Alex Mako, Acorn Teacher, began at Spruce in September 2019. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, Alex taught English as a Second Language in China and Thailand for two years before teaching at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham for 4 years.

Elizabeth King, Acorn Teacher, is originally from Cleveland Ohio where she taught preschool for many years before becoming a realtor. A mother of four, Elizabeth moved to Boston to be closer to her children. Elizabeth has been in the Acorn Class since 2016.

Mahoussi Pierre, Acorn Assistant Teacher, is from West Africa, Senegal and arrived in the US in 2016. Before Spruce, Mahoussi was a toddler teacher at Peabody Terrace Children’s Center in Cambridge.

Abby Lewis, Willow Teacher, was previously an Acorn Teacher for the 2000-01 school year, a Maple Teacher from 2001-03, and a Maple Teacher again from 2013-22. A graduate of William Smith, Abby left Spruce for a decade to devote her time to being the mother of her three children and tutoring students with learning differences using the Orton Gillingham method.

Lauren Grant, Willow Teacher joined us as the Extended Day teacher in 2019 and then became a Willow teacher. She graduated from Catholic University and has previous experience as a realtor and nanny.

Lily Hamblin, Willow Teacher, grew up in Franconia NH and received her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College. Before coming to Spruce, Lily worked at the Tower School in Beverly and spent two years as a Kindergarten TA in the Arlington public schools.

Eliza Hoover, Maple Teacher, Summer Program Coordinator, and DEIB Coordinator, began her teaching career at Spruce in 2002. Eliza graduated from Colby College, attended Lesley University, and recently completed a fellowship at UMass in Early Education Research, Policy, and Practice.

Morgan Cutler, Maple Teacher, grew up in Chicago’s North Shore and attended Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 2015. Before Spruce, Morgan was a dancer and a teacher at Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten.

Henrietta (Tookie) Richardson, Oak Teacher, previously taught Pre-K at Shore Country Day and the Episcopal School in NYC. She has her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston College and her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Franklin and Marshall College.

Nancy Hood, Oak Teacher, began at Spruce in 2000. Nancy grew up in NYC and attended Hobart College. After college, Nancy worked at Rolling Stone and at a modeling agency. She always loved young children however, so when she moved to Boston she left the corporate world and began her career in education.

Baird Anderson, Float Teacher, has been a teacher in the Acorn classroom for the last five years and taught at Barrow Street Nursery School in NYC before coming to Spruce. A graduate of St. Lawrence University, Baird worked in marketing prior to becoming a teacher.

Hillary Murphy, Extended Day Teacher and Director, previously taught at Hingham Nursery School, The Advent School in Boston, and The Dalton School in New York. Hillary has her Masters in Early Education/Elementary Education from Bank Street College and is working on her Graduate Degree in Child Life.

Christie Guevin founded Spruce Street Nursery School in 1996 with the goal of providing a nurturing learning environment that is stimulating yet warm, challenging, yet cozy. Christie attained her undergraduate degree in dance from Skidmore College and her Masters in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College.

Courtney Winter is the parent of four Spruce Street Nursery School alums. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School and a former practicing attorney, Courtney was delighted to return to Spruce after her youngest child "flew away" from the Oak Class to kindergarten in 2013.

Darlene joined Spruce in 2024 as the new Director. She has held early childhood teaching and senior leadership roles, in both US and international schools, since 2000. She has a Bachelor's from Bard College in visual art, and two Master's in Education degrees (Early Childhood and Elementary Education). Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey.

Leslie Rhodes is a graduate of Farleigh Dickinson University. After a career in property management, Leslie initially came to Spruce as a parent in 1996, Leslie has been working in the office since 2000 and has missed only one year at Spruce since the school's inception. Leslie officially became Assistant Director in 2005.