Meet our team

Jess Applin

Hi! We’re so glad you’re here!
I’m Jess, a mama of two and the owner of Growing Littles. I have a doctorate in Developmental Psychology, a passion for teaching, and a love of supporting families. In addition to my work at Growing Littles, I am also a psychology professor and teach classes at SMCC and UNE. When I’m not working you can find me at book club, drinking iced coffee, or adventuring with my family.

Reyleigh

Events Coordinator

Reyleigh is our go-to for all things event. Before coordinating events with Growing Littles that include our Halloween event and our Egg-celent Egg Hunt, she coordinated a number of successful large-scale events for the Scarborough Rotary Club. She also has experience coordinating events from her previous job with The Johnson-Wright Allstate Agency in Portsmouth, NH. Not to mention the epic birthday parties for her own kids! When she’s not in organization mode (which is not often), she is crafting, spending time outdoors, boating, or reading. She lives in Scarborough with her three kids and husband.

Rita

Instructor: Playschool

Rita brings 20 years of experience and a Masters degree in education to her work with toddlers and preschoolers. She earned her Montessori credential in 2012 and has been passionate about bringing Montessori principles to the classroom ever since! She also owned a two-classroom preschool for 7 years. Her favorite activities with children include social studies, singing, and messy science experiments. In her free time Rita can be found doing yoga, collecting vintage toys, and spending time with her husband and toddler son!

Kara

Instructor: French Class; Playschool

Bonjour! I’m Kara, mommy of two and the French instructor at Growing Littles. After earning a Masters in Teaching and in French, I taught French at the middle and high school levels before having my daughter. Now, as I navigate motherhood, I’m lucky to be able to teach again to a younger audience! Toddlers are imaginative, observant, and fiercely confident which is the perfect combination to begin discovering a new language. I look forward to meeting you and your little one at Growing Littles, and either introducing French or continuing your love of this language!

Gracie

Instructor: Little Movers;
Little Artists; Summer Camp

Gracie is a kids yoga instructor and mom based out of Sabattus, ME. She has a background in gymnastics and art. She studied painting and drawing at Concordia University in Montreal and worked as a gymnastics instructor for 4 years in Burlington, VT. She completed her 100 hours Kids Yoga training with Sedona Sol Yoga. When she isn’t teaching she loves getting outdoors with her family, biking, painting, doing yoga, and dancing with her son.