Preschool: Teachers & Staff

Teresa believes that everyone thrives in a world that promotes and supports creative thinking. She loves nothing more than helping others give voice to their unique perspectives through art. Teresa holds a BA in education and began her career as an elementary school teacher in Pasadena, California. Over the years she also worked as an children’s occupational therapy assistant in Amman, Jordan, taught classes for gifted students in Minnesota, and opened a preschool in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since moving to Vermont 1999 she has been enthusiastically focused on gifting individuals of all ages with a life-long love of the arts. Teresa founded Davis Studio in 2003.

Lyndsy is devoted to encouraging young children to learn through creative play, discovery and exploration. She believes play is as essential as the air we breathe. She has been a preschool teacher, ski instructor, adaptive sailing instructor, case manager for students with Autism, Special Educator, Educational Consultant, as well as mom to four amazing girls! She holds a BS in both Psychology and Education from Muhlenberg College and a MEd. from the University of Vermont. Lyndsy founded and operated Wildflowers, a children’s maker-space prior to joining Davis Studio in 2020. Lyndsy thrives when sharing a sense of wonder, a creative spirit and out-of-the box thinking with her students.

Sami believes art and play are essential for lifelong learning! Sami is an artist, teacher, and office aficionado who leads with creative expression, empathy, and a growth mindset. They hold a BS in Art Education from the University of Vermont and have worked in both the art education and office administration realms for a variety of creative spaces – including startups, art classrooms, and museums. She lives in Burlington with her partner, Simon and three cats, Miko, Soba, and Salem. In their personal creative time, Sami loves creating botanical illustrations, tufting rugs, playing video games, and tending to their plants.

Josie is a strong advocate for performing arts, play, and outdoor exploration in early learning. She believes that children thrive when they are offered the opportunity to be curious, creative, and collaborative. Josie has an extensive background teaching dance and movement in preschools, summer camps, and public schools. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Champlain College, and also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Theater and Dance with a Virginia PreK-12 License to teach Dance Arts. Outside of work, Josie enjoys singing, playing the ukulele, spending time with her family and friends. She is so excited to be a part of both the Community School and Preschool classrooms here at the Davis Studio!

Claire delights in spending time outdoors, singing songs to celebrate daily life and making up fascinating stories. She is always eager to learn alongside the children in her care. Claire encourages her students to build confidence through the development of emotional regulation skills. She loves nothing more than empowering a child to be curious and actively explore the world around them. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Green Mountain College. Her career path has encompassed stints in public, private, and Waldorf schools, as well as many years working as a nanny for groups of young children. In her free time you can find Claire puttering around her garden, visiting local bakeries, and curling up with her two cats, her partner, and a good cross-stitch project.

Chelsea is an enthusiastic proponent of play-based learning that includes music, artistic expression, and scientific inquiry. She brings a fresh take on fun educational adventures as she seeks to explore the world through a child’s curious eyes and open heart. Chelsea focuses on building strong relationships by creating positive interactions between teachers, students, families, and members of our surrounding community. She creates a nurturing and inclusive environment to ensure diverse and equal opportunities for all learners. Chelsea’s skills have been honed through a variety of educational teaching experiences across the state of Vermont and also in Massachusetts and Florida. In her time away from work, she enjoys gardening with her cat, Loki along her side, and with the loving help of her partner, Chris.