Miss Elaina

Assistant Teacher - Full Time
Saplings  Classroom 

Elaina E. joined the Treehouse Team in March 2025.  Elaina (who also goes by Laney) has over a decade of childcare experience with children of all ages. Her background includes working  at summer day camps, sleep-away adventure programs, the Boys and Girls club, and as a private nanny for infants & toddlers. 

After a few fulfilling months working in the preschool program, Laney was delighted to step into her current role in the Saplings classroom. She loves caring for the littlest members of our community and guiding them through their earliest milestones. She takes pride in creating a warm, playful environment where they can feel safe, loved, and curious.

Elaina shares her home with her husband Julian, three fluffy cats, and their big dog Blue. She has a deep love for animals and the natural world, and enjoys gardening, camping, and birdwatching in her free time. Her other hobbies include crocheting, doing puzzles, and playing ukulele. She also holds a degree in Visual Arts, which inspires her to bring creativity and imagination into the classroom.

Elaina believes that kindness and empathy should guide everything we do, especially when nurturing young minds.

Elaina  currently holds the following certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care:

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

• Preschool Teacher

Elaina is CPR/First Aid certified, expires May 2026.

Miss Allison H.
Teacher - Full Time
Saplings  Classroom 

Allison H.. joined the Treehouse Team in May 2025.  

Allison has been passionate about working with children since her first job as a lifeguard at the Springfield JCC at age 16. She quickly found her calling in teaching and caregiving, giving both group and one-on-one swim lessons to children, including those with disabilities. This early experience helped shape her belief in the importance of inclusive, individualized approaches to learning.

Allison earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Assumption College in 2018. During her time there, she completed an internship with Thom Early Intervention in Worcester, where she supported services for children from birth to age three. Following graduation, she returned to the Springfield JCC as an inclusion camp counselor and later as an assistant teacher in an older toddler classroom at the JCC Early Learning Center from 2018 to 2020.

With a growing interest in speech and language development, Allison worked for Futures Health Core during the pandemic, providing speech and language teleservices to middle and high school students in Springfield. In August 2021, she joined Northampton Public Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, delivering IEP-based services to preschoolers, elementary-aged children, and high school students with a variety of communication needs.

Allison joined Treehouse in May 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience in early childhood education and communication support.

Allison lives in East Longmeadow with her orange cat, Ahsoka.

Allison currently holds the following certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care:

• Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher

Allison believes in the power of play-based, and interest-driven learning. She is deeply committed to inclusive education and enjoys adapting lessons to support all modes of communication and learning styles. She values consistent routines and compassionate, responsive guidance. For Allison, the magic of early childhood lies in watching children grow rapidly, develop their own personalities, and begin to form meaningful connections with others. She finds joy in nurturing their natural curiosity and love of learning.

Allison is CPR/First Aid certified, expires May 2027.  

Miss Veronica
Mini Maples Teacher (M-W-F 7:30-3:30)

Veronica G., joined the Treehouse Team in April 2026.

Veronica has over 12 years experience working as an early educator across multiple age groups and as a nanny. She has recently graduated from Bay Path University with a Bachelors in Human Services. Veronica believes that all children’s individuality should be celebrated and recognizes that all children grow, play, and learn in their own unique ways. She strives to use her education, experience, and dedication to empower children, families, and their communities.

Veronica loves spending time with her husband, son (who attends Treehouse!), and their Cairn Terrier. She enjoys attending local events, shopping at local/small businesses, going to farmer’s markets, spending nice days outside, and watching movies!

Veronica currently holds a Department of Early Education and Care Teacher Certificate in:

• Lead Teacher Preschool

•  Infant/Toddler Teacher

Miss Rachel
Mini Maples Teacher (full time - currently on maternity leave until June 2026)

Rachel Schmedding, aka Rae- Rae joined tree house FSLC in May of 2024. Rachel and her husband Rob are blessed with their 2 year old son Ryan.

Rachel graduated in 2017 with an Associates in Disability Support with a focus on Speech and Language. She has worked with many children and adults with varying abilities in the classroom as well as through adaptive aquatics. 

Rachel currently holds a Department of Early Education and Care Teacher Certificate in:

•  Infant/Toddler Teacher

Rachel has worked at a few child care facilities over her 15 years of child care ranging in age and developmental stages. 

Rachel embraces children of all ages and abilities meeting the children where they are in development and building upon them by using their strengths to create a strong foundation for learning .

Rachel is CPR/First Aid Certified, expires in January 2027.

Miss Zoe

Acting Lead Teacher (full time)

Zoe joined the Treehouse Team in December 2025. 

Zoe holds the following Department of Early Education and Care certifications:

• Preschool Teacher 

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

Zoe is also CPR/First Aid certified (expires May 2026).

Full bio coming soon!

Miss Jarielis

Assistant Teacher (part time)

Jarileys joined the Treehouse Team in January 2026.

Jari holds the following Department of Early Education and Care certifications:

• Preschool Teacher 

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

Full bio coming soon!