Our Teachers

Ally Hamilton

Director, 15 years

Ally Hamilton, Director: Ally begins her 15th year as the Director of ECDC. Previously, she worked as a senior educational trainer for a childcare company, supporting staff in the classroom with professional development training. With more than 30 years in the field, Ally has worked with children from infancy to school age. She has a B.A. in psychology from Northeastern University, with significant course work in early childhood development. Ally is EEC (stat) certified lead teacher for infants/toddlers and lead preschool teacher. She also has a Director 1 and 2 certifications.

 Ally lives in East Walpole with her husband Pete and their three children Hannah (24), Daliylah (10) and Elyjah (9) Besides being a busy mom of three Ally enjoys running, volunteering in her community and trying yummy new allergy friendly recipes for her family to enjoy.

Heather Inferrera

Assistant Director, Butterfly and Stay and Play Teacher 14 years

This fall will mark Heather’s 14th year as a teacher at ECDC. Additionally, she wears many hats in our program: Assistant Director, Butterfly teacher, Stay & Play teacher and Summer Program Director. Prior to joining ECDC, Heather taught special education. She followed that teaching Pre-K for several years. Heather earned her bachelor’s in Elementary Education with Special Education from Lasell College and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Educational and Administration from Wheelock College. 

Heather lives in Lunenburg with her husband Anthony and their combined 5 children Kirsten (18, Cassie (15), Nicholas (19), Joey (17) and Kimmy (14). In her free time, Heather spends many hours cooking and hosting game nights with friends as well as reading, camping and hiking.

Anne MacDonough

Butterfly Teacher 17 years

As she begins her 17th year teaching at ECDC, Anne is no stranger to the school. Both of her children, Greg and Megan, now 30 and 26, are ECDC alumni. She is also a former Board member. She loved the uniqueness of the parent cooperative then, and still enjoys seeing parents involved at the school with their children. Anne has been teaching preschool for 20 years. Prior to that, she taught art in the Medway school system and the community education organization. She also worked in the field of graphic design. Anne has a BFA from Boston University, in art education, and Design Certificate from Mass College of Art. Anne is Lead Preschool Teacher and Director 1 and 2 certified through EEC.

Anne has always enjoyed interacting with children. It is extremely rewarding sharing the excitement of exploring new experiences with them. She enjoys teaching at ECDC and working with such a dedicated and committed team of educators. Anne has lived in Sherborn for 30+years and has the pleasure of waking to school! When she isn’t preparing lesson plans, she likes to work in her garden, listen to music, hang out with friends, walk around town, and eat great food.

Karilyn Hammer

Turtle  and Stay and Play Teacher, 16 years

Karilyn begins her 16th year as a teacher at ECDC this fall. She taught for 9 years in Ashland prior to joining ECDC. Kariyln has three sons. Her oldest teaches Music in China currently. Her twin sons live and work in Boston. In addition to teaching, Karilyn loves volunteering for her community. Currently she is a member of the Franklin Friends of the Library, she is Vice President/Program for the Franklin Newcomers Club and she helps runs a weekly playgroup at a local homeless shelter. Her favorite activities are skiing, biking, golfing, kayaking, traveling and eating. She’s an avid follower of Roadfood.com. Karilyn loves to cook and her epitaph will be “so many recipes so little time”.

Beth Ecker

Turtle  and Stay and Play Teacher, 18 years

Beth is beginning her 18th year at ECDC. Before joining ECDC, Beth taught school in New Jersey and Holliston. Little did she know when the school she was teaching in Holliston closed, she would have an opportunity to be in a place like ECDC. Beth likes being part of the ECDC family. She says her three children know that whether they go to the Natick Mall or Roche Bros, they will probably see someone from school and have a friendly conversation. Beth believes the dedication of the staff and administration is amazing. Beth appreciates the fact that all ECDC’s volunteers go the extra mile to make sure the school is the best it can

Lynne Abbott

Turtle Teacher, 4 years

 Lynne begins her 4th year at ECDC teaching the Turtle class. Lynne has ten years’ experience teaching preschool. She lives in Walpole with her husband Dave, and high school daughters Evelyn and Renee. She graduates from UMass Amherst with a BFA in dance and very much believes learning through movement and music is a great way to enhance all curriculum! Lynne is excited to be in the classroom working with her favorite age group, preschool!

Jacquie Marcus

Butterfly , Music/Creative Movement/Stay & Play Teacher, 30 years

Jacquie is beginning her 31st year at ECDC! She has served as the music teacher for 30 years, creative movement for 22 years, and a co-teacher for Stay and Play for 19 years. Jacquie came to know ECDC through her children, who both are both ECDC alumni. As an ECDC parent, she was part of Parent Committee but never imagined she would return after her children graduated. Jacquie says her reasons for choosing ECDC for her children are still what she sees as positives today. She likes the idea of a parent cooperative, where parents are an integral part of the school.

Kim Adams

Assistant Teacher, 3 years

Kim begins her 4th year at ECDC assisting in both the Turtle class and teaching in the Butterfly class. Kim resides in Medfield with her husband and has been stay-at-home mother to her 5 children for the past 25 years. Prior to raising her family, she was a Grade 1 teacher and an ESL tutor in Quincy Public School System. She holds a BS in Elementary Education and Sociology from the UMass Boston. Kim can’t think of a better environment to begin working again then with the inquisitive and fun-loving children at ECDC!