Deborah Bazer, Teacher 
Bachelor of Fine Arts, UMass Amherst
Master of Education, Antioch University

I have been learning along side children for nearly all my life; working as a babysitter and camp counselor as a teen; as an after school art teacher, years later; then as a student teacher and now a teacher. I enjoy exploring the world with children and seeing it with a sense of wonder. When I am not with Giving Tree children, I am usually with children elsewhere; teaching art classes, exploring the outdoors or telling stories.

Vivian Black, Teacher

I am currently a student at Greenfield Community College, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.  I have worked previously as a Special Education Assistant, in an After School Program and as a summer camp counselor in an inclusive program.  I love the outdoors, and in the summer, in addition to working at the school, I am a white water raft guide.  I am bi-lingual, as I spent a large part of my youth in Columbia, and have recently added American Sign Language to my communication repertoire.

I take tremendous pleasure in the work I do at Giving Tree, strengthening the relationships between children and exploring the world along side them.

Odelle Kinder-Wells, Teacher/Director
Associate of Science, Greenfield Community College
Bachelor of Science, UMass Amherst
Master of Education, Cambridge College

I have been an early childhood educator for over 10 years and continue to learn more everyday.  One of the things I love most about my work is the surprise-you never know what each day will bring.  For that reason, I work hard with children at developing resiliency and confidence in their capabilities.  I take great pleasure in watching new friendships develop, as the children learn and grow.  I feel empowered by being able to teach very young children how to use a collaborative problem-solving model, and watching their skills at doing this independently to grow.

In addition to working at Giving Tree, I am an adjunct faculty member at Greenfield Community College, teaching classes in Child Development, Philosophy of Education, Day Care Administration and Foundations of Psychology.  I also continue to take classes myself, as I believe that to be a great teacher, one must be a life long learner.

Fay McComb, Teacher

I am Lead Teacher qualified, and have been blessed with teaching and learning from children for twenty one years.  I have been teaching Sunday school for over forty years and enjoyed every minute.  I have lived in Gill all my life.  I am third in a family of ten, I have 12 nieces and 8 nephews, 3 grandnieces as well as a grand nephew.   I thoroughly enjoy my time with children teaching as well as learning with them.

I love adventures, traveling across our great country, visiting Alaska, spending vacations with family at the beach in Maine.  Giving Tree has been a blessing for me, I have found it a wonderful place to learn and grow.