Miss Katie

Lead Teacher (Full Time)
Marvelous Maples Classroom

Katie Hawley joined Treehouse as a substitute teacher in October 2022. Being a sub gave her the chance to dive into every classroom, meet all the amazing staff, and get to know each child in the program. By fall 2023, she was ready to jump in as the full-time Lead Teacher in Marvelous Maples to share her passion for teaching.

Katie lives in East Longmeadow with her three children and their mischievous dog, Earl. They keep her life busy and her heart full. Her love for working with kids started when she was young but really took off in high school when she helped open Little BIG Kids Nursery School, which is still going strong at East Longmeadow High School.

With over 25 years of experience with kids of all ages, from infants to school-age, Katie loves watching them grow into confident, independent learners. She's all about creating a fun, supportive environment where every child can shine!

Katie holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood as well as the following certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC):

•  Director I

•  Lead Teacher Preschool

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

• Certified Family Child Care Assistant

• School Age Site Coordinator

Katie is CPR/First Aid/AED Certified, expires January 2027.

Miss Kim O.

Teacher (Full Time)
Marvelous Maples Co-Teacher
& Extraordinary Elms After School Lead Teacher

Kim O'Neill  joined the Treehouse Team in September 2024. She is a Co-Teacher in the Marvelous Maples Preschool classroom and the Extraoirdnary Elms After School Lead Teacher for our school age students.  During the Summer of 2025, Miss Kim was the Lead Teacher for our Bonsais classroom (school age 7-14).

 In addition Kim offers our Treehouse children an Extracurricular Activity: Timber Time!  Timber Time is a fitness / movement program for our toddlers and pre schoolers offered once a week. 

Kim, husband Jon and 16 yr old son Owen live on a small nearby lake where they enjoy kayaking, fishing and the lake life!

Miss Kim, previously Coach Kim at the Springfield JCC, taught Pre school PE and ran all the after school pre school and youth athletics programs from soccer and basketball to tiny tumblers! During the summer, Kim enjoyed the outdoor summer camp where you would find her in the woods challenging the kids on the ropes course to teaching archery.

For the 2022-2023 school year, she worked with preschoolers. It was there that she learned her love for working with this age group spanned from coaching on the sports field to teaching in the classroom!

Kim grew up in Longmeadow and attended the University of Vermont, graduating with a Bachelor's degree. Kim also played lacrosse and swam while at UVM.  Some of Kim's other experiences include Marketing at AAA 10 years, nannying for 5 years, coaching  Girls Varsity Lacrosse at LHS for 2 years, and Lifeguarding off and on since she was 16.

Kim is currently certified by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) with:

• Teacher Preschool

• School Age Site Coordinator

Kim is CPR/First Aid/AED Certified, expires April 2026.

Miss Sarah K.

Teacher (PartTime)
Marvelous Maples Classoom

Sarah Kulig joined the Treehouse team in August 2022. Sarah works part-time while enrolled at Mount Holyoke College.  Sarah is working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  While in college Sarah has taken coursework in topics related to Child Development and Education.

Since joining Treehouse, Sarah has completed the Department of Early Education and Care coursework and classroom time requirements for initial certification.  Sarah currently holds the following EEC Certifications: 

• Preschool Teacher

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

Miss Sarah is also CPR/First Aid Certified, expires January 2027. 

Sarah has experience working with children as a tutor, and also as a babysitter.  Treehouse is Sarah's first classroom experience and she is eager to learn.

Miss Krissy

Interim Lead Teacher Mighty Oaks
Assistant Director / Classroom Support Specialist
Preschool & School Age focus

Krissy Hathaway joined the Treehouse team in August 2023 and held the role of Mighty Oaks Lead Teacher until her promotion in June of 2024.  Krissy is currently our Assistant Director / Classroom Support Specialist. 

Krissy moved  to Westfield in 2023 after growing up around Northshore MA. She now lives with two of her best friends and their cat Missy. Outside of school she loves reading, playing games with her friends, spending time outside, and visiting her family and their 6 dogs. 

Krissy holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, earned in 2020 and 2021 respectively. She currently holds the following Department of Early Education and Care certificates:

• Director (to be completed July 2024) 

• Lead Preschool Teacher

Krissy is CPR/First Aid certified (expires January 2027). 

Krissy has been working with children in a variety of settings since 2016. She was inspired to follow a career path in Early Childhood Education after volunteering for the preschool where her mom works as a director and building relationships with the children there. Graduating in 2020 meant she kicked off her career in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she independently taught a class of 7 preschoolers while working towards her Master’s Degree and student teaching remotely. Most recently, she has spent the last two years working primarily with the transitional kindergarten program at an outdoor, play based center. This will be Krissy’s fourth year as a lead teacher and she is so excited to further her career and bring her passion for nature based learning to Treehouse!

