Our Teachers
Holly Casey
Director
Mrs. Casey has preschool teaching experience in private and public schools. She earned her BS in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University with a minor in special education. She holds the teaching license in Early Childhood Education from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also holds Lead Teacher and Director certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care.
Ann Andersen
Teacher, Koalas Program
Mrs. Andersen has been a lead teacher at Carter since 1999. She is married with three adult children all of whom began their Needham education at Carter. She has her BA in Elementary Education from Boston College. When not teaching our 4-5 year olds, she enjoys walking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sue Cotton
Teacher, Koalas Program
Mrs. Cotton has been a teacher at Carter since 2001, and has been in the Carter 3's since 2002. This year, she'll be co-teaching in the 4s with Mrs. Andersen. She is married with three children who all attended Carter. Her children are at various stages of their lives. She has a Bachelors degree from Bentley University and is a state certified teacher through the EEC. In her free time she likes to read, walk, and spend time in New Hampshire.
Angela Nelson
Teacher, Pandas Program
Mrs. Nelson has been teaching at Carter since 1997. She worked in the "newly developed" Extended Day program for two years before moving to the 3-year-old program. She graduated from UMASS-Boston with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and began working toward her Masters. She is also lead teacher certified through the EEC. She is married and has two grown children, both Carter alumni. When not working she likes to spend time with family and friends and enjoys life by the ocean.
Sara Stauber
Teacher, Pandas Program
Mrs. Stauber is a mom of three children who are all graduates of Carter. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Masters in Elementary Education and brings experience as a classroom teacher and an ELL specialist to the classroom.
Anne Finucane
Floating Teacher
Mrs. Finucane has been a teacher at Carter since January 2010. Her three young adult children all attended Carter. She lives in Needham and, in addition to volunteering in the community, she enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Our Board of Directors
Hallie Riley
President
Hallie is a mom of two sons, the older of which is in kindergarten and the younger is a Panda. She grew up in Needham and previously taught elementary school at Hillside and Sunita Williams. She now enjoys being home with her boys and spending time outdoors.
Nicole White
Fundraising/Social Chair
Nicole has two sons, a recent Koala graduate and a current Panda. Nicole earned her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College while teaching Pre-K in Manhattan. Nicole also taught for four years in Needham until her youngest was born. She enjoys walking with friends and traveling with her family.
Mallory Andrews
Fundraising/Social Chair
Mallory is a mom of two - one daughter who is a Panda for her second year at Carter, and a son at home who looks forward to attending Carter one day! Mallory previously worked in marketing for an ecommerce company, and now enjoys being home with her two kids, and spending time with her family.
Michael Kerr
Treasurer
Michael is a proud Carter graduate and the father of three daughters, including Tessa who is in the Koalas class and Gwen who is in the Pandas class. A career educator, Michael enjoys traveling with his wife, Laura.
Erin Moore
Secretary
Erin has two children, a current Koala, and a future Panda. She is originally from the Washington, D.C. area and works full-time as an attorney. In addition to exploring the New England area, she enjoys reading, tennis and yoga.
Anne Finucane
Communications Chair
Mrs. Finucane has been a teacher at Carter since January 2010. Her three adult children all attended Carter. She lives in Needham and, in addition to volunteering in the community, she enjoys walking her dog, running, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Holly Casey
School Director
Mrs. Casey has preschool teaching experience in private and public schools. She earned her BS in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University with a minor in special education. She holds the teaching license in Early Childhood Education from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also holds Lead Teacher and Director certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care.
Kristen Verdeaux
Member at Large
Kristen has two children, a current Koala and an incoming Panda in 2025. an adjunct professor at Boston University, Kristen also works full-time at Harvard Law School managing an institute's global events. She loves to spend time outside with her husband and kids, adventuring around the state and finding new spots to explore.
Donna Burke
Member at Large
Donna has 3 children, one a Carter alum and one currently enrolled in the Koalas. Her youngest will be attending Carter in the fall of 2025. She currently works part-time at Brigham and Women's Hospital as a Physician Assistant. In the summer months, Donna loves spending time with her husband Tom and children at the beach.