Meet Our Staff
Our highly qualified educators represent a diverse background of early childhood education and experience. Our educators value learning and are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance leadership, support core competencies and integrate knowledge of early childhood education/ child development. All Early Learning Center staff have completed numerous South Shore YMCA trainings including comprehensive Child Protection modules, CPR and First Aid certification trainings.
Laureen Browning, Executive Director of Youth Development
lbrowning@ssymca.org | (617) 479-8500 ext. 169
Jamee Beaudry, Early Learning Center Director
jbeaudry@ssymca.org | (781) 826-7900 ext. 221
Jamee holds a Master's Degree from Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy. She earned her Professional Elementary Teacher's License (grade 1-6) from Clark University and is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as Lead Teacher Preschool and Director II. Jamee has been employed as a Title I Reading Specialist for the Everett Public Schools, and taught Kindergarten and 1st grade for eight years in the Wellesley Public Schools. For the past three years, Jamee has assumed many roles at the Mill Pond Branch including Youth and Family Coordinator, and Literacy and Mathematics Tutor. Jamee is currently pursuing a third teaching license in Special Education at Bridgewater State College.
Catherine Berk, Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher
Catherine comes to the Early Learning Center with many years of experience as an infant/toddler teacher. She most recently worked for Greater Quincy Child Care as a Preschool and Infant/Toddler teacher. Catherine is currently pursuing an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Massasoit Community College and is licensed by EEC as Lead Teacher Infant/Toddler and Teacher Preschool.
Whitney Belcher, Infant/Toddler Teacher
Whitney is a recent graduate of Northeastern University where she earned a B.A. in Sociology. Whitney brings her many years of experience working with young children and families at the Mill Pond Branch in the Playroom. Whitney is currently completing coursework to obtain her license as a Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher and is licensed by EEC as Teacher Infant/Toddler and preschool.
Donna Breen, Lead Teacher Preschool
Donna comes to the Early Learning Center with several years experience as a preschool teacher at New Nursery in Norwell. Most recently, Donna worked as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant in the Hull Public Schools. Donna is currently pursuing an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Massasoit Community College and is licensed by EEC as Lead Teacher Preschool.
Nancy Abreu, Teacher Preschool
Nancy comes to the Early Learning Center having most recently worked as a Teacher and Lead Teacher at Methodist Nursery School in Plymouth. Nancy earned an Associate's Degree at Quincy College, and has completed all the Early Childhood Education requirements necessary to be licensed by EEC as Lead Teacher Preschool.
Community Involvement
At the South Shore YMCA Early Learning Center we recognize that "it takes a village to raise one child." Therefore, we work closely with other local support agencies such as:
- The South Shore Hospital
- South Shore Hospital's Youth Health Connection
- The Norwell Visiting Nurses Association
- The North River Collaborative
- The Friendship Home
- South Shore Natural Science Center
- The Mill Pond YMCA Branch
- The Quincy Learning Center
By providing opportunities for teachers and children to work with and learn from others in the community, we are providing a rich and diverse education for all children.