Miss Tara

Teacher  (M-T-W-Th)
with Infant/Toddler/Preschool certification

Tara B.  originally joined the Treehouse Team from February - October 2022 before she left to teach abroad.  Tara returned in June of 2025.  She spent the summer with our Bonsais (School Age) before joining Mighty Oaks in the Fall of 2025.

Tara  graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor's Degree in Film Production.

Tara previously worked in childcare starting first as a volunteer camp counselor, then babysitting, and then worked at a center-based preschool program  for about 3 years. 

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

• Infant/Toddler Teacher

• Preschool Teacher 

Tara has  a passion for working with children and being able to give love and support to her community. Tara is excited to return to the Treehouse Team and see what the future holds!

Miss Hannah B.

Teacher (M-Th Mornings; F full day)
with Lead Preschool Teacher & School Age Group Leader certification

Hannah B. joined the Treehouse Team in September 2025. after spending 11 years as a public school teacher. Following the birth of her son, Noah, in March, she transitioned out of the public school setting to embrace a new season of life and teaching.

At Treehouse, Hannah brings her experience, creativity, and passion for education. She believes in helping children question the world and investigate through hands-on experiences. Her goal is to foster a sense of exploration and curiosity, encouraging children to actively engage with the world around them.

Outside of teaching, Hannah loves spending time with her husband, Mike, their son, Noah, and their dog, Charlie. She is also an avid reader and a passionate board game collector, currently owning more than 300 different board and card games.

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

• Lead Preschool Teacher 

• School Age Group Leader

Hannah is also DESE certified in the following areas:

• Elementary, Grades 1-6

• Moderate Disabilities pre K-8

• Instructional Technology, all levels

She also has a documented endorsement in Sheltered English Immersion.

Hannah is CPR/First Aid Certified, expires September 2027.

Miss Penny

Interim Lead Teacher
Early Elms Preschool Classroom 

We are currently hiring for this position!  In the meantime, Miss Penny (you can read her full bio on the School Age team page) has graciusly extended her hours with us to support our Early Elms Students.  Miss Penny is Preschool Teacher certified.

 Currently after she says farewell to the Befoer School students as they are picked up on the bus, she steps in to the Early Elms preschool role!

When Miss Penny is unable to support, our Leadership Team Directors Miss Loren, Miss Chace, Miss Lori, or Miss Krissy support the classroom in the Lead role.

We understand not having an assigned teacher can create worry in parents - but rest assured it is our intent to hold out for the right teacher before we move forward so if the process seems length, know that it is a decision we are making with purposeful intent.

Preschool Teacher

CoTeacher - Monday through Friday 9:05-12:40
Early Elms Preschool Classroom 

We are currently hiring for this position!

In the meantime - this role is covered by our Support Team - you can read their bios on the Leadership Team & Support Team page.  

We understand not having an assigned teaching team can create worry in parents - but rest assured it is our intent to hold out for the right team of teachers before we move forward so if the process seems length, know that it is a decision we are making with purposeful intent.

Preschool Teacher

CoTeacher - Monday through Friday 9:05-12:40
Early Elms Preschool Classroom 

We are currently hiring for this position!

In the meantime - this role is covered by our Support Team - you can read their bios on the Leadership Team & Support Team page.

We understand not having an assigned teaching team can create worry in parents - but rest assured it is our intent to hold out for the right team of teachers before we move forward so if the process seems length, know that it is a decision we are making with purposeful intent.

Miss Emily

Lead Teacher (full time) 

Emily Gemme joined the Treehouse Team in May 2024 and became the Lead Teacher in Powerful Pines in 2025.

Before working at Treehouse, Emily had experience working with children ranging from preschool to 4th grade in a variety of different classroom settings, including inclusive classroom environments.   

Emily graduated from Springfield College studying Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. After college, Emily hopes to continue working with children, teaching 1st or 2nd grade. 

Emily holds the following Department of Early Education and Care certificates:

•  Preschool Teacher

• Infant Toddler Teacher

Emily is also CPR/First Aid Certified, expires January 2027.

In her free time, Emily enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and baking for friends and family. 

Miss Victoria

Teacher (part time)

Victoria M.  joined the Treehouse Team in September 2025. 

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

• School Age Site Coordinator

• Preschool Teacher

Victoria is currently  actively pursuing EEC’s Preschool Teacher and Infant/Toddler certifications. With a lifelong passion for working with children, Victoria first began volunteering as a junior counselor at a summer camp at age 12, and has since dedicated herself to supporting children’s growth and learning in a variety of roles.

Over the years, Victoria has worked in before- and after-school programs, served as the director of a summer camp program, and currently also teaches gymnastics at PAC, helping children develop physical confidence, coordination, and enthusiasm.

In her free time, Victoria enjoys spending time with friends and family, and relaxing with her dog!