Anja May
Director
director@chilmarkpreschool.com
Anja moved to Martha's Vineyard in 2008 after spending several summers on the island. Born in Germany then raised in Oxford, England, Anja spent time in South America and the Caribbean. Her career in early childhood started early with volunteering at the age of 14 in the preschool classrooms at the International School she attended. After completing her Baccalaureate, she taught English in Bolivia and volunteered in the 4-8 yr. old portion of the La Paz orphanage. In the Caribbean, she ran an in-home, multi-age day care on the island of Antigua. Since 2011, Anja has been working at the Chilmark Preschool with Chris Abrams, Heather Quinn and Pia Gundersen. She studied Social Anthropology and Development Studies at Sussex University in England. She studied early ed. fields at Cape Cod Community College and Lesley University in Boston and holds a Mass EEC Director 2 license. Anja lives in Aquinnah with her partner Spa, dog Charlies, cat and chickens. She has two sons who are living and studying in Colorado.
Michelle Belisle
Lead Teacher
Michelle’s brief Bio
Michelle started as a substitute teacher at Chilmark preschool in 2020 and has been a full time lead teacher with the program since fall 2021. Not only does she bring over 20 years of experience in the field but also a deep passion for excellence in early education and care and a love of children. Michelle has lived on the island with her son Ezra who is 11 and her daughter who is a teacher at Chilmark Elementary school since 2019. She and her family love dogs, going for walks and spending time together.
Katie Ruppel
Teacher
Katie’s brief Bio
Katie started as an Island Gown Initiative school coordinator and also came to do gardening and food preparing with the children at CPS in 2014. She joined the teaching team in 2021. Katie brings a wealth of garden, plant and natural materials skills as well as her peaceful and playful demeanor. She is EEC Teacher qualified and currently working on her Lead Teacher certification. Katie has been on the island for almost 15 years and lives with her husband John, dog Babs and many animals on their small farm in Lambert’s Cove. She loves swimming making music.