Katelyn Dennis, Executive Director
Katelyn graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Music Performance. She continued on to receive her Masters from Cambridge College in Higher Education, Counseling.
Most recently Katelyn served as Executive Director to Nurture & Nature Children’s Center in Newfields for almost five years, where she was introduced to the non-profit sector. Before her years in early childhood, Katelyn worked as a Corporate trainer for an advertising company. After five years as a trainer, she yearned to go back to her education roots and has truly found her passion in leading early childhood organizations.
Katelyn resides on the seacoast with her husband Larry, step son Louden and her two girls Klaira and Everly. As the Executive Director of Great Bay Kids and also a parent, Katelyn is professionally and personally committed to the schools Agency and mission. ”Great Bay Kids is like no other, it is truly an inspiring place to be!”
Tara Stone, Co-Program Director, Pease Center
Programs for Children 6 weeks – 12 years
Tara Stone graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education including a minor in the content area of science. Tara completed her internship at Barrington Elementary School in a 2nd grade classroom in December 2007 and in early 2008 she obtained her New Hampshire K-8 Teaching Certificate. In January 2008, she was offered a Para Educator position. During her time in the Barrington School District Tara was a Para Educator in the SNAPS program, a 2nd and 3rd grade summer school teacher as well as taught science for Barrington’s enrichment program after school.
In 2011 Tara was looking for a change that would fulfill her as a teacher and also bring her love of early childhood education to the forefront of her career. Tara began at Great Bay Kids as the Duckling’s Infant Assistant and it was not long until Tara opened the Pups Classroom as a Young Toddler Teacher. From there she helped transition the Pups to a two year old toddler curriculum and absolutely loved teaching toddlers. When the opportunity arose to become the Pease Great Bay Kids Assistant Director in January 2015 Tara thought this would be a great opportunity to grow in the field of early childhood education. She has been thrilled to have had so many amazing adventures at Great Bay Kids and is eager for many more to come.
Tara is very excited to fulfill her Co-Program Director duties and is committed to providing a diverse atmosphere that allows Great bay Kids to have an enriching learning environment that delivers support to children, families, and staff alike. Tara lives with her husband, Derek, in Newmarket, New Hampshire and enjoys scrap-booking, reading, and going to concerts whenever possible. She also loves going to Zumba classes, Pilates, camping, and making memories in her spare time.
Holly Davis, Co-Program Director, Pease Center
Programs for Children 6 weeks – 12 years
Holly graduated Wheelock College in Boston MA with a BS in Human Growth and Development with a concentration in Elementary Education and a specialty in Special Needs. She did many of her practicums with the inner city kids of Dorchester and Roxbury where she learned to build great relationships with the children and their families.
As much as she loved Boston and the diversity it thrives on, Exeter will always be home for her. She graduated from Exeter High school and now resides in Newfields NH with her husband and three children. They are a family on the move. From busy time at the lake wake boarding, tubing, knee boarding and water skiing to tearing up the slopes in the winter. They love being active but most of all spending that time with family and friends.
She is beyond excited to be continuing her career at Great Bay Kids in her new role as the Co-Director at the Pease Center. Previously she was the Program Director for the Exeter Center for 13 years and is very happy to be back where her heart has always been and always will be. She is looking forward to getting to know the staff and the families at the Pease Center and build a great community.
Emily Scarito, Director, Exeter Programs
Programs for Children 6 weeks – 13 years old
Emily has a master’s degree in Special Education with a specialization in behavioral disabilities.
Emily worked in various positions ranging from a supervisor in a residential home, a lead classroom teacher and a specialist in autism. She joined Great Bay Kids in 2016 as the School Age Director, overseeing three school age programs at Main Street School, Lincoln Street School and Newfields Elementary School. In 2020, she became the Director of the Exeter Center as well and continues to oversee the school age programs.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family or at the beach.
Jesse Bird, Assistant Director, Exeter Center
Programs for Children 6 weeks – 6 years
Jesse Bird graduated from Bates College in 1993 with a BA in English. She continued her education at Stratham Vocational Technical College with coursework in Early Childhood Education. She began her career with Great Bay Kids in 1993 with the Newmarket School Age program and then moved to the Exeter Center in 1995 and found her forever home. Jesse began working in the Cricket Pre-K classroom that year and remained a Cricket until May of 2021 when she became the Interim Assistant Director of the Exeter Center. She has enjoyed building strong relationships with all of our families and staff during this time.
In her free time Jesse enjoys spending time with her family, reading, walking and watching sports. March Madness is one of her favorite times of the year.