Educators

Cristy O’Brien, Co-Founder & Co-Director

Cristy has a Masters degree in Special Education from Endicott College, and an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and English from Bridgewater State College.  Cristy has been teaching professionally in various settings with diverse cultural backgrounds for 13 years. She has taught within the Brockton, Freetown/Lakeville and New Bedford school districts.  Cristy was lead teacher of a program designed for children ages 10-14 with social/emotional disabilities, ADHD, specific learning disabilities and/or behavioral issues. She has also guided nature lessons at Little Peeps Montessori Naturskola in Little Compton, RI. Cristy is currently homeschooling her elementary-aged daughter and son.

Rachel Medeiros, Co-Founder & Co-Director

Rachel holds a degree in Early Childhood / Special Education from Rhode Island College.  Rachel has a teaching background in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education, as well as six years of childcare experience with children from six months to ten years old. Rachel is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, and worked directly with mothers and infants, with the Fall WIC Program from 2013-2018. She spent several months teaching art to 6-12 year olds with Encompass Community for Independent Learners. Rachel is currently homeschooling her elementary-aged daughter.

Juliette Terry, Assistant Guide

Juliette also known as J for short, started at Elements in Winter 2021. J comes to Elements after teaching at Our Sisters School in New Bedford for 4 years. They hold a Bachelors in Community & Justice Studies from Guildford College and a Massachusetts Elementary Education Certification from the Shady Hill Teacher Training Course. She has also received yoga teacher certification at The Heron studio in Fall River, where she can often be found performing. They spent many summers as a camp counselor at a Waldorf summer camp, leading groups of children on outdoor expeditions, building gnome homes and singing songs. J loves exploring, gardening, playing ukulele, creating and imagining with the kids on the farm :)