Meet Our Team
About us
Bright Futures Early Learning Center is an affiliate of the Mason Wright Foundation, which also operates Mason Wright Senior Living and Colony Care at Home. We are located in the Mason Wright Senior Living building at 74 Walnut Street in Springfield.
Childcare has been a located within Mason Wright since 1999. Childcare became an official part of the Mason Wright family in 2018, when we formed Bright Futures. Here, the children and Mason Wright residents participate together regularly in activities, providing a very special way for the different generations to interact, learn and grow together.
We are open year round Monday through Friday from 7:00AM-5:30PM. We open at 9AM the second Tuesday of each month.
Cathy Karowski - Director
Cathy Karowski is the Director of Bright Futures and has been a valued member of the organization since 2021. With 35 years of experience in the field of education, Cathy brings deep knowledge, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to supporting children and families. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Science from Westfield State College, as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration from Walden University. Her professional certifications include Director II, First Aid and CPR, CLASS Reliable Rater, and Serv Safe Manager certification. Cathy is passionate about working with children and finds great joy in watching them grow and develop. She is especially dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that nurture each child’s learning and development. Her favorite part of the job is planning special events that bring joy and enriching experiences to the children and planning events that involve families. Outside of work, Cathy enjoys reading, solving mysteries and word games, spending time with friends, and cheering on her favorite hockey teams. She has a grown daughter and is patiently awaiting grandchildren in the future someday.
Deb Stasiowski - Assistant Director
Deb Stasiowski is the Assistant Director of Bright Futures and has been part of the program since it first opened in 2018. With 24 years of experience in early childhood education, Deb brings dedication, warmth, and a strong commitment to supporting children and families. Deb holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Holyoke Community College. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep appreciation for early learning and the important role it plays in preparing children for future success. Deb’s favorite part of her role is getting to know each child as an individual and building meaningful relationships with families. She finds great joy in watching children grow, learn new skills, and gain confidence through new experiences. Outside of work, Deb enjoys playing pool, participating in a bowling league, camping, and relaxing by the fire with a good book. She also loves fishing and spending time at the beach. Deb has three children, a granddaughter, and an Old English Bulldog named Ginger.
Constance Ousley - Duckling Infant Room Teacher
Constance Ousley is a Teacher in the Duckling Room, where she works closely with infants at Bright Futures. She joined the Bright Futures team in 2023 and brings with her eight years of experience in the field of education. Constance is EEC Certified and trained in CPR and First Aid. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Digital Production from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Springfield College. Constance plans to continue her education by returning to college to pursue a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Constance finds working with children to be deeply fulfilling and rewarding. She views teaching as a joyful experience that brings her a strong sense of happiness and purpose, especially as she supports children during their earliest stages of growth and development. Outside of the classroom, Constance enjoys swimming, painting, dancing, and listening to audiobooks. She is also a talented hairdresser and enjoys expressing her creativity in many ways.
Ashley Raney - Ducking Infant Room Teacher
Ashley Raney is a Teacher in the Duckling Room, where she works with infants. She joined the Bright Futures team in 2024 and brings six years of experience working with infants in early childhood settings. Ashley holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Sciences from Holyoke Community College. She is EEC certified in Infant, Toddler, and Preschool education and maintains current First Aid and CPR certifications. Ashley is passionate about working with infants and finds it especially rewarding to watch them reach important developmental milestones. She values building strong, nurturing relationships with each child and enjoys following their growth even after they transition to the toddler room. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her nephews and niece, shopping, coloring, crafting, and being with family. Her warm and caring nature shines through both in and out of the classroom.
Brenda L’Heureux - Caterpillar Preschool Room Teacher
Brenda L’Heureux is a Teacher in the Caterpillar Preschool Room at Bright Futures. She joined the Bright Futures team in 2024 and brings 17 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Brenda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Westfield State College. She is certified as a Lead Teacher for Preschool, Infants, and Toddlers, and maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Brenda loves being a teacher and finds great joy in working with children. She enjoys how children make her laugh and takes pride in watching them learn, grow, and accomplish new goals. Seeing her students’ excitement and sense of achievement is one of the most rewarding parts of her work. Outside of the classroom, Brenda enjoys going on vacation with her family, especially cruises. She also likes hiking, spending time playing with her grandson, and participating in a Life Group at her church.
