Penny Smith
Director

Penny is the Owner/Director of Knotty Pine.  She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and has been with Knotty Pine for more than 30 years.  She manages all of the administrative functions of the school.

Alicia M. Ciarla
Co-Director

Alicia has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Coastal Carolina University. She is the acting Director and responsible for all classroom programs. She is the daughter of Penny Smith and the third generation to work at Knotty Pine.

Amy Fontaine
Teacher

Amy received her degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Rhode Island.  She also studied Human Development and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree from Wheelock College in Boston.  She worked for 6 years as an educator in the Early Intervention program at Meeting Street Center.  She then became a stay at home mom to her three boys.  Her middle son is also a graduate of Knotty Pine.  She is looking forward to getting back into the classroom and is very excited to be back at Knotty Pine.

Kelsey Tewksbury
Lead Teacher

Kelsey Tewksbury is one of our preschool teachers. She is from Rehoboth Massachusetts and went to Dighton Rehoboth Regional High-school where her child care journey began in their vocational program.  Kelsey received her bachelors degree in Early childhood education from The University of Massachusetts Amherst and has worked in a variety of classroom settings including; toddler, preschool, and kindergarten. Kelsey was also a leader of a social development group for children and youth with social learning challenges. Kelsey is known for bringing a dynamic, fun and creative approach to teaching!  

Katie Sousa
Teacher

Katie McKenna Sousa is the teacher in the Pre-K classroom. Born and raised in Seekonk, Katie grew up with her parents and younger brother, Tim. She graduated from Seekonk High School in 2004 and moved on to attend Bristol Community College, receiving her Associates in General Studies. She is EEC certified in Massachusetts and formerly worked at The Green Crayon Preschool for 6 years. She still plans to further her education in the near future with a main goal of continuing to grow as a professional and to give the children the best possible learning experiences that will help them develop and get ready for not only kindergarten but for life. One of her favorite aspects of working with younger children is how every experience and activity is so full of new discovery. Still residing in Seekonk, Katie lives with her loving husband, Danny. 

Anne-Marie Sirois
Teacher

Anne-Marie is a teacher in the Pre-K Classroom.  Born in Rhode Island she is now a resident of Massachusetts.  After graduating from Tolman High School, Anne Marie served in the United States Army.  She then went on the continue her education at the Community College of Rhode Island.  She is EEC certified in Massachusetts.  Prior to coming aboard at Knotty Pine she taught in the toddler room at the Green Crayon and within the Pawtucket School System. 

Janelle Tessier
Substitute Teacher

Jenelle has a passion for working with children and has worked in the education field for 13 years. She has a Master’s Degree in education and special education. She is a Knotty Pine graduate. Jenelle is happy to be back at Knotty Pine and is looking forward to this new adventure in preschool.