Red Barn Staff Bios
Meghan Croft
Director
Meghan has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Boston College, and a master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Nutrition Education from Framingham State University. Prior to becoming the Director of Red Barn, Meghan was the Associate Director of Red Barn for four years. Meghan started her career at Red Barn as a teacher, teaching in the preschool classroom for seven years. Before joining Red Barn, Meghan taught preschool and pre-kindergarten for four years at The Tobin School in Natick. Meghan enjoys spending time with her family (including her twin brother!), cooking/baking, and camping.
Angela Elkins
Director of Education and Programs
Angela has a bachelor's degree in Humanities with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, as well as master’s course work in Early Childhood Education and Administration from Lesley University. Angela has more than twenty years of experience teaching and working with children. In the classroom, Angela has a passion for building relationships that create a welcoming community of learners as well as fostering early learning skills and embracing nature. Angela is excited this year to make the full switch to administration and looks forward to supporting the whole Red Barn community as the Director of Education and Programs. In her spare time she loves camping with her family, taking hikes, reading, and biking.
Tiffany Blake
Toddler Lead Teacher
Tiffany believes childhood is a time to wonder, explore, and discover the world in your own way. She strives to create an environment where every child feels seen, valued, and encouraged to be exactly who they are. Tiffany values giving children the freedom to make choices, take risks, try new things, and learn what they are capable of. She studied Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry at Bridgewater State University, which deepened her own curiosity about how the world works and continues to influence the way she approaches learning with children. She loves creating opportunities for the children to ask questions, wonder, and experiment. Tiffany strives to create a place where her students feel comfortable sharing ideas, learning from one another, celebrating their differences, and discovering all that they are capable of.
Laura Bronisz
Preschool Co-Lead Teacher
Laura has been teaching since 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Framingham State University and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College. Laura is a long-time resident of Arlington where she lives with her husband Paul, son Miles, and. When not busy with work or family, Laura enjoys time with friends, hiking, gardening and poking around thrift shops looking for treasures for her classroom.
Kierst Doolittle
Preschool Co-Lead Teacher
Although Kierst went to school for communications, she is now on an education path at Northeastern University. Before Red Barn, she worked at Carlisle Kids' House. Kierst lives in Beacon Hill and enjoys exploring the city and going sailing on the Charles River. She was born in Weston, but grew up in North Carolina and has many family members in Weston, including a couple of Red Barn graduates!
Cori Lapp
Pre-K Lead Teacher
Cori is happy to join the Red Barn community this year! She grew up down the road in Wellesley and currently lives in Westwood with her husband, son (who is a junior in high school), daughter (who is a junior at UVM), and her dog Caya. Cori has her BS in Child Development from Syracuse University and her Master's in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She taught for many years before having her children, and then spent time at home when her children were young. Since returning to teaching, she has taught preschool and pre-K for the past seven years, most recently at Shalom Corner in Westwood. Besides loving to read and spending time at the beach, Cori and her husband recently opened their business, Wag-a-Brew, an indoor and outdoor dog park.
Victoria Casey
Pre-K Assistant Teacher
Victoria is teacher certified through the state of Massachusetts. She attended school at Middlesex Community College and Salem State University for elementary and early childhood education.
Tori enjoy being creative, reading and photography. She is a mom of 2 young girls and is getting married in the summer of 2027.
Jennifer Lee
Pre-K Lead Teacher
Jen has a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is passionate about helping children build confidence and explore diverse, individual interests through positive experiences. Jen has worked at a variety of educational and recreational organizations including Bowen Cooperative Nursery School; Wrentham Elementary School; Dennis Yarmouth Public Schools, ESY Program; SmarterKids.com; The Wang Center, Young at Arts Program and Newton Academy Soccer. Jen enjoys taking walks, visiting the beach and spending time with her husband, three daughters and her dog.
Diane Chapin
PreK Assistant Teacher
Diane is excited to be starting her second year at Red Barn! She is currently studying Early Childhood Education and Psychology and has experience working in a daycare during high school as well as working as a nanny. She is passionate about creating a caring and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and feel confident.
Outside of school, Diane enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking nature walks, and reading
Diana Theriault
Float Teacher
Diana holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and brings many years of experience working with young children in a variety of educational settings. Before joining Red Barn, she taught first grade at The Meadowbrook School of Weston for ten years. Earlier in her career, Diana worked with infants through preschool-aged children and also served as the director of a childcare center. In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and volunteering.
Emma Thomas
Float Teacher
Emma is so excited to join the Red Barn community this year as a Float Teacher! She is currently studying Child and Adolescent Development at Southern New Hampshire University and is expected to graduate in 2027. Emma has many years of experience working with children through nannying and babysitting and has always enjoyed supporting children as they learn and grow. In her free time, Emma enjoys, traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her family, friends, and pug!