People
Meet the Teachers and Staff of Peopleplace
IN THE OFFICE
Lee Lingelbach (Executive Director)
Lee has served as Director since 1997, though her relationship with Peopleplace started in 1990 when her then two year old son attended the toddler program. She graduated from the University of Vermont where she received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Wheelock College with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Leadership. She is also an Early Care and Education consultant, trainer and facilitator for early childhood programs seeking NAEYC accreditation.
When her focus is not on young children and their families, Lee enjoys spending time with her own family, as well as horseback riding, gardening, and walking or skiing in the woods and fields surrounding her home in Hope. Every day at Peopleplace brings Lee great joy through friendships with the children, the families, and the school’s wonderful staff.
Linda Nash (Bookkeeper and Office Support)
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 where they raise blueberries. Linda loves to hike, snowshoe, downhill ski, camp and garden. When asked about her favorite Peopleplace moments, she said she loves watching her granddaughter play on the playground (and wishes she lived closer so she could be a Peopleplace kid). Linda has a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University.
TEACHING STAFF
Heather Bowen (Preschool Program 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.
Jane Thorndike (Toddler Program Teacher)
Jane has been at Peopleplace on and off for 15 years, as an afternoon teacher, parent, board member and currently as a teacher in the downstairs classroom. She completed her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) in 2012. Jane grew up in the Midcoast and is now raising her son, Adam ( age 11) here. Jane and Adam love the winter season most of all, but enjoy everything Maine has to offer year round.
Sharon Walker-Spencer (Preschool Program Teacher)
Sharon has been working with children since she was a child herself. This is Sharon’s 4th year teaching preschool and she is delighted to have joined the Peopleplace Community. Sharon has also worked as an Educational Consultant and prior to her children being born, was a first and second grade teacher. Sharon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wake Forest University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Processes from Maryville University in St. Louis.
Sharon loves coming to Peopleplace because she gets to learn and laugh and be with great people. While not at Peopleplace, Sharon likes sewing, music, dancing, and just about anything involving the water. Her favorite way to spend her time is with her husband and two daughters.
Sharon Abair (Toddler Program Teacher)
With an undergraduate degree in Primary Education (K-3) and a graduate
degree in Early Childhoood Education, Sharon has been teaching children
or administering programs for nearly 30 years! Sounds like such a long
time but the years have flown by! She has always been passionate about
children’s learning and found these early years to be the most
fascinating, thus her direction was always toward the birth-five years
instead of kindergarten and older.
Sharon lives in Nobleboro with her husband and cat. She has three grown
children and three grandchildren who all live in Massachusetts.
Sharon turned down a job at Peopleplace in 2004 and regretted it for
years so when the toddler room position opened this spring, she jumped
at the second chance! It is an honor to work with such committed
families and teachers- and children who are so intently involved in
growing and learning!
Jennifer Hixon ( Preschool Program Teacher)
Jen grew up in the Bangor area. She attended Hermon High School and Husson University before moving to the Midcoast area to be closer to her family. Prior to becoming a teacher, Jen worked as an Ed Tech and was a Peopleplace parent for three years.
While not at Peopleplace, Jen enjoys running, watching her children play sports, knitting, and swimming. She and her husband and two children live in Camden.
Sarah Davis (Preschool Afternoon Program)
Cate Columbo (Toddler Afternoon Program)
Ellery Chalmers (Preschool Afternoon Program)
