Leadership

Barbara Carlson is from Columbus Ohio where she taught first grade for eight years prior to becoming the Director of the Program for Young Children (PYC) at Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, Ohio. It was there that she was first introduced to the world renowned infant toddler centers and preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy and became a lifelong student of the philosophy which at the very heart believes in the capabilities and potential of young children. After nine years as Director of the PYC, she became the Executive Director at The Childhood League Center also in Columbus, Ohio, and was there from 2002 to 2012.

Most recently, she was the Director at Radcliffe Child Care Center in Cambridge, MA where she happily spent seven years as a fellow researcher with teachers, children and parents and together navigated the difficult days of the pandemic. Regardless of her position, it is her JOY and PL:EASURE to spend her days in the company of children, teachers and parents and to be a partner-in-learning in order that together we may give value to the precious time of childhood and achieve our shared hopes and dreams.

Will Vallely began his journey working with children in 1998, when he took his first job as an Assistant Camp Counselor at a day camp in his hometown of Waltham, MA. Since then, Will has held many positions working with children such as working as a preschool teacher, A.B.A Therapist, Team-Building/ Cooperative games instructor and specialized in developing curriculum for children diagnosed with A.S.D. While working, he obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Social Psychology and then pursued his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University.

Will’s passion for working with children who need social, emotional, or behavioral support led him to work as the Assistant Director for a sub-separate special education program in Newton, MA, where he worked for 10 years. After starting a family, Will switched career paths and began to focus his attention on Administration of programs licensed by the E.E.C. For 3 years he served as School Aged Childcare Director at a before and after school program in Bedford, MA that served 140 children daily. Will then began his current role as Director of Childcare Programs at a local Boys & Girls Club. For the past four years, Will oversought 6 separately licensed after school programs and one preschool. During the summer, Will spent time managing the Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp Programs.

Will is passionate about ITC’s mission and looks forward to using his skills to contribute to the excellent work being done with children at the center. Will is an advocate for children and families and believes in the power of community and collaboration. In his spare time, Will enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys. He also enjoys exploring the outdoors, working on sports cars, and traveling.

Ulrika Shepardson is from a town 5 hours away from the Arctic Circle in Sweden and came to the US in 1996 as an Au Pair. She has been with ITC since December 2014 as the Business Manager and is eager to serve on the Board as a staff member to help ITC thrive and keep growing. Prior to ITC, Ulrika owned her own childcare for 6+ years and worked as a Customer Care Manager for a sports club. In her free time, Ulrika enjoys spending time with her family, friends and baking.

Aline Lemes serves as ITC’s Infant Toddler Coordinator. She began her career as a preschool teacher in Brazil where she grew up and learned from her mom the importance of early childhood education. After completing her master’s degree in sociology and education, Aline moved to Massachusetts to continue her education. She first learned about the Reggio Emilia philosophy while working on her graduate degree and was delighted to learn more about it while working as an Infant Toddler Teacher at Peabody Terrace Children’s Center, a Reggio-inspired program serving Harvard University’s community.

Aline considers it a privilege to build respectful relationships with children, fellow teachers, and parents and to learn from and with each other every day. She began her work at ITC in 2015 first as an Infant Toddler Teacher and then as an Infant Toddler Lead Teacher before becoming the Infant Toddler Coordinator in 2021. She values ITC’s respect for children and the staff’s commitment to develop relationships with each unique child. She recalls playing for hours as a child with her brother in her grandmother’s garden and continues to treasure opportunities to nurture children’s relationship with nature. Her daughter, Alice is a 2023 graduate of ITC having started in the Center’s Infant room and continuing all the way through PSII. Aline believes every day presents new learning opportunities, and she is happy to partner with parents and colleagues to lead our Infant Toddler Program.