Lauren Bokaer, EdD- Caterpillar Program Director and Classroom Co-Teacher, became an Early Childhood Educator in 2009. Since then, she has taught ages sixteen months through ten years (and every age in-between) in public, private, and charter school settings in New York and Singapore. Her work centers in progressive, play-based methods and philosophies, including Reggio-emilia-inspired education. In addition to her work at Aspen Grove, Lauren also supervises teachers in their fieldwork year in the online program through Bank Street College of Education. She holds an M.S. in Education form Sarah Lawrence College and earned her Ed.D from University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. Lauren loves discovering new parts of Ithaca and the surrounding area with her family.
Brittany Hinman- Butterfly Program Director/Classroom Teacher/Art Specialist, joined Aspen Grove as an art teacher in 2011. Brittany has many years experience teaching preschool, kindergarten, and 2nd grade in San Francisco and Rome, Italy before moving to Ithaca, NY. She completed her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in early childhood at San Francisco State University in 2006 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz. Brittany is trained in The Responsive Classroom and The Project Approach and has a New York State Teaching Certificate in Art Education. Brittany enjoys nature, traveling, making art, and spending time with her family.
Bogna Solecka- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, works in two early childhood settings; Aspen Grove Preschool and Downtown Ithaca Children's Center. She has over thirty years experience working with children in different schools and with differing age groups in Poland, Canada, and the USA. She has also volunteered in many settings over the past years including a Reggio Emilia Preschool in 2023. She believes whole heartedly in providing learning opportunities which are based in exploration, discovery, and play, where the teachers role is being an observer and a guide. Bogna got her Masters degree in Education from the A. Mickiewicz University in Poland, the country where she is originally from. In her leisure time Bogna pursues traveling, hiking, knitting, and puzzles.
Devin Bokaer- Caterpillar Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool in the Fall of 2024, bringing more than ten years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for teaching. Devin has worked with toddlers, preschoolers, and children in Pre-K and Grade 1, fostering curiosity and creativity in each learning environment. Devin holds Master's Degrees in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and in Early Childhood Education from Portland State University. With strong backgrounds in instrumental music, voice, and theater, Devin loves weaving the arts into his teaching with the Caterpillar class at Aspen Grove Preschool. Outside of the classroom, Devin enjoys spending time with his family, practicing qigong, and exploring innovative, holistic approaches to education that nurture the whole child.
Jacqueline Mitchell- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool in 2020. Jackie developed her passion for early childhood education when she nannied 2 children during the pandemic. This led Jackie to leave behind her customer service experience in pursuit of becoming a teacher. She is thrilled to be part of the Aspen Grove Preschool team and too provide children with a loving and safe environment to grow and thrive. Jackie lives with her two cats and her fiancé. She enjoys camping, hiking, and photography.
Shyanne Lewis- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool this Fall. Shyanne previously taught Early Childhood Education at Tompkins County Action. Prior to this Shyanne worked with young children as a camp counselor for several summers. In addition Shyanne ran a basketball clinic for children ages 4-7. Shyanne comes from a big family and enjoys spending time with them. She is an animal lover and likes to play music such as the keyboard, ukulele, guitar, and base. Shyanne often uses her music abilities in conjunction with her teaching abilities to enhance lessons and activities.
Jessica Allison- Founder, opened Aspen Grove in 2005 after receiving her degree in Early Childhood Education. She dreamed of creating a nurturing environment for preschoolers in which each child was able to create wonderful memories of childhood in a setting full of natural materials, beauty, responsive teachers, and love. In 2011 she asked Brittany to join her at Aspen Grove while she pursued her passion for midwifery. Jessica is now a working midwife and consults for Aspen Grove from time to time. Jessica and Brittany remain good friends and continue to talk shop over cups of tea.
Brittany Hinman- Butterfly Program Director/Classroom Teacher/Art Specialist, joined Aspen Grove as an art teacher in 2011. Brittany has many years experience teaching preschool, kindergarten, and 2nd grade in San Francisco and Rome, Italy before moving to Ithaca, NY. She completed her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in early childhood at San Francisco State University in 2006 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz. Brittany is trained in The Responsive Classroom and The Project Approach and has a New York State Teaching Certificate in Art Education. Brittany enjoys nature, traveling, making art, and spending time with her family.
Bogna Solecka- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, works in two early childhood settings; Aspen Grove Preschool and Downtown Ithaca Children's Center. She has over thirty years experience working with children in different schools and with differing age groups in Poland, Canada, and the USA. She has also volunteered in many settings over the past years including a Reggio Emilia Preschool in 2023. She believes whole heartedly in providing learning opportunities which are based in exploration, discovery, and play, where the teachers role is being an observer and a guide. Bogna got her Masters degree in Education from the A. Mickiewicz University in Poland, the country where she is originally from. In her leisure time Bogna pursues traveling, hiking, knitting, and puzzles.
Devin Bokaer- Caterpillar Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool in the Fall of 2024, bringing more than ten years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for teaching. Devin has worked with toddlers, preschoolers, and children in Pre-K and Grade 1, fostering curiosity and creativity in each learning environment. Devin holds Master's Degrees in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and in Early Childhood Education from Portland State University. With strong backgrounds in instrumental music, voice, and theater, Devin loves weaving the arts into his teaching with the Caterpillar class at Aspen Grove Preschool. Outside of the classroom, Devin enjoys spending time with his family, practicing qigong, and exploring innovative, holistic approaches to education that nurture the whole child.
Jacqueline Mitchell- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool in 2020. Jackie developed her passion for early childhood education when she nannied 2 children during the pandemic. This led Jackie to leave behind her customer service experience in pursuit of becoming a teacher. She is thrilled to be part of the Aspen Grove Preschool team and too provide children with a loving and safe environment to grow and thrive. Jackie lives with her two cats and her fiancé. She enjoys camping, hiking, and photography.
Shyanne Lewis- Butterfly Classroom Teacher, joined Aspen Grove Preschool this Fall. Shyanne previously taught Early Childhood Education at Tompkins County Action. Prior to this Shyanne worked with young children as a camp counselor for several summers. In addition Shyanne ran a basketball clinic for children ages 4-7. Shyanne comes from a big family and enjoys spending time with them. She is an animal lover and likes to play music such as the keyboard, ukulele, guitar, and base. Shyanne often uses her music abilities in conjunction with her teaching abilities to enhance lessons and activities.
Jessica Allison- Founder, opened Aspen Grove in 2005 after receiving her degree in Early Childhood Education. She dreamed of creating a nurturing environment for preschoolers in which each child was able to create wonderful memories of childhood in a setting full of natural materials, beauty, responsive teachers, and love. In 2011 she asked Brittany to join her at Aspen Grove while she pursued her passion for midwifery. Jessica is now a working midwife and consults for Aspen Grove from time to time. Jessica and Brittany remain good friends and continue to talk shop over cups of tea.
