Administrative Staff

sessa salas

Director of Peopleplace

Sessa started at Peopleplace as a parent. She served 5 years on the Board of Directors – two as President. This is what led her to the position of Director. Sessa has lived in Camden with her husband and two children for 17 years. Before that she lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and San Francisco, CA, but with local roots, returned to the area. She has worked in education, social work, and owned her own business. The unique, inclusive culture and the cooperative spirit of Peopleplace is what continues to inspire her. Spending ten years in her role she has had the pleasure and joy of working with hundreds of young children, their families, and the incredible teachers who have been integral to cultivating such a strong community. Sessa is committed to providing a high-quality early childhood education resulting in a strong and equitable foundation for all children.

Amelia Patel

Bookeeper

Amelia is a certified public accountant in both Maine and North Carolina and the owner of Amelia Patel, CPA, LLC. She does the bookkeeping and accounting work here at Peopleplace. Amelia received both her B.A. in Anthropology and her Master of Accountancy from the George Washington University. She specializes in tax return preparation and consulting and has experience working with a broad range of clients from small business owners to professional athletes and private equity investors. Her oldest daughter attended Peopleplace in 2021 and she has been involved in the school as a substitute teacher and board member prior to taking on her current role as the bookkeeper. When she isn't working on spreadsheets, she loves to spend her time sewing and knitting clothes for her three children.

Teaching Staff

emily leblanc mcconnell

Preschool Lead Teacher

Emily received her B.A. from Colby College with a major in performing arts and psychology. After graduation, she trained with Teach for America and worked in classrooms in Texas, North Carolina and Maine as an ELL tutor, ed. Tech, teacher and special educator. Emily received her Ed.M from Teachers’ College, Columbia University and worked in schools in New York City and Massachusetts administering psycho-educational evaluations, counseling students, training staff and students in bully prevention, and chairing IEP meetings.

After returning to her home state with her husband and two sons, she discovered Peopleplace. Here she found a community that felt like home the moment she walked through the doors to drop off her boys and she has found it impossible to leave. She started as an afternoon and summer teacher in the toddler classroom and she has been playing and learning in the preschool classroom for the last 3 years. Emily has also been involved in community theater as a director of children’s theater and as an actor. 

KRISTY GROVER

Preschool AM Teacher

Kristy started at Peopleplace as a teacher in the afternoon program over twenty years ago.   During her time here she worked in the toddler room and then settled in the upstairs classroom. While on summer break Kristy directed at the YMCA summer camps. While teaching at Peopleplace Kristy welcomed her first two children (nearly 20 and18 now). After 6 1\2 years teaching at Peopleplace she made the decision to stay home with her boys while they were young. Kristy continued to add to her family with the birth of her daughter (now 13) and then identical twin girls (8)! For four years she worked at a locally owned reatail shop in Rockland.

For the last 5 years Kristy worked refinishing furniture for clients, (local and out of state) with a specialty in mid century modern design.  Kristy knew she would find her way back to teaching and what a surprise the first day she looked, Peopleplace popped up! Kismet! When Kristy's not teaching, she is often on a biking, beach, or playground adventure with her three girls. The mountain is her home away from home, her favorite being Katahdin. She enjoys jogging (very slowly), lifting heavy weights, fiber arts, sewing and working with clay. She loves to laugh, make silly dad jokes and treasures her time with family and friends.

jane thorndike

Toddler Lead Teacher
Jane has been teaching in the downstairs classroom since 2007 but began her relationship with Peopleplace in 1998. She has been an afternoon teacher, sub, board member, parent and janitor here at the school. Jane completed her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) in 2012 and continues to learn about child development and fun activities for the classroom.

paige beckman

Preschool/Toddler AM/PM Teacher

Paige received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal studies with a concentration in Elementary Education from Endicott College. She spent time working in various educational settings throughout college and her early career including four years teaching elementary grades on Vinalhaven Island at their K-12 school before moving to the mainland.

Paige was initially introduced to Peopleplace after being invited to attend the infant group with her daughter. Since then, was able to become involved as a parent, and now, as a teacher. She quickly fell in love with the educational philosophy, focus on family involvement, and emphasis on outdoor education. It has not only influenced her teaching, but also her personal interest in the great outdoors. Paige loves learning, laughing, and exploring with everyone at Peopleplace each day!

KELLEY DUFFELMEYER

Preschool AM Teacher

Kelley started her education journey at Paul Smith’s College in New York where she studied forestry and forest recreation education. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Maine in 1992. Kelley worked as the Searsport Recreation Director until she took a position as the afternoon lead teacher at Peopleplace in 1994. From 1994 through 2010 Kelley held many different roles at Peopleplace including upstairs preschool teacher and lead teacher, summer camp director, summer camp toddler teacher, infant group facilitator and a Peopleplace parent.

Throughout her many years at Peopleplace, Kelley attended several workshops and conferences on childhood development. In 2010 when her twin boys were diagnosed with autism, Kelley stepped away from teaching to focus on educating herself about autism spectrum disorder as well as being an advocate for her children and other children with special needs. In recent years Kelley has been very excited to be part of the Peopleplace community again working with preschoolers in the Branching Out Program as a nature-based educator. In 2019 she completed a week-long intensive ‘Teaching with Nature’ course and continues to be a steward of environmentalism.

Kelley lives in Northport, Maine, where she loves spending time with her family hiking, biking, kayaking and playing basketball.