Abby Franklin (Loving Space owner and Kindergarten teacher)

Abby started Loving Space Preschool in 1993 and the Kindergarten in 2001, because she wanted to create an environment for kids that was hospitable, healthy, and especially, fun. “So many of the places I substitute-taught were so NOT that way,” she explains. “I wanted to provide a place that celebrated the joy of childhood, that provided a creative outlet, fun activities, lots of friends– with enough adults around to make sure that kids got what they needed.”

Abby thinks her dedication to play based learning is the most important strength she brings to Loving Space. “I have a lot of ideas,” she laughs, “ and I think I bring a great deal of passion to my work. I feel so lucky that my dreams are not only coming true with the school — they’re being surpassed. Every year just gets better and better.”

Abby is passionate about protecting childhood and providing truly developmentally appropriate learning environments. Offering children a school like this has always been Abby’s dream.

When she’s not teaching, Abby loves to read, walk her dog, go to movies, and spend time with her family: husband Chris, kids, Leo, Rae and her wonderful grandchildren Francis and Alfie.

Her favorite quote? “A little nonsense now and then – relished by the wisest men.”
– Willy Wonka

Erin Merenda (Kindergarten teacher)

Erin Merenda has been at Loving Space since 1995, with a couple of breaks for some world traveling. “I took a year and a half off to travel to 15 countries,” she explains. “When I left I wasn’t sure what my plans would be — whether I would come back to work, or maybe stay in any one of those countries.” But she found that being away made her realize how much she wanted to be at Loving Space. Everyday, she says she still finds kids fascinating and inspiring. “They are unique, honest, creative and wonderfully strange.” Creating a thoughtful and beautiful space is important to Erin. She aims to provide juicy art projects, lots of sensory and mess, plenty of large motor activities and lots of laughter. “I want to have fun with these kids, I want to show them that adults are silly and playful.” 

When she isn’t at school you can find Erin spending time with her daughter, cooking, gardening, walking her dog, going on adventures and being with friends. Erin’s favorite thing in the world is her daughter Charlee.

Has she cured the travel bug? “No way!” Erin protests, “I mostly visited the Southern Hemisphere that time. Now I need to do the Northern!” The only difference next time is that she’d like to travel with her family. 

Erin’s not a big ice cream fan but she does love soup. “I like warm things in a bowl.”

Carrie Voorhees (Kindergarten teacher)

Carrie has been involved in the fun here at Loving Space in one way or another since her son began preschool here in 2010. Her first big project was creating the magical mural in the loft room at the preschool. Carrie’s art can also be found in the quiet room, the hallway, and the bike area. By the time she joined the teaching staff in 2017, she’d done almost every other job in the school as well, from cleaning to gardening to classroom helper. Her son and daughter grew up at Loving Space, and Carrie feels that she did too, “I’ve learned so much being a fly on this wall!” She’s thrilled to be on staff here. “Thank you, Loving Space, for holding a space in our lives where kindness is the rule!” In addition to “Be Kind, Work Hard, and Be You,”  Carrie loves circling up on the carpet, dance parties, swing pushing, book reading, and encouraging students to be their best selves. “They bring out my best self too. Kindness works.” When she’s not at school, Carrie loves to explore the woods and beaches. She’s really interested in bugs and birds and keeps an expired woodpecker and an owl in her freezer at home. 
Carrie’s favorite ice cream flavor is dairy free chocolate, mint chunk. 

This is June! She’s an English Cream Retriever who works in the kindergarten with us. June is gentle, playful and brings a lot of joy to all of us at school. She greets everyone at the gate with a wagging tail looking for love and treats. June was awarded Good Canine Citizenship and passed her therapy dog training tests.