Sophia's Hearth

Karen Lamoureux

Executive Director

Karen Lamoureux joined Sophia’s Hearth as Executive Director in July 2019. Karen brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership of services to children and families. She graduated from Boston College and earned her master’s degree in nonprofit management at New England College.  She has served as Vice President of Children’s services at Lutheran Social Services of NH and later as the Chief Executive Officer of Pace School in Pittsburgh PA. 

Karen’s favorite thing about working at Sophia’s Hearth is being surrounded by young children. Observing the sheer joy of a child when their parent arrives to pick them up brings a moment of profound joy to even the most challenging day.

Paula Sousa

Childcare Director

Paula rejoined the staff in fall 2020 returning the position she held from 2010-2015.  She was formerly a teacher at Calendula Gardens and the teaching director at Evergreen Garden.  Paula holds a M.S. in early childhood education from Lesley College, a M.S. in Waldorf early childhood education from Sunbridge College, a Birth to Three certificate from Sophia’s Hearth Early Childhood Teacher Education Program, and has studied the Pikler approach to early care with Anna Tardos (daughter of Emmi Pikler). She was born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the island of Sao Miguel, Azores and now lives in Keene, NH with her dear sons and dog Andre, Erik and and dog Suzette.  Outside of work, she enjoys balancing time with others and in solitude, landscape gardening, property management and rescuing neglected plants.

Michelle Brooks

Childcare Co-Director

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ana Maria College, a Master’s degree in Education from Lesley College and a Waldorf Early Childhood Certificate from Sunbridge College in NY. In addition, she has attended several weeks of training at Sophia’s Hearth. Before joining Sophia’s Hearth, Michelle worked at Hartsbrook School and the Monadnock Waldorf School in Keene.

Bunny Ballantine

Childcare Teacher

Bunny has been working with children for most of her adult life. She has taken courses at River Valley Community College and completed the Level 1 Teacher Education Program at Sophia’s Hearth. Prior to Sophia’s Hearth she worked at the Orchard School, and as an assistant at the Monadnock Waldorf School.

Isis Bennett

Childcare Teacher

Isis joined us in June of 2020 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, coming to Keene to work and study at Sophia's Hearth. She hails originally from Brazil, where she holds a bachelor’s degree in international development. She has been working in a Waldorf Early Childhood setting since 2019 and is pursuing her Birth-to-Three certificate from Sophia’s Hearth Early Childhood Teacher Education Program.

Isis is passionate about Outdoor Education and the works of Emmi Pikler & Magda Gerber. She loves feeding the children good food, singing, and puppeteering with them, and creating moments for deep play. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her husband, making new friends, and exploring New England's natural wonders.

Kim Chasse

Childcare Teacher

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Andrea Farnsworth

Childcare Teacher

Andrea is a graduate from Keene State College and has been working with children for the past 16 years. She has been a lead infant teacher here in Keene as well as supporting children in the classroom at a local elementary school. Andrea completed Sophia’s Hearth Birth to Three Specialization in July 2018. She enjoys welcoming new families to Sophia’s Hearth and partnering with parents to provide the best possible care. Andrea lives in Keene with her husband and two sons.

Margaret Foxweldon

Childcare Teacher

Margaret grew up in Buffalo, NY, went to college at Kent State University, and taught elementary school in Watertown, NY. She earned her MA in Reading Education from Syracuse University and has taught reading from elementary to high school level and even started a reading tutoring business.

For several years Margaret planned many Craft Fairs, events, and conferences for Monadnock
Waldorf School as well as teaching teaching handwork and subbing. She is happy supporting the work at Sophia’s Hearth, spending time preparing healthy meals and snacks, and being with the children.

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Kellee O'Shea

Childcare Teacher

Kellee joined Sophia’s Hearth in November 2020 where she is currently pursuing the Birth-to-Seven WECAN teaching certificate. Kellee and her school age children returned to New Hampshire a few years ago for the love of NH’s mountains, forests, rivers and snow. They were previously living in Oregon where her two adult children still reside. Kellee has been working with children for over 20 years, has a background in special education, and was a Waldorf homeschool parent for 10 years. Many of those years included having a mixed age Waldorf school in her home. When not at work Kellee enjoys hiking with her children and dogs, gardening, drawing and playing with her hens.

Olivia Pratt

Childcare Teacher

Olivia joined Sophia's Hearth in June 2021

Laura Beatty

Program Director for Joyful Beginnings

Cynthia Cote

Business Manager

Cynthia holds a B.S. in Accountancy and a Masters in Business Administration. She has worked for MoCo Arts, Vermont Academy, and Monadnock Family Services and brings over 25 years of non-profit business managment to Sophia's Hearth. She enjoys her work at Sophia's Hearth with the variety of tasks and joy of seeing young children each day. She lives in Westmoreland with husband and twin daughters and enjoys a variety of handwork and digital art projects in her spare time.