Our Caregivers

Mary, Director

My name is Mary Vermette-Graham and I am the director of Little Farm School, my dream come true! My family lives in Limerick on the land I was raised on and the land that is the home of Little Farm School. We built a home here for our growing family in 2001 and have added lots of gardens and animals since then.

I have always been a lover of children and families! I began working in the preschool setting in 1995, earning my Child Development Associate in 2000. I am a graduate of Lifeways of North America. I have hundreds of training hours on topics pertaining to families and children. I have always loved working with children and families and carried this love into being a foster parent and parent educator from 2000-2008.

I was a home-schooling parent for 12 years. I loved being home with my children and being an integral part of their education, using our home and farm as our educational base and the rhythms of our home and seasons as our guide. I have explored all kinds of methods and philosophies and felt a sense of "coming home" when I found Waldorf education and the LifeWays philosophies.

Creating and building community and celebrating the sacredness of childhood are driving forces of my work, and I could not be more grateful to be able to do this at Little Farm School!

Sonya, Caregiver

Hello, my name is Sonya Tracy. I live in Hollis, Maine with my Husband, Mark, and two children, Sara and William. I adore my family and our home and I am grateful for all that we have together.

In my work, I am an assistant teacher for Little Farm School LLC. Mary and I attended Lifeways training together and dreamed of one day working alongside one another. In the fall of 2015 we began our wonderful journey as co-teachers. We share a similar love, awe, passion and respect for the developing child and are so fortunate to thoroughly enjoy all our days together. I couldn’t ask for a better partner and friend. Mary radiates LOVE and kindness and I feel at my best in her presence and admire and appreciate her steadfast commitment to our work together.

I’ve been drawn to the care of children as early as I can remember from being a beloved babysitter in my youth, to a professional Nanny. After graduating college with a Bachelors degree in Social Work, I provided case management for families with young children. I became very passionate about the study of child development and family relationships, exploring many theories and approaches. Becoming a mother in 2005 to my first born and then to my second born in 2007 I became even more determined to find “home” as it pertained to how we would raise our children. Fortunately I happened upon a parent/child class at a Waldorf School in Freeport, Maine. I was eager and curious to learn more and could’t wait to attend the class. The moment I walked through the doors of the school room with my two young children, I felt I had found that “home” I’d been searching for. I hadn't heard of Waldorf in all my years of college, professional work and independent study and was in complete aw of the experience, which naturally, led to more independent study, attending the Lifeways course, opening a program in my home (for 5 years, while my children were young) and now at The Little Farm School where I hope to remain as long as I am able! It is truly my home away from home. I am honored and privileged to be in the sacred presence of young children, farm animals, wholesome food, a strong community and our loving, fearless leader, Mary Graham.

Melody, Caregiver

Hello, My name is Melody! I live on a small family farm right here in Limerick, Maine. I first became familiar with Waldorf education back in 2004 while looking for an alternative to public school for my son. He attended Seacoast Waldorf School from Kindergarten through fourth grade. Many years later I became a teaching assistant at Seacoast Waldorf, working there from 2014-2021. In my time at SWS, I was a student support teacher, taught art, started an outdoor program, assisted in music and choral classes, and taught a variety of specialty classes. I am currently taking the Lifeways Fundamentals training with the goal of achieving the Early Childhood Education Certification. In my personal time, I enjoy cooking, singing, playing the ukulele, making art, cross country skiing, reading, writing poetry, and snuggling baby goats. These are all hobbies I enjoy sharing with children and I can't wait to share them with the children at Little Farm School!

Tyra, Caregiver

Hello! My name is Tyra. I grew up in Bethel, Maine and went to USM for Nursing with a minor in holistic health. After being a CNA for a few years, I decided to switch to health sciences and dive more into holistic health. I went to Spa Tech for holistic massage and I have my business doing travel massage and work at events. After working in healthcare in 2020 I decided to take on a new path of caring for people and get a job at a daycare. I was looking for a philosophy that aligns with my beliefs and learning experience. I found Little Farm School and was happy to learn more about Lifeways and Waldorf education! I love crafting, cooking, gardening, and being in nature. I am excited to bring my knowledge of holistic health and bodywork to your children!

