Meet the Teachers

Laura Balch

Laura lives in Hartland with her husband, two kids (who are still at home), and 3 dogs. All four of her children attended the Co-Op when they were little. She loves how special the Co-Op community has been for families and children throughout the years. She is excited to be back! 

Laura has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 11 years. She began as a paraeducator, then became a classroom assistant. She did coursework to become an early childhood special educator. She was an early childhood special educator for years, then moving on to be a co-teacher, and social emotional interventionist. While all of those roles had different responsibilities, the core philosophy remained the same: build relationships, meet every child where they are at, and teach through play. 

In the classroom Laura makes social emotional learning a priority. Starting with relationship building, she makes sure that every child feels welcomed & valued by teachers and each other. By providing structure and routine, her students start to learn how to navigate a school environment and participate in their learning. Laura knows that children learn through play and she is passionate about creating play areas and themed units that encourage all children to explore, learn, be social, and have fun.

Yujin Silver

Yujin has been a teacher at the Hartland Cooperative Nursery School since 2019. She was previously an elementary school teacher for 8 years while living in South Korea. She is happy to be working here with us teaching preschool! She lives in Hartland with her husband, mother–in-law, and two cute sons. Her husband and kids all went to HCNS as children. It is a very special place for all of her family. In her free time she loves cooking, baking, sewing & crafts, reading, and spending time with little kids.

Jennifer Allen

Jennifer has lived throughout Windsor County with her husband, Raifer, for the last 14 years. Her oldest son, Reghan is a freshman at Windsor High School, her middle child Makenzie is in 7th grade at Weathersfield Elementary, and her youngest, Willow, will attend HCNS for preschool this fall.

Animals are a big part of Jennifer’s family. She has two rescue dogs, 3 cats, 3 bunnies, and chickens. She is an avid gardener and each year, she grows a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. She enjoys hiking, fishing, and watching movies with her family.

Jennifer’s oldest, Reghan, attended Hartland Cooperative Nursery School is 2010, and it was then that she discovered her passion for early childhood education. Since then, she has taught preschool as an assistant teacher, co-teacher, and paraprofessional. She is a firm believer in play-based learning and being in nature as much as possible.

Sarah joined Hartland Cooperative Nursery School in the fall of 2023. Although she was born in Texas, she has lived in eleven states and currently calls New Hampshire home. She brings with her fifteen years of working with children around the country. Her experiences with children have produced a passion for fostering a learning environment that inspires growth and curiosity.

Sarah is presently working on a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. Her teaching philosophy is hands-on, being student led while offering structure and guidance. She strives to create an engaging classroom where every child feels motivated and valued.

In addition to teaching, Sarah has three dogs that keep her busy. She is an exceptional baker and cook, holding certifications from Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.