Alyssa Spirito - Butterfly Preschool Room Teacher
Alyssa Spirito is a Teacher in the Butterfly Preschool Room at Bright Futures. She brings 16 years of experience in the field of education and joined the Bright Futures team in 2025. Alyssa holds an Associate’s Degree in General Integrated Studies with a concentration in Education from Holyoke Community College. She is EEC certified as a Preschool Teacher and maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Alyssa enjoys working with children because she loves watching them grow and develop. She finds joy in seeing their curiosity come to life as they explore their environment and become excited when mastering new skills. Alyssa is married and hopes to start a family in the near future. She has been actively involved in the Special Olympics for 25 years and is a worldranked athlete. Alyssa competes in speed skating and track, demonstrating dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to excellence—qualities she also brings into the classroom. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys knitting and crocheting, working on jigsaw puzzles, playing board games, and participating in Dungeons & Dragons. Her wide range of interests and experiences help her connect with children and create a fun, engaging learning environment.
Wamedh Jassaim - Butterfly Preschool Room Teacher
Wamedh Jassaim is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience in the field. Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care as a teacher and Director II, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, with a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Bay Path University. Wamedh is fluent in the Arabic language, allowing her to connect with and support diverse families. Wamedh is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging classroom where children learn through hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences. She supports each child’s growth in social-emotional skills, language, early literacy, math and motor development. She enjoys helping children to build their confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Rance Morris - SchoolAge Program Teacher
Rance Morris is the Teacher for the SchoolAge Program at Bright Futures. He joined the Bright Futures team in 2023 and brings 10 years of experience working in the field of education. Rance holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sports. During the school day, he works as a Physical Education teacher in the public school system, and he spends his afternoons and school vacation weeks supporting children at Bright Futures. Rance is also a U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coach and hopes to one day coach a professional soccer team. Born in Jamaica, Rance speaks fluent Jamaican Creole and values sharing his culture and experiences with others. His background in physical education and athletics allows him to create engaging, active experiences that support children’s physical development and overall wellbeing. Rance enjoys working with children because it gives educators the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their development. He appreciates children’s joy, curiosity, honesty, and energetic nature, and values that every day in teaching is different. He is passionate about supporting children’s learning while creating a positive, safe environment that fosters growth and confidence. Outside of work, Rance enjoys playing soccer and biking.
Nissa Newman Barnes - Floating Teacher
Nissa Newman Barnes is a Floating Teacher at Bright Futures, working with children of all ages throughout the program. Nissa began his journey at Bright Futures as an intern through Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and was hired as a staff member in 2025. Nissa earned a Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from STCC and is certified as a Preschool Teacher. He also maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Nissa has set a professional goal to continue his education by pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and has a strong interest in working with children who display behavioral challenges. Nissa enjoys working with children because he values the positive impact he can make on their future. He is passionate about showing children care and support in every moment possible and finds fulfillment in building strong relationships with families as well. Outside of work, Nissa enjoys spending time with his family, which includes four younger siblings and three older siblings. He also enjoys shopping and traveling with his girlfriend, Victoria. His caring and supportive nature carries through both his professional and personal life.
Lori Anthony - Substitute Teacher
Lori Anthony is a Substitute Teacher at Bright Futures who regularly works with children of all age levels. She joined the Bright Futures team in 2022 and brings 32 years of experience in the field of education. Lori holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). She is certified as an Infant and Toddler Teacher, a Lead Teacher for Preschool, and holds a Director I certification through EEC. Lori lives in Palmer with her husband and has two children and four grandchildren. Working as a substitute teacher fits well with her lifestyle, as it allows her the flexibility to travel and spend time with her children and grandchildren. In her spare time, Lori enjoys genealogy research, gardening, and camping. Her extensive experience, flexibility, and dedication make her a valued and trusted member of the Bright Futures team.