Sarah, Kitchen Goddess

Hello, My name is Sarah and I was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. I graduated from the University of New Haven in 2021 with a Bachelors in Art, and a double minor in Psychology and Sociology. I moved to Maine over a year ago and have completely fallen in love with it here. Being surrounded by community and having access to organic, local food have alway been important to me. I knew I wanted to work with children in some way and so when I found LFS I knew it was the place for me. I have now been with LFS for over a year, and in this time I have learned so much about the Lifeways philosophy and enjoy being able to integrate that knowledge into the daycare and my daily life more. It has also been fascinating to realize how much the philosophy aligns with the way I was raised and have lived my life. I look forward to bringing in my passion for art, imagination, and nature into LFS more and to continue being a nurturing and supportive presence for the children at LFS.

Beth, Caregiver

I have been a Waldorf kindergarten/early childhood teacher since 1989, when I began my journey as an apprentice to a Master Kindergarten teacher on the Big Island of Hawaii (where my two daughters were enrolled). After leaving Hawaii, I owned and operated a Waldorf inspired home program near Blue Hill, Maine for eight years where three of my children attended the Bay School. I then had the opportunity to work at the Terra Rosa Waldorf School in Sedona for one year before returning to Maine where I worked first at the Seacoast Waldorf School for four years as the lead Kindergarten teacher. I also served on the Board and as a member of the Leadership Council. I was then offered a position as the lead Kindergarten teacher at the Ashwood Waldorf School in Rockport, Maine where I taught for eight years. I also served on the Leadership Council and spent two years as a parent/ child teacher. Some of my fondest memories are of bringing puppetry to local libraries and museums there. I am a mother of five children, all grown now and grandmother to 6! I live now in East Baldwin with my daughter Molly Beth and beloved grand-daughter, Faelan Rose.

Kat, Caregiver

Hello, my name is Kat. After many years of travel, my family and I now inhabit a very old farmhouse in Standish. I have spent most of my life caring for young children - first as an older sibling, then as a nanny, and most recently as a wilderness therapy field guide and family transition leader. I have a degree in Ecotourism & Adventure Travel, which is one way of saying I'm extremely passionate about nature, its inner workings, and our place within it.

When I became pregnant in 2020, I began researching Waldorf education, knowing it would become an integral aspect of our daily life at home. Discovering the Lifeways philosophy added a layer of accessibility to this integration. Even as an adult, I find daily rhythms extremely anchoring, and am so grateful to work in a space where this is understood and honored.

Outside of my time at LFS, I'm a working poet and postpartum facilitator. I host generative poetry workshops and support parents through those tender weeks and months before and after birth, both virtually and in person.

I am so glad to be a part of this community - the children, the caregivers & parents, as well as the land, garden, forest and animals of Little Farm School - and am looking forward to all the seasons to come.

Sarah, Kitchen Goddess

My name is Sarah and I am so thrilled to join the LFS community along with my daughter, Aoife Rose! I grew up among the rivers and mountains and trees just off the Puget Sound in Northern Washington State. My fondest memories from childhood are those that revolve around the woods and all of the magic that exists within them! After spending most of my life on the West Coast, my husband and I moved cross country just before welcoming our little girl in 2022. I’m very much still learning about and settling into New England life, but loving it so far (yes, even the snowy winters!).

For the past 20 years, I’ve been running a business dedicated to gatherings around the globe. I am most passionate about the art, rituals and intention surrounding community meal sharing from all different cultures. I’m so excited to be spending more time close to home and offering up my love of food and nourishment to the LFS children as one of the kitchen goddesses!. A quote I saw once noted: “Every meal is an opportunity to feel better.” For me, there’s no greater purpose than being a part of instilling this philosophy, and the skills to accompany it, in the growing, capable minds of our little ones.