Administrative Staff
Program Staff
Benita Smith, Assistant Director/ ASAP Director
Benita Smith is the Assistant Director of Brockton Day Nursery. Prior to becoming Assistant Director, Ms. Smith was an Assistant Teacher, a Teacher, the Program Coordinator, as well as School-Age Director. Benita holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Massasoit Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Nazarene College, and a Master’s Degree in Management from Eastern Nazarene College.
Sharon Fayette, Early Education Director (Interim Executive Director)
Sharon Fayette began working with young children as a teacher and has been an Education Director for 25 years. She is certified to teach Infant/Toddler and Preschool children. Sharon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Education, and a Master’s Degree in Education.
Patricia Dorelien, Support Services Coordinator
Patricia Dorelien is the Support/SocialServices Coordinator at Brockton Day Nursery. As the Support/Social Services Coordinator, Patricia works very closely with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide ongoing support to at-risk children and their families in the community. She holds a B.A. in Early Education & Care/Family Study from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst and has over 15 years of experience in the child care field.
Fern Shalit, Social Worker
Fern Shalit brings her 25+ years of experience to BDN working in the human services field. In the past, she has worked with dual diagnosed adults as a case manager. More than 15 years of Fern's career was spent as a Social Worker with the Department of Social Services (DSS) servicing families and children who were at risk for abuse or neglect. Eight years ago, Fern assumed the position of Support Services Coordinator at Brockton Day Nursery where she now serves 245 children and their families. Fern has also volunteered at a low-income housing development as well as Catholic Charities where she has facilitated parenting groups. She is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an LSW and holds a bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College. In addition, Fern possesses certifications in alcohol and substance abuse counseling as well as family conference facilitating. Fern's primary focus has always been on families and children.
Business Office
Debbie Shipman, Billing Manager
Debbie Shipman is the Funding Coordinator/Billing Specialist for Brockton Day Nursery. She is responsible for all of the billing to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts along with private paying families. She has been employed with Brockton Day Nursery since 1976. After holding the position of Lead Teacher for ten years in a pre-school classroom with eighteen children, Debbie was promoted to her current position. She works closely with the parents of young children to assist them in obtaining various types of funding and is also responsible for assisting with the enrollment process at Brockton Day Nursery.
MaryJane Gaylord, Human Resources Manager
MaryJane Gaylord is the Human Resources Manager at Brockton Day Nursery in Brockton, Massachusetts. MaryJane is working on her B.A from Southern New Hampshire University and expected to graduate in June 2015. MaryJane brings with her more than 25 years of experience in the Human Resource/Accounting fields. MaryJane has over the past couple of years freelanced within the Human Resources/Accounting fields. MaryJane is originally from Dalton, Massachusetts and currently resides in Freetown, Massachusetts with her family.
Brittanie Hansbury, Office Support Specialist
Brittanie Hansbury is a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. While in college, she was a Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) volunteer where Brittanie worked closely with urban youth in the city of Worcester. She comes to BDN with a passion for youth development and experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research. Brittanie currently resides in the city of Brockton.
Zaida Melendez, Office Assistant
Zaida Melendez, PM Office Assistant, has worked at Brockton Day Nursery for 16 years in a variety of different positions. She is the mother of four grown children including a daughter who is employed as a teacher at BDN. Zaida also enjoy spending time with her six grandchildren who range in age from 1 through 9 years of age. Zaida enjoys traveling to New York and Puerto Rico.
Stephanie Jones, Office Assistant
