Danielle Biggins, Director
I joined the New Nursery School team in 2012 as the Director. From my very first time I visited NNS, I felt a strong connection to the school and knew it would be a great place for me professionally and personally. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Human Growth and Development from Radford University in Virginia and my Master’s degree in Leadership and Policy in Early Education and Care from Wheelock College. I have worked with young children and families in various capacitates. I gained experience working in the past as a classroom teacher, parent educator, education specialist and child development specialist. I love to share how New Nursery is a very special place. The sense of community is evident in all we do. The community of children in each class, the community of parents and the community of educators is important to us. My husband, Dan and I live in Rockland with our three boys: Gavan, Ronan & Shea. They are full of energy, adventurous and silly! Being a mom of boys is so much fun! One of our favorite places to be is the beach. There is something so calming to be near the ocean. I believe it’s truly good for the soul. Being a parent gives me the unique perspective on the needs of quality preschool programming. I can understand the balance necessary to meet the needs of all children and the expectations of parents. My values include family, teamwork, and community. My philosophy is always doing what’s best for young children. I love being part of such a wonderful community of educators who are also so dedicated to children and families.
Nancy Broderick
Johanne Brown
My name is Johanne Brown, and this will be my first year at NNS! I have been teaching preschool for the last 8 years in Hingham and Norwell. I graduated from Syracuse University with an art degree and have lived in Hingham for over 20 years. I have three grown children (Haley, Ian and Gretchen) and a puppy named George and a cat named Hobbes. I love the ocean and spend the summers on the cape, in Chatham.
Katie Charest
I am so thrilled to be a part of the New Nursery team! I fell in love with New Nursery School when my first child started in preschool 5 years ago, and I always said I would love to teach here someday. Prior to being a mom, I worked with children on the autism spectrum for 5 years in the private and public school settings. I always knew I would venture back into working with children. They have such a special place in my heart and always keep me full of life. I grew up in Norwell and now also live back here in my hometown with my husband Rob and three daughters, Ella (8), Olivia (5) and Sofia (3) all who attended New Nursery School and the youngest still is attending. I’m excited to continue my teaching experience here at New Nursery School with such a special group of people and children who have quickly become like family.
Kim Foster
I am pleased to be part of the teaching staff as well as shared time as an administrative assistant in the office. As a parent while my children attended New Nursery School, I served as the President of the Board of Directors. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northeastern University and EEC lead teacher certified. I live in Norwell with my husband David, our two sons Sam and Nate along with our dog Maisy. I feel fortunate to be part of such a caring and nurturing environment that was such a great fit for our boys and our family. I look forward to continuing to provide that experience that makes New Nursery School such a special place!
Lori Gates
I am thrilled to continue my career as a pre-K teacher at NNS! I hold a Massachusetts teacher’s license in early childhood, a master’s degree in elementary childhood education from The University of Hartford and am a teacher at heart! I have taught Kindergarten in Weston, Weymouth and Rockland public schools. While my background is teaching kindergarten, I very much enjoy teaching pre-K. I love spending my day with your children and watching them play, grow and develop a love for learning. I know we will have a productive and successful year together! While teaching children is my passion, I also love spending time with my husband Peter and our two children, Lyla and Zach. They keep me very busy! We love to swim, play on the beach and ski in the winter.
Christina Grossman
My name is Christina Grossman, and I am one of the PreK teachers. I grew up in New York City and have lived now in Cohasset for 21 years. I have been teaching young children for over 15 years. This is my first year at NNS and I am really enjoying it. I have an undergraduate degree from Vassar College in Art History and Drama, as well as a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Nazarene College. I have three children (Lindsay, Chelsea and Alex), the youngest of whom is in college. I have taught both public school kindergarten as well as most recently many years as a PreK teacher in a nursery school in Cohasset. I have a black lab puppy (Millie) and I love to swim and spend time at the ocean.
Britta Hallisey
I feel so lucky to be joining the team at New Nursery School this year. I have been home raising my children for the last 15 years, but am so excited to get back into the classroom! I taught Kindergarten at the Dexter Southfield School in Brookline for many years and have a Masters from Lesley in Early Childhood Education. I am a mom to a daughter Ryan who is a freshman in high school and twins Quinn and Brendan who are in 5th grade. We live in Hingham with our yellow lab Mac.
Sonia Kleimola
I am so grateful to be a part of the team here at NNS. I fell in love with the school while my daughter was a student here. When it was time for her to move on to Kindergarten, I decided that I just couldn’t part ways with the NNS family. So despite having a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Michigan, and 10+ years of experience working in advertising/marketing, I decided it was time to pursue a new path. I am Lead Teacher-certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). I have loved every minute working with the kids at NNS and I couldn’t be happier with my new career choice. The children at NNS are at such a precious and fundamentally important age; to be a part of this time in their lives and to help each child as they learn and grow is such a gift. It has been an absolutely rewarding experience! My husband and I live in Hanover with our daughter, Scarlett, and our dogs, Shady and Blue.
Allison McKenna
I am so excited to be joining the New Nursery School! I have a B.A. in Psychology, with a focus on early childhood development from Bowdoin College. Before having children, I taught toddler and preschool aged children for several years and then worked in the wedding industry designing invitations. Both of my children (Lydia and Owen) attended NNS and loved their time there because of the amazing teachers and community, which is why I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to return as a teacher! As a family we love to travel, spend time at the beach and ski!
Cindy Lazarovich
I am a wife and mother of three grown children, all whom attended New Nursery School. While my time as a NNS parent, I served on the Board of Directors as president and ran the yard sale at the Spring Fair. I hold my Bachelors degree in Business Management from Chamberlain School of Retail in Boston. After raising my children I wanted more time with children. I received my EEC Lead Teacher certificate and began working at NNS in 2000. With my love of children, I could not imagine doing anything else! I find the job both rewarding and fulfilling at the same time.
Sarah McDonald
I am so excited to be teaching at The New Nursery School in the preschool and toddler classrooms this year! I hold a bachelor of science degree in Marketing from Babson College, and I worked for several years in Brand Marketing for different companies such as: Coca-Cola, Au Bon Pain Co, and Dunkin Brands. I stayed home from work for a while after having my three children, Madeline 14, Nolan 12, and Colin 7. All three of my children attended New Nursery School for toddler, preschool, and Pre-K, so I spent many wonderful years here, including three years as the President of the Board of Directors. It is an absolute dream to be back at New Nursery School as a teacher, it is such a special place! I am enrolling in early education courses to become certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Preschool years are the greatest years, and I couldn’t be happier to work among such amazing women.
Michelle Sogolow
Christine White
I came to New Nursery School in 2017 with a background of 13 years of teaching high school English! I had taken 5 years off to raise my children, Trevor and Molly. Returning to teaching at New Nursery has been such a rewarding experience. It is so special to meet the children as they embark on their educational journey. I just love watching them absorb everything; it is amazing how each child learns so much each school year! I have an undergraduate degree in English from Holy Cross and a Master’s degree in Education from Boston College. I grew up in Norwell, and my husband and I now raise our children here. In my free time, I enjoy running outdoors and taking classes at the Y. In the summer, I love spending time on the Cape and at Duxbury Beach.