Rachel Sugarman is a WarriorMama, educator, talent developer, educational consultant, writer, and healer. She is known to sprinkle creativity like pixie dust through her work with children, teens, and adults all over Maine. Choreographing an extended day and after-school academic and arts enrichment program for school-age children is now the pinnacle of her life work. The whimsical title for the program is “Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children.” It is there where children's interests, strengths, and areas for growth will shape what they explore academically and socially. Creativity abounds.

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Sugarman holds a Master of Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. Her postgraduate research immersed her in discovering, utilizing, and promoting teaching strategies that increase academic engagement. In public education, she has worked for the towns of Whitefield, Palermo, Chelsea, Windsor, Augusta, Wiscasset, Falmouth, and Brunswick. She has served as an educator outside of public education in many venues, including Upward Bound at Bowdoin College, Neighborhood Clay, Buker Studio Arts, Waterville Creates, River Arts, Hallowell Clay Works, Common Street Arts, Wavus Camp for Girls, The DaVinci Experience, and Spiral Arts. Sugarman holds teaching certificates in Visual Arts (K-12), Gifted Education (K-12), and Assistant School Administration (K-12). 

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Sugarman’s love for teaching extends into her day-to-day life. She is imaginative, a visionary, and a change-maker. Sugarman has vigorously studied and embedded STEAM education, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Maker Education, Anti-Bias Education, Growth Mindset, and Odyssey of the Mind problem-solving into her repertoire. Like a fairy godmother, Sugarman conjures all the elements children need to succeed. She builds strong and safe learning communities where children feel safe to be who they are, offering a place to explore and develop their talents and strengths. As a result, their confidence develops and grows, elevating their openness to new learning challenges. 

Jennifer Thomas (Miss Jen) is an adventurer and has a love for life. She recently returned to her home state of Maine after living in Oregon and North Carolina. Jen has ten years of experience teaching first through sixth grade in schools driven by the Montessori philosophy. Teaching in Montessori schools has allowed her to truly approach children as individuals, embracing their strengths and interests as well as their challenges. She is especially passionate about helping children’s social and emotional development, supporting a growth mindset and a friendliness with mistakes. Jen believes that teaching children to learn resilience and to step outside their comfort zone is what truly allows them to grow. She knows that forging strong relationships with children and their families will best support them in reaching their full potential. Jen holds a Master of Education from Loyola University in Maryland.

Jessica York (Miss Jess) is the driver and teacher's assistant at Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in English and Biology with a minor in History. She has worked at both childcare centers and schools. She holds multiple certificates in childcare and tattooing. Jess highly believes that children should be able to express themselves and their interests. That is when children think outside the box and excel in what they are passionate about. Jess was born and raised in Maine; she is an avid outdoor woman who enjoys camping, fishing, and just breathing in the fresh air! Jess is a mother of a happy two-year-old and is writing a children's book filled with unexpected friendship and adventure! She is an animal lover through and through. Jess is our honorary reptile and amphibian expert! She also loves to paint, draw, and read.  Jess loves to incorporate her many talents into her work with children.