Faculty

Kris Blue

Kris is a graduate of Wheelock College, where she received a BA in Early Childhood Education, and a MA in Reading. She also received an MA in Children's Literature from Simmons College. She taught kindergarten for 10 years in Westwood, and became the Literacy Specialist at Clapboardtree Nursery School in 1999. She continued in that role until the school merged with St. John's Nursery School in 2017. She has continued in her role as Literacy Specialist ever since, as well as being a former director of Clapboardtree and St. John's Nursery School.

When not at SJNS, she enjoys running, reading, walking, amd spending time with her husband, four adult children, and her two dogs at their home in the Cape or Westwood.

Maureen Clancy

Maureen has lived in Westwood over 25 years and has raised her 4 children here. Her children all attended St John's Nursery School. She is a wonderful new addition to our staff. When she is not teaching she enjoys playing tennis and spending time at her Cape home.

Michelle Hill

I have a true passion for early childhood education and am so excited to be joining St. John's as the three-year-old teacher! Before spending the past five years teaching pre-K, I had the joy of teaching three-year-olds for 5 years prior and have always loved working with this special age group. I live in Dedham with my family and enjoy yoga, reading, the beach, my two dogs, and spending vacation time on Cape Cod and the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Katie Gavin

I am so happy to be part of the teaching staff at St. John's Nursery School! I have worked for many years as Lead Teacher in our four- and five-year-old classroom. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Art and a Master's degree in Special Education. I taught Special Education for five years at an elementary school in Vermont, and this experience teaching at the elementary level helps me better support children in my preschool classroom with the transition to kindergarten. Additionally, I bring my background and passion in art into my lessons by supporting each child's individual creativity and linking it to their learning. In my time outside of school, I enjoy painting, running, traveling, and spending time with my very busy kids, my husband, and our two dogs. My three children are graduates of St. John's Nursery School and we all still look back very fondly on their experiences at the school! It is a great pleasure and privilege to continue helping young children find a love for learning and prepare them for the years of education ahead of them!

Carrie Connaughton

My husband and I have lived in Westwood for more than 25 years, and we raised our four children here. They all went to MMO preschool in Westwood. When I walked out of MMO with our youngest on her last day, they offered me a teacher's assistant position, and I ended up staying there for 10 wonderful years. When MMO closed, I was thrilled to join the team here at St John's preschool. I have such a passion for helping children learn and grow and want every child to be excited to go to school! The most heartwarming part of the job is being present for when a child experiences something new for the first time. That's priceless. When I'm not working or watching one of my kids play soccer or lacrosse, I love spending time with my extended family and friends and going to the beach. I also enjoy reading and walking with friends and my dog!

Tappen Noble

I have lived in Westwood with my husband and our three daughters since 1999. I currently have two daughters in college and my youngest is going to be a senior at Westwood High School. I spent a couple years working in the Westwood Public Schools system working with elementary aged children. I find so much joy in watching children learn and grow. My children all had such great experiences in nursery school and I hope to assist in providing your children with a similar experience. When I'm not working or spending time in the Westwood community you can find me on the beaches in Maine.