HELEN RUSHLOW

Co-founder , Executive Director

Helen Rushlow, a founder of Apple Blossom Preschool & Early Learning Center, came with years of experience raising four children at home and providing home childcare. She holds an honors degree in Early Childhood Education as a Waldorf Early Childhood Education Teacher and she is fully accredited by LifeWays North America. Helen believes every child deserves the best first experiences away from home. Apple Blossom offers children a second home in a beautiful safe place, where children and educators are nourished and guided along their own learning paths.

 

Lisa Perron

Toddler Teacher / Educational Coordinator

Lisa is a Rhode Island Certified Early Childhood Educator, with her B.A. in childhood development. Her extensive experience with children and families ranges from birth through preschool and management. Over thirty years of teaching experience, she embodies the LifeWays principles in her warmth and nurturing care for the toddler age group at Apple Blossom Preschool. She is delighted to guide the children in their exploration of nature and eagerly looks forward to watching each child grow in curiosity and independence.

 
 

ALi brown

Toddler Teacher

Ali has rejoined the Apple Blossom team in the Lil’ Roots classroom. She has over 30 years’ experience working with children including newborns and preschoolers up to 3-years old. Supporting children’s social emotional growth is one of her favorite areas to share her skills and finds a play-based and art education to be inspiring. Ali has completed the RIELDS Competencies and The Incredible Years. She is also certified by RIDE to present Fun Family Activities (FFA) to families looking forward to kindergarten readiness. Ali, her daughter Mae and husband Dougie, share their home with their Weimaraner “Roscoe” and kitty “Sweet Pea”. Ali loves photography and always has a camera in her bag.

 
 
 
 
 

Kelly Bashford Poissant

Assistant Teacher

​Kelly has been working in the early childhood field for about 20 years. Kelly has always enjoyed working with children and states “even though I am legally blind in one eye and partially deaf in one ear, I was not going to let that stop me from doing what I love!”  Kelly pursued her Teacher’s Assistant certification and then went on to obtain her CDA at Rasmussen College. She brings joy and happiness to the classroom everyday. Kelly is married to her “best friend” and they have a four-legged baby girl (a bichon dog) named Winter.

 

Susan Holloway

Pre-K Teacher

Susie has a BA from Princeton University, a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University, and a JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Susie practiced as a licensed independent clinical social work therapist, working primarily with children and families, before attending law school at UNC and later having a career with the NC Attorney General’s Office.  Susie met her husband in law school and they raised their two daughters in Chapel Hill. Although her career took her into practicing law, Susie has always enjoyed working with children and has a wealth of experience working with preschool-age children.  She taught preschool Sunday school classes for 20 years and served on the Board of her daughters’ preschool for four years.  After moving to Barrington, Susie worked for two years as an Assistant Teacher in a morning preschool.  Susie believes that a play-based education provides the strongest foundation for a child’s intellectual, emotional, and social development.  Susie is delighted to have found her niche with the Trees class nurturing each child’s excitement at learning, creating, and making meaningful friendships. In her free time, Susie enjoys sailing with her family in the summer and watching UNC basketball in the winter.

 
 

Susan Mederios

Assistant Teacher

Susan has been a certified preschool teacher for 27 years. She thought about retirement, but her heart told her otherwise. She joined the Apple Blossom family in March 2022. She enjoys working afternoons in the Sprouts room. Helping friends at rest time, during snack and outdoor playtime comes naturally with her years of experience as both a mother and teacher. She's completed course work in both Early Childhood Education at Bristol Community College, and has also earned a Childhood Development Associate Credential and a Massachusetts Qualification Certificate. She enjoys engaging with children and watching them explore and discover the world around them and the lessons it teaches each child in their own unique way. In her spare time Susan enjoys spending time with her daughter, her dog and dancing with her friends.

 
 

carl salvo

Chief Strategy Officer

Hailing from a background in engineering and project management, Carl brings his ample experience in business strategy to weigh in his role as Apple Blossom's CSO. Carl further serves as the preschool's resident handyman and IT specialist. The proud father of two children, Carl is excited to embark on this new venture into childcare.