Anja May
Director
director@chilmarkpreschool.com
Anja, mother of two adult sons, moved to Martha's Vineyard in 2008 after spending several summers on the island. Born in Germany, raised in Oxford, England, Anja spent time in South America and the Caribbean. Her career in early childhood started with volunteering in the preschool classrooms at the International School she attended. After completing her Baccalaureate, she volunteered in the 4-8 yr. old portion of an orphanage in Bolivia. In her 20’s she ran an in-home, multi-age day care on the island of Antigua. Since 2011, Anja has been working at the Chilmark Preschool along side founding director Chris Abrams, then Heather Quinn and Pia Gundersen. She studied Social Anthropology and Development Studies at Sussex University in England and early ed. fields at Cape Cod Community College and Lesley University in Boston and holds a Mass EEC Director 2 license. In her free time she loves hiking, year round ocean swimming and international cuisines.
Michelle Belisle
Lead Teacher
Michelle’s 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.
Abbey Hitchings
Teacher
Abbey’s Bio
I have been a private nanny for many families on and off the island for over a decade, as well as spent 6 months in Spain in 2016 as an au pair. I graduated from UMASS Amherst with a BFA in Photography in 2014, and quickly chose to go back to school for early education. I continued my studies at MassBay in Boston and hold both Teacher qualifications for Infant/Toddler and Preschool Early Education. In 2021 I moved back to the island and worked full at MVCS for 2.5 yrs. It has always been a passion of mine to spend time with children and develop special relationships with each and every one of them. Being from the Vineyard myself, it means so much that I am able to be here as an adult working in the community that raised and guided me. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, my husband Todd, and cute fluffy dog Fumble.
Skye MacDuff Kerns
Teacher
Skye’s Bio
My name is Skye MacDuff Kerns, I'm 45 years old and have lived on this beautiful Island for the past 30 years. I live with my husband, two children, and doggie named Charlie in Chilmark. My youngest child is in the Chilmark school and I have been working at Chilmark Preschool for the past year and just love it! In my free time you'll find me enjoying nature, practicing yoga, reading, spending time at our beautiful beaches, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Nahani Hyde
Assistant Teacher
Nahani’s Bio
I was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, spending long days on the beach or cold winter days sledding on Tashmoo. I started working with our wonderful program in January 2024 and adore every single day I’m there. In my spare time I often babysit and also help my mom with her landscaping and gardening business. If I’m not hanging out with littles ones I’m most likely spending time with my family or just hanging out with friends.