Alex Mako, Acorn Teacher, began at Spruce in 2019. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, Alex taught English as a Second Language in China and Thailand for two years before teaching at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham for 4 years. At Spruce, Alex truly enjoys seeing former Acorn students during Free Play and watching them transform into little people! He also relishes extended days where he works on his cooking skills and perfecting his tennis serve. Alex lives with his wife, Nicole, and dog, Chloe, in Davis Square where they love to explore and visit local coffee shops. In his free time, Alex enjoys reading, trying new recipes and exercising.

Elizabeth Stover King, Acorn Teacher, moved to Boston from Cleveland, Ohio in 2015 after raising her four children. In 2016, she started at Spruce Street. That same year, she began her pursuit of a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. Elizabeth loves teaching the littlest Sprucers! The mixed-age play at Spruce is one of the most exciting parts of the day as it allows the young Acorns the opportunity to play with older children, helping them hone not only their play skills, but their expressive and receptive language skills. It is a joyful, exciting and busy part of every school day. When she is not at Spruce, Elizabeth enjoys reading, running and gardening!

Mahoussi Pierre, Acorn Assistant Teacher, has been at Spruce since 2022. She is from Senegal and has been in the United States since 2016. Mahoussi was a toddler teacher at Peabody Terrace Children’s Center in Cambridge prior to coming to Spruce. She is currently finishing up her university degree in infant/toddler education. One unit she especially loves is the “Families” unit because of its diversity and inclusivity, allowing the children to learn from each other and better know their new friends. What Mahoussi loves most about working at Spruce is the sense of community and the close relationships formed within the school.

Abby Lewis, a Willow teacher at Spruce, brings 17 years of preschool teaching experience from Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Having dedicated 13 years to Spruce, she has taught the Acorns, Willows and Maples. Abby holds a degree from William Smith College and is an Orton-Gillingham Practitioner, with experience tutoring students with language-based learning differences. The strong sense of community at Spruce is what Abby cherishes most about her work. The emphasis on building meaningful relationships with both students and their families is what sets Spruce Street apart from other nursery schools. Outside of the classroom, Abby enjoys spending time with her husband, Chadd, their three daughters, Piper, Scout, and Walker, and their energetic dog, Doc.

Lauren Grant, Willow teacher, joined Spruce in 2019 as the Extended Day teacher before becoming a Willow teacher in 2020. She attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Lauren loves the energy and joy of teaching the Willow year and watching children find their voice in Theater Thursday enrichment activity. When not at Spruce, she can be found spending time with her big Bernese Mountain Dog, Aquinnah.

Lily Hamblin, Willow Teacher, grew up in Franconia, New Hampshire and received her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College. Before coming to Spruce in 2022, Lily spent time teaching in the Arlington public schools as well as Tower School in Marblehead. Her favorite thing about the Willow year is teaching all about prehistoric life in the dinosaur unit, and really loves the strong sense of family within the Spruce staff and community!

Eliza Hoover, Maple Teacher, Summer Program Director, and DEIB Coordinator, began her teaching career at Spruce in 2002. Eliza graduated from Colby College, and attended Lesley University (M.Ed) and UMass Boston (PMC). The amazing Spruce community is her favorite thing about working here and she loves learning alongside the Maples during their annual countries and cultures unit. When not at Spruce, Eliza can be found walking her dog, Nellie, at her daughter Sophie's games.

Morgan Cutler, Maple Teacher, grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and received her Bachelor's Degree in Arts Education and Dance from Columbia College. She spent three years teaching at Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten before coming to Spruce in 2022. Her favorite part of the Maple year is the Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett author study and loves the strong sense of community at Spruce!

Henrietta "Tookie" Richardson, Oak Teacher, joined Spruce in 2022. Before coming to Spruce, she taught Pre-K at Shore Country Day School and the Episcopal School in New York City. Tookie holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston College and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Franklin & Marshall College. She lives in Charlestown with her husband, Chris, their son, James, and their dog, Gus. At Spruce, one of her favorite units to teach is Nocturnal Animals. What she loves most about Spruce is the opportunity to connect with students from all classrooms during morning All-School Free Play.

Nancy Hood, Oak Teacher, began at Spruce in 2000. Nancy grew up in New York City and attended Hobart/ William Smith College. She began her Spruce career in the Acorn room before moving to the Oaks. Nancy lives in Swampscott with her husband Jeremy and two daughters, May and Eloise. Both girls are Spruce alumni! Nancy’s two favorite things about Spruce are the warm, tight-knit community and the famous artist unit that the Oaks do in the spring.

Baird Anderson has been at Spruce since 2018 as both an Acorn Teacher and the Float Teacher. Baird is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and, before coming to Spruce, she worked at Barrow Street Nursery School in NYC and in advertising. Her favorite thing about Spruce is the warm community and connection with children and parents and doing messy art, dancing their hearts out, and just being silly! Baird lives in Cambridge, MA, with her husband, Kyle, and their chihuahua, Cyrus. When she is not as Spruce, she is probably seeing live music or DJing parties for kids (as “DJ Baird”)!

Hillary Murphy, Extended Day Teacher and Director, previously taught at Hingham Nursery School, The Advent School in Boston, and The Dalton School in New York. She joined Spruce in 2024. Hillary has her Masters in Early Education/Elementary Education from Bank Street College and has completed graduate work in a Child Life Master’s program. She lives with her husband, Jay and is mom to Tyler, Phoebe and Curtis. Her favorite part of being at Spruce is interacting with children from each of the four classrooms in the Stay and Play Program. Observing the older students guide the younger ones in their play while the younger children learn from their older peers speaks to the inclusive community that is evident at Spruce. When not at Spruce, Hillary enjoys skiing, swimming and spending time with her family in New Hampshire.

Christie Guevin founded Spruce Street Nursery School in 1996 with the goal of providing a nurturing learning environment that is stimulating yet warm, challenging, yet cozy. Christie attained her undergraduate degree in dance from Skidmore College and her Masters in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College.

Courtney Winter is the parent of four Spruce Street Nursery School alums. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School and a former practicing attorney, Courtney was delighted to return to Spruce after her youngest child "flew away" from the Oak Class to kindergarten in 2013.

Darlene joined as the Director in 2024. Before coming to Spruce, she held early childhood teaching and leadership roles, in both US and international schools for twenty-five years. She has a Bachelor's from Bard College and two Master's in Education degrees (Early Childhood and Elementary Education). Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey. She lives in Roslindale with her husband and teenage son. She loves coming to Spruce everyday to spend time with the children, staff and families!

Leslie Rhodes is a graduate of Farleigh Dickinson University. After a career in property management, Leslie initially came to Spruce as a parent in 1996, Leslie has been working in the office since 2000 and has missed only one year at Spruce since the school's inception. Leslie officially became Assistant Director in 2005.