Staff

Sheilah McCauley (Teacher, 2/3 Class) has been a teacher at Milldam since 2006, and an active past parent and board member. She has a degree in Human Development and Psychology from the School of Education at Boston College. Through her tenure, Sheilah has focused on the youngest students at Milldam - the 2/3 classes. She enjoys the daily interaction of their curiosity and innocence. In her free time Sheilah enjoys, cooking, skiing, swimming, traveling and spending time with her family.

Tracy DeTora (Teacher, 3/4 Class) joined the Milldam family in 2015 when her twins began the 2/3 program. She loved the community aspect of Milldam and looked forward to parent helping as often as she could. Tracy went on to be a board member when her youngest child began the 2/3 class. She is overjoyed to be back in the classroom as a 3/4 teacher! Prior to becoming a mother, Tracy worked for 10 years as a first and second grade teacher. Last year she had the good fortune to work with Mrs. McCauley in the 2/3 classroom. She holds a Master's of Arts in Teaching. Tracy lives in Concord with her husband, four daughters and two rambunctious puppies. Outside of the classroom she enjoys reading, cooking, skiing and traveling with her family.

Amanda Benyo (Teacher, 3/4 Class) has been teaching preschool since 2018. Before that, she has worked with children in many capacities including in Early Intervention, specialized foster care, a therapeutic horseback riding volunteer, an elementary tutor, a Build Our Kids Success (BOKS) coach, and a TimberNook certified provider. She is passionate about working with young children and helping them to develop a love of learning. In addition to being a Lead Teacher, Amanda holds a masters degree in social work and is an LCSW. When she’s not having adventures in the classroom, Amanda spends her time hiking or traveling with her husband and three teenage children, or lounging around at home with her two cats: Toot and Puddle.

Ruth Ann Teitelman (Teacher, 4/5 Class) has been part of Milldam since 2000 when her daughter was enrolled in the 4/5 class. In 2002, Ruth Ann joined the staff as a Professional Assistant while her son completed his final year at Milldam. She has been teaching the 4/5 class since 2010. Ruth Ann received her B.A. from Pine Manor College. She is drawn to the cooperative aspect of Milldam because she enjoys working closely with both the children and their families. Ruth Ann especially enjoys supporting children as they develop their independence, as well as being part of their individual developmental milestones throughout the school year. When not at Milldam, Ruth Ann enjoys walking her dog, biking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Colleen Powers (Teacher, 4/5 Class) joined Milldam in the fall of 2022 and has worked with children and families as a Preschool Teacher, literacy coach, family liaison, and nanny. Colleen holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from UMass Boston. She is also Lead Teacher Certified by the State of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care in Preschool & Pre-K, and Teacher Certified in Infants & Toddlers. Colleen enjoys cooking and reading and is looking forward to sharing these activities with the students at Milldam.

Claire Albright (Teacher, 4/5 Class) came to Milldam in 2015. Claire has over 22 years of experience in the education field working primarily with preschool aged children, as well as experience with special education. She taught preschool for twelve years at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, before coming to Milldam. Claire holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Hartwick College, and a Master's in Education from Lesley University. Outside of her time at Milldam, Claire enjoys being outside, kayaking, walking and hiking with her family. She has a 14-year-old son, Read, and a 12-year-old daughter, Joanna, with her husband Eric.

Nancy Powers (PA, 2/3 Class) joined Milldam in the fall of 2015. Previously, she worked at another cooperative nursery school for 16 years. Nancy is certified as a Lead Toddler/Preschool Teacher through the Department of Early Education and Care. She enjoys working in early childhood education because it's fast paced and each day brings new challenges. She lives in Chelmsford with her husband and has three grown children. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and reading and following Boston sports teams!

Suellen Wheeler (PA, 2/3 Class) came to Milldam in 1995, when her daughter joined the 3/4 class. She left her career in marketing to raise her three children, and then returned to Milldam as a substitute in 2016 before starting to work as a PA. She works with Sheilah McCauley in the M/W/F 2/3 class. In her free time Suellen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking, running, skiing and playing tennis.

Maura Torre (PA, 3/4 Class) came to Milldam in 2014 when her oldest son joined Sheilah McCauley’s 2/3 class. During her six years as a parent at the school she became very active as a board member. Maura spent two years acting as room coordinator, one year as Secretary and two years as the Vice President. In 2021, Maura began working at Milldam as a long term sub in RuthAnn Teitelman’s 4/5 class. Maura has always loved the cooperative aspect of Milldam and is overjoyed to now be working as a Professional Assistant with Tracy DeTora in the 3/4 T/Th/F class. Maura truly enjoys the natural energy and curiosity of preschool age children and loves to watch how they grow and learn throughout the school year. Outside of the classroom Maura enjoys skiing, spending time at the beach, working out and traveling with her husband and two elementary school age boys.

Caty Fledderjohn (PA, 3/4 Class), graduated from the State University of New York New Paltz in 2005 with a BS in Visual Art, spending most of her career in the furniture and design industry. Once her children were born, she chose to shift her focus raising them full time. As a creative, she is most passionate about the journey of exploration, discovery, and personal expression. Each child’s path is uniquely their own, it is a privilege to to have a hand in developing these fundamental qualities of becoming lifelong learners. Caty lives in Concord with her husband and two young boys. In her spare time she cares for animals as a sitter, and walker, focusing on sick, elderly, or special needs. She also embroiders, draws, paints, and enjoys tackling landscaping and household renovations.

Louise Sullivan (PA, 4/5 Class) began at Milldam as an administrative assistant in 2016.  She also served Milldam as a substitute teacher and completed her student teaching here, achieving all necessary qualifications for Teacher Certification by the State of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.  Louise is energized by the visual arts and loves nurturing the creativity and curiosity of children.  She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Messiah University and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College. She lives in Concord where she loves being a mom to three children and one large rescue dog.  In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, skiing, and reading.

Terry Hoey (Substitute) has been part of the Milldam family of staff since 2014. She holds a BA in Communications and English from Simmons College and an MBA from Babson College. Terry is working towards her early childhood certification. Prior to joining Milldam, she worked in the financial/banking field. She served on the PTG Board at Willard Elementary School and as President and Vice President at The Fenn School. She sent three children to Milldam, and during their time at the school she served as the Budget Treasurer. Terry made some of her closest friends during the Milldam years and her children did as well. She deeply enjoys preschool age children and most loves their curiosity and seeing them grow! Outside Milldam, Terry enjoys trying to learn how to play tennis and golf, spin classes and visiting her adult children.

Gail Gray (Substitute) first came to Milldam in 1994 when the younger of her two daughters began nursery school. Over the years she has been a Professional Assistant and Teacher in all of Milldam’s classes and helped staff extended day programming. The 22/23 school year was Gail’s last year as a full-time teacher and she now enjoys coming back to help as a substitute.

Beverly (Bev) Castrichini (Substitute) happily joined the Milldam family in 2018. She has a BS in Physical Education (K-12) from UMASS/Amherst. She has been teaching preschool for more than 18 years in Concord. Bev enjoys the natural energy and enthusiasm that children bring to school and share with classmates through play. Bev enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, boating, crafting, reading, and traveling.

All of our teachers are licensed as preschool and/or infant/toddler teachers by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.