Our Teachers
Director and Owner:

 Johanna Booth-Miner, mother of three, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a teaching certificate as an early childhood educator through the state of New Hampshire. Prior to founding Live & Learn, Johanna spent 3 years at Newmarket Daycare; a semester teaching at Project Child; an integrated kindergarten in Dover, NH, and has past experience as a Girl Scout troop leader and a Sunday school teacher. Johanna constantly strives to gain knowledge in the field. Currently, she is working towards her Masters degree in Early Childhood and Special Education through courses at Keene State College and The College of Lifelong Learning. She holds current certification in First Aid, CPR, and water safety instruction.

Johanna works hard to enhance the professionalism of early childhood educators. She chaired ABC’s annual Spring conference for seven years and in 1998 was the co-chair for the New England Association for the Education of Young Children conference. Jo is also a member of The National Association of Child Care Professionals and The New Hampshire Children’s Lobby. In 2004, Johanna became the President of the New Hampshire Association for the Education of Young Children (NHAEYC.) In 2003, she was selected as Administrator of the Year. Johanna has also joined the Board of Directors for the Swift Water Girl Scout Council and is adjunct faculty for New Hampshire Technical College in Stratham.
Co-Director:

 Sarah E. Miner, mother of two, attended Live & Learn as a child and returned to work in the classroom in June of 1995. In the Winter of 2001, Sarah accepted the position of Assistant Director, and became Co-Director in 2004. Sarah received her Master’s in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of New Hampshire in 2005. She is Credentialed in the State of New Hampshire as Lead Teacher Level IV, Director Level IV, and Trainer, Mentor Faculty Level III and holds current CPR and first aid certification. Sarah is a member of NAEYC and NACCP. In 2005, she was selected in the top 10 for the Tylenol Award and received the Henry Morgan Award, and was selected as a fellow for NAEYC’s Strengthening Families program by the Doris Duke Foundation in 2006.

Infant and Toddler Team Teachers:

 Kate attended Live & Learn as a child and returned here to teach in 1998. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Needs Education from UNH. She has presented at conferences both locally and nationally for other Early Childhood professionals. Kate has her Lead Teacher Level IV, Director Level I, and Trainer, Mentor, Faculty Level II credentials from the state of New Hampshire and holds current CPR & First Aid certifications. She is also the Accreditation Chair and President Elect for NHAECY and works to promote accreditation throughout the state of New Hampshire.
Kaitlyn is a student at the University of New Hampshire studying Sociology. She has experience in and elementary school setting and also with infants and toddlers at another local center. Kaitlyn joined the Live & Learn team in October 2008.
Linda joined the teaching staff in February of 2000. She is the mother of four, and prior to coming to Live & Learn she worked with toddlers and young preschoolers. Linda received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hesser College. She is a member of NAEYC and ABC. Linda has presented workshops at ABC, NAEYC and BAEYC since 2002. Linda holds a Lead Teacher Level III and a Director Level I credential from the state of NH and is also CPR & First Aid certified.
Amber is pursuing her National CDA. Amber’s past experience includes being a lead toddler teacher at another local center and teaching Sunday School. Amber joined the teaching team in November of 2007.
Alisha is a student at UNH studying Occupational Therapy and started with the infant/toddler team in the fall of 2008. Alisha has participated in Habitat for Humanity and spent Spring 2009 studying in Granada, Spain.
JoAnna attended girl scout events at Live & Learn in her youth. In 199, JoAnna was hired to work in the toddler room and assist in other classrooms as needed. JoAnna married in 2001 and moved to many different states and she took the opportunity to work at Live & Learn when she could. She is also a medical assistant and floral designer and has two children, a daughter who is seven and a son who is five.
Jennifer started at Live & Learn as an intern in her senior year of college in the fall of 2008 and stayed on as permanent staff. Jennifer is working towards completing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has three years teaching experience at another local center.
Stephany joined the Live & Learn staff in August 2007. She is currently going to school at New England Community College for her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and American Sign Language. Stephany is certified in the state of MA as in Infant/Toddler teacher.
Melissa joined the Live & Learn staff in January 2004. She took a two year break to gain valuable experience with another group of toddlers and returned to Live & Learn in August 2009, along with her infant son! Her passion is toddlers as they are ever changing and growing so fast! Missy has a BS from UNH with a concentration in child studies. Missy is credentialed with the State of NH as a Lead Teacher level IV , Director Level I, and hold current first aid and CPR certifications.
Darci joined the teaching staff at Live & Learn in September 2008 as a lead teacher in the toddler room. She has a BS in Child and Family Studies from the University of New Hampshire and has a Masters of Education in Elementary Education. She has been a nanny for over five years. She has completed an internship at the CSDC at UNH in the toddler room. Darci has also interned at Barrington Elementary in a first grade classroom and is certified in first aid and CPR.
Preschool Teachers:

