The Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center in Tamworth is excited to announce the selection of a new Director, Catalina Kirsch. Kirsch steps into the role held by Nancy Coville, the renowned and respected early childhood educator who founded BVSCC almost 50 years ago. Mrs. Coville has been described as “ahead of her time” in her approaches to early childhood education and helped many well respected teachers in the Mt. Washington Valley get their start. Mrs. Coville remains with the organization to coordinate the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, but will retire from the director duties.
Kirsch brings over 23 years experience in serving the needs of children and families. She resides in Madison with her husband and two sons, and most recently has served as the director of the Mustang Academy, Madison’s 21st Century Community Learning Center before and after school program.
In addition, Kirsch has been an active member of the Carroll County non-profit and education community through her current work in the Advisory Council of the UNH Cooperative Extension, Carroll County; previously through Public Health Outreach for White Mountain Community Health Center; Elementary Guidance & Counseling Program at Madison Elementary School; as a Parent Association Advisor at White Mountain Waldorf School; and notably as one of the founding board members of the Mt. Washington Valley Children’s Museum.
“We’re thrilled to have someone with Catalina’s experience,” said BVSCC Board Chair, Kathy Bunker.
With input from community, staff and parents, the Board of Directors recently completed a strategic plan for the continued development of the organization. The process was made possible with funding from the Woodbury Gibson Foundation of North Conway and the NH Charitable Trust Foundation.
“We are looking forward to working with Catalina to realize the goals we have set for the future of Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center. These include such goals as curriculum development that promotes the whole child and the importance of nature and the arts; facilities renovation; strong staff development; growth of the Board of Directors; community engagement; technology education for staff and students; improved capacity to serve students with special needs and program sustainability.”
Bunker added, “It is a significant moment for the organization to see Mrs. Coville retire from her position. We want to recognize her invaluable contributions to our community. So we are planning a 50th anniversary celebration to take place next summer. A big focus of that celebration will be the extraordinary work Mrs. Coville has done in serving the children of the Tamworth region during that time. Look for details later this spring.”
Many of Mrs. Coville’s loyal supporters have begun to celebrate her contributions by making their own monetary contributions to BVSCC through the annual appeal which is currently underway. If you would like to send a message of appreciation to Mrs. Coville and a donation today, you can do so by mail to BVSCC, 27 Durrell Rd., Tamworth, NH 03886 or online at http://www.bearcampvalleyschool.org/
Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center is a non-profit early childhood education and school age care center that provides services to children ages 18-months to 12 years of age. BVSCC provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment, where children are empowered to be responsible, caring, creative, hard-working, and playful contributors to their community. There are immediate openings in the 18-24 month toddler program, in the 2-3 year old program, the preschool (4-5 year olds) and the before and after school program. There are immediate openings for qualified substitute teachers. There are also immediate openings on the Board of Directors. To get involved please contact Bearcamp Valley School and Children’s Center at 603-323-8300 or [email protected]. Learn more about BVSCC at www.bearcampvalleyschool.org . Follow BVSCC on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BVSNH .