Casey Esposito, Program Director
Casey brings a rich background in early childhood and music education to her role as Program Director at Chilmark Preschool. A dedicated educator and community member, Casey has taught music classes at the preschool since 2022 and served as the Education Support Professional (ESP) in the 2/3 classroom at the Chilmark School.
Her previous roles include Story Time Director at Harding Public Library, Preschool/K Music and Cooking Teacher at The Orchard Academy, and K–6 Music and Chorus Teacher in Warwick Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Rhode Island. Casey has a deep knowledge of child development and is passionate about weaving music and the arts into daily classroom experiences to inspire creativity and support emotional growth.
Her connection to the Chilmark campus stretches back to her youth, when she led the preschool-age Playschool program at the Chilmark Community Center for many summers. Casey lives year-round on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband Nic and their two children. Her son Oliver is a Chilmark Preschool graduate and now attends Chilmark School alongside his older sister, Phoebe.
Michelle Belisle, Lead Teacher
Michelle has been an Early Childhood educator in Massachusetts for over 30 years. She has been a lead teacher in various preschool settings including private and public schools as well as Head Start Programs. She holds a BA degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology and has experience working with children and families in both rural and inner city communities. Her experience also includes developing a model curriculum and classroom in which she worked with students and professors from Becker College in Leicester, MA.
Michelle is passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive and encouraging classroom environment that fosters and celebrates each child's individuality, creativity, and imagination. Michelle joined CPS as the lead teacher in 2020. Michelle and her family have lived on the island since 2019. She enjoys spending time with her children, taking walks with the family's two dogs, gardening, reading, and going to the beach.
Skye MacDuff Kerns, Teacher
Skye MacDuff Kerns is 45 years old and has lived on this beautiful Island for the past 30 years. She lives with her husband, two children, and doggie named Charlie in Chilmark. Her youngest child attends the Chilmark School. Skye has been working at Chilmark Preschool for the last two years and just loves it! In her free time you'll find Skye enjoying nature, practicing yoga, reading, spending time at the island’s beautiful beaches, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Abbey Hitchings, Lead Teacher
Abbey has been a private nanny for many families on and off the island for over a decade. She also worked in Spain in 2016 as an au pair. Abbey graduated from UMASS Amherst with a BFA in Photography in 2014, and quickly chose to go back to school for early education. She continued her studies at MassBay in Boston and holds both Teacher qualifications for Infant/Toddler and Preschool Early Education. In 2021, Abbey moved back to the island and worked full at MVCS for 2.5 yrs.
Spending time with children and developing special relationships with each and every one of them has always been a passion of Abbey’s. Being from the Vineyard herself, it means so much that she is able to be here as an adult working in the community that raised and guided her. In her free time, Abbey enjoys spending time with friends and family, her husband Todd, their daughter Loretta, and cute fluffy dog Fumble.
Caroline Davey Hannah, Lead Teacher
Caroline was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard and has spent her career in early childhood education and childcare. After spending time teaching in Boston, she moved back to the Vineyard as a teacher at Rainbow Place. She spent several years as a nanny for three families, and is now thrilled to be joining the Chilmark Preschool as a Lead Teacher in one of the Toddler Rooms.
Jasmine Devine, Teacher
Jasmine is a Martha’s Vineyard native and a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah. She is also a mom of two, and both of her children have been part of the Chilmark Preschool community.
Jasmine has been caring for children since she was 15, working as a nanny on and off throughout the years. Her experience as both a caregiver and a mother has deepened her love for supporting children as they learn, explore, and grow.
In her free time, Jasmine loves gardening, being outdoors, spending time with her children, and enjoying everything Island life has to offer.
Sarah Chickering, Teacher
Sarah is a lifelong Martha's Vineyard resident who has spent the past eight years working with children. Her passion for childcare began while working at a summer camp and has continued through years of experience by taking on leadership roles in summer camp programs, an after-school program, and nannying.
She loves creating a warm, safe, and fun environment where children can learn, grow, and simply enjoy being kids! Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, spending time at the beach, crafting, and making memories with her family and friends. Her love for the Vineyard is a big part of who she is, and she feels grateful to care for children in the community she's always called home.