Michelle Whitten-Sawyer, Owner and Center Director
Michelle has been the owner of The Back Cove School since 2014. Prior to owning the business, she was the director for ten years. Michelle believes, “It’s not what you do for children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” When she is not working, Michelle enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and watching her son, Dean, play hockey.
Angela Wade
Angela has worked at The Back Cove School since 2012. She was a certified medical assistant but felt passionate about the teaching profession and found a home at BCS. As a former BCS parent, she believes that the program gives children the skills to be 100% prepared for elementary school. While she prefers the fast-paced environment of the preschool program, Angela has experience in all of our programs including the summer camp program. Outside of BCS, Angela enjoys being outside, taking hikes, walks on the Old Orchard Beach strip, and spending time with her family.
Dean Sawyer
Dean has worked at The Back Cove School since 2019 first as a volunteer and now as a floater, primarily in our preschool rooms. The school has been a second home to him since he was a student. Dean is everyone’s big brother as he teaches soccer and T-ball lessons and plays games with the kids on the playground. He is also our handyman and enjoys joking around with the kids. Outside of BCS, Dean will be attending SMCC for sports management, plays hockey, and likes spending time with his family.
Jaslyn Goode
Jaslyn has worked at The Back Cove School since 2023. Jaslyn realized that she enjoyed working with children after working as a swim instructor with toddlers. She loves how genuine the children are with one another and how pure and contagious their happiness is. Jaslyn is also a student at the University of Southern Maine working towards her Bachelor degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. Outside of work, Jaslyn enjoys going to concerts and hopes to travel more.
Cass LeFay
Cass has been working at The Back Cove School since the beginning of 2024. Prior to working at BCS, Cass worked as a private in-home caregiver, bringing 10 years of Certified Nursing Assistance experience, centered around Dementia care. Cass adores working with children and watching their imaginations & personalities develop, as well as watching them discover new interests and building bonds with other children. Outside of work, She spends a lot of time tending to her multiple species of pets, nurturing her many house plants, and on warmer days, roller skating.
Molly Rose Kingsbury
Molly has been working at The Back Cove School since 2024. She has experience working with kids ages 2-4. Prior to working at BCS, she worked at two other daycares in Portland. Molly is currently working on getting her degree in Fine Arts and Early Childhood Education. She loves to teach through art and create fun learning projects for the kids. She loves to see the kids grow and develop their skills. Outside of work, Molly loves making artwork, whether it’s painting portraits, sewing costumes, or creating clay animals.
Gail Whitten
Gail works at The Back Cove School during the summer and school vacations. During the school year, she works as a bus attendant for Portland Public Schools. Gail enjoys seeing how much the children grow up every summer, and the kids thrive in the warm and patient environment she helps create. Outside of work, Gail likes to garden, be with her friends and family, and walk her two dogs.
Rachel DiMauro
Rachel has been working at The Back Cove School since the summer of 2022. She has experience in all of our rooms but particularly enjoys being with the infants and summer campers. Rachel brings high energy and laughter to our school, and the children love being with her. Outside of work, Rachel plays softball, listens to music (especially Taylor Swift), and spends time with friends and family.
Delaney Whitten
Delaney started at The Back Cove School as a volunteer in 2019. She now works as a floater in all of the classrooms. In the summer, she joins the school-aged children on field trips. Delaney is a student at the University of New England, studying Nursing. Her interests include spending time with her family and friends and playing sports.
Andrea DiMauro
Andrea has been working at The Back Cove School since the summer of 2022. She floats around to each program but works the most with our toddlers and preschoolers. Andrea is calm and compassionate, which helps give the children the space they need to express themselves. She attends St. Michael’s College and studies Education. In her free time, Andrea enjoys playing softball and hanging out with friends and family.
Chloe Whitten
Chloe started working as a volunteer at The Back Cove School in 2019. She currently works in all of the classrooms and is a counselor for the summer camp program. In her free time, Chloe enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing softball. Chloe is sweet, kind, and loves being with children. She attends the University of New England and studies Pediatric Nursing.
Marina Bron
Marina has worked at The Back Cove School since 2025 as a toddler teacher. She has two nephews, which are her pride and joy. Marina graduated from Lesley University in 2017 with a Bachelor degree in Expressive Art Therapy and has since been working in human services. In this time she has gained experience both as a childcare provider at a daycare center, as well as an educational technician for individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Marina strives to instill compassion and curiosity in her teachings, as well as to provide a strengths-based approach to help all students grow and flourish! In her free time, Marina enjoys crocheting, playing the ukulele, and going to live music concerts! A fun fact is that Marina is from Massachusetts!
Ella Nickerson
Ella has been working at The Back Cove School since the Summer of 2024. Since joining the team, she has enjoyed what the children have helped her to learn. Ella attends Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and is studying elementary education. Outside of working she enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as playing sports.
Amari Thornton
Amari is currently in school at Southern Maine Community college for medical assisting. She loves kids, and hopes to work in pediatrics in the medical field. Outside of work she loves spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and going to new places.
Stormy Hutton
Stormy loves interacting with kids, getting to know them, and helping them develop mentally and emotionally. Stormy has a degree in biology and a passion for conservation and marine life. Outside of work, she enjoys arts and crafts, diving into a good mystery or thriller novel, and watching movies.
Sophia Terroni
Sophia has been working in childcare for 5 years at a daycare in Falmouth. She was a Pre-k teacher for 3 years and preschool for 1. She also has experience assisting with infants and toddlers. She loves using her experience with older kids to help foster developmental skills in infants and help them succeed in their future classrooms. Using sensory exploration and helping babies experience the world around them is one of her favorite things. She believes engaging in caring and trusting relationships with the children and their families is vital in this field. When Sophia is not at work, she enjoys spending time outside, doing crafts, and spending time with family.
Graciette Baziluka
This is Graciette or you can call her Sisi! This is Graciette’s first time working in a daycare, and she is really excited to work with kids. Growing up as the second oldest of seven, she was always the one helping take care of her little siblings. Feeding them, playing with them, and making sure they were good. That’s how she found out she loves working with children and seeing how happy and full of life they are. Graciette is also a student at SMCC, studying to become a nurse who helps moms and newborns. Kids just bring her joy, their energy and smiles always make her day.
The Back Cove School 