Meet the Team

  • Emily is returning to work after many years as a full-time foster mom and now a mom of ten.  In her life before foster care she has been a preschool director, K-2 teacher, Head of School at a non-traditional multiage K-12 school, homeschool mom, Milton school board member, and Program Director at the NH Farm Museum.  She is thrilled to be part of Maplestone School and is excited to combine all of her previous experiences to serve it well.  

  • Paul is a former Special Education Teacher, Director, and Superintendent of Schools with nearly 40 years of experience in education. He has a B.A. from Bates College and a M.Ed. and C.A.G.S. from UMO.

    Paul enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, sailing, visiting grandkids, and just sitting by Silver Lake in Shapleigh.

  • I have been in the educational field since 2008. I am en Ed Tech 3 with a BHP and certified in Dyslexia testing. I have worked with students from kindergarten to high school. I love the outdoors and am often camping, fishing, or hiking with my family and pets. I work hard to initiate strong trust and positive relationships to promote lifelong passions in each student.

    In the winter months I like to sew quilts, craft, and ice fish.

  • Becca comes to us with around 10 years of social work experience. She has worked with a variety of populations including adolescents and families. Becca graduated from UMass Amherst in 2016 with her BA in Psychology. She later graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2019 with her Masters in Social Work. While working with adolescents she enjoys incorporating Adventure Based Therapy elements into her work. Becca works with us part time Monday - Wednesday. When she is not working with us, she works as an Emergency Department Social Worker. During her free time, she enjoys snowboarding in the winter and hiking during the warmer months.

  • My name is Sarah, and I am an Ed Tech among many labels, hats and titles I wear proudly in my life such as TiTi, Sister, Niece, Reptile and Cat Mama and Foster Mother. 

    I started working here during the very chilly New Year and came in running ready to work on goals, life skills, and getting the next right, fulfilling thing done with students, other Ed Techs, and teachers. My background includes lots of education (both myself and for others), mental health, medical and healthcare – both clinical and nonclinical. Something I pride myself in is my ability to be adaptable, devoted, and highly motivated professional focused on pursuing myself professionally, personally, spiritually, and mentally in an organized, detail-oriented manner for a bright future with a diversified work career.

    My hobbies are ever so changing nonstop from art projects such as painting, diamond art, cross stitch, or hula hooping. A lot of my free time, I spend with my family, mainly my reptiles. Squirt, my turtle, Razor Rose, my bearded dragon, and my two cats Paisley Rose and Princeton Albert. You can catch me hiking with my best friend, lake days with my family, or out by the beach with my nieces and nephews all summer long. As for the winter with all this white stuff we call snow; I am finding and healing my inner child day by day with sledding, ice skating and simply building a snowman… Do you want to build a snowman? 

  • I graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta. I started my career in order to do what I love which is to teach and make relationships. I am glad that Maplestone allows me to bring the things in life into how I teach.

    I enjoy spending time with my animals on my farm. When I’m not on the farm I am coaching basketball at the varsity level. I am also on the pursuit to find the best mac ‘n cheese in the world.

  • Since I was just 7 years old old, I have been on an adventurous journey, constantly seeking new experiences and exploring the beautiful region I call home. Currently, I reside in Maine, alongside my wife and our three kids.

    One thing you should know about me is that my heart beats for adventure. Nothing gets my blood pumping quite like venturing into the unknown, whether it's tackling the rugged trails of Maine or discovering hidden gems in neighboring New Hampshire. I truly believe that nature has so much to offer, and it's my purpose to help others find and embrace the thrilling experiences it has in store.

    When it comes to safety and well-being in the great outdoors, I am prepared. I have undergone extensive training in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, ensuring that I am equipped to handle any situation that may arise. Additionally, I have received formal training from National Outdoor Leadership School and Project Adventure, specifically in Adventure Based Counseling. This provides me with the skills and knowledge to create meaningful experiences that not only excite but also empower and foster grit. Guiding others towards their own adventures and helping them discover the incredible benefits that come with it is my true passion.

  • Melissa Joyce, administrative assistant, started with MapleStone School in September of 2023. She is married and has 3 kids. She comes to us with a degree in Child Psychology and lots of experience with children of all ages. From owning her own preschool/Kindergarten to Finance Director and Director of operations for a small private school, she is here with a lot to share. When not at work, she likes to craft, boat and spend time with family.

  • I am a Licensed Social Worker who joined MapleStone in 2022. I have a Masters of Social Work from Boston College and am independently licensed in Maine and New Hampshire.

    Prior to MapleStone I worked for over a decade in an outpatient community mental health setting serving youth, families, and individuals with severe mental health conditions in both direct service and administrative positions.

    I am passionate my role as a social worker and enjoy supporting students in recognizing their strengths and reaching their goals. When not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, gardening, and traveling.

  • I graduated high school in 1993 while living on my own.

    I worked at Shaws as a baker for 3 years during high school.

    I joined the coast guard in 1993, went to Alaska out of boot camp and started learning my job on large motors and equipment. I stayed for 1 year and then went to C-School in Virginia. I was promoted to MK3 and then left for North Carolina which is where I stayed until my tour was over . I took some college classes while on isolated duty and many courses around mechanics.

