Social & Emotional Program
Beth Gaillard, LCSW, Infant mental health specialist
Beth Gaillard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an endorsement in infant mental health. Beth has over 20 years of experience working with a variety of agencies supporting families. For the past 15 years she has worked for the CT Birth to Three early intervention program. Beth also has a private practice for adults in the evening.
Beth’s experiences include helping families navigate parenting challenges and fostering good social emotional skills. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in sociology and alcohol and chemical dependency.
Beth earned a master of social worker in 2005. She has provided support to families, children, and preschool teachers on challenging behaviors, social supports and emotional wellbeing. She conducts autism evaluations and supports families through managing developmental disabilities.
Beth is delighted to share her experience with Miss. Nicole CLC to support the teachers in their social emotional framework. Monthly visits will focus on collaboration, building friendships, fostering empathy, promoting confidence and connecting through emotions.
Just be Yoga & Wellness
Melissa began practicing yoga in 2008. She was living in New York at the time, pursuing an acting career, and working at a 3 Michelin star restaurant. Yoga proved to be exactly what Melissa needed to stay centered and grounded in such a fast paced, high energy city. After several years of practicing, Melissa decided to deepen her practice and knowledge, and received her 200 hr certification from The Yoga Room. Melissa has practiced Jivamukti, vinyasa, and Iyengar yoga and her classes incorporate elements from all of of these styles. Her classes are designed to build strength and flexibility while maintaining proper alignment. Melissa uses her background in dance to create sequences that flow naturally and have seamless transitions. She encourages her students to stay true to their practice and offers multiple variations of poses as well as prop guidance.
Melissa's yoga experience and teaching interests have always run a parallel course to her life.
In 2018 with a 2 year old at home and a new baby on the way, Melissa decided she wanted to teach yoga to children. Raising children today, you quickly see the amount of over stimulation and over scheduling children are often subjected to. It was important that she had the tools to offer her own children as they grow up in today's world. After receiving her certification, she taught a 12 week yoga and mindfulness program at an elementary school in MA. Melissa is excited to have the facility and the opportunity to introduce and teach yoga and mindfulness to local children.
Certifications:
• RYT 200, The Yoga Room, NY
• Prenatal Certified Teacher, The Yoga Room, NY
• RCYT, Little Flower Yoga, CT
Musical Magic with Miss Melissa
Melissa Scarpelli has been a state-certified early childhood educator since 2011. During her time as a full-time head teacher, she also taught music to students of all ages. Alongside her teaching, she led Young Women in Harmony camps, offered private vocal lessons, and sang competitively in her free time. After becoming a mother of two, she made the decision to focus exclusively on teaching early childhood music — and it was the best decision she ever made! Melissa absolutely loves every song, every bubble popped, every instrument played, and every silly dance shared with her students.
As a passionate and dedicated music teacher specializing in early childhood education. Melissa has a deep love for fostering creativity and expression in young learners. She creates engaging and interactive music lessons that help lay the foundation for a lifetime of musical appreciation. With a natural talent for connecting with children, her classes are filled with joy, rhythm, and movement. She emphasizes the importance of developing listening skills, coordination, and an understanding of musical concepts in a playful and supportive environment. With years of experience, Melissa is committed to nurturing the musical potential of every child, inspiring them to explore their creativity and develop a lasting love for music.
Jump Bunch
Our multi-sport program introduces children to the fundamentals of 10 sports in a fun non-competitive environment, helping them to develop physical literacy, learn about nutrition and muscle identification, and master 6 key motor skills.
Baseball + Softball • Basketball • Football • Golf • Hockey • Lacrosse • Soccer • Tennis • Track + Field • Volleyball