People
Meet the Teachers and Staff of Peopleplace
IN THE OFFICE
Lee Lingelbach (Executive Director)
2010 is Lee’s 20th year at Peopleplace! She first visited the school in April of 1990 with her son Ned, who was almost 2 at the time. Both of her sons went to Peopleplace an, as a parent, Lee served on the Board, and then started teaching in 1993. She was hired to be the director in 1997. Believe it or not, Lee dropped out of preschool! Luckily, she went on to attend the University of Vermont where she received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Wheelock College where she received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Leadership. On Fridays, the day she is not at Peopleplace, Lee is a consultant for the University of Southern Maine, working with childcare programs from all over the state that are seeking accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She also teaches night classes to early childhood educators. Prior to joining Peopleplace, Lee was a Montessori teacher in Charlotte, Vermont.
Lee arrived in Camden in a sailboat and never turned back. She loves to ride her Belgian mare Olive, grow things in her garden, walk in the woods with her Boxers, cook good food to share and eat with her family and friends, and ski in the winter. Every day at Peopleplace brings her great joy through friendships with the children, the families, and the school’s wonderful staff.
Linda Nash
Linda joined Peopleplace, nearly 25 years ago, when her son was 18 months old. She started doing the books for Peopleplace around 1990. Her husband Cary grew up in Camden. They met in Pennsylvania, working for a farm machinery company, got married and moved to Maine. Linda loves to hike, snowshoe, downhill ski, camp and garden. When asked what her favorite Peopleplace moment is she said, “I remember one day when I was the working parent, we caught several of the boys behind the shed with their pants to their knees, peeing together on the back of the shed. You probably shouldn’t write about that though.” Linda has a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University.
TEACHING STAFF
Heather Bowen (Preschool Program Lead Teacher)
Heather received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from The College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1991. She completed her Master’s Degree in Teaching from George Mason University in Virginia on the day her first daughter was born in 1999, and, in the Spring of 2009, finished a Graduate Certificate program in Early Language and Literacy from the University of Southern Maine. This is Heather’s fourth year teaching preschool at Peopleplace. Before that, she was an enthusiastic parent helper and served on the Board of Directors.
When asked to describe her favorite Peopleplace moment, Heather remarked, “Not too long ago, I was helping a preschooler wash her hands when she turned to me and said, ‘Do you know what I want to be when I grow up?’ I couldn’t imagine and didn’t even have time to guess when she said with tremendous enthusiasm, ‘A parent helper!’” Heather moved to the Midcoast from the Washington D.C. area and loves raising her two daughters here. While in Virginia, Heather taught first and second grade.
Devon Hargrove (Preschool Program Teacher)
Devon is a Peopleplace veteran having been here for eight years. After all those years, Devon had a hard time picking just one favorite moment at Peopleplace. She loves driving in each morning, knowing that she will be surrounded by children, families and co-workers that she loves! Devon grew up in Camden, and now lives in Warren and enjoys getting her hands dirty in her garden. She is returning this Fall to finish her degree at Kennebec Valley Community College.
Chelsea Cates (Aftercare Program Teacher)
Chelsea was born and raised in Camden and cannot imagine living anywhere else. She graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School and attended the University of Maine in Farmington for a year before enrolling at the University of Maine in Augusta. Chelsea has worked at Peopleplace since June 2008, when she helped in the toddler room during summer camp. According to Chelsea, she has “wayyyyyyy too many favorite moments at Peopleplace to pick just one!” Prior to joining the Peopleplace family, Chelsea worked as an elementary school tutor in Farmington.
Jen Feldman (Preschool Program Teacher)
Jen has been a Peopleplace parent for four years and a stay-at-home mom to her sons Ruben and Leo for the past six. In her previous life, Jen taught Language Arts and various other seventh and eighth grade classes in North Carolina, Massachusetts, and in Camden. She was also a social worker, providing in-home and community support for clients with diverse needs. In addition to her time as a Peopleplace parent, Jen has also worked at the school teaching summer camp for the toddlers and, most recently, providing extra support for the preschool teachers as needed. As a new addition to the preschool staff, she looks forward to new adventures as a member of the Peopleplace team.
Jane Thorndike (Toddler Program Assistant Teacher)
Jane has been at Peopleplace on and off for 12 years, as an afternoon teacher, mother, board member and currently the toddler room assistant teacher. She is close to finishing her National CDA (child development associate) credential and also attended the University of Southern Maine for a while. Jane grew up in the Midcoast and is now raising Adam, age 8, here. According to her, the best thing to do in Maine is to ski, go sledding, make snow forts, and hike.
