ACROSS NH is a project dedicated to supporting out of school time (OST) professionals in their work to create high quality, innovative programs for New Hampshire’s school age children.
ACROSS NH Team
Jamie Nadeau, B.S.
Executive Director
Prior to joining the ACROSS NH organization, Jamie has dedicated the past 20 years of her professional career journey to working with and advocating for children and adults with diverse abilities. She has done this in a variety of roles and settings to include community, college and home-based program development, implementation, and oversight. Jamie is passionate about providing all people with personal growth opportunities and has demonstrated this with her effective team leadership over the past 9 years working with multiple state and private agencies. Jamie is committed to providing the support and tools needed to inspire and encourage all who are a part of the ACROSS NH organization, fostering a positive influence on the growth and development of our children. As a mother of four children, Jamie knows firsthand how important this work is. Jamie attended UNH where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, PM
Cathy Hazelton, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
Cathy is committed to program quality, assessment, improvement, and also to supporting the team of trainers at ACROSS NH. Cathy is passionate about supporting the work of out of schooltime professionals who work daily to support the positive growth and development of our children and youth. Cathy's experience includes a background of teaching in day camp, kindergarten, first grade, high school art, nature-based out of school time programming, and community college. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She was an adjunct faculty member at Nashua Community College for the education department teaching child development courses, and even started her own business as a virtual administrative assistant. In 2015, she brought her unique combination of education, teaching, and administrative skills to ACROSS NH. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, PM, IM, NH ADS Level 6 and Leadership Endorsement Level 3
Abigail Blodgett Argentine, B.S.
Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator
Abigail is the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator for ACROSS NH. Abigail holds a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State University in Early Childhood Studies and is working toward earning a Master of Arts in Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. Creating opportunities for youth development professionals to enhance their SEL practice in their programs is Abigail’s favorite part of her work with ACROSS NH. In her 19 years of experience, she has worked with children from infants through age 12 in a variety of settings and has engaged adult learners in workshops and trainings on various topics. Engaging children and youth in art and music learning experiences has been one of her key passions in her work. Abigail believes deeply in advocating on behalf of children, youth, families, and the fields of early childhood education and out of school time. In her spare time, she enjoys making and listening to music, staying active, being outdoors, and being with her family, friends, and her beloved terrier mix, Jasper. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT PM, ADS Level 6, ASA Level 3 and NH ECT Level 6, NH ECMT level 2, NH ECMP IM WT
Sonjia Tainter, M.S.
Outreach and Support Coordinator/Trainer
Sonjia is the outreach and Support Coordinator for ACROSS NH. She has always had a love and a passion for working with families and children ever since she started working at her home town after school program when she was 19. Ever since then, her career has grown. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New England College and has focused her career on helping families access resources. Currently she provides behavioral support to after school programs and helps programs implement SEL curriculum. She has a passion for SEL and enrichment, always putting the child first and unlocking new potentials with the children she works with. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, ADS Level 6, ASA Level 4, and LE Level 3
Rick Alleva, Ed.D.
Trainer/Consultant
Rick has a history of leadership in developing community-based education, activity and intervention programs on behalf of young people and their families, including those experiencing significant personal and social challenges. He provides training and technical assistance in academic enrichment and social/emotional learning topics for afterschool, school, other service providers, and also leads programs for parents and youth as well. Rick worked on UNH Cooperative Extension’s Youth & Family Resiliency Team, developing and supporting out-of-school time activities for children across the state, including 4-H and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. He has been a certified Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor and is trained to implement the Mindful Schools curriculum with school aged youth. Rick is especially interested in helping young people express their voice, overcome challenges and experience emotional wellness through mindful, kind and peaceful practice. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, F, AP
Heidi Belle-Isle, M.Ed.
Trainer/Consultant
Heidi is a graduate of the University of Maine, and Antioch New England Graduate School. She has been teaching for 29 years and has classroom experience with children from preschool through high school. Currently Heidi is the library media specialist in Conway, New Hampshire, and is the Site Director of the Morning and Afterschool Programs at Pine Tree Elementary School. Heidi has presented at the state and national level and enjoys leading adults in engaging, hands-on workshops. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, PM, ASA Level 4 and Leadership Endorsement Level 5
Laura Hesse Moran, M.S.
Trainer
Laura has a master's degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor's degree in community health education. She is a trained facilitator of the CATCH Kids Club physical activity curriculum that brings fun and easy-to-play games to the OST setting, helping kids develop a lifelong love of healthy eating and active living. You might see her driving around with hula hoops and frisbees in the back of her car, always ready to play! She also works with OST professionals to develop leadership skills through the Birkman assessment and various leadership tools designed to help understand, empower, and motivate teams. Whether teaching physical activity or leadership development, her workshops are interactive and action-oriented, always leaving participants with immediate skills to apply. Credentials held: NH ASMP AP and Leadership Endorsement Level 3
Kathy Jablonski, M.Ed.
