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.

Cara Chase

Assistant Director, Early Childhood Center

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Cara Chase is the Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Center. She earned a B.A. in History and Family Studies from Wheaton College, Norton MA, and later earned an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University. Cara holds a Lead Teacher certification as well as Director I and Director II certifications from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Cara began teaching preschool in 2004. Over the last twenty years, Cara has worked within the classroom setting and has served in a variety of administrative roles for extensive experience working with diverse groups of families and students including dual language learners.

Aivia Pimental

Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Center

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Alivia Pimental is a lead preschool teacher in the Early Childhood Center (ECC).  She previously worked in the ECC as a student employee as an undergraduate student. Alivia graduated in 2021 from FSU with a Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in painting.  She earned an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education in 2024 from FSU, while pursuing her initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K-2). She served as served as an active member of the Phi Kappa Phi honors society during her graduate studies here at Framingham State University. Alivia also has experience working in the Shrewsbury Public Schools and Framingham Public Schools as part of practicum experiences for her initial teaching license. 

Ashley Rendel

Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Center

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Ashley Rendel is a lead teacher in the Early Childhood Center. She earned both the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Geography from Framingham State University. Ashley holds an initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K - 2) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She also holds Lead Teacher certification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.