Erin Carrier - Math and Reaching Teacher
Erin Carrier is the Math and Reading Teacher at Bright Futures. With 40 years of experience in the field of education, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and passion to her work with young learners. She has been a valued member of the Bright Futures team since 2021. Erin holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Greenfield Community College, as well as a second Associate’s Degree in Office Administration. She finds working with children to be incredibly rewarding and believes that teaching provides a unique opportunity to foster growth, inspire creativity, and shape young minds. Children bring Erin joy and laughter each day, and she takes great pride in making a positive difference in their lives. Her commitment to nurturing students academically and emotionally reflects her deep love for teaching and her passion for helping every child succeed. Outside of the classroom, Erin enjoys shopping, trying new restaurants, listening to music and dancing, traveling, and spending time at the beach collecting seashells.
Kamina Sayedi - Caterpillar Room Preschool Teacher
Kamina Sayedi is a teacher in the Preschool Caterpillar Room at Bright Futures. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rahnavard University in Afghanistan in 2018 and brings over 11 years of teaching experience to her work with young children. Originally from Afghanistan, Kamina is fluent in Persian and Dari. She moved to the United States in 2024 and joined the Bright Futures team in 2025. In addition to her classroom experience, Kamina has skills in sign language and reading Braille, which support her inclusive and compassionate approach to teaching. Kamina loves working with children because she believes teaching is the best job in the world. Being with children allows her to relive the joy of childhood, and she truly enjoys helping children learn, grow, and feel confident in themselves. Her future goals include continuing to improve herself every day and building a successful future that allows her to live a positive and confident life. Outside of the classroom, Kamina enjoys cooking, reading books, and watching movies. She is especially interested in personal development, communication skills, technology, psychology, and creative activities.
Dorothy Taylor- Foster Grandparent with Urban League of Springfield
Dorothy Taylor, lovingly known as “Grandma Dorothy,” is a Foster Grandparent through the Urban League of Springfield. She volunteers her time at Bright Futures, where her caring presence and life experience bring comfort and joy to the children she works with. Dorothy had a long and meaningful career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to her work in healthcare, she is a licensed minister and serves as the Missionary President at her church. She is a proud widow and a lifelong resident of Springfield. A devoted family woman, Dorothy is the mother of six children, grandmother to fourteen grandchildren, and greatgrandmother to three greatgrandchildren. She strives to be known above all as a woman of God, living her life with love, faith, and service to others. Dorothy enjoys working with children because she believes they are the most honest people she knows and are deeply responsive to the true meaning of love. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, and treasures spending quality time with her family.
Carmen Rosa - Monkey Room Toddler Teacher
Carmen Rosa is a toddler teacher in the Monkey Room at Bright Futures. She brings 19 years of experience working with young children and hasv been a valued member of the Bright Futures team since 2024.v Carmen holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and isvcurrently working toward earning her associate’s degree in Early Childhoodv Education. She speaks fluent Spanish and is always happy to assist with translation for families, helping to create strong communication and trusting relationships. Carmen is certified through EEC to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children, and has current CPR and First Aid certifications. Carmen believes that teaching is a beautiful profession. She feels that being a teacher brings many rewards and a deep sense of satisfaction, even when challenges arise. When she teaches or helps a child, she experiences an immense passion for her work and takes great pride in supporting children as they grow, learn, and thrive.
Adrianna Gutierrez - Floating Teacher
Adrianna Gutierrez is a floating teacher at Bright Futures and has been part of the team since 2025. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and Early Childhood Leadership in 2026 from Bay Path University and is certified by EEC to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Adrianna holds current CPR and First Aid certifications and speaks fluent Spanish, which allows her to support strong communication with families and children across the program. Her flexibility as a floating teacher enables her to build meaningful relationships with children in all age groups. Adrianna works with children because she is passionate about providing a safe, comforting, and engaging environment where every child can feel supported. She finds great purpose in helping children develop essential life skills and social-emotional abilities. Supporting children and working closely with families strengthens her determination to continue in early childhood education while contributing to strong community engagement.
