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!

Elsa joined Spruce this year as part of our Acorn teaching team. She has four years of experience teaching children ages 3–5 in both early childhood and elementary school settings, most recently at The Croft School. Elsa believes children learn best in nurturing, relationship-centered environments that spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and honor each child's unique interests. Through hands-on, play-based learning, she creates meaningful experiences that build confidence, foundational skills, and a love of learning. Above all, she strives to foster a joyful classroom community where children, families, and teachers work together to support every child's growth.

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.

Morgan Cutler, Willow 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 Willow year is the author study unit, and she loves the strong sense of community at Spuce.

Sara joins Spruce this year as the newest member of the Willow teaching team. With more than nine years of experience in early childhood education, Sara is passionate about creating joyful, engaging classrooms where every child feels supported and inspired to learn. She is dedicated to fostering strong relationships with students and families, designing meaningful learning experiences, and meeting each child's unique developmental needs. Known for her warmth, organization, and collaborative spirit, she also enjoys mentoring fellow educators and helping to build a positive school community.

Ava joins us as the newest member of the Maple teaching team. She holds a Master of Elementary Education and is passionate about helping every child feel valued, supported, and excited to learn. Through her experience at Hingham Public Schools and Roger Sherman Elementary, she has developed engaging, differentiated lessons that meet each learner's unique needs while fostering a positive and welcoming classroom community. Ava loves building strong relationships with students and families and strives to create a classroom where children feel confident, curious, and eager to grow each day.

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.

Lily Hamblin, Oak 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. Lily especially enjoys our school's multi-age Free Play, where she is inspired by the peer dynamics that help children develop leadership, flexibility, confidence, and lasting friendships. She also enjoys supporting children in the extended day program, where those relationships continue to grow through play and exploration.

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.

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.

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.