    After the service I stayed in North Carolina for 3 years, running a small business in Charlotte. I was in charge of deliveries, loading, running the crew, landscaping, fixing equipment and doing the day to day business stuff.

    I moved home later in 1999. Shortly after I started working at Home Depot in Portsmouth, NH which through connection I became a vendor for a company out of New York called BP Sales and Service. I soon became the sales manager for Maine and some NH stores. We built displays and completed new store set ups. After working for them for a few years I was recruited to Stanley tools company.

    Next I became a Mac Tool distributor for Maine and NH. I ran my own business for a few years, eventually I left Mac Tools and opened my own tool company called Goody tools.

    After selling tools I started working for Maplestone late in 2008.

    I was hired to teach a vocational class. I taught mechanics and welding/ fabrication. After taking 13 college classes, the praxis 1 and 2, the PLT test, I earned my 865 certificate in CTE in 2016. Later, Maplestone changed directions and became a SPPS and with Ron Roberts help i took all the courses and became a transitions coordinator and job coach.

    Some fun facts about me:

    I used to sell jewelry.

    Some of my hobbies are woodworking, fishing, and collecting tools.

    I’ve been married for 24 years and have one child.

    I worked with Nils for a few years prior to working at Maplestone.

    I have two dogs and love to hike with them.

  • Lisa is a special education teacher, leading the group Culinary Excursions. In this group, students explore activities and learning through cooking, and activities related to cooking such as grocery shopping and budgeting. Lisa graduated from University of Maine at Farmington with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010, and recently obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Southern Maine in 2023. Lisa will be completing her Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Data Directed Student Progress in the spring of 2024, she has a goal of pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and will be working towards finishing the requirements to sit for her exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analysis. Lisa has been working with students with special needs since graduating from high school, and has been working with alternative high school students since 2017. When she is not working or taking classes, Lisa spends her time with her three young daughters and her husband. Lisa is going through the process to become a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and will be coaching T-Ball in the spring. In warmer weather, Lisa enjoys going to the beach, going on hikes, kayaking and camping. Recently, Lisa has gotten back into roller skating and ice skating.

  • My name is Spencer Hodge-MacKenzie, this is my fourth year at MapleStone and eighth year teaching overall. Inspired by my high school teachers who helped me find my path in life, I chose to pursue a degree in secondary education from the University of Maine Farmington. Following graduation, I spent three years teaching Social Studies in an Alternative Education program called Multiple Pathways. This experience intensely increased my capability to work with students with diverse backgrounds, adverse childhood experiences, IEPs/504s, behavior difficulties, in a variety of school settings. Seeking new teaching experiences I joined Sanford High as a social studies teacher for one year before being recruited to teach at MapleStone. During the summers I teach people how to jump out of planes at Skydive New England, my summer home for the last 11 years and 3500 jumps. At MapleStone I have gained experience teaching all subjects and interweaving student IEP and curriculum goals into what we do in the Makerspace. I love to make art and be challenged to think creatively, and I hope that excitement rubs off on our students.

  • After seven years as an apprentice and then, an instructor, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, I moved into education. I spent 20 years in M.S.A.D.#60 at Noble MIddle School in a variety of roles, but mostly as a math and reading interventionist. The COVID pandemic caused me to look for a small setting so I took the opportunity to come to Maplestone as a math instructor four years ago. When the kitchen position opened I decided to put my cooking skills to work serving healthy, made from scratch meals that meet all state and federal nutrition guidelines. In my free time I enjoy working out, biking, and going on adventures with my daughter and granddaughter.

  • My name is Amy Rush and I am a lifelong New Englander, born in Massachusetts, raised in Maine and now residing in NH. I am raising and homeschooling my two teenage children on a small farm where we enjoy the company of our 4 legged friends; horses, cats, dogs, and a goat.

    I am a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on Microbiology. Currently I am working toward obtaining my Masters in Special Education. I am a member of PATH, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, certified as an Equine Therapist in Mental Health and Learning and have taught horseback riding lessons for over 30 years.

    I am an avid outdoor enthusiast, spending as much time in nature as I can. Staying active during my free time brings me great joy. Some of my family’s favorite activities include camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, riding horses, riding dirtbikes, skiing/snowboarding, and gardening. We enjoy making as many homemade products as we can utilizing natural plants and essential oils. Sustainable living is close to my heart and I have experience with gardening, fruit orchards, raising laying chickens, meat chickens, pigs and hunting to help reduce what we have to buy at the store.

  • I started my career in education at the pre-school level while my boys were young. I acquired my behavioral health professional certification in 2011 and worked with families here in York County to support increasing access to their communities. I graduated from YCCC in 2015 with a Behavioral Health AAS and a Criminal Justice AAS.

    I have my Level II Ropes Course Operator and I love to climb! Quilting keeps me busy and creative. I am a True Crime junkie and almost always have a new Podcast going!

  • Hi! I’m Hannah, an Ed Tech here at Maplestone. I began working in special education with early elementary age children and found it to be such a rewarding profession to pursue. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work with older students here at Maplestone. It allows me to put into practice my passion for making education fun and building relationships strong with my students. In my free time I enjoy listening to music and marking art.