Faculty & Staff Bios

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Director

Toddler Assistant Teacher

This is Kathy’s third year in the director position. She has been with Fairwind since its inception and has taught in all four of the Fairwind classrooms. Kathy’s experience and knowledge of all of our programs, in addition to her experience teaching Kindergarten, allow her to effectively support all of our families and staff as they learn and grow. She looks forward to continuing Fairwind’s traditions while maintaining current best practice.

Teaching has been a calling of Kathy’s for as long as she can remember. A graduate of Dartmouth College, she began her career teaching kindergarten in public school in Basking Ridge, NJ. While there, she was a grade level leader and a mentor teacher. After moving to Massachusetts, Kathy spent time teaching kindergarten in private schools, including an anti-bias school in Arlington, MA.  When Kathy started her family, she took some time to be home with her children and then spent three years working in Fairwind’s TK classroom. She recently co-taught a Preschool I class with Lacey Blaisdell in 2022-23 and currently assists Lacey in the toddler program. She is passionate about helping children develop self-confidence and a love of learning. She also believes in fostering a partnership with parents and enjoys celebrating students’ successes with their families.

Kathy and her husband have lived in Marblehead for 16 years and have two sons in high school. She enjoys boating, tennis, skiing, knitting, reading and cooking with her family. She loves teaching within Marblehead’s community and having the opportunity to see students grow over the years. 

Associate Director

Toddler Lead Teacher

This is Lacey's second year as the associate director. Lacey brings years of experience at Fairwind and extensive knowledge of early childhood education to enhance programming, develop team building and strengthen relationships across our school community.  Lacey is excited to contribute to Fairwind’s growth and progress.

Lacey holds her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston. She has taught a variety of ages, from toddlers to first grade. While pursuing her Master’s, she worked at a private preschool in Newton MA, teaching children ages 2-5. After graduation, she taught kindergarten for 6 years in the Chelsea Public Schools.  Lacey then spent a few years at home raising her 3 kids, Harry, Keller, and Eloise.  Once her youngest was in school full time, she started teaching at Fairwind in the first Toddler classroom.   Lacey has taught in both Preschool I and Toddler programs. She believes the most important part of your child’s first school experiences are creating a lifelong love of learning in a safe, creative environment. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and going to exercise classes. She also loves skiing every winter weekend at their house in Maine.  

Office Manager

Christine assumed the position of Office Manager in June 2023. Christine’s experience ranges from administrative work in the government to work as a trained chef in the restaurant business and her own catering company. Most recently, Christine has been working as a long-term substitute teacher for the Marblehead Public Schools. Christine has three boys and has lived in Marblehead for 20 years. Out of the office, Christine is an avid skier and tennis player and loves exploring a variety of creative outlets. Christine’s skills and talents have proven invaluable in keeping Fairwind organized and running smoothly.  

Preschool I Lead Teacher 

Gail has worked for Fairwind for the past seven years. She has developed and led both our Preschool l and Toddler programs and worked as a substitute teacher prior to joining our staff. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education as well as an Associate degree in Infant/Toddler Care. She worked with young children and their families in an Early Intervention program while pursuing her degree. Gail spent several years teaching in the Lynn Public School system at the Pre-K level. Gail is the proud mom of four wonderful children. Gail and her family have lived in Marblehead for over 25 years. She relishes the opportunity to provide young children with opportunities to learn in a safe and nurturing environment and to discover their world.  

Preschool I Assistant Teacher  

Ann Mauriello joined the teaching team of Fairwind Learning Center in 2022.  She has both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University.  She has spent over twenty years teaching this age group and she continues to look for new teaching ideas and activities to bring into the classroom to engage young learners and bring out their natural curiosity about the world. 

When she is not teaching, Ann enjoys taking walks, baking, reading, and spending time with her three grown children and husband.

