Meet our Staff

Linda MacGillvary, Director

Linda began her eighth year at HCC in June. She has been working with young children and their families since 1985. Linda has a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in early childhood education. She lives in Harrisville with her husband, Darrel, and two sons, Jonas and Zachary. She loves gardening, photography, and being with her boys. Her hours at HCC vary, but she can usually be reached here Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:15 and Fridays 9:00-noon.

Linda Scanlan, Teacher — Infant Program

Linda Scanlan moved with her family to Nelson, NH from Millis, MA three years ago. She has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Massachusetts Bay College. She first worked as an infant teacher at the Wellesley (College) Community Children’s Center and then as a toddler/preschool teacher at Riverside Children’s Center. For the next 20 years Linda owned and operated a NAFCC (National Accreditation for Family Child Care Standards) accredited child care center in her home. During this same time period, Linda also worked for Charles River Community Partnership for Children where she inspected child care centers in Massachusetts and helped to bring them up to NAFCC standards. Currently, in addition to being the Lead Teacher in HCC’s Infant Program, Linda and her husband, Bill, own 1-2-3 Preschool Projects, LLC, where they design and manufacture educational activities for children. Linda and Bill have four children, Heather, Sarah, Andrew, and Daniel. She loves walking, baking, ice skating, swimming, and water skiing.

Liana Hoffman, Teacher — Infant Program

Liana began as a substitute teacher at HCC during the 2006 Summer Program. She joined us as the afternoon teacher in the infant program during the late fall of that same year, and began as the lead teacher in the younger toddler room in August 2008. In August 2009, Liana returned to the infant room as the afternoon teacher. Liana has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and special education from Franklin Pierce College, as well as certificates in vocational evaluation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Assumption College. She has worked as a coordinator of individual services in the human service field, specializing in adult services. Liana likes to bake and cook, which she does with a chef friend as a catering business. She lives in Harrisville and enjoys snowshoeing, gardening, photography, reading, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. Liana has two adult children, Alicia and Noah. Her daughter is expecting a baby in February 2010, which will be Liana’s first grandchild.

Heather Scanlan, Teacher — Younger Toddler Program

Heather Scanlan is originally from Massachusetts, but now lives in Nelson with her family. She is currently working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science at Keene State College as well as taking an Early Childhood Education course at River Valley College — Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child. Heather has always enjoyed interacting with children as a teacher’s assistant at her mother’s in-home child care center, as well as a live-in nanny. Prior to working as a teacher in the younger toddler program, she was an assistant in the older toddler program at HCC. She enjoys reading, living an active and healthy lifestyle, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Lorri Bond, Teacher — Floater and Younger Toddler Program

Lorri Bond is beginning her second year at HCC, this year as a floater and the afternoon younger toddler teacher. Lorri graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and music. She lives in Peterborough with her husband, Josh, and three year old daughter, Evelyn who goes to The Harrisville Children's Center. Lorri enjoys playing the piano, reading, sports, and relaxing with her family. She is happy that she will have the opportunity to work with all of the children and teachers at HCC.

Julia Pakradooni, Teacher — Older Toddler Program

This will be Julia’s ninth year teaching at The Harrisville Children’s Center. She will be the lead teacher in the older toddler room again this year. Julia is a past parent of the Center and served as the president of the Board of Directors when her children attended HCC. Julia has her Master’s degree in special education. Her two children are Andrew and Haleigh. Julia lives in Harrisville.

Alyssa Collyer, Assistant Teacher — Older Toddler Program

Alyssa received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Keene State College in May 2009. She began working with the toddlers at HCC in February 2010. Alyssa did her student teaching in a kindergarten classroom and spent a semester working with preschool age children at the Child Development Center at KSC. Alyssa lives in Keene and enjoys reading, snowshoeing, swimming, hiking, and bike riding.

Jody Halliday, Teacher — Afternoon Older Toddler & Preschool Programs

Jody is thrilled to be back in northern New England after living in Connecticut for six years. While there, she taught special education and sixth grade at an inner city school. Jody and her husband now reside in Keene, where she enjoys gardening and creative fiber arts. She has two sons who have grown into fine young men. Jody is relishing the creative play and hugs of the toddlers and preschoolers. She looks forward to a mutually rewarding year with HCC’s children.

Sueño LeBlond, Teacher — Preschool Program

Sueño has adored being with younger children ever since she was in first grade and fell in love with her own teachers. Years passed and after college graduation, Sueño realized that becoming a teacher was less a choice for her than an inevitable reality. She moved to the Keene area and received her Masters in Education in 2003, specializing in early childhood education. Since then, Sueño has been teaching preschool-aged children, first in Colorado and, more recently, at The Orchard School in Alstead, NH. She took a brief break from the little ones to work at Kroka Expeditions, taking older students on outdoor wilderness trips. Sueño is excited to be back in the classroom where she brings her love of color and craft and can share the inherent delight that young children bring to our days. Outside of work Sueño loves to rock climb and ski, knit and sew, eat wild foods, track animals and contra dance.

Katie Siggia, Assistant Teacher — Preschool Program

Katie began working at HCC as the assistant teacher in the preschool program in November of 2009. She attended Keene State College from 2002-2006, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology. From 2007-2009 Katie studied at Antioch University New England and received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. During her time at Antioch, Katie completed a two-year internship working at an alternative treatment center for at-risk adolescents. Katie spent 5 years as part of the education staff at The Discovery Museums in Acton, MA, which included working with 4-6 year olds at the museums’ summer camp program. She currently lives in Keene with her fiancé, Mike, and two cats, Ike and Merlin. Katie enjoys photography, quilting, knitting, gardening, and reading.

Karen Baird, Business Manager/Administrative Assistant

Karen began working at HCC in July of 2007. She studied Accounting and Business Administration, leading to a degree at Franklin Pierce College. Karen went on to receive her Master’s Degree at Southern NH University. She has owned Baird Financial Management for the past 21 years, spending the last five years focusing on the needs of local non-profits. Karen’s responsibilities at HCC include billing, accounts payable and payroll. She resides in Hancock with her son, Stephen. Karen can be reached via cell phone at 562-5362 or at home at 525-4700.