Esteban Crespo - Head Chef
Esteban Crespo is the chef at Bright Futures and has been a valued member of the team since 2025. He graduated from the Holyoke Community College Culinary Program in 2024. He holds ServSafe Manager certification and Allergen Awareness training, ensuring that meals are prepared with safety, care, and quality in mind. Esteban speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Visayan (a Filipino dialect) and enjoys supporting the community by translating for English and Portuguese speaking families when needed. He was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and brings rich cultural and creative influences into his work each day. In addition to his culinary skills, Esteban is a musician, hiphop dancer, and choreographer. His future goals include opening his own restaurant as well as creating an art studio for the community, blending his love for food and the arts. Esteban enjoys working in a daycare and preparing meals for children because he believes children bring immense joy and are deeply healing for the heart. He especially loves how excited the children are to see him when he delivers meals to the classrooms. Having helped raise his younger siblings, Esteban feels comfortable and confident working with babies and young children and values being part of their daily routines.
Dominique Bennefield - Busy Bee Room Preschool Teacher
Dominique Bennefield is a preschool teacher in the Busy Bee Room at Bright Futures. She brings 13 years of experience working with young children and has been a dedicated member of the Bright Futures team since 2022. Dominique holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health with a focus on Infancy and Childhood. She was born and raised in Springfield and attends church regularly on Bay Street, where faith and community play an important role in her life. Dominique is also the oldest of two children, which helped shape her leadership and nurturing qualities from a young age. In her spare time, Dominique enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to music. One of her dreams is to travel to Bali someday. She is deeply passionate about working with children because she believes they are our future. Dominique has always wanted to make a meaningful difference in her community by supporting its youngest learners and helping them build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Deborah Simmons Dailey - Busy Bee Room Preschool Teacher
Deborah Simmons Dailey is a preschool teacher in the Busy Bee Room at Bright Futures. She has been part of the Bright Futures team since 2021 and brings over 15 years of experience working with children. Deborah is a graduate of the High School of Commerce, class of 2004, and earned her Associate Degree in Performing Arts from the Hartford Conservatory in 2011. Her background in the performing arts adds creativity, movement, and expression to her teaching approach. Outside of the classroom, Deborah is a parttime dance instructor, sings in her church choir, and regularly attends church. She also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, dancing, and shopping. Deborah has future aspirations of embarking on an extraordinary journey to all 50 states, where she hopes to motivate individuals to nurture a culture of hope, selflove, and family devotion, while cultivating strength and meaningful connections across communities. Deborah chose to work with children because she is passionate about empowering the next generation for greatness. She is dedicated to helping children meet their educational goals while building confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation for success.
Jennifer Lagos - Busy Bee Room Preschool Teacher
Jennifer Lagos is a preschool teacher in the Busy Bee Room at Bright Futures. She brings five years of experience working with young children and has been a valued member of the Bright Futures team since 2024. Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science from Western New England University in 2018. Jennifer is fluent in Spanish and is certified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as a preschool teacher. She also maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Her professional interests include art and science, with a special fascination for the wonders of space. Jennifer Lagos is a preschool teacher in the Busy Bee Room at Bright Futures. She brings five years of experience working with young children and has been a valued member of the Bright Futures team since 2024. Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science from Western New England University in 2018. Jennifer is fluent in Spanish and is certified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as a preschool teacher. She also maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Her professional interests include art and science, with a special fascination for the wonders of space. Jennifer is passionate about supporting children’s emotional development and helping them grow into confident, independent learners. She is committed to continuing her professional development and places a strong emphasis on incorporating literacy into her classroom experiences. Jennifer loves working with children because she enjoys watching them grow, learn, and make connections with new concepts. She especially values listening to the stories they share and observing their creativity and imagination during play.
