STAFF

OUR STAFF AND TEACHERS

ROANNE MILLER - Director
I am the director of United Parish Early Learning Center in Upton, MA. I have a teaching degree from the University of RI in Child Development and Family Relations and numerous graduate credits in related fields of study.

I have been working with children for many years and have been a director for the last 25 years. I love working in a smaller setting because it gives me the opportunity to become familiar with entire families, not just the child who comes to the school.

I live in Milford with my sweet dog, Mini! When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful grandson, reading and trying new recipes!

ALISON MCGRATH - Lead Teacher, Allstars
I have been teaching at UPELC since 2003. Teaching is not a job for me, it is my passion. I love teaching and embracing the differences in every child and partnering with parents and caregivers to make the child’s school experience positive in every way. SCIENCE days, focusing on many different aspects of science and exciting experiments, is a particular love of mine.

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Union College. My wonderful husband and I live in Upton and have three beautiful adult daughters. In my free time, I enjoy going for walks, reading, enjoying my three beautiful dogs and spending time with my family.

Robin Jokela - Teacher, Comets
I have been teaching at United Parish Early Learning Center since 2017. I began as a substitute teacher for one year and then came on board as a full-time assistant teacher with in our four and five -year old classroom (Allstars.) Since then, I have taught our youngest preschoolers, Moonbeams and Comets. I am enjoying the variety and growth that working with different age groups brings. Watching our children happily play, learn, and grow and being a part of a truly talented and dedicated team to help make that happen brings me great joy. I now have my DEEC Teacher’s License and am working toward my Lead Teacher certification.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. After college I worked in healthcare and insurance but left the corporate world after having my second child. I was a stay-at-home mom to my three children, Samantha, Jenn, and Nathan prior to joining UPELC. I have been an Upton resident since 1996 and two of my children, Samantha and Nathan, attended UPELC and had wonderful preschool experiences!

In my free time I love to read, garden, walk, and binge watch the latest and greatest on Netflix and/or Amazon Prime!

LAUREN VAN NORMAN - Teacher, Comets
This is my fifth year at United Parish Early Learning Center as an Assistant Teacher. I began here as a substitute teacher, then I taught in the Lunch and Learn program. My daughter spent her preschool years here and it was a wonderful experience for both of us.

I have a BA in Psychology from Framingham State University with a concentration in Development and Learning. My career started in Human Services working with special needs children. I was a live-in nanny for 2 years for 2 young children, one of whom is autistic. My career path shifted, and I worked for a few years in finance and biotechnology.

When my children were born, I decided to stay home with them full-time. It was during this time that I started volunteering at school and church and substitute teaching at United Parish Early Learning Center. I am excited to be back working with young children again and I couldn’t ask for a better place than United Parish Early Learning Center to bring my career full circle.

I live in Upton with my wonderful husband, Paul, my two children, Cecelia and Paul, Jr. and our sweet dog Bella. I enjoy reading, gardening and spending time with my family

LAURIE KEENAN - Teacher, Allstars
I knew at a young age that working with children was what my future held. I began working as a mentor in a Head Start Home Visiting program, promoting children’s growth and development by planning and implementing experiences that focused on learning through play. A short time later I opened my own home daycare which remained in business for 20 years. During the lulls of home daycare I worked in center based care and was able to obtain DEEC teacher certification for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

In 2019, with my children grown, I made the decision to close my home daycare and my husband and I downsized and moved to Uxbridge where we now reside. In early 2020 I was able to obtain DEEC Director certification and work briefly in that position, however my passion truly is in the classroom and I’m so happy to have found a position here at UPELC. I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and their families and to becoming part of an amazing teaching team.

I enjoy spending time with my family, beach trips, nature walks, cooking, crafting and anything outdoors!