Staff

Joan Gearty - Principal joined the staff as a full time nursery teacher in 1988. She became the Principal in 1997. She also supervises the early morning program. She has a BSEd from Wheelock College and a MSEd from the University of New England. She lives in Plaistow with her husband Dennis. Her son, Jameson, 25, who just finished his term with the U.S. Marines. Her daughter Wendy lives in Kingston with her husband Rob and their children Hunter, 4 (who attends the Day School) and Abbie, 2. Her son Tim lives in Epping and has two children Teagan, 6, (a former Day School student) and Lily, 4, who attends the Day School.

Laura Al-Hashmi (Ms. A.) moved back to New Hampshire from England in 1999. She began her career at the Day School as an extended care teacher. She then moved into the classroom teaching four year olds. She now teaches two-day and three-day nursery classes in the morning and afternoon. Laura has a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and a certificate in Advanced Professional Study from the University of Exeter in Exeter, England. She lives in Exeter and has three children Nasra, 24, Faris, 21, (who recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire), and Raya, 19, (who also attends UNH).

Sue Anderson joined us in 1997 as a nursery teacher. She teaches two-day and three-day nursery classes both morning and afternoon. She has a BA from Caldwell College, NJ. Sue lives in Brentwood with her husband Bill. They have two daughters, Jen, who lives with her husband, Alex, in Raymond, and Catherine, 21, who attends Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

Trina Daigle taught kindergarten at the Day School some years ago and took time off to spend with her young children. She returned in 1997 to teach nursery classes in the morning. She now teaches a three day class in the afternoon as well. Trina has a BS degree from Simmons College. Trina lives in Newmarket with her husband Bob. They have two children, Lukas, 22 (who is a U.S. Marine), and Katelyn, 20, (who attends UNH). Both of them attended the Day School.

Joetta Girard joined the Exeter Day School in 1997. She teaches our five day pre-kindergarten program and a three day afternoon class for older three year olds. Joetta has a BS from New Hampshire College and a MSEd from Notre Dame College. Joetta lives in Stratham with her husband Mike. They have two children, Keith, 22, who recently graduated from UNH, and Marie, 20.

Chris Gleason joined our team in 1998 as extended day supervisor. She has a BA degree from the University of Vermont. Chris is an aide in the four day morning class and supervises extended day on Tuesday and Thursdays. Chris lives in Exeter with her husband Peter. They have two daughters, Heather, 23, (who lives in North Carolina) and Sarah, 20 (who attends Endicott College).

Lucy Harden joined our staff in 2006 as an aide in the 5-day pre-k class. Lucy lives in Stratham with her husband Rick. They have two grown sons. One living in Texas with his twin sons, and the other lives in Portsmouth with his wife, who is due with their first child in August. They also have a daughter who lives in Dover.

Pam Kasnet entered our school as a parent and has been our office manager since 1992. She has a BA from the University of New Hampshire. Pam resides in Exeter. She has two children, Brad, 26, who lives in Boston and Lauren, 23, who recently graduated from the North American Racing Academy in Lexington, KY. Both Brad and Lauren attended the Day School.

Ray Lassonde has been our music teacher since 1998. He has a BS degree from Granite State College and is working on a certificate from the Berkley School of Music. He teaches music classes two full days per week and runs two extracurricular music programs as well. Ray lives in Concord with his wife Linda and daughter Kayleigh, 12. Ray also teaches piano lessons here at the school on Tuesdays.

Sue McColley began as a substitute teacher at the Day School. Her first year on staff she taught a two day afternoon nursery class. Last year she supervised our mid-morning drop-off program. This year she will supervise extended care programs and teach our cooking class and our new science class. She received her B.S. degree from Lesley College and her M.S. Ed. degree from Wheelock College. Sue taught in Sandown NH as an elementary school teacher for eight years. She lives in Brentwood with her husband Michael. They have three children, Kayla, 15, Daniel, 13, and Katrina, 7.

Karen McQueen joined our school as a parent when her son Colin was in kindergarten, and has been a classroom aide since 1995. This is her third year working with Abby Moreau in the 2-day morning class. Karen also supervises the Lunch Bunch program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Karen has a certificate from Northern Essex Community College. She lives in Exeter with her husband Kevin. They have two children, Meaghan, 23, and Colin, 21 (who attends Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.)

Abby Moreau joined the day school in 2006. She teaches two day morning and afternoon nursery classes. Abby received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and her M.S. Ed. from Wheelock College. Abby lives in Exeter with her husband Russ. They have two daughters, Morgan, 25, (who teaches in Georgia) and Caroline, 22, (who attends UNH.)

Patti Styles taught in our kindergarten program for ten years. She now teaches our morning and afternoon four day class for four year olds. Patti has a BS from the University of Rhode Island. Patti lives in Exeter with her husband Frank. They have three daughters, Sarah, 24, (who lives in California), Laura, 20, (who lives in Boston) and Meghan, 17, all of whom attended the Day School.

Mary Willis has been a classroom aide since 1997. She assists Sue Anderson with her nursery classes and Ray Lassonde with his extracurricular music classes. Mary has a BA degree from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She lives in Kensington with her husband Dennis. They have two daughters, Meaghan, who lives in Haverhill with her husband Chris, and Mariah, 26.