 Danielle joined Live & Learn in May 2009. She has lived in Dover all her life and is finishing up her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from NHTI. Danielle is also going to school for photography.
Geraldine joined the Live & Learn staff in 1983 and became the Special Needs Coordinator in the 1986-1987 school year. Gerry started helping out with infants and toddlers as well as working with Afterschool and summer camp for many years. She is now a preschool teacher and has years of experience with in-home childcare. Gerry is a mother of one and a grandmother of three. She continuously attends conferences along with helping give presentations at workshops. She has taken college courses through Stratham and the College of Life Long Learning to further her education and enhance Live & Learns’ inclusive preschool program. Gerry has also been involved with Special Olympics over the years and has more than 2,700 hours of professional training in addition to the 24 hours required by Live & Learn annually. She is a member of NHAEYC and NAEYC. In 2005, Gerry was chosen state wide to receive the Outstanding Teacher award given by Providian Bank and Early Learning NH. She is credentialed by the State of NH as a Lead Teacher Level I and holds current First Aid and CPR certification.
Michelle has worked at Live & Learn since September of 2002. She started out as an intern and was hired in January of 2003 as a part-time teacher working in all classrooms before becoming a Lead Teacher in the Toddler room. She took a year off to do some traveling around the country and since returning has been working as the transition teacher between toddlers and preschool. Michelle has experience working with infants up through kindergarten. She graduated from UNH in 2003 with a BA in Psychology. She is also credentialed as a Lead Teacher Level II in the sate of NH and holds current First Aid and CPR certifications.
Nathan started as a preschool teacher in April of 2005. Nathan holds an AS in Computer Graphics and Design from McIntosh College and is currently taking Early Childhood courses. Nathan grew up at Live & Learn and is current in CPR and First Aid. He has presented at NHAEYC and is a New Hampshire credentialed Lead Teacher Level I.
Kindergarten Teachers:

 Lauren joined the Live & Learn team in Fall 2009. She is a New Hampshire local and a student at UNH who is working towards her Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She is currently certified in CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding Skills, and Water Safety Instruction.
Liz joined the teaching staff at Live & Learn in January 2001. She left for a semester to travel around the US on a road trip, and returned in January 2004. Liz has a Bachelors degree in Anthropology from UNH and her Master’s degree in Counseling. Liz is a co-director for the afterschool program and works in the kindergarten classroom in the mornings. She is currently working towards becoming a play therapist.
Reanna came to Live & Learn in June of 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Elementary Education. She hopes to pursue her Masters degree in Elementary Education. Reanna has earned credentialing as Lead Teacher level III from the state of New Hampshire and certification in First Aid and CPR. She is also a proud wife and mother !
Megg has been teaching children for over 10 years. She graduated from UNH with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and returned for her Master’s in Early Childhood Education two years later. She has previously taught Kindergarten at Live & Learn for four years before traveling to California to teach under her mentor. Upon returning to the east coast she became a nanny in MA for a family in Wellesley for 4 1/2 years. Not able to stay away she returns to Live & Learn to teach in her old classroom. She is thrilled to be back teaching Kindergarten. Megg loves the beach, playing soccer, being with children, and anything that sparkles. She currently lives in Hampton, NH with her husband and chocolate lab.
Meggie joined the Live & Learn teaching team in June of 2002. She has a BA degree from the University of New Hampshire as an English major and Women’s studies minor. She also has a Masters in Elementary Education with a focus in Special Education. Meggie came to Live & Learn with a strong background in early childhood education. Previously, she worked as a summer camp counselor, an outdoor education facilitator, a Kindergarten teacher, and the assistant director of two afterschool programs. She enjoys traveling and designing jewelry in her spare time. Meggie is a member of NAEYC , NHAEYC, and ABC and has chaired for the NHAEYC Public Policy Committee.
Jacqui joined Live & Learn in April 2009. She was a lifeguard at the Portsmouth pool for eight years, a swim instructor for five years and a nanny for five years. She splits her time between the preschool and kindergarten classrooms and at afterschool.
Before/Afterschool Teachers:

 Liz graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She came to Live & Learn in October of 2003 and is First Aid and CPR certified. Liz is also the co-director of our Before and Afterschool programs as well as Summer Camp. She is credentialed Lead Teacher Level II and in the process of getting credentialed as Director Level I with the State of NH. She is currently enrolled in the graduate education program for counseling at UNH.
Shannon graduated from New Hampshire Community Technical College in 2006 with an Associates degree in Applied Science/Early Childhood Education. She graduated from Oyster River High School in 2001. Shannon attended preschool and kindergarten at Live & Learn as a child and has been a volunteer in the Afterschool program since September 2007. She has over 1,000 hours of experience in the field. She interned at Nurture and Nature in Newfields in the kindergarten class and also at Mast Way School in the 2nd grade. Shannon is certified by the State of NH as a Lead Teacher Level I. She enjoys working on her voice activated computer, going to movies, reading, and spending time outdoors observing nature. Most of all Shannon loves working with children!
Shawn was formally the site director for the Live & Learn Afterschool Program and has worked in Early Childhood Education for ten years. He graduated from UNH with an Associates Degree in Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Social work. He holds the Early Childhood credentials of Lead Teacher I and Director Level I. In the fall of 1998, Shawn started up his own storytelling business. Shawn has taken his unique style of storytelling on the road, reaching many communities across New England. His goal is to captivate children, help them use their imagination, and develop their appreciation for reading and writing. Shawn left Live & Learn from 2000-2005 to travel throughout New England as a professional storyteller. After telling stories at Live & Learn one afternoon, with a chance meeting with Johanna, she asked Shawn to come back to Live & Learn and substitute at the Afterschool program allowing him to help the program and continue to tell stories. Shawn became a published author this Spring of his first children’s book!
Other Staff:

 Bekki joined the Live & Learn team in March of 2008. She is earning her Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology. She is the administrative assistant at Live & Learn and can be seen helping out in the classroom as needed.
Dave built the entire new addition building with Nathan and then stayed on as the Garden and Outdoor Educator. He has years in construction and building design and is now in charge of facilities and maintenance. Dave is also a certified playground inspector and water operator.
Bridget joined the Live & Learn team in the spring of 2007. She earned her BS in Outdoor Education from UNH and has worked in the education field for several years as a facilitator and camp director. She has two children and is the administrative assistant at Live & Learn.