Little Peaks Staff

Lead Teacher

Michelle Bullock

Michelle is excited to be back in the classroom! Her family has been a part of the Little Peaks community since 2017 with 4 graduates. She received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Management with a minor in Agricultural Education from Penn State University. Before moving to Keene, she worked with children and families at the Greater Burlington YMCA for 13 years as a preschool teacher, after school coordinator, and summer camp director. She has spent 12 years being a stay at home parent to her 4 wonderful children. Her favorite thing is being with them. They even spent a year traveling the USA, homeschooling and learning about the beauty and wonder around us! She is delighted to share her joy of working with children at this special place.

Lead Teacher / UPK

Molly Burgess

Molly Rose Burgess has a Bachelor's in child psychology and a Master's in early childhood education. She has been teaching in various early childhood programs since 2016. Molly is currently studying early education leadership at HGSE. She has acted as a foster parent and also works with the aging population. Molly loves live theater and time with family at their lake front camp.

Assistant Teacher

Brianna Cornwright

Brianna enjoys working with children and assisting others. She is a certified CNA/EKG technician with five years of experience in hospitals. Brianna is now pursuing a Master's degree with the objective of becoming a clinical counselor. She strives to meet the social and emotional needs of both parent and child.

Assistant Teacher

Linnae D'Auria

Linnae D’Auria grew up in the beautiful nature of Keene and is incredibly excited to continue reveling in the magic and wonder of the area alongside the children of Little Peaks. Linnae holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Atlantic in human ecology with focuses on holistic education, writing, and art. She has been working with children for many years through babysitting, being a part of programs such as the Lakeside Farm and Forest Summer Camp and more. She is also a 200hr Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher and holds a great passion for guiding children in the cultivation of self-care practices through yoga, music, art, and exploring nature. She looks forward to holding spaces and being a part of the caring, joyful, gentle, nature-based and play-centered spaces at Little Peaks.

Bookkeeper

Brenda Leclair

Brenda LeClair grew up in Keene and is a KCS graduate. After working in the private sector in Lake Placid, she was the District Treasurer for Keene Central School for many years. Brenda retired and has been enjoying spending time with her son and grandchildren, her sweet pup Waggles, and also doing some traveling with her family and friends. One of her favorite things to do is read at the beach. Brenda enjoys working at Little Peaks as a part-time bookkeeper, and helping in the office when needed.

Kitchen Manager / Floating Teacher

JEnny Mugrace

When not at Little Peaks you can find Jenny playing in the mountains with her dog or tending to her lovely garden. She is passionate about many outdoor adventure activities or just strolling through the woods identifying plants. Jenny is continually learning and immersing herself in the natural environment and values sharing that with others. In addition to receiving a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure studies Jenny has over 20 years of experience as a licensed guide and training in Wilderness First Aid. Outside of sharing her love of the outdoors with others she is a lifelong enthusiast of creating homemade nutrient-dense food. Jenny is excited to cultivate a love of nutritious eating habits with all the new Little Peakers.

Education Support Specialist

Katherine Norman

Katherine E. Norman is an educator, researcher, and theatre-maker dedicated to building joyful, play-based learning spaces for all. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and over a decade of teaching experience, and is excited to bring her expertise in early childhood development and pedagogy to Little Peaks. Katherine also currently works as a Research Scientist with a University of Wisconsin-Madison education lab focused on playful learning, climate education, and curiosity in children’s museums. She recently partnered with Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake as their Education Coordinator and is looking forward to collaborating with teachers all over the North Country to support arts integration in classrooms. She and her husband are recent arrivals in the Adirondacks and are loving getting to know this wonderful community. 

Center Director

Dillion Prime

Dillon Prime is a lifelong educator with a deep commitment to learning and community. Originally from Elizabethtown, Dillon's teaching journey began as a 2007 Teach for America Corps member in the Bronx, NYC. He holds masters degrees in education and educational administration from Pace University and Baruch College. In 2012 Dillon became the founding principal of Bronx Park Middle School, where he focused on a project-based curriculum and robust social-emotional learning. His leadership earned him a promotion in 2017 to Educational Executive Coach in the NYCDOE Office of Leadership, where he coached over 70 new school principals citywide. Dillon returned to the Adirondacks in 2021 as an Educational Consultant. He and his family co-own the Trails End Inn in Keene Valley, where they embrace North Country life. Dillon lives there with his wife and three children, taking full advantage of local hiking, trail running, skiing, and gardening. He is excited to bring his collaborative and transparent leadership approaches as well as his educational philosophies of experiential and play based learning to the Little Peaks Community.

