This is Kathy’s first 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 worked as an assistant in the toddler classroom and most recently co-taught a Preschool I class with Lacey Blaisdell in 2022-23. 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 over 14 years and have two sons in middle 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.​​​​​​​

Anne Tassel-Todisco has worked as the Office Manager at Fairwind since 2015. She is a native Marbleheader who still resides in her hometown. Anne attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education and Human Services. She feels very lucky to be able to work in such a bright, beautiful school and loves the connections she makes with the children and their families. Anne worked in the medical field for most of her professional life, first as an administrative assistant at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and later as a medical transcriptionist and biller at a busy North Shore medical practice for 22 years. ​​​​​​​

She has two wonderful children; a son who lives in New York City and a daughter who recently graduated from Boston University. Anne is an avId badminton and pickleball player and also enjoys photography.

Toddler Assistant Teacher​

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 worked as an assistant in the toddler classroom and most recently co-taught a Preschool I class with Lacey Blaisdell in 2022-23. 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 over 14 years and have two sons in middle 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.

Gail has worked for Fairwind for the past six 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 perusing her degree. Gail spent several years teaching in the Lynn Public School system at the Pre-K level. She relishes the opportunity to provide young children with opportunities to learn in a safe and nurturing environment and to discover their world.

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 almost 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. 

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. 

Sophie Piersol has been a preschool teacher for 20 years, and the Preschool II Lead Teacher at FLC since it opened in 2015. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and certifications as a teacher and a director. Sophie previously worked as a preschool teacher in a local learning center and was the owner of a small in-home French Early Childhood Program named "Un Jardin d'Enfants."​​​​​​​

Each day, Sophie encourages exploration, creativity, independence, and respect for one another. She believes that children learn actively by having hands-on experiences with their surroundings. Her classroom supports learning through consistent daily routines, which reflect and build upon the children's ideas and interests. Her philosophy has always been "play to learn and learn to play." Sophie understands the importance and value of involving parents in her classroom, where families have opportunities to share their unique knowledge and create positive relationships.

Sophie is French Canadian originally from Montreal, Canada. She lives locally with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs.

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

Debbie and her husband, Len, grew up in Marblehead and still reside here. Having raised 3 children, they are now in the Lucky Grandparent Club with their 6 grandchildren!                                 

Christina DiRuzza joined the Fairwind Team in 2021.  Christina holds her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University.  Prior to working at Fairwind she was Lead Infant Teacher at the Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA Early Learning Center.  Christina has also served as Dance Studio Director and Teacher for young children at Lisa’s Dance Studio in Marblehead.  She is a certified Infant, Toddler and Preschool Teacher through Massachusetts Early Education and Care.  Christina loves teaching this age group and enjoys seeing young children develop and grow into curious and excited learners.