"I believe that our own experience instructs us that the secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. It is not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do. It is chosen and foreordained and he only holds the key to his own secret"
-RALPH WALDO EMERSON
The '26-'27 Emerson Team
Executive Director & Team Teacher
Christina Oliva
During the 2019-2020 school year, Christina was a parent of an Emerson student, served as the Vice Chair of the Emerson Board of Directors, and was both a short- and long-term substitute teacher for our students. Christina joined the Emerson team as a full-time teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. She took on more administrative responsibilities beginning in 2023 when serving as Registrar and Administrative Assistant, all while remaining hands-on in the classroom with students. In the Fall of 2024, Christina took on the role of Executive Director. She is also a member of our Pyramid Model Implementation Leadership Team.
Christina graduated from Skidmore College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Antioch University of New England in 2009 with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies, specializing in both Environmental Education and Integrated Learning. She brings 20+ years of teaching experience with children and youth in the outdoors including tennis, swimming, yoga, meditation, backcountry expeditions and gardening. For the last 13 years Christina has honed her skills as a teacher-naturalist teaching in and around the wilds of greater Boston and working in three outdoor, nature-based and Reggio-inspired preschools in NH. When not at Emerson, Christina enjoys adventuring with her son and husband, being creative in the kitchen, growing food, reading and building community.
Team Teacher
Dory Lecount
"I am so excited to begin this school year with you all. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and to building a year of joy and curiosity together. My summer has been filled with the sound of crickets in my back yard and lots of lazy days in the sun. I am currently finishing up my 12th book of the summer: “Raising Hare” by Chloe Dalton. I have 25 left to go to reach my goal of 50 for the year! Will I find time to read between all the investigating, trekking, singing, building, dancing, playing, painting, and laughing we’ll be doing this year!? We’ll have to wait to find out! I can not wait to see you so very soon!"
Team Teacher
lori burnham
Lori has been working in the early childhood field for over 15 years, and her work with young children has always been rooted in curiosity, connection, and a love of learning through play.
Lori studied Early Childhood Education at NHTI and holds a New Hampshire Early Childhood Lead Teacher Credential. Lori is also a certified ChildLight Yoga instructor, which has given her another way to support children’s bodies, minds, and growing sense of self through movement, mindfulness, and play. Lori has been a mentor to fellow teachers focusing on emergent curriculum and documentation in the classroom.
Lori's connection to Emerson is especially meaningful because both of her children attended the program. After spending several years as a preschool teacher and then staying home with her boys, returning to Emerson as a teacher feels a little like coming home.
Lori is especially drawn to nature-based learning, creative expression, and giving children the time and space to wonder, explore, and follow their own ideas. Lori loves being outside with children, noticing the small things together, and watching their confidence and curiosity grow.
Team Teacher
bailey magana rosales
"It will be my first year as a full time Emerson teacher, and I am ready to begin. I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer. This summer my family welcomed two new kittens into our home, bringing our total to FIVE cats - meow, it has been busy! It can be tricky transitioning back to the school year, but we are all in this together!"
Team Teacher/Mentor/Volunteer
Pam Mosca
Pam joined Emerson in the fall of 2018 as a MWF afternoon class teacher. Since retiring in 2022, she has returned as a substitute teacher and mentor. She fell in love with Emerson’s philosophy of child-initiated, collaborative, emergent curriculum when her two children attended Emerson in the mid-90s. Pam received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire and her Master of Education from Plymouth State University. She has taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grades in Concord Public Schools. Research shows that social, emotional and intellectual learning are intertwined and Pam is honored to journey with parents and Emerson teachers as children grow in so many beautiful ways. Pam’s interests include mindfulness, yoga, reading, discovering fabulous picture books (for people of all ages), gardening and pickleball.
Registrar & Team Teacher
Kimberly Porter
Kim started working at Emerson in January of 2018. She needed a part time job to supplement her seasonal position as a landscaper and thought it would be great to be back in the world of early childhood education - even if it was just on the periphery. What began as a cleaning job, evolved into filling in as a substitute, and then becoming a part time teacher. Now, she is a core part of our Emerson teaching team. She can often be found in the office, keeping our paperwork in line. Kim has a passion for gardening (both for work and pleasure), spending time with her feline bestie, Mr. Furley, and for good music and good books. Kim received her Associate’s Degree from NHTI in 2014 in the field of Early Childhood Special Education.