Trainer/Consultant
Kathy is retired from a career of working with youth in New York, Maine and New Hampshire. As a teacher of preschoolers through adults, she has been involved with teaching life skills, working on alternate education and dropout prevention. As a school administrator, she championed afterschool programs in the districts as well as writing grants. As Educator Emeritus of UNH Cooperative Extension, her job responsibilities included recruiting, screening, orienting, training and supporting volunteers who conduct the 4-H Club and other 4-H delivery methods. Kathy's expertise has provided training in a wide range of curricula and positive youth development to a variety of youth serving organizations and out of school time providers, specializing in life sciences. Her volunteering background includes: 4-H leader, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, women's service club and Rotary International. Kathy earned a Master's degree in Adult Education from University of Maine, Orono. Credentials held: NH ASMP PM, WT, F, IM, AP and Leadership Endorsement Level 5
Sondra Jones, B.A., B.S.
Trainer
Sondra graduated from Keene State College with degrees in Elementary Education, Music, and Teaching Music to Young Children. She worked in early childhood education and preschool for 15 years before moving into recreation and youth programming for the Town of Waterville Valley Recreation Department. Sondra oversees out-of-school time programming year-round and manages the training and day-to-day operations of staff directly involved in the planning and implementation of youth programs at WVRD. Sondra is a Safe Sitter certified instructor, teaching middle schoolers basic safety, first aid, and skills needed to start babysitting and staying home alone. In her time working with youth and managing staff Sondra has developed a calm, gentle approach to leadership and enjoys sprinkling a bit of humor into the classes that she teaches. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, NH ASA Level 2, NH ADS Level 6
Kendra Lewis, M.S., Ph.D.
Trainer
Kendra is a State Specialist for Health & Well-Being at UNH Extension. Her work focuses on coordinating and delivering social, emotional, and mental health programming to NH residents. She has a background in human development, a proficiency in program evaluation, and a passion for social emotional learning and mental wellness. Kendra earned her PhD and MS from Oregon State University in Human Development and Family Studies, and BA from California State University, Chico in Child Development. She has extensive experience in evaluating both school-based and out-of-school-time social-emotional and positive youth development programs. She is a co-author of two mindfulness curricula, Mindful Me (ages 5-8 years old) and Mindful Mechanics (teens and adults). Credentials held: NH ASMP WT, F
Leanna Lorden, B.S.
Trainer
Leanna is a NH native, who now resides in a small rural town near the Sunapee area. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Keene State College. After graduating, Leanna was a long-term substitute teacher. However, with no teaching positions available the following school year, her job search began again. She became employed at a non-profit in 2010 where she continues to dedicate her time to helping New Hampshire’s next generation by sharing her expertise and passion. Additionally, her job for the past 7 years has given her the opportunity to redefine her purpose as a professional and parent. Her work has exposed her to opportunities that have allowed her to build connections and community with many others, who share similar goals and visions. With that, her growing work experience in advocacy and leadership has strengthened her skill set as a leader and parent. Credentials held: NH ASMP PC, WT, AP and ASDS Level 6
Kimberly O'Donnell, M.S.
Trainer/Consultant
Kimberly is a pediatric occupational therapist with a background in early childhood and family studies. She has experience working in child care centers, after school programs, early intervention, and pediatric outpatient clinics. Kimberly earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from UNH. In 2019, Kimberly developed her own pediatric occupational therapy clinic on 11 acres with a nature based approach. Special interests include nature based play, trauma informed practices, and sensory integration. Credentials held: NH ECMP & ASMP WT, IM, PC
Melanie Smith, M.Ed.
Trainer
Melanie is a former Afterschool Program Site Director of 10 years at a K-2 elementary school. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Administration and Family Education from Granite State College and M.Ed from Capella University. In her role as an Afterschool Site Director, she developed and implemented several strategies for working with youth and their families. In her current role as a Licensing Coordinator for Child Care Licensing, she spends a lot of time in centers and out of school time programs working with and mentoring OST professionals. She has a hands-on approach to training and believes that people learn by experiencing, exploring, and experimenting. Credentials held: NH ASMP WT and Leadership Endorsement Level 5
Amy Upton, M.S.
Trainer/Consultant
Amy holds a Master of Science in Child and Family Studies and is credentialed as an Afterschool and Early Childhood Master Professional, Faculty, Program Consultant and Workshop Trainer. Amy has been in the field of Afterschool for over thirty years. She is the founder and director of the East Side Learning Center in Concord, New Hampshire. Amy just recently retired after serving as an adjunct faculty member at New Hampshire Technical Institute. She is a trainer and consultant for ACROSS NH and is passionate about supporting quality programming and care for the children, staff, and families in NH. Credentials held: NH ECMP & ASMP WT, F, PC, IM, NH ASA Level 4 and Leadership Endorsement Level 5