Our Team

Who We Are - Board of Directors

The Children's Room Board of Directors is made up of Central Vermont parents who care about the future of our community and the children in it. If you are interested in joining the BOD, please reach out to Erin Hurley ([email protected] ).

Board Members
Erin Hurley
Danielle Arsenault
Jacquie Goodall
Melissa Crosa
Michelle Downing
Kellie Maas
Kate Emert

Heather LaRocca, The Children's Room Director

Heather moved to Duxbury in the fall of 2018, when her oldest child started Kindergarten at Brookside Primary School. She first frequented "The Room” with her two younger children, going to the weekly Music and Movement class and then stopping by the cafeteria after to have lunch with her son. Heather has loved the chance to connect with other parents, caregivers and families in the area, as well as engage in the programming offered. In the spring of 2019, Heather joined The Children’s Room board and served as board co-chair for the last year and a half. She has loved helping to steer the organization, as well as getting in the mix with kids and programs. Heather says that The Children's Room has been a boon for her and her family in building community, and an important way to contribute and connect in the Waterbury area. She loves her role in the organization and helping The Children’s Room continue to support and connect children and families in Central Vermont.

Erin Hurley, Board Co-Chair

After going to many TCR events, bringing her children to the Room and meeting close friends there, Erin Hurley officially joined the Children's Room Board in 2016. She lives with her family in Waterbury Village and is a mom of two kids who are now 4 and 6 years old. Erin is a public school teacher, who throughout her career has advocated for children and families in health and education. She is also a founding member of the Waterbury Anti-Racism Coalition and serves as a conservation commissioner for the Town of Waterbury.

Danielle Arsenault, Board Co-Chair

I was happy to join the Children’s Room Board after years of participating in hosted events and being a frequent visitor to “The Room” at Brookside that it made sense to officially become a part of the TCR Community. The room, the events, the people who make up this organization have created such an outlet and resource for parents, caregivers and families to come together, fostering connectivity and experiences not only for our children but for the adults raising them. Having this local organization has impacted my family in such a positive light, I felt the need to give back and support TCR’s ongoing purpose of providing safe, fun, and developmental programs and activities promoting an overall feeling of togetherness and acceptance in our community and beyond. Hope to see you out there!

Jacquie Goodall

Hello! My name is Jacquie Goodall, and I'm excited to be a new board member for the Children's Room! I decided to join in order to connect with other caregivers and give back to our community during these trying times of Covid-19. As a mom of a toddler and the Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Program at Howard Center, I know how important it is to raise children alongside others. As a board member I'm hoping to offer more opportunities for fun and connection to the grown ups out there doing this hard and rewarding work.

Melissa Crosa

I started attending TCR programming in 2021 with my then one year old and found it to be such a lovely way to connect with families in the area. My family has enjoyed the Nature Explorations, spending time playing in the room, the music classes, and the many events that TCR puts on. I joined the board in 2023 in the hopes of contributing to this amazing resource and giving back some of what my family has gained from it. In 2014, I came to Vermont to study Early Childhood Education as an Undergrad, and stayed for my Master's degree in Educational Administration. I fell in love with all that Vermont has to offer and eventually found myself in Waterbury raising my children. I can't imagine a more perfect place for my growing family and look forward to connecting with all of the parents and caregivers in our community through The Children's Room.

Kellie Maas

Hi! My name is Kellie Maas and I am very honored to be a new board member of The Children’s Room. My family moved to Central Vermont in the Fall of 2021 when my daughter was around 10 months old. My family is not originally from VT so when we moved here we were not only new to the area but did not have any social or family support. By word of mouth I discovered TCR and am so happy I did! TCR has been such a wonderful resource with providing free activities for my busy toddler (which is so helpful now that I also have an infant son) as well as helping me feel connected to other parents/caregivers and the community. Professionally having a background as a certified child life specialist and a licensed school counselor, I have also been continuously impressed with the quality and developmentally appropriate activities offered by TCR which are open to everyone. TCR has helped me feel at home in VT and create special memories -- I am excited to now serve on the board to help others do the same!

Michelle Downing

Hi! My name is Michelle Downing and I am stoked to be part of the TCR board. My family moved to Waterbury in 2022 with a young toddler in tow and were looking to meet new friends. We were lucky to stumble upon The Children's Room through a Front Porch Forum posting, and the rest is history. TCR has been such an incredible addition to our weekly routine, especially Music & Movement as well as weekend programming, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to give back through being part of the team and meeting so many other wonderful families in our community. When not at TCR, you can find me at my day job in paper sales or trying to figure out how to get a 2.5 year old to love the outdoors as much as I do. Look forward to meeting everyone at the next event!

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