Meet Our Staff
Merrilee Kane, Director
Merrilee became a teacher at Giving Tree in 1986. When she first saw the Giving Tree playground, she knew that she wanted to spend her days here with children. Merrilee’s two adult daughters both attended Giving Tree — and now one of them (Lily) teaches here! Merrilee holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Massachusetts. She is a HighScope certified teacher.
Lily Kane, Lead Teacher
Lily joined the Giving Tree team in 2020. Giving Tree has held a special place in Lily’s heart ever since she attended as a child. Lily earned her B.A. in Dance and Psychology at Marlboro College and received her Early Childhood certificate from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. She taught preschool at a Jewish school in Asheville, NC, until the pandemic came along and convinced her to move back home to Western Massachusetts. When she’s not teaching, she loves to read novels, knit, cook, and be with family and friends.
Mackenzie Mayhew, Teacher
Mackenzie started working in early childhood education when her son was a year old. She has a genuine love for working with young children and finds so much joy in helping them learn, grow, and explore the world around them. She enjoys creating a fun, safe, and nurturing environment where kids feel supported and encouraged to be themselves.
Jenn DeBlase, Lead Teacher
Jenn has been teaching at Giving Tree since 2017. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in Art and Education. Since then, Jenn has lived and taught all around North America - including Massachusetts, San Francisco, and Ontario. Jenn enjoys spending time outside with her family, and with children at Giving Tree.
Emery Jeffreys, Program Administrator
Emery was raised running through the rolling hills of Cincinnati, Ohio and searching for fossils in the creeks of Northern Kentucky. In 2019, they relocated to New England for college and then began making their home in the Pioneer Valley. When Emery first stepped foot on Giving Tree's campus, they were flooded with memories of the nature-based learning that filled their childhood. These experiences planted the seeds for the comfort and belonging to the natural world that has shaped their adult life. They are so excited to play a small role in planting these seeds for your children.