Amy Dyer
Owner and Schoolmates mom, Amy, lives in Ivoryton with her husband and 2 children - both of whom attended the preschool and Explorers programs. Amy has worked behind the scenes at Schoolmates for the past eight years in a bookkeeping and staff support capacity. She comes to Schoolmates with over 15 years of extensive business and property management experience in the local community. In addition to her ownership role, Amy will join the teachers in the classroom.
Lori Connor
Head Teacher/Director, Lori, lives in Deep River. She and her husband Tim have three children, two of whom are Schoolmates alumni. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Fine Arts. She has been a teacher at Schoolmates for 20 years, starting as a part timer when her daughter was first enrolled. Now an empty nester, you will often see her up here in the summer and on weekends working on planning or organizing our classrooms.
Erica Swan
Erica lives in East Haddam. She enjoys her busy house with 4 beautiful children and her partner Jon. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Education as well as her Head Teacher Certificate. Previously, Erica worked as a Special Education Para in the East Haddam school system. We welcomed Erica to Schoolmates in 2009, when we moved to Bushy Hill.
Bill Hutchings
Bill joined the Schoolmates team in 2020. He has been involved in many of the Incarnation programs - Seedlings, woodshop, archery and Nature’s Playground. His degrees focus on Early Childhood Education and he has taught in multiple school settings and grades. Some of his hobbies include hiking, tennis and hockey. Bill has lived in Vermont, Oregon, Arizona and on Long Island. This area of Connecticut is his favorite! His sister lives nearby and he enjoys all of the seasons.
Elvira Ormaechea
Elvira holds a BFA in painting from the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT. She has 12 years of experience working with children - first as a nanny and eventually offering private art lessons. Elvira lives in Lyme in a dreamy little cottage with her husband. When not teaching, you can find her painting away in her studio.
Stephanie Holliday
Stephanie lives in Colchester with her husband and three young children. She has worked with children in the preschool setting and as a nanny for 15 years. She loves being outside with her kids, going for walks, and making messes in her backyard. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family, cooking delicious food, and just enjoying life.
Kelly Tonks
Kelly lives in Ivoryton with her husband Jay. She holds an A.S. degree in Early Childhood, as well as a Head Teacher Certificate. She came to Schoolmates in 2007 with 13 years experience working for a childcare/preschool in North Branford. Kelly is also an accomplished professional photographer and opened her own business, Kelly Tonks Photography, in 2011. Kelly teaches in the Explorers classroom.
Shayne Smith
Shayne lives in Deep River and has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She has 15 years experience in Early Childhood education as well as her Associates degree in ECE. Shayne had the pleasure of honing her skills at The Branford Family Resource Center and The Sherwood School in Old Saybrook. She has been happily married for more than 20 years and loves being in the great wide outdoors, boating, hiking, and riding ATVs. Shayne also enjoys baking and making stained glass.