Preschool I Assistant Teacher  

Franny Spitaleri joined Fairwind Learning Center in September 2021. Prior to joining the Fairwind team, she spent time as a paraprofessional in the Revere Public Schools and has years of experience in independent childcare. She has a passion for working with young children. Franny is the mother of two and the proud Grandmother of three (1 FLC alum). In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and walking the beautiful North Shore beaches.  

Preschool II Lead Teacher 

Allison is a native of Marblehead and graduated from Endicott College with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s Degree in Moderate Disabilities PreK-8.  Allison is licensed in Early Childhood Education by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. While pursuing her master’s degree, she worked as a fourth-grade learning specialist at the Marblehead Community Charter School. Throughout her teaching placements in kindergarten and first grade, Allison recognized her passion for teaching early childhood students. In her spare time, Allison also teaches dance to children aged 2-10 at All About Dance in Swampscott. Allison brings the most recent, cutting-edge techniques and philosophy in early childhood education to our PSII program and her joyful approach to teaching and life creates a wonderful experience for our PSII students.  

Preschool II Assistant Teacher 

This is Karoline’s second year at Fairwind Learning Center as the Preschool II assistant teacher. While she holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, she has developed a strong passion for early education. After graduating from Endicott College, and spending some time doing whale research in Australia, Karoline decided to shift her focus toward environmental education. She worked at multiple children’s camps on the North Shore which she loved. In the summer of 2023, Karoline was the lead environmental educator at Appleton Farms Camp in Ipswich.

Karoline is originally from Connecticut, but she moved to Rockport in 2023. She loves art, nature, skiing, hiking, and animals of all kinds. Karoline is extremely excited to be a part of the Fairwind community.   

Preschool II Assistant Teacher 

Audrey Baizen joined the TK team as an assistant teacher during the 23-24 school year, after a year of substitute teaching at Fairwind. Audrey spent her career in Human Resources at Beth Israel Hospital before switching careers to a sales position with Godiva Chocolatiers and Papyrus Cards. She spent a number of years at home raising her two daughters here in Marblehead. Audrey’s nurturing nature and experience as a mother and grandmother make her a natural teaching assistant. In her free time, Audrey can be found on the pickleball courts. She also enjoys travel and spending time with her family and friends.   

Transitional Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Christina DiRuzza joined the Fairwind Team in 2021 as the Preschool I assistant before joining the TK team. This is Christina's second year as the lead teacher. Christina received her BS, ECED and master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University, where she also earned her Massachusetts Teaching License from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Prior to teaching at Fairwind, Christina held the Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher position at the LVO YMCA.  She also served as Dance Studio Director at Lisa’s Dance Studio in Marblehead, where she has taught preschool classes for the last 10 years and continues to do so. Christina enjoys reading, walking and exercising and prioritizes time with her family.

Transitional Kindergarten Assistant Teacher 

Marion Warner joined the TK team full time in 2023. She first joined the Fairwind staff in the Fall of 2022 as an Enrichment teacher and then expanded her experience as a substitute teacher and part time assistant in TK. Marion graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She has completed her coursework to obtain her license as an assistant teacher through the MA Department of Early Education and Care. Marion is the prior founder and creative director of a local embroidery company whose products have been recognized by Oprah. She has led children’s programming through her company and additionally spent time coaching youth sports and volunteering in the Marblehead Public Schools. Marion lives in town with her daughters.

Enrichment Program Coordinator 

Enrichment Lead Teacher

Debbie Leibowitz knew from the age of 4 that she wanted to be a teacher, and years later she continues living out that dream. She is a graduate of Salem State College/University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and is Director II certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. She has been a preschool assistant director as well as preschool teacher, and Debbie continues to be a local early childhood educator. Constantly creating exciting enrichment classes for children at school, at the library and in the community, Debbie’s intent is to always challenge and motivate children to not only enjoy their learning but to take their learning "out into the real world."  She tailors her teaching so students can make it meaningful to them as individual learners.

One favorite part of Debbie's teaching life is when she sees children from her classes at local places like ice cream shops, beaches, playgrounds or community events, and they smile, hug, and chat about the different things they "have learned together!"