Trainer Bios

In her 35 years in early childhood education, Rhonda Kaiser has been privileged to work as a professor, coach, and trainer of early childhood professionals. She energizes and inspires those she works with to learn from their everyday practices to guide their decision making process.

She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently the Educare Central Maine School Director. Leading a school of over 60 staff, she believes that a positive and healthy school culture and climate is the foundation of a high-quality learning environment that creates the conditions for effective teaching and learning to occur.

She is the founder of the Maine State Parent Ambassador Program. Her passion to engage families as partners is essential in promoting positive child outcomes and influencing state and national early childhood policies.

Rhonda sits on a variety of state and national advisory boards and holds a 282 teaching certification.  She lives in Winthrop with her husband and has two grown daughters.

Erica Palmer is a dedicated professional with a passion for early childhood education. Armed with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, Erica boasts an impressive 15-year journey in the field.

Her belief in the power of quality early care and education, coupled with integrated family support, has been the driving force behind her career. Erica has worn multiple hats in the industry, serving as a teacher for infants and toddlers, an early childhood coach, and overseeing comprehensive education services for children aged birth to 5 years.

Currently donning the role of Education Manager for Educare Central Maine at KVCAP Child & Family Services, Erica leads a team of 60 staff members committed to delivering an integrated approach to early childhood programming. Her responsibilities extend to fostering parent, family, and community engagement, reflecting her holistic view of education.

Adding to her list of accomplishments, Erica coordinates Educare Central Maine’s Lab School and Learning Hub. In this capacity, she provides training and technical assistance to practitioners both within the state and nationally, contributing to the development of current and future educators.

Michelle Cesare serves as the Family Coach Supervisor and Family Centered Coaching Trainer at KVCAP. With a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Psychology from Utica College of Syracuse University, and over 25 years of experience in family support, Michelle brings a wealth of expertise to her role, and has consistently championed family coaching, a passion ignited during her early days in Early Childhood Education. In her almost 8 years at KVCAP, she has held diverse roles including HomeStart Coordinator, KVCC Foundation Student Navigator, and Family Coach. She is deeply committed to the Whole Family Approach, believing it to be transformative for the families we serve. Now as the Family Coach Supervisor, Michelle has the opportunity to expand on the family coaching work that has been the ongoing theme of her career. She is a Family Centered Coaching Trainer, is certified to train FCC trainers, and facilitates a monthly statewide coaching connection, fostering collaboration among Family Coaches across Maine. Michelle collaborates closely with community resources to meet the varied needs of families, and has an unwavering dedication to empowering others to pursue their dreams.

Nicole Chaplin has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for more than 20 years. Currently, Nicole works with KVCAP Child & Family Services in collaboration with Somerset County public schools to coordinate and provide preschool programming to more than 200 children and an Early Head Start program for 16 children. Her work includes advocacy for early childhood programming, Educare Beyond-the-Walls efforts, community education and participation on several committees that are working to enhance services to children and families. Her collaboration with MSAD 54 currently also encompasses planning for and designing the first school in Maine that will house children from birth through fifth grade under one roof (opening in the Fall of 2025).  Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a master’s degree in 21^st Century Leadership and an Infant/Toddler certificate from the Erikson Institute. She is also a graduate of the UCLA Head Start Management Fellowship program and has experience in training related to Adverse Childhood Experiences.  Nicole is dedicated and passionate about her work and involvement in Somerset communities to enhance the foundation of learning for children and their families.

Julie Elias is a KVCAP Child & Family Services Early Childhood Education Supervisor for infant/toddler classrooms at Educare Central Maine. Prior to joining the Educare staff, Julie provided family child care for more than 20 years.  She taught in an infant/toddler classroom for 10 years before moving to her current position where she enjoys the opportunity to share her experiences and passion for early childhood education with the teachers she supervises.

Brittany is a KVCAP Child & Family Services Early Childhood Education Supervisor at Educare Central Maine. She started out as a teacher in an infant and toddler classroom working on her bachelor’s degree. After earning a master’s degree, Brittany moved into the coach and supervisor role for infant and toddler classrooms. Brittany also is an adjunct faculty at KVCC and is a Maine Roads to Quality certified trainer. Her passion lies with the youngest children and she wholeheartedly believes that the first three years are imperative to how the rest of their lives will be.

Sarah Lavallee has been with KVCAP Child & Family Services for more than 20 years.  She began with C&FS as a teacher in a site designed to support teen parents as they attended high school and is currently the Head Start Director.  Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a minor in Elementary Education from UMaine Orono and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute.  She also holds an Infant-Toddler master’s certificate from the Erikson Institute and a Head Start Family Services Credential. Sarah has a passion for working with infants and toddlers and enjoys supporting parents, providers and staff in their role.

Jamie Maroon has worked at Educare Central Maine since 2019.  She was introduced to Educare when she completed her Senior Internship while finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Maine at Farmington.  After achieving her degree, Jamie was hired as a Substitute which led to her being offered a full time Teacher position working with Infants and Toddlers.   Since then she has worked with infants, toddlers and preschoolers and will be starting a new position supporting the opening of a new classroom at a local community college location as the Supervising Teacher/Family Services Coordinator.  Jamie has found passion working with the whole family and looks forward to working in the classroom as well as supporting families and parents on their own hopes and dreams.

Joni Sprague is the Parent Ambassador Coordinator for the Maine State Parent Ambassadors program through KVCAP Child & Family Services. Prior to this position, Joni was the family services supervisor at Educare Central Maine and a preschool teacher for many years. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Maine at Orono. She was also a Head Start parent from the time her children were 10 weeks old until they went to Kindergarten. Joni is passionate about working with families and encouraging them to share their experiences and advocate for early care and education throughout Maine.

Sara Wilkes is a KVCAP Child & Family Services Early Childhood Education Supervisor for the part-day/ part-year preschool program at Educare Central Maine. She began her career at Educare in 2012 as a practicum II student with KVCC. During her practicum, she was hired as a substitute, and then hired as a full-time assistant teacher in December of 2012. Sara transitioned to a lead preschool teacher in 2015 once she completed her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Maine at Farmington, and in 2019 she entered her current role as a coach/supervisor. Sara’s favorite part of her position is supporting preschool staff throughout the agency with professional development opportunities within the PreK for ME curriculum. Sara is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.