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!

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 - Lead 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!