Our Staff

Valerie Hytholt

Director, Centers for Early Childhood Education

Office: Child Development Lab, Hemenway Hall 106
Phone Number: 508.626.4739
Email: vhytholt1@framingham.edu

Valerie is the Director of the Centers of Early Childhood Education on campus: the Jeanne M. Canelli Child Development Lab and Early Childhood Center. Valerie has extensive experience working in the early childhood field developing and supporting educational opportunities for young children and for adults learning to teach and care for children and their families. Valerie earned her M.Ed in Literacy and Language from Framingham State University as well as completing the University’s Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education Program in Early Childhood Education. She holds the Initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also holds Lead Teacher and Director certifications from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of California, Davis and a California secondary teaching license in the social sciences.

Holly Casey

Assistant Director, Early Childhood Center

Office: Early Childhood Center
Phone Number: 508.626.4084
Email: hcasey@framingham.edu

Holly has preschool teaching experience in private and public schools providing education and leadership in accordance with the philosophy of child led exploration while establishing relationships that are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture. Holly earned her bachelor of science in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University with a minor in special education. She holds the Initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also holds Lead Teacher and Director certifications from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Stephanie Hopkins

Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Center

Office: Early Childhood Center
Phone Number: 508.626.4084
Email: shopkins3@framingham.edu

Stephanie has taught preschool and kindergarten in Metro West and Central Massachusetts in hands-on, child centered early childhood learning environments where she has facilitated the academic development of her students as well as their social emotional growth. Stephanie is currently enrolled in the FSU Master's of Education in Early Childhood Education program. She earned her Bachelors of Art degree from Hampshire College. She holds an Initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Lead Preschool Teacher certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Arielle Montville

Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Center

Office: Early Childhood Center
Phone Number: 508.626.4084
Email: amontville1@framingham.edu

Arielle has experience teaching in general education and special education preschool and kindergarten classrooms where she has gained a strong appreciation for the unique differences within every student. Currently, Arielle is enrolled in the FSU Master's of Education in Special Education program. She earned her bachelor of psychology and early childhood education from Framingham State University and studied cognitive biology at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. She holds an Initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Lead Preschool Teacher certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Melissa Maye

Lead Teacher

Office: Early Childhood Center
Phone Number: 508.626.4084
Email: mmaye1@framingham.edu

Melissa graduated from Framingham State University in 2016 with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Psychology. She served as Board Member of the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Chapter of the Honor Society of the International Literacy Association from 2015-2016 and is enrolling in the M.Ed program for Special Education, here at Framingham State. She holds an Initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (PreK-2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Lead Preschool Teacher certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.