daughters and pets!
Amy's passion for teaching young children began at the age of 12 as a babysitter in her neighborhood. She received her BA in Psychology from Western New England University. Over the years she has been a nanny, an infant/toddler lead teacher and a preschool teacher. She also has enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering in the public school system and at The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. During her leisure time she enjoys baking, traveling and spending time with her husband, two daughters and pets!
Kate Capello, Teacher
Kate discovered her passion for teaching while working in the childcare center at her high school. Since then, Kate has received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rhode Island. In her free time, she enjoys theater and spending time with her husband and teenage daughter.
Kate discovered her passion for teaching while working in the childcare center at her high school. Since then, Kate has received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rhode Island. In her free time, she enjoys theater and spending time with her husband and teenage daughter.
Ashlee Goss, Teacher
Ashlee has over 12 years of teaching experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. Most of her experience has been in the toddler classroom environment, but she has also been a lead teacher in both Preschool and Pre-K classrooms. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College and has taken numerous courses in Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Rhode Island as well. When she is not working, she spends her time enjoying fun activities with her two daughters who are 6 and 8 years old.
Ashlee has over 12 years of teaching experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. Most of her experience has been in the toddler classroom environment, but she has also been a lead teacher in both Preschool and Pre-K classrooms. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College and has taken numerous courses in Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Rhode Island as well. When she is not working, she spends her time enjoying fun activities with her two daughters who are 6 and 8 years old.
Brooke Botelho, Teacher
Brooke's passion for teaching young children started early in her life. Having been always surrounded by young children, she finds joy in helping them learn and grow. She earned her teaching certification through a four-year early education program gaining hands-on experience with students daily. Brooke worked as a preschool teacher for almost four years before becoming a lead teacher in the three-year-old program at the school she was previously at. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her many nieces and nephews, relaxing with friends and family and exploring the outdoors.
Brooke's passion for teaching young children started early in her life. Having been always surrounded by young children, she finds joy in helping them learn and grow. She earned her teaching certification through a four-year early education program gaining hands-on experience with students daily. Brooke worked as a preschool teacher for almost four years before becoming a lead teacher in the three-year-old program at the school she was previously at. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her many nieces and nephews, relaxing with friends and family and exploring the outdoors.
Chelsie Lima, Teacher Assistant/ Administrative Assistant
Chelsie earned an associate degree in science and graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at BCC. She was a licensed occupational therapy assistant for 8 years and worked with all ages including school aged children. Chelsie then had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother to her young son who is also a graduate of Little Scholars Preschool. She loves helping children learn new skills through fun activities and is looking forward to transitioning to early childhood education. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her husband, son and their dog Henri.
Chelsie earned an associate degree in science and graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at BCC. She was a licensed occupational therapy assistant for 8 years and worked with all ages including school aged children. Chelsie then had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother to her young son who is also a graduate of Little Scholars Preschool. She loves helping children learn new skills through fun activities and is looking forward to transitioning to early childhood education. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her husband, son and their dog Henri.
Claire Lenhart, Volunteer Helper
Claire, known as “Nan” to the children, is a volunteer helper at Little Scholars Preschool. She is the mother of owner Tara (Lenhart) Rego. As a retired elementary school teacher, she has over 30 years of experience working with children in a classroom setting. She holds a BA in Elementary Education. When she is not volunteering her time at the preschool she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her 5 grandchildren.
Claire, known as “Nan” to the children, is a volunteer helper at Little Scholars Preschool. She is the mother of owner Tara (Lenhart) Rego. As a retired elementary school teacher, she has over 30 years of experience working with children in a classroom setting. She holds a BA in Elementary Education. When she is not volunteering her time at the preschool she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her 5 grandchildren.