Lead Teacher

Catherine Ramierz

Catherine Ramirez (she/her/ella) has lived in the Adirondack Mountains ever since she was 3 years old. From the very beginning she has loved the wild forests and trees and the cozy sheltering moments in winter followed by the joyful explosion of green and warmth in spring. Catherine was homeschooled for middle and high school, which highlighted small scale  homesteading, community volunteering, and interest-based learning. Catherine is a Waldorf teacher, a path of study which began with volunteering at Northern Lights School, filling the role of assistant teacher in Lakeside School's Sprouts program, and pursuing Waldorf teacher training through Sophia's Hearth Birth-7 program. Catherine is a Nuyorican (New York Puerto Rican) and shares her Hispanic heritage through a love of storytelling and song.

Assistant Teacher

Maddy Schumacher

Maddy Schumacher grew up outside in the lakes region of New Hampshire. Her love for the environment and teaching others has followed her everywhere she has lived. Maddy studied Biology at St. Lawrence University and went on to earn her Masters in Environmental Science at the University of Idaho. She has experience working as an assistant teacher in the preschool setting Burlington, VT and is excited to work with this age group again in the beautiful ADKs.

Executive Director

Janelle Schwartz

Janelle A. Schwartz, PhD is the Founder and Principal of JAS Creatives LLC. With over 25 years of experience in education and program and curricular design, and over 20 years as a professor and interdisciplinary scholar, she is excited to bring her skills back to Little Peaks as Executive Director, where she also formerly served on the Board of Trustees. Janelle specializes in place-based collaborations that build community and enact creative, equitable change. Little Peaks exemplifies both! When she is not working, she can usually be found in the garden or in the woods, leading the search for the Forest Yeti and Bog Behemoth with her young daughter (a Little Peaks graduate!), husband, and pupper.

Lead Teacher

Abigail Smith

Abigail Smith was born and raised right here in Keene! When she was little, she attended Little Peaks and then followed to KCS to be a graduate in 2023. After finishing her time at KCS she tried college at SUNY Potsdam for graphic design but quickly realized that it was not the right fit. She is now working towards her CDA to further develop her career here at Little Peaks. Outside of work, she has a large loving family and fur-babies of her own. She loves art, photography, baking and has a soft spot for children and animals. 

Administrative Assistant

Cindy Summo

Moving up from Long Island, Cindy has been living in Keene with her husband, Patrick, and children, Jesse – KCS Class of 2015, and Alyssa – KCS Class of 2020, for about 20 years. Cindy enjoys sewing, gardening and especially loves to spend time with family, dogs and cat, and chickens. When first moving to Keene, Cindy worked at a bank in Lake Placid and then at Keene Central School, where she worked for about 15 years. Since 2022, she has been exploring various opportunities and had excitedly landed at Little Peaks in February 2024! Between working in the office and popping into the classrooms at times, she is very happy to be a part of Little Peaks as the center continues to grow and nurture children in a positive and caring environment.

Assistant Teacher

Sadie Thompson

Sadie Thompson grew up in Lewis, New York and graduated from Boquet Valley, the Elizabethtown–Lewis, Westport School District, in the year 2022. She has always had a strong love for children and knew she wanted to pursue teaching from a young age. After graduation, she took the courageous steps to furthering her education. Sadie started at SUNY Adirondack in 2022 studying Early Childhood Education and is anticipated to graduate with her Associate’s in the Spring of 2025. Her plan of study is to continue onto her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Care and Management, in hopes of one day opening her own daycare. Here at Little Peaks, Sadie’s role as the Preschool Assistant Teacher is to provide a nurturing and welcoming environment for the children. She loves to join in on activities and group work, while also doing her best to figure out each student and connect with their families. One-on-one time for Sadie is very important, it can sometimes be difficult in a setting like this, but Sadie most definitely puts her best effort towards achieving that.

Associate Teacher

Stephanie Trumbull

Stephanie Trumbull grew up in Jay, NY and graduated from Au Sable Valley High School. For the past 30 years combined she has owned and operated her own in-home daycare and served children in the Adirondack Community Action Programs Head Start Preschool. In her spare time she enjoys spending time hiking, camping, kayaking, gardening, snowshoeing and spending time with friends. Most importantly she loves spending time with her lovely family and is excited to be part of the Little Peaks team, sharing her passion for working with children.

Assistant Teacher

Jennifer Ulicnik

Jenn is originally from Texas and comes most recently from Troy, NY, where she was a member of the residence faculty at Emma Willard School. An education major with 25+ years at the elementary and high school levels, Jenn has always looked for the teachable moments in her informal interactions with students. A former summer camp director and a nature enthusiast, Jenn enjoys getting out to explore by kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, or geocaching. Jenn teaches Nia (a sensory-based movement practice), enjoys working in her stained glass studio, and is ready with a packed bag for any travel opportunity that comes her way.