Meet our Specialists!

The CFCE Coordinators and Early Childhood Specialists are committed to our mission, our community and our families.

Bethany Gay
CFCE Grant Coordinator

Bethany was a playgroup coordinator and a parent child home program home visitor in Wareham.  She earned a master's degree in Early Education and taught kindergarten in addition to working as a reading specialist assistant. Bethany says, "If I could invent a holiday it would be National Spend The Day with Your Family in the summer months. The most inspiring part of my job is watching children and their caregivers enjoying time together. My favorite way to have fun at work is being creative and fun!"

 

Erin Fitzgerald
​Early Learning Specialist

Erin worked in the field of special education for 10 years and holds a masters degree in Education. She has a passion for sharing her love of dance to adults and children as well.
Erin says, "If I were a superhero my superpower would be superhuman speed! If I could invent a holiday it would be Family Fun Day in June. The most inspiring part of my job is watching children blossom, coming out of their shell and having fun! My favorite way to have fun at work is through dancing." 

 

Nancy McDermott
​Early Learning Specialist

Nancy taught High School Home Economics for 36 years in Milton and Falmouth, during which time she became the Director of the Child Development Laboratory Preschool. Nancy says, "If I were a superhero, my superpower would be being in more than one place at a time so that I could do more events with children. If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve celebrating friendships. The most inspiring part of my job is witnessing the beauty of children learning and my favorite way to have fun at work is chat and play with children and parents!" ​​

 

Rosemary Modic
​​Early Learning Specialist

Rosemary worked in a daycare/nursery school before teaching Grade 2 and preschool in the Falmouth schools. ​Rosemary says, “If I were a superhero, my superpower would be flying. If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve more food... I love to cook and eat. The most inspiring part of my job is seeing the children grow and develop and the parents connecting and supporting each other. My favorite way to have fun at work is, well, my whole job is fun: it is like hosting a children's party! Oh but I do enjoy introducing children to new books!”

 

Daniel Rodrigues
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

​Danny is a father of two who works within the substance use disorder field as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. He holds a Perinatal Mental Health Certification through Postpartum Support International. He has experience working with pregnant and parenting women and their partners who have histories of substance use disorders. Danny says, “If I were a superhero, my superpower would be sleeplessness, that way I could enjoy the day but be the night owl I want to be. If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve lots of music, food and friends. The most inspiring part of my job is seeing the strength parents have when they share their experiences. My favorite way to have fun at work is sharing the funny moments that come up in Active Parenting ​class!"

 

Shelby Riley
​​​Licensed Clinical Social Worker

​Shelby is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with experience working in early intervention, school counseling, school social work and maternal mental health including support groups for moms and new babies through the Perinatal Wellness Support Center of Cape and the Islands. Shelby says, “If I were a superhero, my superpower would be flying especially if I wanted to get somewhere at super speed. If I could invent a holiday, it would be World Kindness Day where everyone takes the day to do things that are kind for others and for themselves. The most inspiring part of my job is supporting parents on their journey in parenthood and my favorite way to have fun at work is to be a kid again: be silly, use my imagination and play like our little kids do."

 

María Shinkle
​​​Early Learning Specialist

​María was born and raised in Argentina and worked as a dance and aerobics teacher until she moved to Cape Cod with her two sons in 2001. For over a decade Maria has been facilitating Spanish Immersion classes at preschools and camps across the Cape. María says, "Teaching little ones my culture, music and language is very rewarding and something I really enjoy! If I were a superhero, my superpower would be making people get together more often. If I could invent a holiday, it would be National Family Dance Together Day. The most inspiring part of my job is the little faces looking at me with great smiles and my favorite way to have fun at work is to make people laugh." 

 

Mary Wilson
​​​Early Learning Specialist

​Mary has worked in the field of Early Education for over 30 years as a classroom teacher, administrator, coordinator, and parent educator. Mary also provides consulting services for a variety of Early Childhood initiatives and has been a professional puppeteer for over 20 years. Mary says"If I were a super hero, my superpower would be love and I would spread it everywhere. If I could invent a holiday, it would be every Monday so we could all have a longer weekend. The most inspiring part of my job is when I see families years later and they convey how much the programs helped them in their parenting journey. My favorite way to have fun at work is to use puppets to inspire joy and wonder."

 

Amy Wyman
Board Certified Music Therapist

​​Amy has worked with children & families in schools, hospitals & special educational settings both in the U.S. and abroad. Amy has a masters degree in expressive art therapy and is a Board Certified Music Therapist and Certified Child Life Specialist. She is also the founder of Good Grief Cape Cod, an educational program helping children cope with death. Amy says, “If I were a super hero my super power would be making people laugh. If I could invent a holiday it would be National Chill Out Day where nobody works and everyone just has a day to chill and rest. The most inspiring part about my job is getting to do some of my favorite things: making music, making new friends and being a part of our community.”