Bios

Mrs. Kathleen McCarthy

Kathleen, the owner and director administrates over the curriculum and daily operations of the school. She taught in the Lowell Public Schools for 7 years before opening Building Blocks in the fall of 1986. Her education includes an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Certification in Reading. She lives in Lowell and has 3 grown children as well as 3 grandchildren.

Mrs. Kerry Fantasia

Kerry is the director of the Prep. She was born and educated in Lowell and is certified in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working toward her BA in Education. She will teach a class of 3 year olds as well as attend to business at the Prep. Kerry lives in Dracut with her husband and 2 girls, who both attended Building Blocks.

Mrs. Karen Godfroy

This is Karen’s 10th year working with us. Karen first volunteered with us, then substituted and then got her certificate to teach preschool. This year Karen will teach 3 & 4 year olds. She has 3 children of her own and lives in Lowell. Karen also handles tuition. If you have a problem or a question with tuition, call her!

Mrs. Carole Gray

Carole was born and educated in Lowell. She worked at Building Blocks throughout the last few years in a volunteer capacity. She is now certified in Early Childhood and will work at The Prep. She lives with her husband and 3 children, 2 who have graduated and her son Sean who will be in Miss Hannaford’s class.

Mrs. Kathy Gwiazda

Kathy came to us 12 years ago as an assistant teacher. Over the years, she has worked with the 3, 4 and 5 year olds. This year Kathy will be an Apple Avenue assistant.


Ms. Lauren Hannaford

Lauren has been a part of Building Blocks for 4 years. Most know her as a Camp counselor at Camp Caribbean. She is currently working toward her BA in the field of Early Childhood Education. This year, Lauren will be teaching a Transitional Kindergarten class on Ladybug Lane.

Miss Ashley Hoey

Ashley was born and raised in Lowell. She has been with building Blocks for 2 years. She has earned her certificate in Early Childhood. She currently attends Middlesex Community College and is working toward her Associates.

Mrs. Karen McCarthy

Karen was born in Stony Point, New York. She graduated from Lehigh University, and it was there she met and married Mrs. McCarthy’s son Sean. They have 3 children all who attended Building Blocks. It was at Building Blocks that Karen volunteered and got her Early Childhood certification. Karen lives in Melrose and will commute to The Prep with young Sean who will be in Mrs. O’Shaughnessy’s class.

Mrs. Janice McGuire

Jan will return to Building Blocks for her 5th year. For years, she was a substitute teacher in the Lowell School system. We first met Jan through her 2 grandchildren who are graduates of Building Blocks. She lives in Lowell with her husband. Jan will be assisting the teachers on Apple ave. and Ladybug Lane.

Mrs. Karen Mercuri

Karen a Lowell native has been substituting at Building Blocks for several years. She has earned her certification in Early Childhood. This year she will teach a preschool class at The Prep.

Mrs. Emma Morris

Emma will be returning to Building Blocks for her 13th year. Emma has 4 children who are all graduates of Building Blocks. This year Emma will be teaching kindergarten.  She is a graduate of Northern Essex where she earned an Associate's Degree in Science and worked in the medical field prior to coming to Building Blocks.  She is also certified in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Patricia O'Shaughnessy

Pat will be returning to Building Blocks for her 12th year. This year Pat will again be teaching one of the Transitional Kindergartens. She is a graduate of Lowell Commercial College where she earned an Associate's Degree in the Arts. Pat received her certification in Early Childhood Education from Middlesex Community College. 

Mrs. Deborah Raras

Debbie will be returning to Building Blocks for her 14th year. This year she will  again be teaching a Transitional Kindergarten class.  She is a graduate of Quincy College where she earned an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior to coming to Building Blocks she substituted in the Lowell Public Schools.  She is married and has 3 grown boys.

Mrs. Mary Sperounis

Mary will be returning to Building Blocks for her 8th year.  She has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior to coming to Building Blocks she worked at Merrimack Special Education Collaborative in the Early Childhood Center. This year Mary will teach a Mon/Wed/Fri class as well as Tues/Thurs class and she is also the web coordinator. 

Mrs. Susan Sykes

Susan is beginning her 13th year at Building Blocks. Prior to coming to Building Blocks, she taught at the Lowell YMCA Preschool. Susan attended UMass/Lowell where she was an Elementary Education major. She completed her Early Childhood Education Certification at Middlesex Community College. This year she will be teaching 4 year olds and working as curriculum coordinator. Sue is the mother of 3 children, one who attended Building Blocks for 2 years.

Mrs. Denise Tucker

Denise will be returning to Building Blocks for her 11th year. She emigrated from Ireland and was an au pair in New York for several years. Denise is a graduate of Suffolk County Community College in New York where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working toward Her BA in Early Childhood Education. She lives in Lowell with her husband.