Administrative Staff
sessa salas
Director of Peopleplace
Sessa started at Peopleplace as a parent. She served 5 years on the Board of Directors. This is what led her to the position of Director. Sessa has lived in Camden with her husband and two children for 18 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 twelve years in her role she has had the pleasure and joy of working with hundreds of young children, their families, and incredible teachers who have been integral to cultivating such a strong community.
jane thorndike
Toddler Lead Teacher/Office Manager
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. Now she spends her time divided between the Toddler classroom and helping Sessa in the office. Jane completed her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) in 2012 and continues to learn about child development and fun activities for the classroom while honing her computer skills. Jane is the proud parent of Peopleplace alum, Adam, who is currently serving in the army stationed in Northern Italy.
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 the YMCA summer camps. While teaching at Peopleplace Kristy welcomed her first two children (nearly 20 and 18 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.
PAIGE JONES
Preschool AM Teacher
Paige received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Child Development from the University Of Maine Orono. Paige discovered her love of working with children when she first started teaching swim lessons at her community pool as a teen. Paige spent her early career in education in the classroom, teaching primarily Kindergarten and First grades.
Paige moved back home to coastal Maine from northern Virginia in 2020. With her newborn son in hand she opened a small home daycare. When looking to transition her son to preschool she learned about Peopleplace Cooperative. Paige toured Peopleplace with her husband and they both instantly felt the magic. They knew it would be a great fit for their son, and it was! Paige’s family enjoys the outdoor learning opportunities, and family centered community most.
Paige especially loves that she gets to teach, learn, and create lasting memories with her two children here at Peopleplace.
christopher texeira-utley
Preschool PM Teacher
Christopher’s connection to Peopleplace started in the late 90s, when he was a student here. Raised in the Camden-Rockport area, he was homeschooled, and after graduating, pursued his passion for cooking at a local restaurant. After 10 years, he started a new chapter in his life becoming the first student to come back to teach at Peopleplace!
Within the classroom, Christopher’s focus is in social-emotional observation and teaching, and he has an interest in learning more about occupation therapy with children and its application.
When he’s not teaching, Christopher spends his time writing, listening to music, and spending time with his family. He and his fiance love hiking, playing video and tabletop games, and making tasty meals.
Gwyneth Sauvage
Preschool PM Teacher
Gwen received her Bachelor's degree in theatre arts and psychology from Sarah Lawrence College. Originally from New York City she moved to Camden in 2022, and started as the afternoon teacher in the toddler classroom for the 2023-2024 school year. She is very excited to be joining the afternoon team for the Preschool classroom and spending another year at Peopleplace! Outside of school you can find her at the Belfast Maskers community theater where she volunteers as the in-house photographer, actor, and director.
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.
paige beckman
Toddler AM 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!
Emily bennett
Toddler Teacher AM & PM
max watts
Preschool PM Lead Teacher
Max started as an intern at Peopleplace when they were a senior in high school and got to know the children, the teachers, and the school. Max graduated in 2020 and when fall came around, Peopleplace invited them back as an afternoon teacher. There were only three kids in the group that year, and as time went on, that number has grown, as well as two new afternoon teachers coming aboard. Max is now the lead afternoon teacher in the upstairs classroom.
Max spends every day forming relationships with each child and giving them the space and encouragement to learn, grow, and be happy. To them, Peopleplace feels like a home away from home. Max lives in Rockland with their family. They enjoy reading, writing, and playing DND.
ashley sutter
Toddler PM Teacher
Ashley started at Peopleplace as a parent in 2021. She was drawn to the program out of a desire to be involved in and supportive of the early education of her daughter. Ashley is now in her second year as the afternoon teacher in the downstairs classroom. She is currently working towards her Infant/Toddler credential through an apprenticeship program.
Ashley lives in Thomaston with her two children. She enjoys hiking, playing games with her kids, and is a painter and artist.