Natalie Rodriguez - Butterfly Room Preschool Teacher
Natalie Rodriguez is a preschool teacher in the Butterfly Room at Bright Futures. She has been part of the Bright Futures team since 2024 and brings 15 years of experience working with children. Natalie is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is certified to work with infants, toddlers and preschool children, and maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Born and raised in Springfield, Natalie comes from a large, close-knit family that helped shape her nurturing and caring nature. Her future goals include opening her own home daycare and becoming a foster parent. She is passionate about providing foster care because she believes every child deserves to feel happy, safe, and loved in their home environment. In her free time, Natalie enjoys listening to music and dancing, visiting the beach or water parks, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She chose to become a teacher because her love for caring for children began at a young age—she was always eager to babysit and help care for her younger relatives. Natalie’s nurturing personality and genuine dedication to children make her a wonderful addition to the Bright Futures team.
Regina Marti - Chipmunk Room Toddler Teacher
Regina Marti is a toddler teacher in the Chipmunk Room at Bright Futures. She has been a dedicated member of the Bright Futures team since the center opened in 2018 and brings over 25 years of experience working with young children. Regina is fluent in both English and Spanish. Regina is certified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Born in Puerto Rico, Regina moved to Springfield in 1987 and has made it her home ever since. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family. Regina enjoys working with children because she feels proud to support them as they learn, grow, and reach important developmental milestones. She values strong communication and meaningful partnerships with families. Regina loves working at Bright Futures and plans to continue her career here until she retires.
Maria Nieves - Chipmunk Room Toddler Teacher
Maria Nieves is a dedicated teacher in our Chipmunk Toddler Room. She is certified through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolaged children, and she maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Maria joined the Bright Futures team in 2022, bringing with her over 15 years of experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Her background in healthcare has helped shape her nurturing, patientcentered approach to early childhood education. Born in Lajas, Puerto Rico, Maria moved to the United States at a young age and has called Springfield home since she was six years old. She is a proud mother of a son and a daughter, who truly are her world. Maria loves working with children because they bring joy to her life each day. Their smiles, affection, and hugs brighten her days, and she finds great happiness in watching them grow, learn, and reach new milestones. In her free time, Maria enjoys going to the movies with her children, taking walks, cooking, and exploring new activities together. She especially loves discovering new experiences alongside her kids.
Elisabeth Torres - School Age Program
Elisabeth Torres is a valued member of the Bright Futures team, working with children before the public school day begins and in our afterschool program. During the school year, Elisabeth also holds a fulltime position with Springfield Public Schools as a paraprofessional. Over the summer months, she joins Bright Futures full time, working closely with our schoolage children. Elisabeth earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Springfield Technical Community College. She is certified through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as a Lead Teacher for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolaged children, and she maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. Elisabeth is also fluent in Spanish. Elisabeth has been part of the Bright Futures family since its opening in 2018 and has been working with children since 2013. She believes strongly in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” a philosophy that guides her daily work with children and families. From an early age, Elisabeth knew she wanted to become a teacher. Inspired by a teacher who helped her overcome her own challenges, she chose a career in education so she could be that supportive person for other children—helping them discover their potential and grow in confidence. In her spare time, Elisabeth enjoys singing, online shopping, and expressing her creative talent through home décor.
Gerali Ramirez Tapia - Preschool Teacher
Gerali Ramirez Tapia is a preschool teacher at Bright Futures and a proud graduate of the Early Childhood Education program at Putnam Vocational Technical High School. She began working at Bright Futures in 2026 and brings five years of experience caring for and teaching young children. Gerali is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as a preschool teacher and maintains current CPR and First Aid certifications. She speaks fluent Spanish and is excited to be expanding her language skills by learning Persian while working alongside Miss Kamina in the classroom. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gerali is the youngest of 13 siblings. Her interests include reading, cooking, baking, collecting blind boxes, and visiting flea markets and farmers’ markets. Gerali enjoys working with children because she loves helping them learn new things and has always been drawn to caregiving and being a positive role model. She has long felt a calling to be a preschool teacher, and supporting young children’s growth and development brings her great joy.
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