Meet Our Team
Kathleen Bailer
Kathleen Bailer, M.Ed. is the Director of Early Childhood Education and Care for Somerville Public Schools. Kathleen brings nearly 30 years of teaching and leadership experience to support the implementation of a comprehensive, integrated, mixed-delivery early education system in Somerville and ensure that all students meet and exceed the kindergarten readiness benchmarks.
Ms. Bailer earned a B.A. in Art from Bucknell University and an M.S. in Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York. Prior to coming to Somerville, Ms. Bailer worked as a principal in public schools, a director of a private school, an early childhood consultant and a teacher in grades PK-5.
Ms. Bailer brings a deep knowledge of early childhood curriculum and an approach that respects and follows the child. She is passionate about the importance of early childhood education and believes that providing high quality education and care is foundational to later success in school and life.
Ms. Bailer holds a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education license in Principal/Assistant Principal PreK – 6, Early Childhood PreK – 3, Elementary 1 – 6, Art/Visual Art PreK – 9, SEI-Admin Endorsement as well as a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Lead Teacher, Director I, Director II License.
Alison Mann
As the Assistant Director of Early Education and Care, Alison works closely with early education programs across Somerville to implement our mixed-delivery preschool partnerships.
Alison brings over a decade’s worth of experience as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, in which she has served students and families in the public school system. She has always approached her practice with a social justice lens where students are taught to be critical thinkers as they engage with the world and learn to be agents of change. In addition to her role as teacher, Alison has served as a consultant, leading professional development for teachers, focused on developing and sustaining cultural, racial, and linguistic equity.
Alison earned her B.S. in Education from the University of Delaware and her M.Ed. in Early Childhood from Boston College.